2008 Phantom Drophead Coupe - Modern - retro Beauty

Do you want to know why new Phantom Drophead Coupe uses a cloth rather than retractable metal roof?

?’esign director Ian Cameron gives to this question a typically Rolls-Royce answer. “There’s something romantic about raindrops falling on a fabric roof.” How often do you hear of romance when it comes about modern cars? Maybe of rationality, but never of romance.

Yet there’s something intrinsically romantic about this big, graceful, bluff-nosed, long-hooded, majestic statue of a car, more of a 1920s or 1930s luxury roadster than a machine from this century. Most people at Rolls - Royce hate the word “retro” - how can you call it retro when the car is stuffed with such high tech?) - still it seems that this car came from the last century not from this one. “It’s like a car from the 1920s - long and graceful, big powerful engine, perfect for easily effortless drives in the sun in beautiful locations” says Cameron. “It’s an indulgent car. It’s all about enjoyment, of giving yourself a treat.”

It`s the world`s most expensive convertible - when it hit the showrooms this summer, after it made its debut at the Detroit auto show, its price was cost near enough to $400,000. It’s also the world’s longest. The first rear-hinged front doors in living history and another throwback to the 1920s and 1930s, they provide superb entry and exit to the front seats. It is now the world`s best selling super luxury car Its engine, that big and silent-smooth direct-injection 6.7-liter, 453-horsepower V-12, is identical to the Phantom’s and so is the six-speed ZF autobox. Of paddle shifts and sports modes, there’s no sign. Instead, as in the Phantom, you get a delicate column-mounted wand, offering the refreshingly simple choice of forward, backward, or neutral. Just about the only manual adjustment to confuse the driver is the provision to raise the car’s ride height, the better to clamber up uneven grassy mounds at a horse race or picnic. Of course it has a new styling. The vast Greek temple-style grille is the biggest departure from the Rolls-Royce norm. It gives a car a sportier appearance.

The body is all aluminum. The optional brushed-stainless-steel hood and windscreen surround are borrowed from the 100EX convertible and 101EX coupe concept cars. And look at these vast rear-hinged “coach” doors, opened by lovely chromed art-deco-like strakes (and closed, once seated, electronically by push buttons).

The roof is cloth, lined inside with a cashmere mix. It not only makes you romantic, the roof rises and folds automatically and is stowed under the teak rear decking. The teak is an overt maritime touch. It is a feature of the yacht’s decking and is sturdy and long-lasting. Carpets aren’t wool, which absorbs moisture and can smell like a wet dog after heavy rain. Instead, they’re a soft, sumptuous type of nylon that’s able to withstand a good soaking. The cabin is also not characteristic of the Phantom sedan. The shorter wheelbase reduces rear legroom, of course. Yet the twin rear seats have ample legroom for tall men, while the curved bench seat isn’t as wide or as luxuriantly spacious as in the Phantom. It’s more intimate, in keeping with this car’s romantic character. Rear legroom is helped by the thinner and smaller front bucket seats, no longer the lounge chairs of the Phantom. The upper part of the dash is aluminum, true to the car’s sportier bent. Elsewhere beautifully crafted wood, mahogany on our photo car, trims the dashboard, center console, and doors.

But who will spend such money for a convertible? Rolls-Royce already knows. “Rolls-Royce is not your normal car company” says Cameron. “We know many of our customers personally.” America will be the biggest market, and Beverly Hills the biggest single sales region. The Drophead Coupe is for leisure. It’s a sociable vehicle, a car to enjoy with friends.

A car for dreamers and romantics who admire the panache and glamour of the Gatsby years but are doing just fine in the 21st century.

[VIA: motortrend.com]

Tags: vehicles, cars