There was a time when spotting a Rolls, Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Maserati was cause for taking a moment – jaws dropped, heads turned and feet remained motionless. They were singular automobile events and celebrations of what man could create. But as times changed, and more people were able to afford such vehicles, the excitement behind the experience almost disappeared. Tragic.
In 1998, when BMW took over Rolls-Royce Motorcars, many feared the stoically styled Bavarian legend would somehow water down the double-R. Word spread about German- built engines and transmissions replacing the Rolls’s tried-and-true 6.75-liter V8, which had seen service for decades. People cried out in protest. Rolls people are chaps of tradition, demanding the Old World ways of automotive construction and design. For a while, things looked bleak, but the introduction of The Phantom was the first real show of BMW’s commitment to keeping the Rolls-Royce tradition alive.
With its lengthy body, rear coach doors, imposing size and weight, and overall striking design, one thing was obvious: Rolls-Royce was back, making a statement without apologies. While some ran for cover from the massive new addition to the family, many more welcomed it. People liked its boldness and loved that it harkened back to a time when Rolls was the pinnacle of a luxury car. And now, they’ve added a drop top to the line up.
Introduced in 2004 as the 100EX concept, the Phantom Drophead Coupe doesn’t stray far from that original concept design. A polished stainless steel bonnet and window frame boldly reside behind the Spirit of Ecstasy, standing atop the signature grille since 1911. Coach doors, teak tonneau cover, massive rims and tires, and the traditional lines of yesteryear mark the PDC as everything one would expect from a Rolls-Royce. It’s the dream car we’ve all wanted: something large, imposing, elegant, powerful, comfortable and enjoyable. This car politely offers a taste of the future while staying true to its classic roots. The moniker at Rolls has been “Design Without Compromise,” but behind the scenes romance has largely driven this car’s design and execution.
Rolls spent a good deal of time studying classic boats when it came to designing the PDC, which is one of the reasons behind the teak deck, hardy wood and leather interior, and an abundance of sound-deadening and corrosion-resistant materials used in its construction. In fact, the development team, while working on how to create this masterpiece, traveled to Southampton to study a J-class yacht in restorative phases. The idea behind the study was to examine how the car, as a convertible, could be better built to withstand years and years of elemental exposure. So it happens that the interior of the PDC would boast extremely durable surfaces, and above all, moisture resistance.
One small area that’s taken very seriously at RR is the leather, which has always been impressive on all of its models. But the new generation of seating surfaces is absolutely phenomenal. Easily maintained and very durable, it’s virtually carefree. The wood veneers inside are polished to a mirror finish and protected from the elements as well.
Everything about the car, both to the touch and to the eye, is amazing: the superb fit and finish, the body and chassis seemingly chiseled from a block of steel, the paint so deep that Rod Serling could convince you another dimension exists within its sheen, and the car’s easy handling all make driving the PDC a sheer delight. It glides along and, despite its massive weight (5,775 pounds), handles corners and curves quite athletically. Under the hood a 6.75-liter V-12 quietly creates 453 horsepower and 513 pound-feet of torque. The engine whisks the Rolls to 60 miles-per-hour in about 5.9 seconds, tops out at 149, and you’ll hear everything that you need to hear from the engine to stir the emotions. Of course, isn’t this what a Rolls is really all about?
The PDC can be ordered in any color you wish with a variety of optional extras at your fingertips. One worth pointing out is the very British picnic boot. When you pop open the trunk lid, the panel between the taillights lays down like a pick-up tailgate, offering a nice eating surface. It’s one of those things that makes the Rolls a Rolls, and some of us are very happy that BMW honored that little idiosyncrasy that is so British.
Make no mistake about it – Rolls is on track to becoming the best car in the world, thanks to modernization, development, careful planning, and an absolute “no limits” attitude towards craftsmanship, engineering, design, and dedication to using the best materials available. Thanks to this, seeing a Rolls-Royce can once again be a moment of magic. Find out more at rolls-roycemotorcars.com.
Rolls-Royce Convertibles: A History
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe has some big shoes to fill. The PDC represents an amazing milestone in RR history, taking the torch from a long succession of pedigreed drop tops. It’s a big responsibility most recently held by the popular, and long-lived, Corniche. Introduced as the Corniche in 1971, the elegantly styled coupes and convertibles were also sold as Bentleys until1984 when the Continental name was resurrected for Bentley, distinguishing the two cars. The Corniche was one of the most successful Rolls-Royce projects in the history of the company, receiving only minor redesigns and engineering changes throughout its lifetime. In the mid-1980s, RR freshened up the car with rubberized bumpers and other contemporary touches and created the Corniche II, succeeded by the III in 1989 which had airbags and a more modern interior styling.
In 1993, Corniche IV debuted and boasted a number of upgrades over the previous generation cars. Production of this model ended in 1995, with the last 25 cars called Corniche S, denoting the supercharged engine. In 2000, under BMW management, Rolls brought back the Corniche convertible sporting a turbocharged engine and absolutely lovely body upgrades, reminding the world of the classicism of the original design. This line was discontinued in 2002, marking the end an era of familiar styling and making way for the massive Phantom sedan and 100EX concept convertible, which, of course, would become the Phantom Drophead Coupe.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Specifications*
BODY:
Material: Multiple
Overall Length: 220.8 in.
Overall Width: 78.2 in.
Height: 62.2 in.
Wheelbase: 130.7 in.
Curb Weight: 5,775 lbs.
MECHANICALS:
Transmission: 6-speed ZF automatic
Engine: 48-valve, direct injection V12
Displacement: 6.75-Liter/411 cubic inches
Horsepower: 453 horsepower
TIRES:
FR: 255/50 R21 106W
RR: 285/45 R21 109W
PERFORMANCE:
0-62 MPH: 5.9 seconds
Top Speed: 149 MPH
*Manufacturer informational claims
