THE latest and most extravagant convertible due here happens to be British too. The Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe (well, BMW owns R-R, but that's a minor detail).

The car, expected to cost around $1.75 million on the road here, is expected in late September. The 5.6m land yacht - complete with plenty of wooden decking - has already attracted four confirmed buyers here. Each has placed a deposit of at least 10 per cent of the purchase price.

Rolls-Royce expects to sell around 200 units a year worldwide.

The Drophead may be dropdead gorgeous, but it is beyond the reach of most mortals. In which case, BMW itself has something to entice: the facelifted 6-series convertible, which should arrive around the same time as the soft-top Rolls-Royce.