This does not happen often – an all-new Rolls-Royce? Welcome the new Dawn convertible

Smallest, in Rolls-Royce measurements

Dawn may be a name seeing a return from the illustrious historical Rolls-Royce lineage, but this time it is all new.  The new Rolls-Royce Dawn falls in with the “smallest” Rolls-Royce family group – still bigger than most large cars – namely Rolls-Royce Ghost sedan and Rolls-Royce Wraith fastback coupé.  Yes, all 3 these names did a phoenix from the Rolls-Royce naming archives. 

Much like the 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn drophead, the new Rolls-Royce Dawn may share some basic structure, but some 80% of its body panels are unique.  Headlights and taillights follow the look of the Ghost Series II and Wraith.

Whereas Rolls-Royce usually offers only a single convertible in its stable, the time has come for the huge (5.6 metres long and high-for-a-convertible 1.57m tall) Phantom Drophead Coupé convertible to be joined by the smaller drop-top Dawn. 

The Dawn is less intimidating due to its less imposing dimensions, making easier to drive (and park, no doubt) though carefully protecting the Rolls-Royce ride and comfort.  It is still 5.3 metres long and nearly 2 metres wide.

Accept nothing nearly right or good enough

Rolls-Royce continues to live by the clarion of co-founder Sir Henry Royce:  “Strive for perfection in everything you do.  Take the best that exists and make it better.  When it does not exist, design it.  Accept nothing nearly right or good enough.”

With such a tall order in mind, setting off to create an all-new Rolls-Royce convertible was surely no easy project.  It was designed to be seductive, striking, and to open a new era of open-top super-luxury motoring.

None of the usual marketing blurb of how the car is aimed at those with an active lifestyle and blah, blah… the Rolls-Royce Dawn is for those who appreciate drophead motor cars, who wish to bathe in the sunlight of the world’s most exclusive hotspots.  OK, wow!

True 4-seater open-top motoring

Not accepting compromises, the Dawn is not a 2+2 seating layout found in other large convertibles, where the rear seats are recommended for occasional use only (read no space for legs in the rear seats).  Instead, it offers 4 proper size seats, for each of the 4 occupants to enjoy the ride.  Not sure who is more lucky… the no-doubt thrilled driver, or the pampered passengers.

High-value luxury niche within a niche

The Phantom Drophead Coupé is a convertible without rival – literally.  The new Dawn aims to replicate that, though due to its smaller size and more approachable personality, would compete in the high-value luxury niche with other top-end convertibles such as Bentley Continental convertible, with no signs of production of the Bentley Grand Convertible which seem to copy-paste the Phantom Drophead Coupé down to its bright blue launch colour, aluminium window frame and wood rear deck. 

Sure, there are other high-end open cars like Aston Martin DB9 Volante and Vanquish Volante, and the likes of Ferrari 488 Spider and Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, but these are all more aimed at a sporty drive, 2+2 or 2-seat… this means the Rolls-Royce Dawn, like its big brother, is a niche within a niche.  This follows in the quiet footsteps of the collector’s classic Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible from the 70s and 80s, as Corniche had its own niche too.

Coach doors opening onto your private jetty

The coach doors design makes its way into the Dawn, as its rear-ward opening hinge make for an impressive and graceful appearance, for both car and occupants.

These doors also ease entry and egress for rear-seat passengers.  Rolls-Royce knows its market well:  “The rear passengers do not merely ‘get out’ of a Rolls-Royce Dawn, but rather stand and disembark as if from a Riva motor launch onto a glamorous private jetty in Monaco or on Lake Como.”   

Romantic soft-top driving in the rain

In conversation with its customers, the designers worked with the soft cloth roof tradition, to retain the experience:  “There is nothing more romantic than driving a convertible in the rain at night and hearing the drops pattering on the roof.  In conversation with its customers, Rolls-Royce realised that they felt the same way.”

The roof itself, in looks and function, was designed to be graceful and beautiful.
Satellite Aided Transmission

Science fiction a few years ago now becomes reality – the built-in satellite navigation system is doing a joint venture with the 8-speed automatic transmission to select the gear most appropriate for the current car position, so it will pre-empt roads such as a sweeping bend, by pre-engaging or holding onto a gear.

Pure Rolls-Royce

The trademark magic carpet ride was engineered in, and the aim was to create the world’s quietest convertible. 

The rear glass is of a small size, to allow more privacy in the rear with the roof raised. 

A super-smooth and hushed 6.6 V12 twin-turbo engine is shared with the Ghost, producing a more than sufficient 420kW and 780Nm.  It is sufficient to accelerate from rest to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

The Spirit of Ecstasy (the flying lady presented on a little platform at the top of the radiator grille) sees its (her?) controller modernized to a rotary controller with touchpad.

Hand built in Goodwood, England.

In all of its design, the Rolls-Royce Dawn is pure Rolls-Royce.