Rolls Royce Convertible Captures the Heart

Rolls Royce Convertible Captures the Heart

To celebrate 100 years of the Rolls Royce Brand, the BMW Group introduced the 100EX convertible in 2004. Combining elegance with engineering ingenuity, the experimental luxury automobile captured the hearts of automobile enthusiasts around the world. Though its popularity was not so surprising based on the Rolls-Royce name, it did ensure that the Goodwood team would manufacture a production version in 2007.

Launched at the Detroit Motor Show 2006, the two-door, four-seat Phantom Drophead Coupé is the second new model from Rolls-Royce since the BMW Group took over the marque in 1998. The model incorporates modern technology, though it is a more informal rendition of Rolls-Royce design that offers lightweight rigidity of an all-aluminium spaceframe.

Simply designed and using multiple elements, including wood, leather, chrome and brushed steel, the 100EX’s form is just as noteworthy as the automobile’s function. It’s fun to drive. It handles well and it offers quality from the front to the back bumper. A lower centre of gravity, combined with the reduced wheelbase and incredibly stiff body, produces a ride that is on the re?ned, comfortable side of sporty. Feedback from the wheels is informative but not intrusive. Imperfect road surfaces go unnoticed while feel through the steering wheel inspires con?dence.

“Designing without compromise meant that, to a certain extent, we had to start again,” says Rolls-Royce Chief Designer Ian Cameron. “Simply removing the Phantom’s roof could have made a great convertible but it wouldn’t have made a perfect one. With the Phantom Drophead Coupé we had the chance to think about the very nature of convertible motoring and, in particular, what it means to Rolls-Royce.”

The 100 EX brings the outside in by creating a social space where drivers and passengers are free to embrace the style of the vehicle, along with the surrounding environment. The designers were mindful of seating arrangements and dashboard layouts, and focused on retaining the natural raw beauty that the Phantom Drophead Coupé is quickly becoming known for.

“The Phantom Drophead Coupé is about emphasising the essentials of pleasure,” says Cameron. “Above all, we were determined to make this car a joy to live with. Rolls-Royce is the opposite of stiff formality. Why would you design and build a car like this and not make it fun to use?”

Unique to Rolls-Royce, the Phantom Drophead Coupé has front coach doors, which enable drivers and passengers to get in and out of the vehicle easy and quickly. Also new is the color pallete of nine specially developed hues, including Metropolitan Blue, Admiral Blue, Jubilee Silver, Diamond Black, Duck Egg Blue, Semaphore Yellow, English White, Woodland Green and Ensign Red. These are complimented with hood colours in Silver, Black, Beige, Navy Blue, Deep Red and Deep Green. ?

For more information, visit www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com.