Unveiling of the Second Rolls-Royce Droptail: A Nod to Amethyst Aficionados

2

Late this past Thursday, Rolls-Royce pulled back the curtains on the second in a quartet of coachbuilt roadsters known by the name of the Droptail collection.

Named the Amethyst, this latest installment in the collection features the same-named crystal, which holds significance not only as a design inspiration but also as the birthstone of the buyer’s son.

The vehicle boasts more than a captivating purple tint that sparkles like an amethyst crystal under the sunlight. It also incorporates actual stones within its construction. These stones embellish various cabin dials and surround the base of the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament.

In terms of its exterior, the main body of the car showcases two purple shades. A soft hue blended with powdered aluminum creates an almost silvery shimmer, while the upper portions of the body display a deeper purple. This rich shade contains a mixture of red, blue, and violet mica flakes, resulting in a distinctive mauve color with a metallic gloss. The 22-inch wheels are also accented with a touch of mauve paint.

Similar to its predecessor, the La Rose Noire, the latest Droptail utilizes exposed carbon fiber for its rear diffuser, now subtly tinted purple. The signature Pantheon grille has been redesigned with swept-back vanes and a novel kink—a Rolls-Royce first. The Amethyst further introduces a combination of brushed and polished surfaces on the grille.

The vehicle’s cabin is enclosed by a detachable hard-top roof, rendering a nearly singular design when removed, especially from a profile perspective, where only the door cutlines are visible. Interior wood surfaces abound, including exterior elements, and offer another first for the brand: the most extensive single area of wood. This extends from the rear fascia to the curved “shawl” panel behind the seats, and into the center console, where it integrates with the armrests.

Another innovation specific to this car is a new veneering technique where veneer sheets are placed inversely to reveal the raw texture of the wood. These pieces are either sequentially aligned side by side or placed at a 55-degree angle and mirrored around a center line, a design referred to as bookmatching. Calamander Light open-pore wood, suggested by the buyer, is the primary material used.

Though Rolls-Royce has kept the Droptail’s pricing under wraps, speculation places the cost for each of the four cars at over 20 million British pounds (around $25 million). This exceeds the price of previous Sweptail and Boat Tail specials, reflecting the Droptail’s greater ambition. Unlike earlier models that relied on existing platforms, the Droptail is crafted around a unique design, employing a blend of materials such as carbon fiber.

With dimensions of 208 inches in length and nearly 79 inches in width, the Droptail is slightly more compact than the newly introduced Spectre electric coupe. However, it retains several design cues from the Spectre, with the notable exception of the electric powertrain.

The Droptail is powered by Rolls-Royce’s esteemed twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V-12 engine, outputting a peak of 593 horsepower—30 horsepower more than in the regular fleet. This marks the first time that enhanced performance has been incorporated into a modern coachbuilt Rolls-Royce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rolls-Royce Droptail Amethyst

More about Rolls-Royce Droptail Amethyst

• Rolls-Royce Official Website
• Droptail Collection Overview
• Amethyst Details and Specifications
• Rolls-Royce’s Unique Coachbuilding History