A $30 million luxury car designed for an unknown female collector – here’s everything we know about the Rolls Royce La Rose Noire Droptail.
This one-of-a-kind masterpiece took five years to complete.
It’s the first model among four upcoming Droptail convertibles.
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The two-door, two-seater convertible debuted at an exclusive event in August’s Monterey Car Week in California.
It instantly secured its place as the world’s most expensive car.
The motor was privately commissioned by a super-rich wife and husband described as “the heads of a prominent international family” with a “deep connection to France”.
They’ve been described as a “glamorous art-loving champagne and fashion dynasty”.
According to Rolls Royce, the luxury car’s intent is to be a “romantic celebration of the couple who created it”.
Rolls Royce La Rose Noire Droptail‘s timeless designed exterior is the first thing that catches the eye.
It’s a model characterised by its removable carbon fibre hardtop complemented by electrochromic, self-shading glass.
The low-slung hard-top transforms it from an open-top two-seater roadster into a dramatic coupe.
Plus, the sleek silhouette is reminiscent of luxury yachts, with the new ‘Templebrough’ overhang grille adding a touch of modernity.
It’s inspired by the French Black Baccara hybrid rose – the favourite flower of the matriarch.
The bloom was created in France in the year 2000 by the family-owned Meilland International.
To reflect this, its secret paint base coat is followed by five layers of distinct red-toned clear lacquer.
The result is a finish that seamlessly transitions colours when viewed from different angles.
Peek under its beautiful hood and the Rolls Royce La Rose Noire Droptail delivers a performance worthy of its prestige.
Riding on sizeable 22-inch wheels, it’s powered by a robust, twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V-12 engine.
As a result, it boasts 563 bhp of power at 5,250 rpm and a peak torque of 820 Nm (604 lb-ft) at 1,500 rpm.
This powerful engine is linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox with manual override.
The Rolls Royce La Rose Noire Droptail is estimated to accelerate powerfully but smoothly up to 62mph (100km/h) in around five seconds.
Its top speed is restricted to 155mph (249km/h).
At 5.3 metres long, 20 meters wide and just 1.5 metres high, the low-slung masterpiece is striking on the road.
Step inside and the practical, yet minimal cabin has a gracefully intricate and curved wooden dash with only three primary buttons.
The dash design is hand-crafted from 1,603 wooden veneer pieces.
It took a craftsman two years to complete working in totally silent isolation for five hours a day.
The pièce de résistance? An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept timepiece which sits within the dashboard as a clock.
However, release the clasp and stored strap and it can also be worn as a wristwatch.
The luxury car features a rose-hued champagne chest and cooler to carry the clients’ ‘precious vintage’ and flutes.
And it’s not the fist time Rolls Royce have considered refreshments in their luxury cars.
Naturally, the owners also commissioned an exclusive vintage of Champagne de Lossy to celebrate the unveiling.
Incorporating an innovative design philosophy, the Rolls-Royce Drop Tail boasts an uber comfortable interior.
The two seats are edged with dark and lighter red leather to mirror the exterior’s shade.
The leather is then finished with a subtle copper shimmer to mirror the pearlescent texture of the Black Baccara’s petals.
As a final flourish, the owner was asked to sign her name beneath the Rolls-Royce badge on the prow of the finished car.
