During Monterey Car Week in Pebble Beach, California, Rolls-Royce held a private ceremony to unveil its newest one-off masterpiece. The La Rose Noire Droptail is the first of four such Rolls-Royce Coachbuild masterpieces scheduled for completion in the coming years. The Sweptail, a one-of-a-kind vehicle introduced by the British manufacturer in 2017, marked the beginning of the Coachbuild initiative. The three-unit Boat Tail coach-built grand tourer came next, with rumors swirling that celebrity couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z commissioned the first unit, which quickly became the most expensive new automobile in the world. Newly unveiled La Rose Noire Droptail owners reportedly spent £25 million (about $32 million) on the gorgeous masterpiece, putting it on track to become the most expensive new automobile in the world.
According to Rolls-Royce, the La Rose Noire Droptail takes its name and design cues from the rare hybrid rose created in France called the Black Baccara rose, which is renowned for its velvety petal texture and striking color. Apparently, the grandmother of the family that commissioned the one-of-a-kind piece adores Black Baccara roses. The custom model was the result of four years of effort by a dedicated Rolls-Royce crew. During this time, the marque collaborated closely with the owners to design a unique vehicle that encapsulates their shared passion for art, cars, and champagne.
The Droptail is not like the Cullinan, Ghost, or Phantom in that it shares the same Architecture of Luxury platform as the other Rolls-Royces. Instead, a new monocoque chassis comprised of steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber is installed in the Droptail. The two-seat layout makes it the first contemporary Rolls-Royce of its kind. The Droptail is an ultra-opulent roadster that seems to take design cues from 1920s hot rods. The 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine is rated at 593 horsepower and 620 lb-ft (840 Nm) of torque, making it the most powerful engine in the lineup. The roadster can reach a high speed of 155 mph, according to Rolls-Royce, and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in less than 5.0 seconds.
There’s no need to strain your brain to figure out that the Droptail is unlike any other Rolls-Royce vehicle. True Love, a custom paint with a rich pomegranate color that is both glossy and complicated, was used for the exterior. Under bright light, the paint’s iridescent sheen and deep red hue become more apparent. Rolls-Royce claims the paint job went through more than 150 revisions until it was perfect.
The Pantheon Grille up front is completed in a unique Hydroshade dark shade while yet maintaining the instantly recognized Rolls-Royce design DNA. On the other hand, the 22-inch alloy wheels are painted in a Mystery color that seems black from afar but has shimmering dark red overtones when viewed up close.
The Droptail has a detachable hardtop that may alter the look and feel of the unique car. A push of a button may change the electrochromic glass part from opaque to nearly transparent. The two-seater cockpit is beautifully built from carbon fiber, wood, and leather. The highlight is the continuous parquetry that runs from the back of the seats all the way up to the dashboard. The 1,603 black wood veneer triangles that make up this abstract representation of falling rose petals make up the most intricate item Rolls-Royce has ever produced. It took two years to design and nine months to build.
A wristwatch from Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Concept collection that also functions as a car’s dashboard timepiece.The handmade watch by Audemars Piguet that dominates the dashboard is yet another eye-catching feature inside. It’s a 43mm AP Royal Oak Concept wristwatch that also functions as a dashboard timepiece. The self-winding Calibre 4407 movement within the 43mm Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date enables the watch’s flyback chronograph and split-seconds function.
The handmade watch, with its red inner bezel and red counters and black dial, was made at the request of the male owner to complement the Droptail’s color scheme. The owners also commissioned a Rolls-Royce Champagne Chest in the same petal parquetry pattern. A service trailer, two hammocks, and a bottle of the proprietors’ special edition of Champagne de Lossy are all part of the “intricate” champagne set that can be found within.
Rolls-Royce has been owned by a mysterious “international” family with links to both the automotive and fashion industries, but the company has been cagey about disclosing their identities. During Monterey Car Week, at a private ceremony, the creators presented their one-of-a-kind work to its new owners. The British carmaker has also opted not to share the price, however it has been reported that La Rose Noire will set you back around $31.8 million.