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Rolls-Royce Dawn (2016 to 2023)

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Rolls-Royce Dawn (2016 to 2023)

Not a current model

    Summary


    After being unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show, the Rolls-Royce Dawn arrived on UK roads in early 2016 as a luxury two-door convertible. It was removed from sale in Spring 2023.

    With the subsequent discontinuation of the Phantom Drophead Coupé, the Dawn was the only open-top model on offer from Rolls-Royce during its time on sale. It was based on the Wraith coupe and powered by a 6.6-litre V12 engine that puts out 571hp in standard form – a Dawn Black Badge model launched in 2018 uprated the power to 601hp.

    Like most Rolls-Royce models, there were regular special edition and bespoke models that went above and beyond the already extensive specification of the regular versions.

    Reviewers were highly positive about the Dawn, a car Parkers described as “highly impressive automotive art as well as a means of getting from A to B.”

    At more than five metres long it was a massive car, which meant plenty of room for four adults to travel in ultimate luxury. Pity the driver however, because you couldn’t squeeze this giant into a typical supermarket parking space.

    The car was considered elegant in looks, the electrically folding soft top exquisite in operation, and the interior top-class. “This is feelgood motoring with a capital F,” said Car. “The interior has a clear focus on pampering: the seats are huge and plump and upholstered in the finest leather front and rear.”

    There were some minus points – for an adult, getting into that roomy rear was not that easy, while some of the tech grates a little, interior details such as the drive controller and key rather too reminiscent of the BMW 7 Series they are evolved from. “While Rolls has added its own fonts and colours to the infotainment system, fundamentally, it’s still BMW’s iDrive,” said Auto Express.

    Overall, however, the Dawn was considered a one-off experience, summed up by Top Gear; “It’s not for shrinking violets and is a jaw-dropping thing to behold in the flesh: needless to say, the quarter-million pound price tag is just the starting point.”

    No longer in production, the Rolls-Royce Dawn holds an Expert Rating of 85% based on 17 reviews.

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    Rolls-Royce Dawn highlights

    • Spacious four-seater
    • Smooth and powerful
    • Highly luxurious
    • Impressive electric soft-top

    Rolls-Royce Dawn lowlights

    • Gargantuan car is hard to park
    • Big car, tiny boot
    • Tech detailing slightly low-rent
    • Hugely expensive

    Key specifications


    Body style: large convertible
    Engine: petrol
    Price: From £282,000 on-road

    Launched: Winter 2015/16
    Last updated: Summer 2021
    Removed from sale: Spring 2023


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    Auto Express

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    Auto Trader

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    Autocar

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    Car

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    Carbuyer

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    Daily Mail

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    Eurekar

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    Evo

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    Honest John

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    Parkers

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    The Sun

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    The Sunday Times

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    The Telegraph

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    Top Gear

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    What Car?

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    Safety rating


    No safety rating

    To absolutely no-one’s surprise, the Rolls-Royce Dawn has not been crash-tested by independent safety authority, Euro NCAP. Having to buy a few Dawns for testing would probably blow Euro NCAP’s budget for the whole year, so it’s unlikely to ever happen.

    Eco rating


    No eco rating

    No longer on sale, the Rolls-Royce Dawn has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. Again, not expecting it to happen anytime soon, so you’ll have to use your imagination to work out how environmentally friendly an enormous convertible powered by a 6.8-litre petrol V12 might be.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Rolls-Royce Dawn has received

    2017

    • UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Luxury Car

    2016

    • Telegraph Cars Awards – Best Luxury Car

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the Rolls-Royce Dawn, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Bentley Continental GT Convertible | Mercedes-Maybach S 560

    There really is no obvious rival to the Rolls-Royce Dawn. Buyers spend this kind of money because they want a Rolls-Royce and they choose the Dawn because they want a soft-top with the Spirit of Ecstacy badge.

    The nearest luxury offering, the Bentley Continental GT Convertible, is a very different kind of car and if you are looking for ‘proper’ four-seat convertibles you go to the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz – and you could buy two or three or four for the price of a single Dawn…

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    The Rolls-Royce Dawn was the most luxurious four-seater soft-top money could buy, though some details didn’t match the price tag. Rolls-Royce Dawn (2016 to 2023)