Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that six Phantom Tungsten Bespoke Collection cars are about to arrive in the Middle East in the next two weeks, each of which features a unique combination of exterior and interior features.

The bonnet has a dramatic brushed aluminium finish, which contrasts elegantly with the bodywork, painted in Darkest Tungsten - a colour never used before on a production Rolls-Royce. New 21 inch forged aluminium wheels and visible exhaust tail pipes lend a particularly purposeful air to these special Phantoms.

On the inside is a unique interior lighting system, featuring a Starlight Headlining, which comprises several hundred fibre-optic lights embedded into perforated black leather, giving the impression of a star-filled night sky. Smoke Grey leather seats with contrasting Navy Blue piping complements the rich rosewood veneers and tooled metal steering wheel spokes.

'With just six of these exceptional cars available in the whole of the Middle East their arrival is keenly anticipated by our dealers, ' said Peter Schoppman, regional sales director for the region.

The Rolls-Royce Bespoke programme allows customers to tailor-make one-off cars which are uniquely personalised. A pallet of 44,000 different colours is available for example and special features ranging from wine cellars to safes, drinks cabinets to humidors have been created in the five years since Rools-Royce production began at Goodwood. A dedicated team of designers and engineers helps to turn these special requests into reality. Around 80 per cent of all the cars built at Goodwood have some Bespoke elements to their specifications.

The first Rolls-Royce convertible since the British marque was taken over by BMW five years ago is going on sale this summer.

Tuscany in spring makes no allowances for roaring, supercharged engines.

As the locals gear up for the annual invasion of British holidaymakers, it just wouldn't be cricket to buzz about these winding roads, disturbing the peace.

Fortunately, cruising leisurely between fortified Tuscan castellos in the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe is hardly more noisy than an Englishman in a hammock after lunch.

The point is hammered home as we gently glide to a halt in sleepy Bunconvento, where an old woman leisurely crosses the street.

"She probably can't hear us," Rolls-Royce's communications director, Graham Biggs, almost whispers, clearly keen not to disturb the peace.

Turning heads

But although its 6.7 litre V12 engine is incredibly silent, the convertible is screaming wealth.

In the UK, where it will go on sale in July, the car will cost some £325,000 when extras such as chrome wheels (£4,500), a brushed steel bonnet (£6,400) and a teak deck (£5,300) around the back seats are included.

This makes it the perfect machine for cruising the boulevards of Europe's yachting centres, or for posing in Beverly Hills.

At least 40% of its customers will be recruited amongst America's super-rich - who will be paying some $500,000 before tax and extras for the car - though some 20,000 of the world's 85,400 ultra-high net worth individuals - people with more than $30m (£15m) ready cash at their disposal, as measured by CapGemini Merrill Lynch - are European, 3,700 of them British.

"The wealth factor is an important part of the market growth," points out Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' chief executive, Ian Robertson.

"We're aiming to pick up about 1% of them each year."

Tough performer

Turning the corner to take on one of the many steep, pine-covered hills leading up to Castello Banfi, and it soon becomes clear that the car itself is far from sleepy.

As this tank of a car takes Tuscany's S-bends in its stride, its tyres squeal like a banker losing his bonus, yet there is remarkably little roll.

The car is fast, for sure. On paper, it is said to race from standstill to 60mph in less than six seconds; a stat that is bound to impress the world's wealthy.

But it is not for speeding that the local police decide to pull me over a few moments later.

"We were just curious," grins one of them, inadvertently pointing his machine gun directly at my unprotected temple, while the other one shuffles over to the back of the car.

"Perhaps it is the wrong car on these roads?" he suggests. "It is very big."

Customer endorsement

Indeed, the cabriolet is bigger than most other things on the road; a tricky u-turn is not even attempted as I instead opt to go the long way around a roundabout.

Yet, through most other bends surrounding Castello di Velona, which clings to a hilltop, the car feels much smaller and more nimble than it actually is.

In terms of its impact on Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, however, the convertible could be huge.

Not only is it expected to bring in new, younger clients; it has also impressed the old guard.

"Fifty per cent of the current order-book is from existing Rolls-Royce Phantom owners," Mr Robertson reveals.

"For most of them, it is an order for an additional car, not a replacement."

Picky customers

This kind of endorsement from existing customers is exceptionally valuable for Rolls-Royce as it struggles to grow sales from its disappointing start five years ago.

 Since then, sales have risen from just 300 cars in 2003, to more than 800 last year and heading higher.

"It would be fair to say we now understand our customers a lot better," says Mr Robertson.

"At the moment, a lot of our buyers are entrepreneurs," he explains.

Paradoxically, many a customer eager to whip the roof off his Roller became wealthy enough to buy one thanks to people's desire for a roof over their head.

"It's been in property in one form or another" where many of them have made their money, observes Mr Robertson.

"They are extremely focused on value for money. Within their peer group, they like to be seen to be making the right decisions."

Special arrangements

In addition, a typical Rolls-Royce client is very busy and difficult to get close to.

"They have many people around them and they are impervious to what we'd call traditional marketing," adds Mr Robertson.

Yet, they still like to be made to feel special, and this has allowed Rolls-Royce to get many a billionaire's attention.

"They like to be invited to small, bespoke arrangements in interesting places that are not freely available to the public," says Mr Robertson, whose people spend much of their time dreaming up fresh events for the ultra-rich.

Not rivals

On average, Rolls-Royce's clients already own an average of seven or eight cars, along with three to five properties and in some instances a private jet (14%), or a yacht (7%).

On one level, this places Rolls-Royce in head-on competition with a string of companies outside the automotive sphere, yet it is hardly perceived as a threat.

"Perhaps they could buy one of our cheaper yachts for the price of a Rolls-Royce," observes Daniele Bessone, spokesman for Italian yacht-maker Azimut-Benetti.

"But we don't see them as a competitor. If our customers would like a Rolls-Royce, they could afford to buy one in addition to one of our yachts."

"We are not just competing for a share of their wealth, we are competing for their attention," agrees Mr Robertson, who is certain there are enough customers to go around.

There are almost 6.5 billion people in the world, points out Mr Robertson. "We're only looking for 800 of them at the time."

NAPLES, Fla. - The Naples Winter Wine Festival, the world's most successful charity wine event, is poised to out-do itself in 2007. At the January gala - recently named a top 10 arts and entertainment event for wealthy Americans - four automobiles whose exclusivity and prestige are beyond superlatives will be up for auction or raffled off.



Going to the highest bidder will be one-of-a-kind, superstar vehicles.



The very first new Rolls-Royce Convertible to be delivered to a customer in North America. This is an automobile that to date has not been seen, named or priced, yet virtually all of the production slots for the first two years have already been spoken for. The Naples Winter Wine Festival will be the first place the convertible will be displayed after its global unveiling in January. This very special car will carry tread plates documenting its status as the very first of the new convertibles to be delivered in America. While the exact delivery date will not be until the late summer of 2007, the winning bidder will have weeks before any of the other first shipment of cars is released. This is a unique opportunity to jump to the head of the line on a car that is sure to be an automotive treasure in the years ahead.



The new Bentley Continental GTC Grand Touring Convertible - one of only a select few to be produced due to overwhelming demand and a limited build schedule. The highest bidder will be one of the very first to take possession of this luxury 2+2 convertible, with a top speed in excess of 190 mph and recognized for its unique blend of technology and comfort. The vehicle's exterior color will be a head-turning dark sapphire metallic. It will have magnolia main hide, chestnut wood veneers, massage seats and 19-inch chrome wheels.



The all-new 2008 Lexus LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan - this sedan is the world's first vehicle to feature a full hybrid V8 powertrain and will be Lexus' most prestigious vehicle to date. The vehicle, which will first become available in spring 2007, features the latest Lexus Hybrid Drive system. The LS 600h will deliver seamless power and performance on a par with modern 12-cylinder engines, while still delivering best-in-V8-class fuel efficiency.



Raffling Off a Maserati

Building on festival organizers' mantra that luxury knows no bounds when it's for children in need, Maserati North America has commissioned a very special automobile to be raffled off during the auction event.



Recognized by the world press as a singular and exceptional luxury sport sedan and the recipient of awards and comparison test victories more than 25 times, the Maserati Quattroporte is as technically brilliant as it is beautiful. In 2007, Maserati will offer a new Quattroporte equipped with the latest and most advanced automatic transmission. Among the very first units is one that has been prepared specifically for the Naples Winter Wine Festival. What lucky individual will drive home this Maserati? Festival guests can take their chances at $5,000 per ticket, with no more than 200 raffle tickets issued.



These magnificent automobiles join rare wines and other one-of-a-kind treasures, including art, dining and travel experiences, for an unforgettable 70 lots to be auctioned off at the Jan. 26-28 festival in Naples, Fla. The festival, which was founded in 2001 by trustees of the Naples Children & Education Foundation as a fundraiser for underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County, Fla., raised a record $12.2 million under the auction tent in January 2006.



"The trustees' goal each year is to present unique and priceless luxury items and experiences at auction in order to raise the most funds for children in need," said Naples Children & Education Foundation Trustee and 2007 Festival Chair Linda Malone. "We are absolutely ecstatic about the donation of these four incomparable automobiles and deeply grateful to the donors for their generosity."



Malone added, "Our guests come to the festival with an infectious spirit of giving. With the addition of these four exquisite and very special, very rare automobiles to our 2007 auction and raffle, we look forward to igniting our patrons' generosity to a whole new level of giving."



Auto Details



Rolls-Royce Convertible

At the 2004 Geneva Auto Show, Rolls-Royce unveiled the 100EX, an experimental convertible based on the platform of its new Phantom. According to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America, while the new convertible will not be exactly the same as the 100EX, there will be no doubt where its inspiration came from. The automaker likens its appearance to the elegance and sophistication of the golden age of car design, with a graceful hood finished in brushed metal, rear-hinged coach doors and a sumptuous interior - boldly claiming it is like no other car in production today. Underneath, it features a highly advanced chassis and drive train combination.



2007 Bentley Continental GTC Convertible

According to Bentley Motors, the new Bentley Continental GTC Grand Touring Convertible displays all the poise, performance and dynamic handling of the Continental GT and is designed for clients looking to enjoy the phenomenal open-top motoring that simply can't be found anywhere else.



This luxury convertible has a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, state-of-the-art 12-cylinder engine, advanced air suspension and ultra-stiff body structure. It provides an unrivalled standard of craftsmanship, utilizing natural wood veneers and leather hides of the finest quality. It is designed to be both contemporary and elegant, but with a sporting stance of a true performance car. Boasting incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail, the Bentley Continental GTC Convertible is also practical, with a boot that holds two bags of golf clubs along with plenty of luggage.



2008 Lexus LS 600h L

According to Lexus, the new LS 600h L explores the outer reaches of performance, style and safety. The vehicle is powered by an all-new, five-liter V8 gasoline engine with large, high-output electric motors and a newly designed large-capacity battery pack to support the Lexus Hybrid Drive. The LS 600h L also employs a newly developed dual-stage electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission. To distribute this immense power, a new full-time all-wheel-drive system is utilized for superior handling control.



The automobile's cutting edge features include a newly developed Advanced Pre-Collision System, one element of which is designed to help detect when a pedestrian is in the vehicle's path. The vehicle also offers an Advanced Parking Guidance System. The driver simply selects a parking spot, lines up the vehicle and pushes a button, and the system parks the car with just a little brake work by the driver.



2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival Maserati Quattroporte

According to Maserati North America, the Maserati Quattroporte that is being custom-made for the Naples Winter Wine Festival will be finished in deep Bordeaux to honor the rich tradition of Maserati's hometown of Modena, Italy. The one-of-a-kind Quattroporte features a powerful Ferrari engineered 400-horsepower engine, six-speed automatic transmission and a meticulously finished interior in mahogany and rich ivory leather. Unique to this car will be twenty-inch ball-polished wheels, carpets and stitching in Bordeaux and customized door moldings, which read "Naples Winter Wine Festival 1 of 1."



The incredibly successful Naples Winter Wine Festival, which has raised nearly $40 million for children's charities since 2001, is a weekend affair that attracts acclaimed vintners and chefs, celebrities, artists, wine and food connoisseurs and other generous patrons.



The seventh annual festival will feature a Transforming Children's Lives tour and grant luncheon, which includes tasting remarkable wines with acclaimed Napa Valley vintners.



At the intimate evening vintner dinners, acclaimed vintners will share their special wines and the world's greatest chefs will create culinary masterpieces. There also will be a fabulous wine-tasting and culinary showcase at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, followed by the world-class auction of spectacular wine lots, travel, exotic cars and other one-of-a-kind treasures. The Wine-down party will feature more unbelievable wines, and a celebration brunch will close the event in fashionable style.



Attendance at the festival is limited to approximately 550 individuals, and tickets have sold out each year well ahead of the event. Tickets are $7,500 per couple; $20,000 for reserved seating at the same vintner dinner for two couples.



For further details and information surrounding the 2007 event, please visit www.napleswinefestival.com.



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FIRST US PHANTOM DROPHEAD COUPÉ AUCTIONED FOR $2 MILLION

Goodwood, 29 January 2007



The first Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé destined for the USA has been bought at a charity auction held during the annual Naples Winter Wine festival in Florida for $2million. More than $1.6 million will go to the Naples Children and Education Foundation, which supports charitable and educational programmes to improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged or at-risk children.



The car was bought by a resident of Naples, who will take delivery of the car later this year. The winning bid of $2 million is the single highest price paid for any lot in the event's seven-year history and, it is believed, makes this Phantom Drophead Coupé the most expensive new car ever sold in the USA.



The auction, which took place on 27 January, was staged at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. It was attended by many of the world's finest vintners, chefs, television and film personalities, as well as wine lovers and culinary enthusiasts from all over the USA. Naples' families who share a passion for great wine, excellent food, and supporting their community established the Festival in 2000.



Rolls-Royce launched the new Phantom Drophead Coupé at the Detroit Motor Show earlier in January 2007. The two-door, four-seat convertible is hand made at the company's headquarters in Goodwood, England. It combines the latest in lightweight aluminium technology, elegant design and the very best hand-crafted materials. The result is a car that many have already hailed as the ultimate in open top motoring. An extensive order bank already exists, with all of the 2007 cars allocated. Full production starts in the summer.



Speaking at the event, Graeme Grieve, Sales and Marketing Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, "This was a unique opportunity for someone to secure the first US car ahead of the current waiting list for the Drophead Coupé, and make a very generous donation to an important charity in the process. Everybody at Rolls-Royce is delighted with the result."



This is the third year that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has worked with the Naples Winter Wine Festival, raising many hundreds of thousands of dollars for good causes



One-of-a-Kind Maserati Quattroporte Automatic - the First US Model in Private Hands - the Toast of Naples Winter Wine Festival



Custom-made Bordeaux Maserati Quattroporte Automatic Brings $790,000 Supporting Naples Children & Education Foundation



###



NAPLES, Fla., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- It isn't often that while one is in search of the perfect Bordeaux, they can take home a Maserati -- but one lucky winner has done just that during the Seventh Annual Naples Winter Wine Festival. A one-of-a-kind, custom-made Bordeaux-colored, 2007 Maserati Quattroporte Automatic netted $790,000 with profits going to the Naples Children & Education Foundation as part of the fund raising efforts of the event.



The 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival was dominated by collections of truly rare vintages of wine donated by renowned U.S. and international wineries, as well as private donors. Auction packages and raffles included more than 70 exclusive lots, including exotic excursions, private dinners with celebrities -- prepared by Michelin-rated chefs -- as well as the opportunity to be the first U.S. customer to take ownership of the 2007 Quattroporte Automatic, Maserati's elegant, high performance luxury sedan.



According to Jim Selwa, President of Maserati North America, Inc., each hand-built Maserati is designed to provide its owner a sense of occasion every time they drive the vehicle. "Being a part of this world-class festival allows the Maserati brand to continue showcasing its true elegance amidst an exclusive world of individuals that demand only the best," said Selwa. "We are proud to share our passion, while making a difference in the lives of those involved with the Naples Children & Education Foundation."



As technically brilliant as it is beautiful, the custom-made 2007 Maserati Quattroporte features a powerful Ferrari-engineered 400-horsepower engine, six-speed automatic transmission and a meticulously finished interior in mahogany and rich ivory leather. Unique to this raffled vehicle will be twenty-inch ball-polished wheels, carpets and stitching in Bordeaux and customized door moldings, which read "Naples winter wine Festival 1 of 1."



Maserati North America, Inc., headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the exclusive distributor for Maserati-branded vehicles in the United States, including the Quattroporte high performance luxury sedan. For more information, please view http://www.maseratiusa.com .

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has opened its first new showroom in Pakistan.



The super luxury cars will be exclusively represented in Lahore by Dewan Motors and more showrooms are planned for Karachi and the capital, Islamabad.



Dewan Motors president and chief operating officer Farooq Mustafa said, “We are honoured to be representing the world’s ultimate automotive brand. We successfully open for business with our first customer order for a Phantom, taken a few weeks ago. The presence of Rolls-Royce in Pakistan is symbolic of the rapid growth taking place in the country”.



Rolls-Royce Motor Cars managing director for Europe and the Middle East, Axel Obermüller added: “We are delighted to be working with Dewan Motors, one of the most respected and experienced corporations in Pakistan. We have seen a significant increase in demand for luxury cars in Pakistan and this is an important step in our business development in the region”.



Rolls-Royce claims the Phantom is still the best selling super luxury car in the world (it’s key rival is DaimlerChrysler’s Maybach line) and noted that; in 2005, the highest number of Rolls-Royces were sold in the Middle Eastern region for 25 years.



Next year a new convertible model will join the current range of Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase and a coupe is under evaluation with a production decision expected soon.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its new Phantom Drophead Coupé at the Detroit Motor Show on Sunday 7 January. Production of the new car will start at Goodwood in the summer of 2007.



The two-door, four-seat convertible is a less formal interpretation of classic Rolls-Royce design. Using the lightweight rigidity of an all-aluminium spaceframe, it marries modern technology to a sleek, streamlined convertible body.



Its exterior lines echo the timeless styling of the great Rolls-Royce cars: a long bonnet, large-diameter wheels, short front and long rear overhangs and the quintessential dynamic line descending along its flanks. Inside, the design emphasises the airy openness of top-down motoring, embracing the elements and creating a stunning, social environment.



Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said, "This car gave us the chance to think about the very nature of convertible motoring and in particular what it means to Rolls-Royce. Above all we were determined to make this car a joy to live with and engineered it to give years of effortless service to its owner."



A number of features first seen on 100EX, the experimental convertible shown by Rolls-Royce in 2004, have been engineered into the new Phantom Drophead Coupé. Two of the most visually striking of these are the brushed steel bonnet and A-pillar and the teak decking for the rear hood cover. The brushed steel is machine finished to give a uniform grain before undergoing extensive hand polishing to achieve a perfect sheen. At the rear, the teak decking is treated with a carefully blended mix of oils to preserve a natural finish and a long lasting lustre that is as beautiful as it is hardy.



Front opening coach doors have been homologated for the new car and add considerably to the ease of access to the rear seat, as well as to the overall aesthetics. Unique to Rolls-Royce, the doors dramatically transform the Phantom Drophead Coupé's looks, giving a side profile reminiscent of classic sports cars of the '60s. Crucially, they also aid the overall stiffness of the body as the rear hinged doors allow for an uninterrupted A-pillar. Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé





INTRODUCTION

In 2004, Rolls-Royce unveiled 100EX, a striking experimental drophead built to celebrate 100 years of arguably the most famous automotive brand in the world. Built without compromise, it encapsulated a century of elegance and engineering, and, in an instant, defined the future direction of the brand.



In its two world tours, 100EX garnered positive comments from customers and the media alike. Such was the strength of the reaction that, in the autumn of 2005, Rolls-Royce announced that a production version would be available by 2007. In the interim years, the team at Goodwood have worked tirelessly to turn the experimental car into a reality.



Launched at the Detroit Motor Show 2006, the Phantom Drophead Coupé is the second new model from Rolls-Royce since BMW Group became custodian of the marque in 1998. The two-door, four-seat convertible is a less formal interpretation of classic Rolls-Royce design. Using the lightweight rigidity of an all-aluminium spaceframe, it marries modern technology to a sleek, streamlined convertible body.



Its exterior lines echo the timeless styling of the great Rolls-Royce cars: a long bonnet, large-diameter wheels, short front and long rear overhangs and the quintessential dynamic line descending along its flanks. Inside, the design emphasises the airy openness of top-down motoring, embracing the elements and creating a stunning, social environment.



The Phantom Drophead Coupé has been carefully crafted to be aesthetically pleasing, yet practical too. Wood, leather, chrome and brushed steel have been used where most appropriate. Form and function have equal billing. The simplicity of the design belies a car built to provide years of effortless service.



The Phantom Drophead Coupé offers owners an unparalleled convertible experience, combining compelling driveability with exceptional engineering, technology and design – hand-crafted from the finest materials to an exceptional level of quality.





DESIGN

From the outset, the design team at Goodwood were adamant that the Phantom Drophead Coupé should be more than simply a convertible version of the Phantom. "Designing without compromise meant that, to a certain extent, we had to start again," says Rolls-Royce Chief Designer Ian Cameron. "Simply removing the Phantom's roof could have made a great convertible but it wouldn't have made a perfect one. With the Phantom Drophead Coupé we had the chance to think about the very nature of convertible motoring and, in particular, what it means to Rolls-Royce."



Every exterior panel on the Phantom Drophead Coupé is new, echoing the Phantom's style but with carefully considered proportions more suited to the shorter body. From the raked front end to the sweeping rear, every aspect was studied at length to ensure that the finished car looked purposeful and elegant both with the hood up and with it stowed. For the interior, the concept was simple: bring the outside in. Create a social space enabling occupants to embrace the elements using sumptuous, relevant materials.



As well as considering the finer details of the package – seating arrangements and dashboard layouts, for example – the designers also developed some fundamental beliefs about how the materials they were using should work. The entire team was keen to keep things as natural as possible and, as a result, there is an instant, raw beauty to the Phantom Drophead Coupé. Materials are used in a way that emphasises their natural charm and there is an immediacy to the exposed elements of brushed steel and solid teak. Bleaches, stains and lacquers were shunned as far as possible in favour of more natural finishes. Hands touch only chrome, leather or wood. Other materials, such as the brushed steel, are used as architectural detailing, giving the whole car a sense of visual tactility.



"The Phantom Drophead Coupé is about emphasising the essentials of pleasure," says Cameron. "Above all, we were determined to make this car a joy to live with. Rolls-Royce is the opposite of stiff formality. Why would you design and build a car like this and not make it fun to use?"





EXTERIOR

The profile of the Phantom Drophead Coupé is fundamentally transformed from that of a conventional four-seat convertible by the inclusion of front coach doors. Evocative of the classic sports car profile, they add considerably to the easy entry and exit of rear passengers. Perhaps just as importantly, they also add significantly to the overall strength and stiffness of the body as they allow the construction of an uninterrupted A-pillar. Newly homologated for the Phantom Drophead Coupé, these coach doors are unique to Rolls-Royce.



At the front sits a new, more rakish grille, giving the car a more casual air while retaining its classic looks. Finished in steel, the centre fins are polished while the surround is brushed to match the optional brushed steel bonnet and A-pillar. The grille is hinged at the top in order to give way in the event of a low-speed impact. On top sits the Spirit of Ecstasy, remodelled using advanced computer software. These days she has a more lifelike appearance, with clear definition of her features. Finished in stainless steel, the Spirit of Ecstasy is also available in silver or gold via the Bespoke programme at Goodwood.



The front end of the Phantom Drophead Coupé is more streamlined than that of previous Rolls-Royce cars. Slim front LED side lights sit above larger round driving lamps. The front bumper is integrated into the design, further softening the look. A discreet camera nestles underneath the numberplate to provide an excellent split-screen view of the road ahead, via the on-board monitor, to help when parking or when pulling out of a side road.



One of the best visual clues to the Phantom Drophead Coupé's character can be found at the rear. The picnic boot is the very essence of automotive affability. The only type of its kind on any convertible, it offers easy access to the luggage compartment as well as providing comfortable outdoor seating for two adults. The substantial hinges are able to accommodate a weight of 150 kg / 330 lb. Inside the boot, 315 litres / 11.1 cu ft of space is enough to house three sets of golf clubs. Importantly, this space remains intact whether the hood is raised or lowered.



An entirely new palette of nine exterior colours has been developed for the Phantom Drophead Coupé: Metropolitan Blue, Admiral Blue, Jubilee Silver, Diamond Black, Duck Egg Blue, Semaphore Yellow, English White, Woodland Green and Ensign Red. These are complimented with hood colours in Silver, Black, Beige, Navy Blue, Deep Red and Deep Green.



Two of the most visually stunning options are the teak decking for the rear hood cover and the brushed steel bonnet and A-pillar. First seen on the 100EX experimental car in 2004, these are signature elements of the Phantom Drophead Coupé look. The brushed finish of the bonnet and A-pillar apes the classic Phantoms of the '20s and '30s but with a delightful 21st century twist.



The rear teak decking epitomises the careful design and attention to detail seen throughout the Phantom Drophead Coupé. It is as functional as it is beautiful. Teak was used because of its inherently hardy properties and its resistance to moisture and decay. Special techniques were developed in the Rolls-Royce wood shop to preserve the appearance of a fresh, unprocessed finish, the aim being to have a final deck that was as close to natural timber as possible. "We wanted it to look as if it had been cut and hand-finished 10 minutes ago," said Alan Sheppard, Chief Interior Designer. More than 30 individual pieces of teak go into each deck, protected by a specially formulated blend of oils. As with all the woods and veneers used by Rolls-Royce, it is sourced from sustainable forests by a team of specialists.



The hood is the largest of any modern convertible. Its acoustic insulation is exemplary, with five layers of insulation material between occupants and the outside world. Lined with a cashmere blend, the structure is more like a bespoke suit than a traditional fabric roof. Rolls-Royce was keen to use a fabric roof rather than a folding hard-top for many reasons, not least aesthetics. As Ian Cameron describes, "There is nothing more romantic than driving a convertible in the rain at night and hearing the drops hit the roof. In conversation with our customers we realised that they felt the same way." A further benefit of the tailored, soft-top roof is the relatively small space required to stow it.





INTERIOR

The interior concept revolves around the idea of an indoor/outdoor space: an all-weather passenger compartment that combines the practicality required for convertible motoring with the sumptuous elegance expected of Rolls-Royce. Rather than take inspiration solely from the automotive world, Chief Interior Designer Alan Shepherd looked elsewhere. "In 2004, when we were designing 100EX, we visited a boatyard in Southampton where one of the famous 1930s America's Cup J-class yachts was being restored. We were struck by the variety and uses of different materials throughout. All of the J-class yachts have a tremendous sense of purposeful elegance about them, and this was something that we were keen to emulate."



The Phantom Drophead Coupé has been designed as a car in which to enjoy the elements. The all-weather surfaces of the interior have been designed to take what nature can throw at them. "We didn't want owners to feel as if they had to pull over at the first spot of rain," says Cameron. To this end, a number of notable features can be seen throughout the interior. Firstly, the seats have no ridges in them, giving a smooth surface so that moisture can be wiped straight off. In place of traditional floor mats, wholly more practical sisal mats are used. Even the carpet itself employs 21st century materials designed to deal with the moisture and humidity encountered in many areas of the world.



The front seats are slimmer than the Phantom's but still offer an uncompromised degree of comfort. Integrated seatbelts are mounted directly onto them, while active head restraints and seat squab airbags give further protection to the torso and head. The driving position is set deliberately high to give a commanding view of the road over the long bonnet, and the curved rear lounge seats offer an intimate, social environment for passengers. Rear legroom is excellent and marks the car out as a true four-seater.



An exceptional sound system has been specially designed for the Phantom Drophead Coupé, taking into account the differing acoustic properties of the convertible. Nine channels of sound arrive via 15 speakers, creating a stereophonic experience to impress the most hardened audiophiles.





ENGINEERING

The challenge in designing any convertible lies in retaining a high degree of torsional rigidity throughout the body while keeping weight down. Torsional rigidity is vital to minimise the scuttle shake associated with most convertible cars and to help maintain the car's dynamic composure.



Extensive testing and research were carried out before the engineering team were completely satisfied. Tens of thousands of kilometres were driven over rough road surfaces to help identify and eliminate potential problems. The result is a spaceframe chassis that makes the Phantom Drophead Coupé perhaps the most rigid convertible available today. The clearest indicator of this incredible strength and stiffness can be seen in the rear-view mirror, which shows no vibration at all, even at high speed.



A great deal of this is due to the modifications around the triangulated A-pillar. The entire windscreen surround was designed to be an integral part of the roll-over protection system. Consequently the A-pillar struts run right down to the floor of the car. Additional aluminium extrusions have been utilised, along with wider sills. The rear haunches have single extrusion beams running at waist height on either side. In all, more than 140 metres / 460 ft of weld go into each Phantom Drophead Coupé body – 20 metres / 65 ft more than in the Phantom. Incorporated into the rear spaceframe structure is the concealed roll-over protection system which deploys from within the rear head restraints in just a fraction of a second in the event of an accident. A ratchet system then locks them in place.



Further adding to occupant safety, frontal impacts are absorbed by crumple zones directed into Y-shaped chassis members and the main understructure – the strongest part of the chassis. Side impact intrusion is minimised by the double-skinned floor construction, strong side sills and integral side impact bars in each door. Additional braces above and below the engine bay and under the rear axle add further rigidity to the spaceframe.



Other safety systems include intelligent braking and restraint systems, combined with integral seatbelts. As a result, the Phantom Drophead Coupé is perhaps the safest convertible car on the market.



The spaceframe is constructed at the BMW centre for aluminium competence in Dingolfing, Germany. Manufactured to within a tolerance of just 0.1 mm / 0.004 in, each spaceframe is welded entirely by hand. They are then checked by a computer-guided machine to ensure absolute accuracy.



One of the more interesting problems encountered by the engineering team was the proximity of the optional brushed steel bonnet to the aluminium front wings. These materials are not normally used alongside each other due to the adverse corrosion effects of aluminium on steel. An integral part of the testing process was a 20-year-old DeLorean car. Manufactured with stainless steel exterior panels, it provided an interesting case study into the long-term durability of the material.



All of the panels used on the Phantom Drophead Coupé are unique to this car, representing some of the 1300 new parts used. Unlike on the Phantom, the front wings have been constructed from aluminium using the 'superform' technique, in which aluminium is heated to the critical temperature before being literally sucked down over a mould to form the large, complex shape.





DRIVING

The Phantom Drophead Coupé's advanced aluminium spaceframe is at the heart of its refined, dynamic driving experience. Lightweight and exceptionally strong, it impacts positively on ride, comfort and safety. Its inherent rigidity is essential in isolating vibration and maintaining the hushed interior calm associated with the brand. The new car is shorter than the Phantom by 250 mm / 9.8 in, so turn-in is slightly quicker, making for a wholly more agile driving experience.



A lower centre of gravity, combined with the reduced wheelbase and incredibly stiff body, produces a ride that is on the refined, comfortable side of sporty. Feedback from the wheels is informative but not intrusive. Imperfect road surfaces go unnoticed while feel through the steering wheel inspires confidence. New spring dampers and lighter anti-roll bars have been engineered to maintain comfort without loss of agility. Self-levelling air struts continuously adjust for increased loading in harder cornering, giving drivers the ability to place the car through turns with absolute precision.



The front double-wishbone suspension features a hydraulic mount to minimise vibration through the steering wheel. Multi-link rear suspension is designed for increased ride comfort with anti-lift and anti-dive technology.



With no fixed roof, much of the Phantom Drophead Coupé's weight naturally sits lower and further forward than in the Phantom, due to the structural roll-over protection built into the A-pillar. Nonetheless, a 50:50 weight distribution has been maintained.



Other heavy components – the engine, gearbox and propshaft, for example – sit as low as possible, again contributing to the low centre of gravity.



Grip is provided by standard-fit Michelin PAX run-flat tyres, metrically sized at 540 mm (approximately 20 inches in diameter). These tyres enable the Phantom Drophead Coupé to run for at least 100 miles / 160 km at speeds up to 50 mph / 80 km/h before being replaced. A remarkable level of control still exists, even with a tyre fully deflated. Optional 21-inch wheels with Goodyear run-flat EMT tyres are also available, sitting on nine-spoke rims. The inclusion of run-flat tyre technology removes the need for spare wheels and a jack, freeing up space in the luggage compartment.



Since the weight of the wheels has a direct impact on ride comfort and driving dynamics, Rolls-Royce has developed a lightweight ceramic core to the wheels to reduce unsprung weight.



Ample power is supplied by a 6.75-litre, naturally aspirated, V12 engine. Developing 453 bhp / 338 kW and 720 Nm / 531 lb ft of torque at 3500 rpm, delivery is smooth and abundant. Furthermore, with 75 per cent of engine power available at just 1000 rpm, progress from a standstill is easy and remains so throughout the rev range. The highly efficient unit uses direct injection and variable valve timing. The engine is mated to a six-speed ZF automatic shift-by-wire gearbox.



The powerful V12 will accelerate the Phantom Drophead Coupé to 60 mph in under six seconds and on to a limited top speed of 149 mph / 240 km/h. It stops in equally impressive fashion, using 374 mm / 14.7 in ventilated disc brakes at the front and 370 mm / 14.5 in at the rear. Twin piston alloy callipers at the front and single piston callipers at the rear bring the large-diameter wheels to rest. The braking system incorporates the latest four-channel anti-lock system. Emergency Brake Assist steps in under heavy braking, immediately applying full force in an emergency. At rest, an electromechanical park brake can be applied via a button on the dashboard.



For maximum active safety, the sophisticated braking system is supplemented by an advanced dynamic stability control system that gives outstanding car control in an emergency situation.



Final testing was carried out in several locations around the world. The hot-weather tests took place in the stifling heat of Death Valley, USA and the Namibian desert, while cold-weather testing was undertaken in the harsh winter conditions of Scandinavia.





CRAFTSMANSHIP

Craftsmanship is a hallmark of Rolls-Royce. From the traditional wood and leather workshop skills to the complex welding of the aluminium spaceframe, a 21st century Rolls-Royce is a blend of hand crafted expertise and high-tech materials and techniques.



With more than 350 man-hours invested in each car, not including the time taken to build the engine, nearly right is never acceptable. The maxim of company founder Sir Henry Royce still resonates around Goodwood today: "Strive for perfection in everything you do." From day-to-day production cars to the often complex Bespoke requests, Rolls-Royce has a skilled team adept at meeting the challenges of crafting the finest cars for the most discerning customers.



For example, a number of the individual leather pieces used in the Phantom Drophead Coupé are larger than those in the Phantom, which makes their selection and usage more difficult because of naturally occurring blemishes and imperfections. The skill comes in using each hide in such a way that these natural marks are hidden or discarded, minimising waste and resulting in a perfect finish.



Other new materials, such as the teak and brushed steel, bring with them their own unique challenges. Wood is a defining feature of the Phantom Drophead Coupé, and the woodshop team can spend up to a month preparing, matching, shaping and finishing each car's set. The teak deck is finished with a specially formulated oil blend to ensure a rich, natural, longer-lasting lustre. Its use on the Phantom Drophead Coupé is unlike any other in the automotive industry. With the brushed steel, the difficulty lies in getting exactly the same look to each of the parts – the grille, the bonnet and the A-pillar. After a great deal of research and testing, machine-brushing finished by hand-polishing was deemed the best way of achieving a uniform grain.



Craftsmanship can be found throughout the Phantom Drophead Coupé, from the largest, most visible parts down to the smallest, unseen detail. By constructing each car with the same enthusiasm and passion with which it was designed, Rolls-Royce ensures that each one will offer a unique motoring experience, both to its owners and to all those who will travel in it.





COLOUR AND TRIM

Exterior colours:

• Metropolitan Blue

• Admiral Blue

• Duck Egg Blue

• Jubilee Silver

• English White

• Semaphore Yellow

• Ensign Red

• Woodland Green

• Diamond Black



Hood colours:

• Silver

• Black

• Beige

• Deep Red

• Deep Green

• Navy Blue



Interior leather:

• Crème Light

• Black

• Fleet Blue

• Moccasin

• Pine Green

• Roseleaf

• Fawn Brown

• Dark Spice

• Consort Red

• Signal Red



Interior veneers:

• Elm Cluster

• Piano Black

• Brown Oak

• Ash Burr

• Mahogany Flare

• Rosewood World version





TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: WORLD

Dimensions

Number of doors / seats 2 / 4

Vehicle length 5609 mm / 220.8 in

Vehicle width 1987 mm / 78.2 in

Vehicle height (unladen) 1581 mm / 62.2 in

Wheelbase 3320 mm / 130.7 in

Turning circle 13.1 m / 43.0 ft

Track, front 1687 mm / 66.4 in

Track, rear 1671 mm / 65.8 in

Width at shoulder height, front 1491 mm / 58.7 in

Width at shoulder height, rear 1298 mm / 51.1 in

Elbow room, front 1562 mm / 61.5 in

Elbow room, rear 1266 mm / 49.8 in

Head room, front 980 mm / 38.6 in

Head room, rear 943 mm / 37.1 in

Boot volume (DIN) 315 ltr / 11.1 cu ft

Fuel tank capacity 80 ltr / 17.6 Imp gal



Weight

Unladen weight (DIN) 2620 kg / 5776 lb

Axle load ratio, rear (unladen) 51.4 %

Gross vehicle weight 3050 kg / 6724 lb

Payload 430 kg / 948 lb

Axle load limit, front 1425 kg / 3142 lb

Axle load limit, rear 1800 kg / 3968 lb



Engine & transmission

Engine / cylinders / valves V / 12 / 48

Fuel management Direct injection

Displacement 6749 cc / 411.8 cu in

Stroke 84.6 mm / 3.33 in

Bore 92.0 mm / 3.62 in

Power output @ engine speed 453 bhp / 460 PS (DIN) / 338 kW @ 5350 rpm

Max torque @ engine speed 720 Nm / 531 lb ft @ 3500 rpm

Compression ratio / fuel type 11:1 / premium unleaded1

Transmission type ZF 6HP32

Transmission ratios:

1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4.171 / 2.340 / 1.521 /

4th / 5th / 6th 1.143 / 0.867 / 0.691

Reverse 3.403

Final-drive ratio 3.460



Steering & brakes

Steering type Rack & pinion, speed-sensitive variable-rate power assistance

Brakes, front / diameter Ventilated disc / 374 mm / 14.7 in

Brakes, rear / diameter Ventilated disc / 370 mm / 14.6 in



Aerodynamics

Drag Cd 0.37

Drag Cd x A 1.004 m2 / 10.8 ft2



Performance2

Top speed 149 mph / 240 km/h (governed)

Acceleration 0-100 km/h 5.9 sec



Fuel consumption2

Urban To be confirmed

Extra urban To be confirmed

Combined / range To be confirmed

CO2 emissions To be confirmed



Wheels (standard PAX alloy)

Tyre, front & rear Michelin PAX 265/790 R540 A 111W

Wheel rim, front & rear PAX 265 x 540 A ALU



Wheels (21 in alloy)

Tyre, front Goodyear EMT 255/50 R21 106W

Wheel size, front 8 in x 21 in

Tyre, rear Goodyear EMT 285/45 R21 109W

Wheel size, rear 9.5 in x 21 in



1. The engine is designed for octane grade 98 fuel; however, it may be run on fuel with a minimum octane grade of 91.

2. Subject to final verification.





TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: US VERSION

Dimensions

Number of doors / seats 2 / 4

Vehicle length 5609 mm / 220.8 in

Vehicle width 1987 mm / 78.2 in

Vehicle height (unladen) 1581 mm / 62.2 in

Wheelbase 3320 mm / 130.7 in

Turning circle 13.1 m / 43.0 ft

Track, front 1687 mm / 66.4 in

Track, rear 1671 mm / 65.8 in

Width at shoulder height, front 1491 mm / 58.7 in

Width at shoulder height, rear 1298 mm / 51.1 in

Elbow room, front 1562 mm / 61.5 in

Elbow room, rear 1266 mm / 49.8 in

Head room, front 980 mm / 38.6 in

Head room, rear 943 mm / 37.1 in

Trunk volume (SAE) To be confirmed

Fuel tank capacity 80 ltr / 21.1 US gal



Weight

Curb weight 2620 kg / 5776 lb

Axle load ratio, rear (unladen) 51.4 %

Gross vehicle weight 3050 kg / 6724 lb

Payload 430 kg / 948 lb

Axle load limit, front 1425 kg / 3142 lb

Axle load limit, rear 1800 kg / 3968 lb



Engine & transmission

Engine / cylinders / valves V / 12 / 48

Fuel management Direct injection

Displacement 6749 cc / 411.8 cu in

Stroke 84.6 mm / 3.33 in

Bore 92.0 mm / 3.62 in

Power output @ engine speed 453 bhp / 460 PS (DIN) / 338 kW @ 5350 rpm

Max torque @ engine speed 720 Nm / 531 lb ft @ 3500 rpm

Compression ratio / fuel type 11:1 / premium unleaded1

Transmission type ZF 6HP32

Transmission ratios:

1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4.171 / 2.340 / 1.521 /

4th / 5th / 6th / 1.143 / 0.867 / 0.691

Reverse 3.403

Final-drive ratio 3.460



Steering & brakes

Steering type Rack & pinion, speed-sensitive variable-rate power assistance

Brakes, front / diameter Ventilated disc / 374 mm / 14.7 in

Brakes, rear / diameter Ventilated disc / 370 mm / 14.6 in



Aerodynamics

Drag Cd 0.37

Drag Cd x A 1.004 m2 / 10.8 ft2



Performance2

Top speed 149 mph / 240 km/h (governed)

Acceleration 0-60 mph 5.7 sec



Fuel consumption3

City To be confirmed

Highway To be confirmed

Combined / range To be confirmed

CO2 emissions To be confirmed



Wheels (standard PAX alloy)4/5

Tire, front & rear Michelin PAX 265/790 R540 A 111W

Wheel rim, front & rear PAX 265 x 540 A ALU



Wheels (21 in alloy)5/6

Tire, front Goodyear EMT 255/50 R21 106W

Wheel size, front 8 in x 21 in

Tire, rear Goodyear EMT 285/45 R21 109W

Wheel size, rear 9.5 in x 21 in



Luggage is housed within a picnic boot, a split tail compartment that opens in two parts giving easy access to the 315 litres of space. The lower tailgate provides a comfortable seating platform for two adults when lowered. Careful engineering of the folding soft-top roof means that it stows in a relatively small space resulting in a luggage compartment that remains unaffected regardless of whether the roof is up or down.



The fabric hood is the largest of any modern convertible car and its acoustic insulation is exemplary. Five layers of material ensure that the cabin remains a serene space, even at speed. Lined with cashmere it has been tailored to stow in a relatively small space.



At the core of the Phantom Drophead Coupé is an advanced aluminium chassis, perhaps the single most significant component in delivering the marques legendary refinement. Lightweight and exceptionally strong, it impacts positively on ride comfort, handling and safety. Hand made, it requires over 140 meters of welding in each chassis. Power is supplied by the same 6.75 litre naturally aspirated V12 engine found in the Phantom saloon, giving brisk performance and a 0-60mph time of 5.7 seconds.



Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chairman and Chief Executive, Ian Robertson, said, "The Phantom Drophead Coupé marks the next chapter in our history. While the saloon continues as the brand flagship, the Drophead leads us in a more informal direction, attracting new buyers to the marque. In the coming years other new models will strengthen the company still further."



The Phantom Drophead Coupé has been carefully crafted to be aesthetically pleasing, yet practical too. Wood, leather, chrome and brushed steel have been used where most appropriate. Form and function have equal billing. The simplicity of the design belies a car built to provide years of effortless service. It will offer owners an unparalleled convertible experience, combining compelling driveability with exceptional engineering, technology and design – hand crafted from the finest materials to an exceptional level of quality.