2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

Rolls-Royce has announced the availability at last of its Phantom Drophead Coupé, the two-door, four-passenger convertible derived from the 100EX concept car first unveiled in 2004. It's a gorgeous exercise in design, expressing both modern German technology and traditional British heritage. An exquisite use of materials sets this car apart from any luxury car you've seen before. An all-aluminum chassis is complemented by aluminum front fenders. Brushed steel is available as an optional treatment for the hood and the A-pillar. A teak deck covers the convertible top once it has been retracted into the trunk. Meanwhile, the interior has been inspired by classic America's Cup sailboats of the 1930s. Even the inner liner of the immense fabric top is lined with a blend of cashmere. The all-aluminum chassis is welded by hand at a BMW facility in Dingolfing, Germany, and then shipped to the new Rolls-Royce facility in Goodwood, England, where the bodywork is attached and final assembly occurs. The car is powered by a 6.8-liter V12 that develops 453 horsepower, and it accelerates to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds despite its 5,776-pound weight. Top speed is electronically limited to 149 mph. The Phantom Drophead Coupé's sure sense of style is perhaps best expressed by the Spirit of Ecstasy that surmounts the grille. Her classic form remains the same, but now computerized modeling has given her features a more defined, lifelike appearance and she's made from stainless steel. "The Phantom Drophead Coupé is about emphasizing the essentials of pleasure," notes Ian Cameron, Rolls-Royce's chief designer. "Rolls-Royce is the opposite of stiff formality. Why would you design and build a car like this and not make it fun to use?"