Rolls-Royce Dawn
will surely be a fabulous car, an incredibly desirable combination of
Wraith
luxury with the added appeal of top-down motoring. But it has been launched with some hideously cringeworthy press material which it would only be reasonable to share...
Pretentious PR aside, it does look fab
Have you ever felt the "erotic tingle" of the dawn chill? The awakening of the senses and passions as the day begins? Nope, us neither. But apparently that's what happens at the start of each day and behaviours that will be repeated in the new Rolls cabriolet.
As you can see, the Dawn is to all intents and purposes a Wraith convertible. Rolls will tell you 80 per cent of the panels are unique but the styling similarities are too clear to ignore. The tapered wake channel and high shoulder line can only disguise so much! It may also appear a four-seat cabriolet but don't be so hasty; to Rolls-Royce a conventional two plus two "was ... a compromise too far" and so that sum doesn't equal four in the Dawn. Rolls will tell you that makes for a sector of antisocial cars (really) and we couldn't have that. Oh no. So there is "no compromise" in the comfort and luxury of four adults who want to travel "in the pinnacle of style". But then it is 5,285mm (or more than 17 feet) long, so you would kind of hope four people and a convertible roof could fit in just fine...
Welcome to your private sanctuary...
Anyway, to the roof itself. Typically a manufacturer will quote a time for how long it takes to rise or lower. Not Rolls. In the Dawn a 'Silent Ballet' takes place for 22 seconds at up to 31mph, allowing the "silence and seclusion" of the interior to be exchanged for the "sounds, lights and aromas of the outside world." Naturally this will be the most refined cabriolet in the world, roof up or down. As quiet as the Wraith when the roof is up, in fact.
Should you open your private sanctuary to the world, they will see an interior very similar to the Wraith, albeit with some slightly different dials. The Mandarin leather is optional, fear not. But all occupants will likely be so caught up in the Bespoke Audio and its "perfect acoustic balance" from 16 speakers, that any comments will probably be missed.
To escape the admiring (or otherwise) crowds, the Dawn is powered by the same 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 as the Ghost with 570hp and 575lb ft. Acceleration? Don't be so crass. The driver will receive a car that is "effortless but precise to drive", while also being lighter and more efficient than the majority of "compromised 2+2 convertibles". Answers on a postcard please for those convertibles heavier than 2,560kg and more profligate than 19.9mpg...
Repeat after me: not a Wraith convertible
Further to the precise driving experience, the Dawn is claimed to be the most rigid four-seat convertible available while also maintaining a serene Rolls-Royce ride. The rear track is actually 23mm wider than a Ghost; combined with a 180mm shorter wheelbase the handling should benefit. They say it's at home on the Route Napoleon...
So if you know enough social hotspots to hang out with your new drop-top, the Rolls-Royce Dawn could be just the thing. Certainly it looks a fine way to travel roof down. Following a first show at Frankfurt (there is surely a more Rolls-appropriate term but we haven't heard it yet), expect the Dawn to be making waves in the right circles as the spring emerges in 2016. And breathe.