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 immense wealth or control over a nation's water supply. Therefore, my opinion may not be well-suited for evaluating an eight-figure automobile. However, I must admit that the Rolls-Royce Droptail, unveiled during Monterey Car Week, is not quite what I expected.

Rolls-Royce has shattered its own record for the world's priciest new car with the introduction of the Droptail. 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 exact cost of the Boat Tail was never disclosed by Rolls-Royce, as only three custom-built cars were created for specific customers. Rumors circulated that Jay-Z and Beyonce were among the proud owners. However, it was estimated that the Boat Tail commanded a price of $28 million. While the cost of the Droptail has not been officially revealed, Autocar reports that it is even more expensive than its predecessor.

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

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

Undeniably, the Droptail is a beautiful car. However, 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 of the four Droptails, named "La Rose Noire," features a striking 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-and-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. To complete the luxury experience, the Droptail comes with a bespoke 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 case 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 familiar 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 creation, meticulously crafted 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 vehicles that also captured attention at Pebble Beach. However, in the world of the ultra-wealthy, where possessions are abundant, exclusivity reigns supreme. Being one of only four individuals in the world to own this exquisite Rolls-Royce undoubtedly adds to the Droptail's value. At the very least, it can be argued that the Droptail is more deserving of its price tag than the charred remains of a once magnificent Ferrari.

FutureCar Staff