Rolls-Royce recently released its first modern two-seater convertible sports car Droptail. The convertible style established it as a luxury brand.
Rolls-Royce says the car represents the “absolute pinnacle” of its in-house coachbuilding capabilities. The new car joins the Sweptail in 2017 and the Boattail in 2021 as the latest addition to its ultra-rare, tens of millions of pounds special series. Rolls-Royce did not disclose the price of this car, but it is understood that the price of the four DropTails exceeds that of the Boat Tail, which sells for 20 million pounds (currently about RMB 186 million).
The Droptail isn’t based on the now-defunct Dawn convertible but instead features an all-new monocoque chassis made of steel, aluminium and carbon fibre, a first for the bodybuilding department.
In terms of power, the Droptail is equipped with the familiar twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 engine. After special tuning, compared with the Phantom, it has increased 30 horsepower and reduced torque by 44 lb. ft., with a total output of 593 horsepower and 620 lb. foot. Rolls-Royce hasn’t released any performance figures, but there’s no doubt that Droptail will be pretty close to the V12 version of Dawn, with a 0-62 mph acceleration time of under 5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (approximately 249.45 km/h). ) / Hour.
At 5.3 meters long and 2 meters wide, the Droptail is slightly smaller than the electric Specter, and its fully bespoke silhouette gives the new car a sportier character than mainstream Rolls-Royce models, enhanced by blade-shaped rear wheel arches and a large carbon fiber rear. The diffuser is further enhanced. The removable roof panel is also made of carbon fiber, which makes it easier for the driver or their valet to install and remove. It also features a large piece of electrochromic glass that can be adjusted for transparency with the push of a button.
Aerodynamics played a major role in shaping the Droptail. Rolls-Royce points out that its sloping rear end is “generally not conducive to generating downforce”, which means that it is not stable enough at high speeds without external assistance. Instead of installing a spoiler, Rolls-Royce tweaked the design of the rear to generate the necessary downforce without compromising aesthetics, a process that took two years and 20 iterations.
The Droptail’s front end is more familiar, though its grille is curved and ends in a chamfer rather than a right angle. Rolls-Royce said the tweaks reflected the car’s “spontaneous spirit”.
This ‘casual’ approach is continued in the interior, where Rolls-Royce’s design goal was to create an ‘intimate’ environment. Switches are hidden as much as possible, with only three buttons remaining in view, and the electric center console can be moved to cover the infotainment control knob. Rolls-Royce said it was “the most complex, laborious and expensive craft” ever produced at its Goodwood factory.
Each Droptail comes with a custom Audemars Piguet watch that also serves as the vehicle’s clock, mounted on the dashboard with a snap-on mechanism.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce, said: “Droptail also answers a long-standing question – can a car be created as a work of art? With the unveiling of this extraordinary roadster, the answer is yes. “
