Rolls-Royce Dawn | Spotted
What could be finer than a drop top V12 Rolls-Royce?
It’s very easy to like the Rolls-Royce Spectre a great deal, what with its performance, opulence, and enormous sense of occasion. It seems plenty of Rolls-Royce customers do, also, as the most popular model in Europe. But there is certainly also a subset that really want their grand Goodwood automobile to have 12 cylinders, arranged in a vee, as evidenced by Rolls-Royce’s recent pledge to keep engines in for the 2030s (going back on a previous commitment).
Presumably the V12 that will continue will be the BMW N74 that’s underpinned the entire range for more than 15 years now. We say ‘presumably’ as a twin-turbo V12 that’s closer to 7.0-litres of capacity than 6.0 doesn’t sound like the most Euro7-friendly lump in the world. Let’s see.
With the engine having been in every single Rolls Royce since 2010 (bar the Spectre, obviously), there’s an ample supply of used examples for those who want the V12 majesty (and running costs) without the initial outlay. Which should it be? Well, the saloons - glorious though they are - feel like the obvious choice, and the Cullinan probably wouldn’t be too popular. The Wraith felt like it received plenty of coverage while it was in production, and is close in concept to a Spectre. So how about a Dawn?
It’s now more than a decade since the Dawn was launched, complete with one of the most extraordinary press releases ever seen (the erotic tingle of the dawn chill has never been the same since). But the car itself was just as spectacular as hoped for, a sublime roof-down experience that banished the bad old days of wibbly wobbly Rollers.
A long time on sale, the Dawn being made all the way until 2023, means there’s a decent selection on sale - about the same number as Wraiths, in fact, though the convertible always seems rarer. Point of entry 10 years on from the first ones is £150k, rising all the way to £400,000 (!) for last of the line Black Badges.
This one is towards the lower end, a standard 2018 Dawn (so 570hp instead of the BB’s 600hp) with 30,000 miles at £165,000. There’s a good amount of history, the umbrellas remain present and correct, and there’ll be a fresh MOT with the sale.
As for the spec… Well, it’s a convertible Rolls-Royce at the end of the day. Subtlety and modesty aren’t really what it’s about. So best lean into the fact: never wear denim again, always cruise around with the windows down, and for heaven’s sake be careful with the wheels. Probably best someone else parks it, in fact.
SPECIFICATION | ROLLS-ROYCE DAWN
Engine: 6,592cc V12, twin-turbo
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 570@5,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 575@1,500rpm
MPG: 20 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 330g/km
Year registered: 2018
Recorded mileage: 30,000
Price new: £220,000 (before options)
Yours for: £164,995
t rap videoI couldn't carry the look off myself, but it is so ridiculous that it put a smile on my face this morning. I can't help but respect anyone with the self-confidence to try to pull it off!
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