Starting MSRP: $410,000
Vehicle type: convertible
EPA fuel economy: city: 11 / hwy: 18
Available engines:
453-hp, 6.8-liter V-12
Available transmissions:
six-speed automatic

Sleep drop-top drops jaws among world's car shoppers
from Rolls-Royce

Sleek drop-top drops jaws among world's car shoppers From Rolls-Royce The new Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is a two-door, four-seat convertible that offers a less formal interpretation of classic Rolls-Royce design than its four-door stablemate, the Phantom.

Using the lightweight rigidity of an all-aluminum frame, the Drophead Coupe marries modern technology to a sleek, streamlined convertible body.

Handbuilt using the finest materials, the Phantom Drophead Coupe is exciting customers around the world, according to Graeme Grieve, sales and marketing director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

"The reaction to the Drophead Coupe has been phenomenal," he said. "This year's production has already been allocated, and there are currently only a few build slots left in 2008."

"We are delighted that more than half the orders are from customers who have never owned a Rolls-Royce before, so the new model is significantly expanding the appeal of our products."

Some of the special design features of the Phantom Drophead Coupe are a brushed-steel bonnet, a rear teak deck and a split tail luggage compartment that opens in two parts to give easy access to the large storage space. The lower tailgate provides a comfortable seating platform for two adults when lowered.

Also, the fabric hood is the largest of any modern convertible car, using five layers of material to insulate the interior.

Power is supplied by a 6.8-liter, naturally aspirated V-12 engine that provides 453 horsepower, 531 foot-pounds of torque and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.