Phantom Drophead hits UAE roads

Abu Dhabi: For connoisseurs who demand the ultimate in performance and style, Rolls Royce's latest offering is here - the Phantom Drophead Coupe - now available at showrooms in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The price for this objet d' art, a two-door, four-seat convertible, is a whopping Dh2.5 million plus at least 5.5 per cent of this to be paid to cover insurance costs.

Launched at the Detroit Motor Show 2007, the Phantom Drophead Coupe is the second new model to be introduced by Rolls-Royce since BMW became custodian of the marque in 1998.

"This is the third product in our model line-up. Our Saloon-Phantom is priced at Dh1.65 million and the Stretched Phantom with extended wheelbase costs Dh1.85 million," Peter P. Schoppmann, Rolls Royce's regional director for the Middle East, told Gulf News in an interview.

The Rolls Royce cars are manufactured in Goodwood in the southwest of England.

"Between June and December of this year, we are targeting to manufacture 200 units of Phantom Drophead Coupe, to cater to the demand worldwide," said Schoppmann.

"The demand is much higher than what we can produce...our order book goes well into 2008 and there's an average waiting period of 24 months," he said.

"We are targeting the super-luxury segment. Our custom-built cars compete with Mercedes' Maybach and Ferrari's Convertible," said Schoppmann.

"Our targeted customers are celebrities, royalty, heads of government and successful businessmen."

The 12 cylinder, 6,750cc, gasoline driven Phantom Drophead Coupe has a top speed of 250 kilometres per hour.