Skip advert
Advertisement

New Rolls-Royce ‘Droptail’ could be a new ultra-exclusive luxury car

BMW has trademarked the name ‘Droptail’ on behalf of Rolls-Royce, suggesting a new highly exclusive luxury car is coming

Rolls-Royce spirit of Ecstasy

BMW, the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motors, has submitted the trademark ‘Droptail’ to the EU Intellectual Property Office, hinting a new coachbuilt Rolls-Royce is in the works. 

Rolls-Royce has recent history in creating limited, bespoke versions of its cars for a few chosen individuals. There was the one-off Sweptail in 2017, which sold for over £10million, and the three Boat Tail commissions earlier this year - each costing around £22million - making it the most expensive new car in the world. 

We don’t yet know any further details about the Droptail, apart from its name, but even that suggests it could be a convertible of some sort, given Rolls-Royce’s inclination to use the word ‘drop’ as part of its drop head nomenclature for its convertible models. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Both the Boat Tail and Sweptail used versions of the Phantom’s platform and it’s likely the Droptail will do the same. This means that under the bonnet should sit Rolls-Royce’s twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine. 

There’s also the possibility of a pure-electric powertrain. The Spectre, Rolls-Royce’s new luxury EV, is nearing completion and utilises a modified version of the firm’s Architecture of Luxury platform. The Droptail could also share this adaptation of the underpinnings, dubbed ‘Rolls-Royce 3.0’. 

Whatever powertrain the Droptail uses, it’s certain to come with a dizzying array of personalisation options inside and out. We also expect the price tag to be equally mind-blowing. 

Now find out which car won our Luxury Car of the Year Award in 2022...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Rolls-Royce EV confirmed alongside £300m Goodwood investment
Rolls Royce Goodwood factory

New Rolls-Royce EV confirmed alongside £300m Goodwood investment

It will be Rolls-Royce’s second all-electric car after the Spectre
News
8 Jan 2025
Rolls-Royce Reimagined: Evice is the latest name in the classic car conversion industry
Evice XP1 prototype

Rolls-Royce Reimagined: Evice is the latest name in the classic car conversion industry

Evice is starting out with an electrified Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Corniche
News
17 Dec 2024
New £20m Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail is the ultimate in opulence
Rolls Royce Arcadia - front static

New £20m Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail is the ultimate in opulence

Arcadia is the third model in Rolls-Royce’s exclusive Droptail commission, and it doesn’t come cheap
News
29 Feb 2024

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month
Mazda CX-5

Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month

The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, features a driver-focused, premium interior and is our Deal of the Day for 9 February
News
9 Feb 2025
New Renault Trafic unveiled alongside Goelette and Estafette commercials
Renault Trafic - front

New Renault Trafic unveiled alongside Goelette and Estafette commercials

All three Renault vans will be all-electric - sitting on a new architecture developed by Ampere
News
10 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts