We won’t see the next bespoke offering from the Coachbuild department of Rolls-Royce for a few years, but rumors tell us it could wear the name Droptail.
In the past few years, the Rolls-Royce brand has recemented their legacy as the absolute pinnacle of the automotive world. Unless you’ve got close to $30 million to spend on a single car, you won’t every come close to enjoying the Droptail, but we can certainly dream and hope that eventually that day will come. Until then, the best we can do is talk about the happenings at this company.
The Droptail Patent is Filed
Rolls-Royce filed the patent for the Droptail name on July 20. This patent, filed with the European Unition Intellectual Property Office, could take a few years to be approved. That won’t matter much to this automaker. Currently, they are still working on their previous Coachbuild production which won’t arrive to the customer until sometime in 2023. Once tat happens, then the brand can turn their focus to the new name coming out of this highly specialized department where only the dreamiest of cars are made for the ultra-rich.
How did the Coachbuild Department Become Revitalized?
It was five years ago when the one-off Sweptail showed up at Villa d’Este. This car was made specially for a wealthy customer who wanted a car that was completely unique. When you have the cash to ask for such as thing, only Rolls-Royce can truly answer the call. The coachbuilt car was made to go with his collection of yachts and planes; yes, he is that rich. This incredible creation cost nearly $12 million, but the waves of interest that followed was what truly pushed Rolls-Royce to commission their own bespoke cars and reopen the doors to the Coachbuild department.
The Boat Tail Came Next
The Sweptail name was exclusively for one customer, but the next name for the Coachbuild team is Boat Tail. Similar to the Sweptail model, the Boat Tail is being made in an extremely limited number. That number is three. Only three are being made and they are arriving to customers in three consecutive years. Imagine a car company that only makes one car per year, that’s what the Coachbuild team is right now. These cars cost nearly $28 million each, which means the Rolls-Royce team can keep the lights on.
The Boat Tail cars began arriving to the three customers last year. One was delivered in May 2021, another this year, and the third model should arrive in May 2023. These extremely exclusive cars are incredible and super expensive. We expect the same to take place when the new Droptail arrives in a few years.
Are These Cars Bespoke Versions of What Rolls-Royce Already Sells?
No, they are not even close to what the team sells to the general public. Although, the general public for Rolls-Royce is not the average person buying a Ford or Chevy. At Rolls-Royce, there are two levels of bespoke.
One level is made for the multi-millionaires who will buy the Ghost or Cullinan and want to add some specialized features to an already created platform. These upgrades can be different paints, leather, light elements, headliners, and special features that work well in these cars. There are one-off versions of these existing platforms that many people much wealthier than the average person enjoy driving.
Then there is the Coachbuild department and level of bespoke. This is a place where specialized platforms are crated, custom bodies are made, and every detail is selected by the customer. This is where the billionaires shop and find cars like the Rolls-Royce Sweptail, Boat Tail, and upcoming Droptail.
How Long Will The Patent Process Take?
The patent for the Boat Tail took three years from the time it was filed until the first car was delivered. This could easily be the exact same path for the new Droptail. Because the Coachbuild team still has one more of the Boat Tail models to build, this isn’t a big problem for this team.
There are already some customers that could be ideal targets for the Rolls-Royce Droptail when it arrives. These ultra-rich customers will probably be invited to Goodwood or Dubai when the new Droptail is unveiled.
What does a Rolls-Royce Ghost Offer?
As an aside, let’s take a look at what one of the classiest cars in the world brings to the market. The Rolls-Royce Ghost might not serve as the Droptail platform, but it does offer some amazing luxury elements that make anyone feel like they are on top of the world. This car is superbly comfortable, beautifully trimmed, and offers the exclusivity many wealthy shoppers desire.
You won’t find any hybrid or electric powertrains in the Ghost. This car delivers incredible power to move the 5,000-plus-pound machine down the road with ease. That power comes from a strong V12 engine that makes 563 horsepower unless you opt for the Black Badge trim, which adds 20 more ponies to the mix.
Going Black is the Coolest Way to Drive
The Black Badge version of the Ghost delivers some incredibly elegant features and qualities for you to admire. This car has carbon-fiber wheels with dark chrome accents, an upgraded suspension, improved steering, and black exterior trim in some locations. You’ll still have a generous level of chrome, but a bit more sophistication comes in this amazing car.
What Makes the Ghost Special?
Even if it won’t reach the levels of the Rolls-Royce Droptail, Sweptail, and Boat Tail models, the Ghose delivers the comfort and quality you expect from this brand. The soft-closing doors, exquisite leather interior, and rich wood trim all make this car an amazing model to drive and ride in. You’ll want to hire someone to drive you around when you have this incredible machine. The rear seats give you the utmost in comfort and quality during your ride.
Most of us will never get close to driving the Rolls-Royce Ghost, let alone the Droptail, but we can certainly dream.
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