Rolls-Royce Unveils Limited Edition Two-Seater Roadster

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【Summary】Rolls-Royce has unveiled the ultra-limited two-seat roadster, Drop Tail, which is the brand's first modern two-seat roadster and showcases its in-house coachbuilding capabilities. The Drop Tail is built on a new monocoque chassis and is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine. It features a unique design with a low coupé-esque roofline and sporting elements. While the price is not disclosed, it is estimated to be more expensive than the £20 million Boat Tail.

FutureCar Staff Aug 22, 2023 9:51 AM PT

Rolls-Royce Unveils Limited Edition Two-Seater Roadster

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

The Drop Tail is not simply a redesigned version of the retired Dawn convertible. It features a brand-new monocoque chassis made from steel, aluminium, and carbon fibre, marking a first for the Coachbuild division. Previously, bespoke models were based on the Architecture of Luxury platform, which is also used for the Cullinan, Ghost, and Phantom.

Under the hood, the Drop Tail is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine. This bespoke powertrain delivers 30bhp more power than the Phantom but sacrifices 44lb ft of torque. The total outputs are 593bhp and 620lb ft. While specific performance figures have not been disclosed, it is expected that the Drop Tail will perform similarly to the V12-engined Dawn, with a sub-5.0sec 0-62mph time and a top speed limited to 155mph.

The decision to use a V12 powertrain instead of an electric one was made to celebrate the roadster and the V12 engine, which Rolls-Royce plans to continue celebrating for the next few years. However, the future of electric coachbuilds remains uncertain and only time will tell if they become a reality.

Measuring 5.3m in length and 2.0m in width, the Drop Tail is smaller than the electric Spectre. Its unique design features a low coupé-esque roofline inspired by 'chop-top' hot rods, giving the car a more sporty character compared to mainstream Rolls-Royce models. The blade-shaped haunches and large carbon fibre rear diffuser, finished in semi-clear lacquer, further enhance its distinctive appearance.