Rolls-Royce debuted the Droptail, a very rare new convertible, during this month’s Monterey Car Week. Only four of this special edition, V-12-powered two-door car are expected to be made, and each will be built with a different theme.
The first design, La Rose Noire, featured an exterior painted in a rich and enticing shade of black and an interior ornamented with an amazing 1063 pieces of wood trim placed in a geometric pattern. The second Droptail variation, called after the gemstone “amethyst,” is introduced in the most recent Rolls-Royce unveiling. This version features a purple exterior finish, big areas of open-pore wood inside the cabin, and even real amethyst stones embedded into the design.
Rolls-Royce has not officially disclosed the price of the Droptail model; however, the preceding La Rose Noire edition was estimated to be in the range of $30-31 million (approximately RM139.5 million). According to Rolls-Royce, the buyer of the previous model had a background in operating a gemstone boutique, which eventually expanded into a multinational corporation. This particular client possesses a collection of jewelry, vehicles, and artwork showcased in a private museum. Given their affluent status, the significant multi-million-dollar cost likely posed no financial challenge. Notably, the amethyst gem serves as the birthstone for their son, thus influencing the incorporation of purple hues throughout the car’s design.
The sophisticated paintwork of the Droptail is inspired by the globe amaranth wildflower, a species that “flourishes in the desert near one of the client’s residences,” as described by Rolls-Royce. The exterior boasts a gentle shade of light purple, subtly adorned with specks of powdered aluminum to produce a sparkling effect. The hood, on the other hand, is rendered in a darker hue, symbolizing distinct phases of the flower’s blossoming process. The refined 22-inch wheels, crafted from polished aluminum, feature a subtle touch of purple paint. Additionally, the carbon fiber lower section of the vehicle’s body exhibits a distinctive chevron pattern, accentuated with an amethyst tint.
In a departure from their customary design approach, Rolls-Royce introduced an unconventional grille for the Droptail model. For the first time, the vertical vanes of the grille are angled inward. In the Amethyst Droptail, these vanes are meticulously hand-brushed and hand-polished, featuring a distinctive dividing line between the two finishes. This unique technique reportedly demanded a laborious 50-hour process and was influenced by the brushed hands found on a watch within the owner’s son’s timepiece collection.
Similar to the La Rose Noire edition, the lower air intake boasts an intricate and elaborate design, characterized by 202 hand-polished stainless steel rectangles. These rectangles are coated with the hue of the globe amaranth flower.
Adorning the expansive hood, the Spirit of Ecstasy emblem emerges from amethyst cabochons. The term “cabochon” refers to the process of polishing a gem into a rounded shape, as opposed to the faceted cut found in many wedding ring gems.
The Droptail model includes a detachable hardtop roof and electrochromic glass, which can transition from an opaque state with a purple tint to a translucent state with a touch of the “Sand Dunes” colour.
The Droptail’s interior is rich with Calamander Light open-pore wood, selected to complement Sand Dunes leather accents. This pairing took six months to perfect. Tan leather graces seats and dashboard, contrasting with the main purple upholstery.
Wood extends from the dashboard down the doors to the “aft deck,” mimicking luxurious yachts and forming a pronounced V-shape. This wood endured 8000-hour testing in extreme conditions. Rolls-Royce claims it’s the sole “raw” wooden surface on a road car generating downforce.
This dual-purpose deck serves aerodynamics while maintaining elegance in the Droptail’s design.
The gauges resemble the hood’s Spirit of Ecstasy, embellished with amethyst cabochons. Woven leather mats nod to the owner’s Arab marketplace heritage.
As with La Rose Noire, the dashboard features a slot for a unique Vacheron Constantin watch that’s wearable after being removed.
