What better way than a limited edition to make money? Manufacturers of sports, luxury and prestige cars understood this well, and already several years ago we see a new model arriving almost every week, even more exclusive, even rarer and even more expensive.

This phenomenon can be observed on several scales. At Alpine, the special series is now a far cry from the base A110, which costs €60,000. The R version requires more than double, while the new version in development can reach the heights.

At Porsche, the marketing department is very creative, especially drawing on the brand’s past. The 911 is the best example, along with the Heritage line and the 911 Sport Classic, Dakar and other STs. Exclusive models, sold at high prices, but based on already existing models, so as not to inflate the development budget.

In addition, there are luxury brands such as Ferrari that produce unique models for specific customers. Pricing is never mentioned, but again, the engineers are building on a pre-existing model to keep the model in question profitable. We do not develop a platform and an engine for a model or even a small series.

Luxury, luxury and more luxury

At Rolls-Royce, we push the cork a little further. The model you see in the photo this is the new Droptail. According to some British journalists, it will be billed, more than 23 million euros and will be produced in only four units. This would therefore make it the most expensive new car in the world. Even the most exclusive Bugattis did not reach this price level.

The Rolls-Royce Droptail is one of these very limited edition special Rolls designed for wealthy customers. After Sweptail and then Boat Tail, opened two years ago, Droptail in its version of “La Rose Noire” goes even further in terms of sophistication.

Just look at the interior with even better trim than the “classic” models in the range its detachable 43mm Audemars Piguet watch built into the dashboard. The roof is made of carbon, but it does not have the benefit of an electric architecture that automatically retracts. The owner (or his valet, at this price level…) has to do it manually.

Under the hood we find a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 with a thermal block 601 horsepower, enough to accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and accelerate to 250 km/h. The structure is custom made using aluminum, steel and carbon fiber.

Refurbished model billed too much?

This model, even if once not on order, the structure has been changed, is mainly based on the bodies of already existing cars and, of course, is much less “expensive”. So at this price, the customer is buying the exclusivity of an almost unique model, with a level of refinement that is admittedly rarely equaled, but which certainly doesn’t slap the other Rolls in the range.

If the English manufacturer has a demand for such a project, it would be wrong to deprive itself of it, especially since the margin achieved for this type of car should be simply mind-blowing. But with the proliferation of special series and unique models of all kinds, will this type of product maintain the residual value that customers who buy this type of car expect? Nothing is less certain.
Read also:
• This Rolls-Royce once belonged to one of Britain’s most famous actors
• This Rolls-Royce engine runs on hydrogen!
• The most expensive pre-war car in history was sold