Drop Tail: A Rare Two-Seat Roadster by Rolls-Royce

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】Rolls-Royce has unveiled the ultra-limited Drop Tail, a two-seat roadster that pays homage to the brand's coachbuilt drop-tops from a century ago. The result of a four-year collaboration with four clients, the Drop Tail is considered the epitome of Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilding capabilities. It features a new monocoque chassis and is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine.

FutureCar Staff Aug 23, 2023 6:48 AM PT

Drop Tail: A Rare Two-Seat Roadster by Rolls-Royce

The Rolls-Royce Drop Tail is a modern two-seat roadster that pays homage to the coachbuilt drop-tops of the past, which played a significant role in establishing the brand as a leading luxury manufacturer a century ago.

Developed over four years through a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and four clients, the Drop Tail represents the epitome of the company's in-house coachbuilding capabilities. It follows in the footsteps of previous ultra-exclusive, multi-million-pound specials like the Sweptail in 2017 and the Boat Tail in 2021.

While Rolls-Royce does not disclose the exact prices of its coachbuilt specials, it is known that each of the four Drop Tails cost its owner more than the £20 million Boat Tail.

Unlike a simple reworking of the retired Dawn convertible, the Drop Tail features a brand-new monocoque chassis made from a combination of steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber. This marks a first for the Coachbuild division, which previously utilized the Architecture of Luxury platform for bespoke models, shared with the Cullinan, Ghost, and Phantom.

Under the hood, the Drop Tail is powered by a familiar twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 engine. However, it has been specially tuned to deliver 30bhp more power than the Phantom while reducing torque by 44lb ft. The result is a total output of 593bhp and 620lb ft. Although specific performance figures have not been revealed, it is expected that the Drop Tail will closely match the V12-engined Dawn, achieving a sub-5.0sec 0-62mph time and a top speed limited to 155mph.

Rolls-Royce design director Anders Warming explained that the decision to use a V12 powertrain instead of an electric one was due to the brand's intention to celebrate the roadster and the V12 for the next few years. However, he acknowledged that the future of electric coachbuilds remains uncertain.

Measuring 5.3m in length and 2.0m in width, the Drop Tail is smaller than the electric Spectre. Its bespoke silhouette is characterized by a low coupé-esque roofline inspired by 'chop-top' hot rods, giving the car a more sporty character compared to mainstream Rolls-Royce models. This is further emphasized by the blade-shaped haunches and the large carbon fiber rear diffuser, finished in a semi-clear lacquer to highlight its prominent position on the painted body.