Rolls-Royce Droptail: The Pinnacle of Luxury Cars

author: FutureCar Staff    

This may come as a surprise, but I am not the target audience for what is likely the most expensive new car in the world. I do not possess great wealth, nor do I control a nation's water supply. Therefore, my opinion may not be the most qualified to judge a car with a price tag in the eight figures. However, the Rolls-Royce Droptail has left me somewhat perplexed.

During Monterey Car Week, Rolls-Royce unveiled the Droptail, which is likely to break its own record for the world's most expensive new car. The previous record was held by the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, which made its debut at last year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. The Boat Tail's official cost was never disclosed, as only three custom-built cars were made according to the customers' specifications. Rumors circulated that Jay-Z and Beyonce were among the customers. The Boat Tail was rumored to have a price tag of $28 million. While the exact cost of the new Droptail has not been officially revealed, Autocar reports that it is even more expensive than the Boat Tail.

The Drive has reached out to Rolls-Royce for confirmation on the pricing and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Similar to the Boat Tail, the new Droptail is a coachbuilt design that shares very little with other Rolls-Royce models. Only four Droptails will be produced, each one tailored to the specific preferences of its owner. The design of the Droptail was a collaborative effort between Rolls-Royce and the four customers.

The Droptail is undeniably beautiful, but is it $30 million worth of beauty? According to the automaker, the long hood, custom rear deck, and low-slung shoulder line pay homage to roadsters from the 1920s. The first Droptail to be made, named "La Rose Noire," features a red-and-black color scheme inspired by the Black Baccara flower.

The cabin of the Droptail will be familiar to those who have seen modern Rolls-Royce models, but it does have some unique elements. The center armrest is new, and the dashboard trim is adorned with a red/black geometric pattern reminiscent of the opening credits of Casino Royale. The same pattern covers the entire rear deck of the Droptail. As is customary for ultra-luxury cars, the Droptail comes with a custom Audemars Piguet watch that fits into the dashboard, serving as the car's clock. Rolls-Royce even conducted crash tests to ensure the watch remains secure in the event of an accident.

Contrary to its two-door design, the Droptail is not based on the new electric Rolls-Royce Spectre. Instead, La Rose Noire is equipped with a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 engine that produces 593 horsepower, 30 more than the Phantom. However, the torque is slightly lower at 620 lb-ft, 44 lb-ft less than the Phantom.

The Rolls-Royce Droptail is an impressive and unique car, crafted almost entirely by hand. It stands out from other vehicles on the road. Some may argue that it is not worth $30 million or more, especially when competing with the stunning vintage cars at Pebble Beach. However, in the world of the ultra-rich, exclusivity is highly valued. Being one of only four people in the world to own this exquisite Rolls-Royce is what makes the Droptail so valuable. At the very least, it is arguably more deserving of its price tag than the charred remains of a once beautiful Ferrari.

FutureCar Staff