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Rolls-Royce drops top for a new Dawn

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Last summer Rolls-Royce confirmed it's been developing a new convertible, and now it has given that droptop a name: Dawn.

Though Goodwood has not exactly been forthcoming with the details, the new Dawn is widely expected to serve as the convertible version of the Wraith fastback coupe. Its arrival would complete the expansion of the "entry level" Rolls-Royce family (if a relative term has ever been more so) alongside the Ghost, Ghost Extended Wheelbase, and the aforementioned Wraith to mirror that of the Phantom range above it.

Now if you're thinking that the name Dawn doesn't convey the same supernatural "spirit" as the other nameplates in Goodwood's lineup, you're right. The press release below speaks of opportunity and the promise of a new day, and of course the name conveys as well the letting in of the sunshine (in this case) through its opening roof. But the handle also borrows from the company's considerable history.

The original Silver Dawn was a highly exclusive cabriolet, of which Rolls only built 28 examples between 1950 and '54. It was the first Rolls-Royce to feature bodywork built in-house, and the company promises the new Dawn will offer extensive customization options as well.

The Dawn has already been shown to dealers at a conference in LA, but we'll have to wait until early in the new year to see it for ourselves.


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ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS ANNOUNCES A NEW DAWN FOR SUPER-LUXURY MOTORING

12 May 2015, Los Angeles, California

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today announced the name of its forthcoming new car. The new model, an exciting and sensuous drophead, will be known as Rolls-Royce Dawn.

The car was unveiled to representatives of the marque's 130-strong global dealer network at the 2015 Rolls-Royce World Dealer Conference in Los Angeles, California today.

"Our new Rolls-Royce Dawn promises a striking, seductive encounter like no other Rolls-Royce to date," said Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, Chief Executive Officer. "Dawn is a beautiful new open-top motor car with a name that suggests the fresh opportunities that every new day holds – an awakening, an opening up of one's senses and a burst of sunshine. It will be the most social of super-luxury motor cars for those beautiful people who wish to bathe in the sunlight of the world's social hotspots."

Rolls-Royce Dawn is the next step in the renaissance of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars which began in 2003 with the launch of Phantom and subsequent introductions of Ghost and Wraith. It justifies the continuing investment of the BMW Group into the world's pinnacle super-luxury brand.

The new Rolls-Royce Dawn will revive another famous and rare Rolls-Royce name first used in 1949, but only ever applied to 28 very special drophead bodies between 1950 and 1954. A new beginning for Rolls-Royce at the time, the original Silver Dawn was the first Rolls-Royce to be offered with a factory-built body. The drophead Rolls-Royces that carried the name Dawn continued to be coach-built for individual customers, ensuring their uniqueness and rarity.

'Dawn' perfectly expresses the character of the new Rolls-Royce. In its tentative, inchoate, anticipatory state, dawn is the world coming to light from the ethereal dark of the night. The early-day chill of dawn provides an erotic tingle on the skin, awakening the senses and passions as the day begins. Like Eleanor Thornton, thought by many to be the inspiration behind the Spirit of Ecstasy, the Rolls-Royce Dawn will also prove itself to be the muse that leads its owner to believe that at the start of the day, anything is possible.

The new Rolls-Royce Dawn is beguilingly visceral. It excites both men and women – they want it, they need it and they want to immerse themselves in it. It is languid and beautiful, fresh and fragrant and awakens the passion of your life.

New life, new possibilities, fresh horizons – a tingling, anticipatory ambience in the air – all signified by a new Dawn.

Rolls-Royce Dawn will launch during the first quarter of 2016.

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