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 have vast wealth or control over a country's resources. However, the Rolls-Royce Droptail has caught my attention with its unique design.

Rolls-Royce recently unveiled the Droptail during Monterey Car Week, most likely breaking its own record for the priciest new car. Previously, the title belonged to 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 it was a bespoke project with only three coachbuilt cars created according to specific customer requirements. Rumors suggest that Jay-Z and Beyonce were among the customers. The Boat Tail was rumored to command $28 million, but the new Droptail is reported to be even more expensive.

The Drive reached out to Rolls-Royce for pricing confirmation and will update the story with more information.

Similar to the Boat Tail, the Droptail is a coachbuilt design that shares little with other Rolls-Royce models. Only four Droptails will be produced, each customized to the owner's preferences. The design was a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and the four customers.

While it is undeniably a beautiful car, is it worth $30 million? 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, known as "La Rose Noire," features a red-and-black color scheme inspired by the Black Baccara flower.

The Droptail's cabin will be familiar to those who have seen a modern Rolls-Royce, but it does have some unique features. 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 motif can be found on the entire rear deck of the Droptail. Additionally, the car comes with a bespoke Audemars Piguet watch that fits into the dashboard, serving as the car's clock. Rolls-Royce even crash-tested the design to ensure the watch's safety in the event of an accident.

Contrary to its two-door appearance, 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 compared to the Phantom's 664 lb-ft.

The Rolls-Royce Droptail is an impressive creation, crafted mostly by hand and unlike anything else on the road. Some may argue that it is not worth $30 million, especially when considering the stunning vintage cars showcased 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 more deserving of its price tag than the remains of a burned Ferrari.

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FutureCar Staff