2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn Combines Opulence With a Canvas Roof

Stephen Elmer
by Stephen Elmer

Rolls-Royce has revealed the Dawn, its new luxury convertible based on the Wraith Coupe.

Nearly 80 percent of the Dawn’s body panels are new, with the chin stretched out further than the Wraith, while the grille is recessed by 1.7 inches. Torsten Müller-Ötvös, the CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, calls the Dawn the “sexiest Rolls-Royce ever built.”

Rolls says that when the six-layer canvas roof is up, the car is just as quiet as the Wraith, while it only takes 22 seconds for the top to drop, an operation that can be performed at speeds up to 31 mph.

“It is safe to say that the new 2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn is the quietest open-top car ever made,” the British brand said in a press release.

SEE ALSO: Rolls-Royce Wraith Gets Another Special Edition Model

The car has four seats, though Rolls doesn’t refer to it as a 2+2, as most convertibles with this layout usually have small, uncomfortable backseats. “In the world of Rolls-Royce, day to day mathematical norms don’t always apply. That’s why I say in the case of the new Rolls-Royce Dawn, 2+2 does not equal 4,” said 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.”

Propelling the Dawn is the same engine as in the Wraith, a 6.6-liter V12 that puts out 563 hp and 585 lb-ft of torque, enough to launch the 5,644-pound car to 62 mph in under five seconds. An ZF eight-speed automatic will handle shifting duties.

As is typical, beautiful wood and sumptuous leather is used throughout the cabin of the Dawn, while the Bespoke Audio system in the Dawn uses sixteen individually tuned speakers that were calibrated by audio engineers.

The 2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn will cost around $335,000.

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Stephen Elmer
Stephen Elmer

Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>

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