From the front it looks like a classic limousine. But a glance at the back shows this Rolls-Royce has a distinctly sporty flavour to it.  This is the world’s most exclusive convertible - the British-built Phantom Drophead Coupe.Launched today, with a £305,000 price tag, it is aimed at super-rich romantics looking to inject more excitement



 

From the front it looks like a classic limousine. But a glance at the back shows this Rolls-Royce has a distinctly sporty flavour to it.  This is the world’s most exclusive convertible - the British-built Phantom Drophead Coupe.

Launched today, with a £305,000 price tag, it is aimed at super-rich romantics looking to inject more excitement into their lives.

The Daily Mail was the first behind the wheel of this astonishing vehicle, which is a key part of Rolls-Royce’s plans to double production and create hundreds of jobs.

Inspired by convertibles of the 1920s and 30s, the two- door, four-seater supposedly aspires to capture the allure of an “elegant motor yacht at speed”.

The nautical feel is reinforced with teak decking from more than 30 pieces of solid wood covering the rear hood stowage.

It has the largest hood of any modern convertible - five layers of tailored fabric insulation, lined with a cashmere blend of material to dampen sounds. The rear of the boot even drops down to form a picnic table and seat for two adults. Despite weighing three tons, the car can be propelled by its 6.75-litre V12 engine from 0 to 62mph in only 5.9 seconds. Nevertheless, the engine is so quiet that when it idles it is drowned out by birdsong.

But the car is hardly environmentally-friendly, managing only 17 miles to the gallon.

The six-speed car develops 453-brake horse-power - about the same as five Ford Fiestas.

However, the top speed is being electronically limited to 149mph on 20-inch standard wheels.

The car has the traditional flourishes of craftsmanship, including a smaller but more detailed Spirit of Ecstasy or ‘Flying Lady’ mascot.

Inside, the driver’s hands touch only chrome, leather or wood.

For those little ‘extras’, a wood veneer fridge in the boot is £6,500, having your initials stitched into the headrests or carved on to the wood panelling or tread plates is about £1,000 a time, while special two-tone paint will add another £6,500.

Rolls-Royce has calculated that there are 85,400 people in the world who have the necessary disposable income to buy their cars. The company-aims to do business with 1 per cent of them every year.

Half of the Drophead’s customers will already own a Rolls-Royce. These include the likes of music mogul Simon Cowell, businessman Sir Alan Sugar and singer Jennifer Lopez.

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