It takes its inspiration from the 1952 Silver Dawn and has been described as “the world’s only true modern four-seater super-luxury drop head” – yes, the brand-new Rolls-Royce Dawn is born, featuring 80% unique body panels and a roof that delivers the silence of a Wraith when up and operates in almost complete silence in just over 20 seconds at a cruising speed of up to 50kph. It is safe to say that the new Rolls-Royce Dawn is the quietest open top car ever made.
Says Giles Taylor, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars: “The idea of creating a car like Dawn that can be used in comfort by only two adults on a day to day basis is anathema. In creating Dawn we have accepted no compromise to the comfort and luxury of four adults who want to travel together in the pinnacle of style.
“Dawn is a Rolls-Royce that feels completely at home on the Route Napoleon. It is a contemporary homage to a life on the Côte d’Azur, a contemporary take on the ‘Casino’ lifestyle. Perhaps seen as cavalier in character, it is intended to attract people who relish both freedom and sophistication.”
The most vibrant Rolls-Royce yet, Dawn’s powerful and striking front end gives it a sensuous yet edgy, almost masculine look, while the bold sweeping shoulder line becomes more sensuous as it flows over the swell of the rear wheels, accommodating a wider track. A tapered ‘wake channel’ on the bonnet, emanating from the Spirit of Ecstasy’s wings, evokes the sight of a jet’s vapour trail, hinting at the car’s dynamism. With its high shoulder line, massive 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’.
Roof down, the sexiness of the Rolls-Royce Dawn is even more apparent. From the side the steep rake of the windscreen, the swage line that flows over the rear haunches plus the high beltline that rises along the profile give the impression of effortless swiftness. The very same rising beltline wraps around the rear passenger cabin akin to the collar of a jacket pulled up to protect the neck.
The stainless-steel waist line finisher that wraps around the cabin encompasses the deck that covers the soft top when stowed, and integrates the high-level brake light. This beautiful metal feature works in harmony with the stainless steel door handles, polished wheels, visible exhausts and front and rear bumper jewellery, to create a priceless look and feel.
The deck itself is an amazing work of modern craftsmanship. Clothed in open-pore Canadel panelling that traces the horse-shoe shape of the rear cabin, it demonstrates the great advances that the craftspeople in the Woodshop at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood have made in wood crafting technology and techniques. The wood on the deck, chosen by the customer to suit their individual taste, flows down the ‘Waterfall’ between the rear seats, and around the cabin clothing the interior door panels and enticing the owner to enter Dawn.
With a price tag of £250,000, the 155mph open-top Dawn convertible leads the charge at the Frankfurt Motor Show – and one thing’s for sure, there will be admirers aplenty.
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