Commissioned by an anonymous collector, the La Rose Noire Droptail draws inspiration from the rare Black Baccara rose, its form echoing the flower's layered petals in a sleek aluminium and carbon fibre body measuring 5.3 metres long. Goodwood artisans crafted a droptail rear that recalls 1930s grand tourers, paired with a reimagined Pantheon grille in shifting Hydroshade black and 22-inch wheels finished to mirror the theme. Beneath lies the marque's 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12, delivering 563bhp and 620lb ft for a 0-60mph sprint in five seconds, though such figures feel secondary to its purpose as a rolling sculpture.
The interior marks the true departure from Rolls-Royce convention. Where four-seat saloons dominate the range, this model confines itself to two deeply contoured seats clad in dark red and copper-toned leathers. A dashboard of 1,603 hand-carved French Black Sycamore wood forms cascading rose petals, a nine-month endeavour by a single craftsman. Rose gold accents the Spirit of Ecstasy and trims, while an Audemars Piguet timepiece detaches as a wearable memento. Ambient lighting and stone inlays complete a cabin designed for contemplation rather than conversation.
At £23 million, La Rose Noire eclipses rivals like Bugatti's $16 million La Voiture Noire and Pagani's $18.5 million Zonda HP Barchetta, cementing its place through labour-intensive artistry rather than outright volume. One of four Droptails, each tailored to a client's wildest wishes.
