Opening its doors for the first time last night, the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealer in Montreal spared no expenses welcoming an eager public. Freshly made sushi, endless hors d'oeuvres, a spectacularly displayed open bar for any concoction you could dream up -- oh right, and boatload of gorgeous Rolls-Royce vehicles strewn about.
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| Precise handling thanks to the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering; an adjustable ride height; power sent solely to the rear wheels: I was in pure automotive heaven. (Photo: Rolls-Royce) |
After sufficiently gorging myself on freshly made sushi and fried sweet potato balls dipped in chipotle mayo (oh my God, to die for), I was offered the opportunity to take a spin in the latest
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé.
Really, did they even have to ask? The words were barely out of the PR woman's mouth and I was already handing over my driver's license.
When the paperwork was sufficiently filled out and I'd signed my life away for the $450,000 vehicle I was about to drive, I surveyed my stead. Ghostly silver, with brushed chrome accents and strong, sophisticated lines, it stood waiting. A creamy, sumptuous leather interior beckoned and the Rosewood dash with Brown Oak accents were just breathtaking. Sitting on 21” alloy wheels in a forged star design with middle RR caps that always remain upright no matter the position of the wheel, this beautiful beast of a car almost seemed like too much.
Slipping in behind the wheel of the Drophead Coupé (with the 5-layered, cashmere-lined retractable roof already stored neatly beneath the Rosewood teak decking in the rear), I instantly felt incredibly important. Oh, and you'll note that despite the luxe thickness of the convertible roof (that takes 25 seconds to descend and replace), the trunk space always remains the same at 11.1 cu-ft. Looking down the long nose of the Rolls-Royce and past the flying wings of the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament (that's retractable, by the way; thieves be warned), and suddenly I felt transported.
After exploring the plethora of hidden buttons and knobs to adjust my seat, the steering wheel and to close the suicide doors without having to reach out myself – that's right, at the press of a button the door will gently swing closed for me – I was ready to roll.
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| A creamy, sumptuous leather interior beckoned and the Rosewood dash with Brown Oak accents were just breathtaking. (Photo: Rolls-Royce) |
