Rolls-Royce Unveils Exclusive Two-Seat Convertible

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【Summary】Rolls-Royce has revealed the ultra-limited two-seat roadster, the Drop Tail. It is the company's first modern two-seat roadster and represents the pinnacle of its in-house coachbuilding capabilities. Each of the four Drop Tails is believed to have cost more than the £20 million Boat Tail. The car features a new monocoque chassis and is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine. It has a smaller size and a more sporting character compared to other Rolls-Royce models.

FutureCar Staff Aug 21, 2023 4:27 PM PT

Rolls-Royce Unveils Exclusive Two-Seat Convertible

The Rolls-Royce Drop Tail is a modern two-seat roadster that pays homage to the coachbuilt drop-tops that established the brand as a luxury leader a century ago. This vehicle is the result of a four-year collaboration between Rolls-Royce and four clients and is considered the pinnacle of the company's in-house coachbuilding capabilities. It follows in the footsteps of previous ultra-exclusive models like the Sweptail and Boat Tail, which were priced in the multi-million-pound range.

Unlike a simple reworking of the retired Dawn convertible, the Drop Tail features a brand-new monocoque chassis made of steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber. This is a first for the Coachbuild division, as previous bespoke models were based on the Architecture of Luxury platform shared with the Cullinan, Ghost, and Phantom. The Drop Tail is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 engine, tuned to produce 593bhp and 620lb ft of torque. While performance figures have not been released, it is expected to offer similar capabilities to the V12-engined Dawn, with a sub-5.0 second 0-62mph time and a top speed of 155mph.

Rather than opting for an electric powertrain, Rolls-Royce chose to celebrate the roadster and the V12 powertrain, which the company plans to continue using for the next few years. The design of the Drop Tail is characterized by its smaller size compared to the electric Spectre, measuring 5.3m long and 2.0m wide. The low coupé-esque roofline draws inspiration from 'chop-top' hot rods, giving the car a more sporty appearance. Blade-shaped haunches and a large carbon fiber rear diffuser further enhance its athletic character.