Rolls-Royce coupe could be collector's item

AP

The new Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe has unusual rear-hinged doors, labeled 'coach doors' by the automaker. The model as tested cost $418,100.

Even the world's billionaires have to stand in line and wait their turn this year and next. The reason? Rolls-Royce is only building 200 of its new Phantom Drophead Coupe ultimate glamour convertibles a year and is sold out for the next 18 months.

Don't worry. This gorgeous, four-seat, two-door, V-12-powered convertible with a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price of $412,000 is worth the wait. Not only does the Drophead Coupe draw stares from onlookers for its ostentatious style. Its luxury accoutrements are without comparison.

For example, the Drophead Coupe is the only production car offering a tonneau covered with optional teak wood that's carried out of the Burmese jungle by elephants.

At its core, the new convertible is a variation of Rolls' other model, the Phantom sedan. And the two cars basically share their largest-in-the-auto-industry, high-tech, all-aluminum space frame complete with more than 2,000 hand welds that's underneath the metal body panels.

The Phantom sedan's blockish style is formal, but the Drophead Coupe is more carefree. They both use the same 6.75-liter, direct-injection V-12. It's mated to a silky smooth six-speed automatic transmission, and Rolls engineers did a bit of tuning for a more sporty experience in the convertible. The engine develops 453 horsepower. It's needed, because at more than 5,770 pounds, this convertible weighs as much as two Honda Civics.

So, it's not surprising that fuel economy is poor. While official U.S. government figures aren't out yet, it's unlikely that the Drophead Coupe, which weighs some 30 pounds more than the Phantom sedan, will get better than the sedan's rating of 11 miles per gallon in city driving and 18 mpg on the highway for 2008.

Driver and passengers are quick to notice the heft of this car. For one thing, the doors are heavy and long. In fact, Rolls has push-button electric close on the convertible's two doors because they can be impossible to reach by hand and heavy to swing closed once they are open.

Everything on the Drophead Coupe dashboard is crafted for a tactile experience, even the air-conditioning vents. Still, I wished the front power seat controls were more conveniently positioned. They reside in the center armrest between the two front passengers, so both must move their elbows away if one wants to adjust the seat recline, height, etc. But everyone, even back-seat riders, has a sumptuous and roomy seat in this car.

Rolls officials put a fabric top, not a hardtop, on this pricey convertible. But it's not just any fabric. It has five layers providing good sound insulation, and the lining visible to passengers inside the car is a classy cashmere blend. This top is all power-operated and goes up or down in 25 seconds. Don't be surprised if the Drophead Coupe becomes a collector's item in the States. Of the 200 built a year, only 80 are planned to come here.