IN TUSCANY, ITALY - PERHAPS the best way to understand what this new Rolls-Royce is, is to find out what it absolutely isn't.
The Phantom Drophead Coupe isn't a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). It sounds awfully obvious, but there is a point to be made here.
The MPV, by design, is a vehicle suitable for all conceivable occasions. By that definition, most modern cars today have some nuances of an MPV. You could easily use the same car for work, ferrying the children to school, as well as to that golf game on weekends.
The Drophead Coupe, on the other hand, is made for one purpose and one purpose only: It is a car you have strictly for leisure.
It is good for pleasures associated with a sun hat, shades, deck shoes and long walks. Not for pursuits involving body contortions, perspiration and palpitations. You'd want something like a Porsche Cayenne for the latter.
Open the Drophead's coach door (the Coupe is the only two-door car to have this classy reverse-hinged arrangement) and step in. Push a little black button and the huge door closes by itself.
Once settled in, you will find that the interior positively embraces, with its rich mix of leather, wood and chrome. It has a pleasantly relaxing and intimate ambience.
Like the Phantom, the Drophead deliberately shuns the 'high-tech' feel. It has friendly rollers and toggle switches, harking back to the days when driving was a leisure pursuit - not a means to commute.
More complex interfaces, like the display for Rolls-Royce's version of BMW's iDrive, are hidden when not needed.
In fact, a lot of clever technology works in the background. The chassis, for example, is an aluminium spaceframe formed by extrusion. Although the basic engineering is similar to the longer Phantom limousine, the grade of materials used has been changed to ensure that the Drophead Coupe delivers a very high level of torsional rigidity.
The occupants are kept blissfully unaware of all that effort.
Over lumpy cobblestone roads, the air suspension keeps things on even keel and the rigid chassis shows almost no sign of scuttle shake - amazing for such a large open-top.
Mere metres of driving is all it takes to convince anyone that taking things easy is the way to go with the Drophead Coupe.
From the driver's perch, the view ahead is commanding. The Spirit of Ecstasy stands proudly at the top of the signature front grille. It stirs a regal air that is impossible to ignore.
Even though the car is capable of serious pace, it never feels like it needs to occupy the overtaking lane. But should it need to, the combination of a 6.75-litre V12 and a body more compact than the Phantom limo ensures swift and agile progress.
Huge brakes haul the land yacht to a graceful pause each and every time.
A significant point about this Rolls-Royce is that the driver is likely to be the owner. Chauffeurs and convertibles don't really mix.
Pity. Jeeves would have liked it. The steering wheel, for example, has a deliberately thin rim, urging the driver to handle it by the fingertips, rather than wrapping the whole palm over. The long-travel foot pedals have a similarly gentle action.
Correspondingly, it's unlikely that anyone will be helm-fisted with the inputs. Come to think of it, it's a wonder why other luxury carmakers don't follow suit. The arrangement calms the nerves and really sets the tone for your journey.
The same romantic and almost therapeutic atmosphere is carried throughout the Coupe. The luxuriantly padded soft-top folds itself quietly into the back of the car. Roof up or down, the car is a proper four-seater with sufficient head- and leg-room for all.
The size of the fabric roof means that the convertible mechanism cannot be used on the fly, but you aren't likely to be bothered. Consider that 25 seconds spent stationary watching the roof do its thing as a treat. After all, what's the rush?
Roof down in its sun-seeking mode, the car's strong seafaring inspiration becomes obvious. It has an optional teak decking for the rear hood cover, reminiscent of yachts, that takes a full month to make by hand.
Viewed from the top, the profile even resembles that of a boat's bow. It's an adept connection - sail boats are all about quality leisure time.
If you are in any hurry, there's always the private jet.
Price: $1.75 million with COE (est) Engine: 6,749cc 48-valve V12 Transmission: Six-speed automatic Power: 453bhp at 5,350rpm Torque: 720Nm at 3,500rpm 0-100kmh: 5.9 seconds Top speed: 240kmh (limited) Fuel consumption: 19.6 litres/100km (city, est) Agent: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Singapore
