The Rolls-Royce Drop Tail is a modern two-seat roadster that pays homage to the coachbuilt drop-tops that solidified the brand’s position as a luxury leader a century ago.

This ultra-exclusive vehicle is the result of a four-year collaboration between Rolls-Royce and four clients. It is considered the pinnacle of the company’s in-house coachbuilding capabilities, joining the ranks of the highly sought-after Sweptail (2017) and Boat Tail (2021) as part of a series of multi-million-pound bespoke vehicles.

While Rolls-Royce does not disclose the prices for these coachbuilt specials, it is known that each of the four Drop Tails cost their respective owners more than the £20 million Boat Tail.

Unlike a simple redesign of the retired Dawn convertible, the Drop Tail features an entirely new monocoque chassis made from steel, aluminium, and carbon fibre. This marks a first for Rolls-Royce’s Coachbuild division, as previous bespoke models were based on the Architecture of Luxury platform, which also underpins the Cullinan, Ghost, and Phantom.

Powering the Drop Tail is a specially tuned, twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine. It delivers 593bhp and 620lb ft of torque – an increase of 30bhp in power compared to the Phantom, but a decrease of 44lb ft in torque. While performance figures have not been released, it is expected that the Drop Tail will closely match the V12-powered Dawn, featuring a sub-5.0-second 0-62mph time and a top speed limited to 155mph.

According to Rolls-Royce design director Anders Warming, the V12 engine was chosen over an electric powertrain because the brand wanted to celebrate the roadster and the V12 powertrain, which will be a focal point for the next few years. Warming also mentioned that electric coachbuilds may come into play in the future.

Measuring 5.3m in length and 2.0m in width, the Drop Tail is smaller than the electric Spectre. Its distinctive silhouette is characterized by a low coupe-like roofline inspired by “chop-top” hot rods, giving the vehicle a more sporty character compared to other mainstream Rolls-Royce models. Additional design elements include blade-shaped haunches and a large carbon fibre rear diffuser, finished in semi-clear lacquer to accentuate its prominent position on the painted body.