Amethyst Droptail unveiled

author: FutureCar Staff    

When the owner of a multinational gemstone company has millions of pounds to spare, they commission a bespoke Rolls-Royce Droptail adorned with glitzy stones. This extravagant vehicle, named the Amethyst, is the second of four unique takes on the coachbuilt Rolls-Royce Droptail that recently debuted in Monterey. The identity of the client remains a secret, but it has been disclosed that they are the owner of a family-run gemstone company and a collector of significant motor cars. Additionally, the amethyst gem is the birthstone of their son, suggesting that they are quite well off.

The purple amethyst stone plays a significant role in the design of the Amethyst. The Spirit of Ecstasy is surrounded by amethyst "cabochons," which are polished gemstones with a rounded finish. This choice was made to avoid a conspicuous sparkle, as requested by the buyer. More amethyst cabochons can be found inside the vehicle, placed in the center of the rotary dials on the dashboard. The gemstone's color is reflected throughout the cabin, with the primary hue of the interior being "Amethyst" purple leather. This is contrasted with Sand Dunes highlights and Calamander Light open-pore wood veneer.

The back of the car features a significant amount of wood, which serves a functional purpose rather than being a surface to sunbathe on while parked at Monaco's harbor. Rolls-Royce's aerodynamicists and wood specialists worked closely together to find the right textures and angles of the panels, optimizing airflow towards the rear of the vehicle. Interestingly, Rolls-Royce claims that it is the only car in the world that generates downforce using a raw wood surface.

Contrary to expectations, the Droptail is not simply a rebodied Phantom with the roof cut off. It is based on an all-new carbon, aluminum, and steel monocoque that is specifically designed for the Droptail. Unlike the electric Spectre, the Amethyst Droptail utilizes Rolls-Royce's twin turbocharged V12 engine. While power figures have not been disclosed, it is safe to assume that it offers ample performance.

According to design director Anders Warming, the Amethyst Droptail represents the accuracy of Rolls-Royce's creative response in projecting the soul of an individual commissioning client through both literal and highly conceptual expressions of personal luxury. It is also rumored to be one of the firm's most expensive commissions, with estimates suggesting a price tag in the tens of millions. However, if a purple Rolls-Royce is all you desire, you could opt for the Ghost Black Badge, priced at £374,950, although it does not come with aerodynamic wood decking.

FutureCar Staff