• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled Droptail, the next chapter in the Coachbuild story
• Coachbuild is the pinnacle of the Rolls-Royce brand, akin to Haute Couture
• Droptail is the first modern roadster style in Rolls-Royce’s history
• This is the most involved, progressive, and refined Coachbuild project yet
• The aft deck section is aerodynamically functional, showcasing engineering expertise
• The Rolls-Royce badge and Pantheon grille are reinterpreted in a bold manner
• Four Droptails will be built, reflecting the individuality of commissioning clients

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has revealed their latest creation, Droptail, in their ongoing Coachbuild story. Coachbuild is defined as the highest expression of the Rolls-Royce brand, much like Haute Couture in the fashion industry. Droptail marks the first-ever roadster body style in Rolls-Royce’s modern history and is the most ambitious Coachbuild project to date.

The design of Droptail includes a striking aft deck section that serves an aerodynamic purpose and demonstrates exceptional engineering skills. Additionally, the Rolls-Royce badge and Pantheon grille have been creatively reinterpreted to make a bold statement. This project is the result of a remarkable four-year collaboration with a select group of highly ambitious clients.

A total of only four Droptails will be built, each reflecting the character and preferences of its commissioning client. These unique roadsters are considered applied art, built over several years in collaboration with Rolls-Royce designers, engineers, and craftspeople. This partnership has resulted in an extraordinary motor car that is truly one-of-a-kind and represents the shared ambition of the brand and its clients.

The unveiling of Droptail also addresses the question of whether a car can be considered art. With this exceptional roadster, the answer is unequivocally yes, according to Torsten Müller-Ötvös, the CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Droptail is the latest chapter in the Coachbuild story, which began in 2017 with the introduction of ‘Sweptail’, a unique two-door coupé. This was followed by ‘Boat Tail’ in 2021, an open-top car designed for hosting. Each Coachbuild project represents the dreams and desires of Rolls-Royce clients and showcases the brand’s ability to create highly bespoke motor cars.

The renaissance of contemporary coachbuilding showcases the art of creating something beautiful, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally resonant. The dedication and freedom within the Rolls-Royce Coachbuild department allow designers to explore bold and creative avenues that go beyond the brand’s existing design strategy.

Droptail brings back the roadster body type, breaking away from the conventional four-seat design typically associated with Rolls-Royce. The inspiration for this body style came from early Rolls-Royce roadsters that were popular among young and confident American self-drivers in the early 20th century.

With Droptail, Rolls-Royce designers took a highly distilled approach to design, studying classic models such as the 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost ‘Sluggard’, the 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom Brewster New York Roadster, and the 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly. The result is a modern interpretation that captures the spirit of these early roadsters.

Droptail’s exterior design features a unique interpretation of the iconic Pantheon grille and Rolls-Royce badge. The Pantheon grille’s vanes are ‘kinked’ towards the top, creating a more informal expression of Rolls-Royce design. The grille is connected visually to the front headlamps, forming a powerful brow line. The sharp, angular ‘sail cowls’ behind the doors highlight the motor car’s two-seater configuration.

The engineering behind Droptail is also remarkable, particularly the aerodynamic functionality of the aft deck section. This section produces downforce to improve stability when the car is at high speeds. The design team worked closely with aerodynamicists to achieve this feat, resulting in a landmark innovation.

The attention to detail in Droptail’s design is evident in every aspect, including the hidden lock mechanism in the door handle and the reinterpretation of the Rolls-Royce ‘Badge of Honour’. The rear treatment of the car features nautical design elements, inspired by racing sailing yachts of the 1930s.

Droptail offers two distinct characters with its removable hard top. Without the roof, it embodies the spirit of a lithe, open-top roadster. With the roof installed, it transforms into a dramatic coupé. The roof is made from carbon fibre and incorporates electrochromic glass that can be adjusted to control the amount of light entering the interior.

The interior of Droptail is designed to create an intimate and cosseting environment for the driver and passenger. The focus was on minimalism and analogue tactility. The fascia features only three primary buttons but retains all the functionality of a contemporary Rolls-Royce. The interior design celebrates woodcraft and showcases the exceptional skills of Rolls-Royce artisans.

Droptail is built on a new, bespoke underpinning constructed from aluminium, steel, and carbon fibre. The bodywork uses carbon fibre for its compound curves, with the rear quarter panels being the largest carbon fibre panels ever created for a Rolls-Royce motor car. The drivetrain remains familiar to Rolls-Royce collectors and has been subtly enhanced for Droptail.

The meticulous execution of Droptail represents the highest expression of applied art within the Coachbuild department. This groundbreaking project sets new standards in the luxury sector and confirms that coachbuilding will play a significant role in Rolls-Royce’s long-term strategy.