2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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When Rolls-Royce introduces a new model to its lineup, it’s a pretty big deal. The luxury automaker may only make a few thousand cars per year, but that low volume, combined with price tags well into the six figures and over a century of making some of the world’s finest luxury automobiles by hand, makes the Spirit of Ecstasy one of the most exclusive and recognizable emblems in the automotive world. Drop-top Rolls-Royce models have often been especially magnificent, and the new Dawn, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, continues that tradition, becoming the fourth model in Rolls-Royce’s current range. Named as an homage to the ultra-exclusive Silver Dawn dropheads of the 1950s, the new car is basically an open version of the Wraith coupe, though Rolls-Royce is quick to point out the differences between the two. While the Dawn has the same dimensions and underpinnings as the Wraith (largely borrowed from the BMW 7 Series), the two models share only 20% of their bodywork, and there are numerous smaller differences as well.
Under the Dawn's long, sculpted hood is the familiar 6.6-liter V12 that makes 563 hp at 5250 rpm and 575 lb-ft of torque at 1500 rpm, and although this is an absolute behemoth of a car (with a curb weight of 5,700 lbs), that beast of a motor will still take it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The gearbox, sourced from ZF, is an 8-speed automatic that works with a GPS computer to anticipate hills, turns, and other road conditions in order to optimize shifting. That might sound unnecessarily complicated (and it probably is), but that’s sort of the point with an exclusive car like this one. And though the millionaire playboys and rappers who are likely to buy the Dawn aren't likely concerned with fuel economy, Rolls-Royce claims the Dawn will achieve combined mileage of 19.9 mpg.
A car like this isn’t about handling, either, but Rolls-Royce does say the Dawn is the most rigid convertible on the market, thanks to a new suspension that features air springs and different anti-roll bars. Extra attention to sound deadening and a thickly padded soft top means the Dawn shouldn't be any noisier at road speed than the closed Wraith--that’s quite an achievement, as wind noise at highway speed is typically one of a convertible's biggest shortcomings. The top itself will retract in 21 seconds at speeds of up to 30 mph, and stows under a lovely wooden panel behind the rear seats that looks like something off a luxury sailboat. Inside, the Dawn is as plush and extravagant as you would expect from a Rolls, with what seems like a herd’s worth of leather and a forest’s worth of wood; it's the well-known combination of classic hand-built English elegance with modern technology. A rotary controller operates the car’s infotainment system and recognizes handwriting (including Mandarin and Arabic characters).
Along with the Wraith, the Dawn is the smallest car in the Rolls-Royce lineup, but there’s no doubting its commanding presence. The sculpted body lines, extravagant interior, and unmistakable suicide doors mean that no matter where you go in the world, you’ll be noticed. The Dawn also an important part of Rolls-Royce’s ambitious and so far successful plan to grow its customer base without compromising on quality or design. The company is going after younger buyers than previously, when its models usually attracted customers who were middle-aged or older. And unlike many Rolls-Royces of the past, the Dawn is a car meant to be driven by the owner, not a chauffeur. Its closest competition includes cars like the Bentley Continental GT Speed and Aston Martin Vanquish Volante; but coming in at well north of $300,000, the Rolls is quite a bit more expensive than either of the other two. For the world’s mega-rich who want to enjoy a little sunshine while cruising the French Riviera, South Beach, or Dubai, no other convertible on the market can really make a bigger statement than the Dawn.
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2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 14.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: chrome · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Camera System: Front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: manual driver and passenger seat · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.81
Engine
Alternator: 210 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: soft close · Side door type: power closing · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 10.3 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium leather
Steering
Steering ratio: 19
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Rolls-Royce Assist
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 7
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse