Rolls-Royce readying Wraith convertible

Thu, 08 May 2014

For seven years, Rolls-Royce got by on the Phantom line alone, expanding on the original saloon with a long-wheelbase version, a coupe and the convertible. But now that the Ghost is part of the family, Goodwood seems to be following a similar expansion.

What started with the Ghost sedan has since been joined by the extended-wheelbase model and the Wraith fastback coupe. And now we're receiving spy shots of a Wraith-based convertible undergoing testing.

Potentially to be called the Wraith Drophead Coupe like its larger Phantom-based counterpart, the cabrio is likely to borrow much from the Wraith fastback – including its 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 producing 624 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque – but with a folding cloth roof mechanism to let the wind and engine note in, although the prototype pictured here is wearing a makeshift hardtop.

Just when the Wraith DHC will join the lineup in Rolls-Royce showrooms, we don't know. But whenever it does, expect a price tag to hover around $320,000 – a good $40k more than the fastback, a substantial $150k less than the Phantom Drophead Coupe, but around $120k more than Bentley gets for the Continental GTC.

By Noah Joseph