Rolls-Royce has revealed a new convertible model, reviving the classic name Dawn.
Taking inspiration from the Silver Dawn, Rolls-Royce describes the new model as a 'world first in super-luxury motoring - a cool, contemporary interpretation of what a super-luxury four-seater convertible motor car should be in 2015.'
Featuring bold sweeping shoulder lines accommodating a wider track, a tapered 'wake channel' on the bonnet hints at the car's dynamism. With its high shoulder line, large C-pillar and horizontally narrow side window aperture, when viewed from side-on and roof up, the car looks akin to a low-slung 'hot rod', according to Rolls-Royce. A stainless steel waist line finisher that wraps around the cabin encompasses the deck that covers the soft top when stowed, and integrates a high-level brake light.
At the front, the grille is recessed by approximately 45mm whilst the lower front bumper has been extended 53mm compared to Wraith. This has been done to focus the eye on the jet air intake and to make the car feel 'focused', even when standing still. The grille design helps 'accelerate the tension' of the car towards the rear shoulders. The rear end tapers in, echoing the elegant design of early 'boat tail' Rolls-Royce drophead coupes. The soft top lowers silently to reveal four individual, cosseting seats. The vehicle is a full four seater and so there is no compromise in comfort wherever you sit. The seats have been designed to help emphasise the 'energetic, yet elegant intent and sense of purpose of the car', complemented by an intersecting full length centre console. The roof of the Rolls-Royce Dawn delivers the silence of a Wraith when up and opens in almost complete silence in just over 20 seconds at a cruising speed of up to 31mph.
The instrument dials have also undergone subtle enhancements with individually applied polished metal chaplets around the dials evoking the precision design of hand-made, luxury wrist watches, whilst the matt chrome centres 'float' in the middle of each instrument. In addition, a new clock design featuring the new motor car's name has been introduced. New 21-inch polished and 21- and 20-inch painted wheels have alsdo been added to the range.
Power comes from a twin-turbo 6.6-litre V12 powertrain. With a power output of 563bhp and a torque rating of 780Nm, the drive is enhanced by dynamic accelerator pedal mapping which delivers up to 30 per cent increased response at medium throttle. Top speed is limited to 155 mph and 0-62mph takes 4.9 seconds.
The result is that the new Dawn is brands most powerful full four-seat drophead motor car to date, and thanks to its advanced engineering is lighter, Rolls-Royce says it is more fuel efficient than the majority of compromised 2+2 convertibles in the market - CO2 emissions are 330g/km and mpg 19.9mpg on the combined cycle.
Rolls-Royce are keen to point out the Dawn is not a Wraith drophead, with 80 per cent of the exterior body panels newly designed to accommodate an evolution of the brand's design language.