While economic indicators may fluctuate, the market for ultra-luxury goods is as healthy as a stable of your ex-broker’s polo ponies. The name Rolls-Royce always has been synonymous with the absolute best, and the new Phantom Drophead Coupe (aka “convertible”) leaves no doubt that it’s good to be the king.
Whether you play in this league or are still working up to it, you’ll appreciate the new Rolls convertible as a stunning realization of cost-no-object artistry and engineering. Rolls-Royce’s concept of luxury begins with authenticity. Every component of the car – from its heavy chrome fittings and sisal carpets to its hand-caulked teak rear deck – is “the real thing.” The upholstery is made exclusively from bulls (no stretch marks) raised on ranches that don’t use barbed wire (no scratch marks). The interior headlining of the five-layer soft top is cashmere. And all that teak, in case you were concerned, receives regular oiling from your dealer as part of scheduled maintenance.
There is much more, of course, and Rolls fits it all to an aluminum space frame for strength and rigidity. All body panels are aluminum alloy or composite, with the exception of the brushed stainless steel hood – part of a $17,000 option package (along with the teak rear deck) on my test car. And if there’s anything else the driver desires, Rolls surely will accommodate.
BMW now owns Rolls-Royce, and they’ve done an intriguing job of blending traditional luxury with modern technology. Old-school double thickness floors and laminated glass (for extra quiet) co-exist with an electronically damped, self-leveling suspension, and stability, traction, and braking controls. A six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission transfers power from a 6.75 liter, 453 horsepower aluminum alloy V-12 with direct fuel injection, variable valve timing, and 531 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough muscle to move the nearly 5,800 pound, nearly 18-foot long Phantom from zero to 60 in 5.7 seconds.
That said, the Rolls isn’t really a “performance” car. It’s oversized, thin diameter steering wheel is designed for holding at the 4 and 8 o’clock positions, not 10 and 2. The goal is to make the car “waftable,” according to Rolls. And anyway, what’s the rush? Everyone waits for the king.
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