2024 Rolls-Royce Droptail La Rose Noire Photos, engines & full specs

When a customer wanted a bespoke Rolls Royce, they went over the edge and, with the help of the British car manufacturer, created a true piece of art on wheels that was priced accordingly. When the ultra-luxurious two-seater was revealed, it was the most expensive new car in the world, with a price of over 30 million USD.

Rolls-Royce was not at its first bespoke model, and the La Rose Noire represented a significant statement on a niche market segment focused mostly on high quality than on large quantities. It was a unique vehicle built for a customer that wanted to represent the beauty of the rose noire Baccara (black rose Baccara). But what it achieved had exceeded anyone's imagination and went over the regular rules of a custom vehicle.

For the first time in Rolls-Royce's history, the massive Parthenon grille up front was modified to fit the vehicle's overall design. It wasn't flat and straight as on any other member of its family. Instead, it featured a tilted-rearward upper segment. In addition, the vertical slats were no longer silver but finished in a new technique named Hydroshade, developed by Rolls-Royce, especially for this unit. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker created an additional cooling area adorned with a 3D pattern and underlined by a carbon fiber lip spoiler. Furthermore, the LED headlights were narrow and recessed into the front fascia, creating not just a dynamic image but also a demanding look over the road. From its profile, the automaker made several unique details for the La Rose Noire. First, there were no RR badges and turn signals on the front fenders. The blinkers were moved upwards onto the extensions made for the door handles, and the marque's logo found its place behind the cabin on the upper side. The retractable hard top vehicle featured tall door and side panels and narrow glass areas inspired by the 1920s hot rods. Rolls-Royce bespoke coach builder also created a unique rear end for the vehicle. The rear fascia resembled the back of a yacht, with horizontal lines and vertical LED taillights. Above them, the carmaker painted 96 triangles on the trunk's lid that were inspired by the same rare black Baccara rose.

Moving inside the vehicle, the customer discovered a bespoke cabin, where the carmaker incorporated a wristwatch on the dashboard that could have been removed and worn. In front of the driver, the car featured an instrument cluster filled with analog dials. The car manufacturer placed the brand's logo in the middle of the speedometer in metallic accents. Unusual for a Rolls-Royce, the La Rose Noire featured just two seats placed lower on the cabin's floor and separated by a tall center console. Behind them, the designers installed a hand-crafted panel filled with black, gray, and red triangular shapes. The car's roof featured an electrochromic glass panel that could have been darkened or lightened at the touch of a button.

Under the hood, the automaker installed a twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 similar to the one fitted on the Rolls-Royce Wraith, but with 30 HP more and 840 Nm (620 lb-ft) of torque.