Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead news - Starring Rolls - 2007

The motoring world's worst kept secret has finally been confirmed with these first pictures and details of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé.

Visitors to the Detroit motor show, which starts next week, will be the first to see the car in the metal, and production will begin this summer.

The two-door, four-seater Drophead Coupé is based on the same aluminium space-frame as the Phantom saloon, but uses 1,300 new and different parts.

The doors are hinged at the rear to open in the opposite direction to what we're used to, echoing the 'suicide' rear doors of the Phantom saloon.

Many of the details that we've seen on the 100EX concept convertible have made it through to the production model. These include the brushed steel bonnet and windscreen pillars, and the teak decking for the rear hood cover.

At the back, the boot has a split tailgate where the upper section opens as normal but the lower portion drops down, similar in style to a Range Rover's. Rolls says the lower part of the boot lid makes a seat that's ideal for picnics.

The boot space is unaffected by the fabric roof being folded away, and the hood is lined inside with cashmere to keep things cosy.

If you care to join the queue for a Phantom Drophead Coupé, the price is £260,000.