THERE are already six orders for the yet-to-be-launched $1.8 million Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, and the Singapore distributor expects some more before the year is out.

'We have very good expectations of more orders because the response has been higher than anticipated,' says Valerie Wong, general manager of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Singapore.

She says the first order for the Drophead Coupe came in at the beginning of the year, shortly after the factory confirmed that production of the car would commence. The car had its world premiere in January at the Detroit Auto Show.

The large, ultra-luxury convertible is based on the Phantom limousine and has the same massive 6.75-litre V12 engine. But unlike the limousine, it is a four-seater with a large cloth roof.

Ms Wong says the basic car starts from $1.698 million, but most of the specifications ordered by customers so far take the price tag to about $1.8 million.

Two of the most common options chosen are the brushed steel bonnet and the rear teak decking. Together, this package of features adds $70,000 to the price.

Both are very visual additions to an already imposing car. The brushed steel bonnet is especially striking on darker paintwork because it can produce an unusual two-toned effect, while the teak decking provides a nautical inspiration.

'These are the two main high-cost items,' says Ms Wong. 'But our customers don't mind that.'

She says that four of the six prospective Drophead Coupe buyers already own the Phantom model. 'They are among Singapore's top business people. They will remain financially solid whether or not the economy is good or bad.'

Another trait they have in common is that they love cars.

'They are true car enthusiasts who will spend their money on something they truly love. They know the Drophead Coupe is expensive, but they still want it. Money is no object to them; the car matches their status.'

Ms Wong says that for the six advance orders, 'the customers came to us'.

She says: 'They called us and asked us about it. We realised from their inquiries that they knew about the car and they wanted the car.'

The first Drophead Coupe will be delivered here late next month. But before it arrives, a demonstration model from the England factory will be on display this weekend as part of a regional tour.

This particular car in Jubilee Silver with a Deep Red roof will already have been to Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong before it touches down in Singapore for the next three weeks - the longest stop so far. After this, it will head for South Korea.

As with the Phantom limousine on which it is based, the Drophead Coupe has an aluminium spaceframe chassis but with 40 per cent new parts and much thicker extrusions for the increased rigidity required by a convertible body.

Although the Drophead Coupe is slightly shorter than the limousine, it is still a huge car. It is more than 18 feet long and has a kerb weight of 2.6 tonnes.

Complete with its prominent grille, this massive car is also a very visible one.