Drophead gorgeous!

The launch of a new Rolls-Royce is a rare event. Rarer still would be a Rolls-Royce that is described as being ‘Sexy’ even by the British company. But, the new Dawn is different, though quintessentially Rolls-Royce, it will attempt to capture a whole new audience – one who is young, aggressive and raring to go top-down.

But, like the current models – Phantom, Ghost and the Wraith – the new one too draws its inspiration from the past. RR’s newest takes its inspiration from the Silver Dawn– the first Rolls-Royce to be offered with a factory-built body. The company insists that far from being a mere variant of the Wraith, the Dawn marks a significant evolution in its design language aimed at encapsulating contemporary four-seat drophead architecture.

The Dawn retains many of Rolls-Royce’s trademark design cues– 2:1 wheel to body height ratio, a long bonnet, short overhang in front and a longer overhang at the rear and a high shoulder line.

When combined, these features, the massive C-pillar and horizontally narrow side window aperture, viewed from side-on and roof up, the car looks akin to a low-slung ‘hot rod’. The gentle taper in the rear end of the car echoes the design of early ‘boat tail’ Rolls-Royce drophead coupes.

Clothed in open-pore Canadel wood panelling that traces the horse-shoe shape of the rear cabin and Mandarin leather trim, the interior is typically opulent. 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. In combination with the stainless steel door handles, polished wheels, visible exhausts and front and rear bumper jewellery, it creates an envelope of metallic highlights around the car.

The Dawn is a full four-seater that provides equal comfort in the front and back. The upper seat back houses the seat belt harness, which together with the pillarless bodywork emphasises the slingshot of wood or leather with no breaks in the flow-lines. The wood on the deck, which can be customised according to the owner’s preference, flows between the rear seats and around the cabin.

A company statement highlights that the new Dawn is Rolls-Royce’s most powerful full four-seat drophead motor car to date. It is powered by the famous Rolls-Royce twin-turbo 6.6-litre V12 powertrain. With an output of 563bhp at 5,250rpm and a torque rating of 780Nm at 1,500rpm, the Dawn packs a sizable amount of power.

Grip is provided by 540mm runflats that enable the Dawn to run on deflated tyres for at least 160kms at speeds up to 80kmph before needing a replacement. Convertible fit for a king

The expected Rolls-Royce ‘magic carpet’ ride is provided for through a newly designed suspension. The car also features fewer aerodynamic lifts in the front and rear, newly designed air springs and active roll bars and a lower centre of gravity.

According to Rolls-Royce, the engineering highlight of the Dawn is the roof. Completely made out of fabric, the company claims it opens and closes in under 30 seconds, operating in total silence. The ‘French Seam’ ensures that the air flow over the car with the roof up creates no noticeable wind noise. Inside, Rolls-Royce claims the Dawn is as silent as a Wraith – a first in convertible motoring.

The new RR Dawn makes its debut even as Queen Elizabeth was, earlier this week, being credited as the longest serving British royalty ever.