Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail

author: FutureCar Staff    

Amethyst Droptail, one of only four unique expressions of the Rolls-Royce Droptail, is a stunning coachbuilt masterpiece that pays tribute to its commissioning client's cultural heritage, family legacy, and personal passions.

The inspiration for Amethyst Droptail came from the amethyst gem, which is the birthstone of the client's son and symbolizes purity, clarity, and resilience. The client, whose family business has evolved from a gemstone boutique to a multinational corporation, has a deep appreciation for quiet artistry and subtle details.

The exterior design of the Droptail was influenced by the client's desire to celebrate the cultural heritage of their home region, specifically the Globe Amaranth wildflower that blooms in the nearby desert. The duotone exterior paint finish captures the different stages of the flower's bloom, with the main body color named Globe Amaranth, a soft purple hue with a silver undertone and an iridescent finish. The upper coachwork is painted in a deep purple Amethyst color.

The motor car also features a subtle hint of mauve paint on the inside of the wheels, providing an elegant contrast to the mirror-polished aluminum surface. The carbon fiber used in the lower sections of the car is treated with a chevron pattern book-matched along two axes, adding geometric decoration to the technical exterior surfaces. The carbon fiber is finished with a layer of lacquer tinted with Amethyst pigment, creating a hidden detail that reflects the client's love for subtlety and restraint.

The Pantheon grille treatment presented a challenge for Rolls-Royce's artisans, as it required a highly complex surface treatment. The grille surround and vane pieces were partially hand-brushed and partially hand-polished, with a precise line demarking each finish. This treatment was inspired by the brushed hands of a historically significant watch, as suggested by the client's son, who is a collector of haute horlogerie.

The interior of Amethyst Droptail features personally curated materials and crafts chosen by the client and their family. The wood selection began with a sample of Calamander Light open-pore wood, which served as the inspiration for the motor car's leather treatment. The leather, in the Sand Dunes hue, perfectly matches the caramel strands on the Calamander Light wood. Rolls-Royce also created the most extensive wooden surface area in its history, with wood extending from the fascia and doors to the center armrest and aft deck. A new veneering process was developed specifically for Amethyst Droptail, with each veneer sheet placed upside down to expose the raw wood texture.

To ensure the interior wood parts were compatible in different climates, they underwent rigorous endurance testing. The leather, named Amethyst, complements the exterior surface and is finished with a pearlescent lacquer. The rotary dials in the interior are adorned with convex cabochon-style Amethyst gems, adding a touch of luxury and elegance.

The Droptail features a removable hard top that gives it two distinct characters: an open-top roadster without the roof and a dramatic coupé with the roof installed. The roof incorporates electrochromic glass that can change color and transparency instantly. The glass has a unique chameleon effect that mirrors the Amethyst exterior finish when deactivated, and matches the Sand Dunes leather color when activated.

The fascia of Amethyst Droptail showcases a unique timepiece commissioned by the client from Vacheron Constantin. Handmade in Geneva, the timepiece features a bi-retrograde display and a bi-axial tourbillon. It is securely housed in a specially designed holder that allows it to be removed and stored separately from the motor car if desired.

In the history of Rolls-Royce design, Amethyst Droptail will be remembered as a representation of how accurately the creative response can reflect the soul of an individual commissioning client through both literal and conceptual expressions of personal luxury.

FutureCar Staff