Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe (2006): first official pictures

By Phil McNamara

First Official Pictures

30 December 2006 12:40

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe: the lowdown

Rolls-Royce today reveals the first pictures of its new, £300,000 convertible, the Phantom Drophead Coupé. It's a very grand name for a very grand motor car. The Phantom Drophead Coupe will be unveiled at the Detroit auto show on 7 January, but over the next five pages we will give you the lowdown on Rolls' first drop-top since the Corniche, which met its maker in 2002.

The Drophead Coupe is the world's most expensive cabriolet, eclipsing the £222k Azure from Rolls' former sister brand Bentley. Although the Drophead is based on the Phantom, some 1300 parts are new. So the convertible shares the Phantom's light but rigid aluminium spaceframe chassis, although the wheelbase is reduced. Mounted in the nose and driving the rear wheels is the same 6.75-litre V12, developing 460bhp. It wafts the Drophead from 0-60mph in just 5.7sec.

By Phil McNamara