One of the most exclusive and exquisite production cars money can currently reserve (the first deliveries are only just underway) the "standard" Dawn is one of the most ambitious vehicles that Rolls-Royce has attempted since BMW acquired it in 2003 and one that needs over 1,500 skilled technicians to build.
In fact, the company is so proud of it, that in March, Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös, said: "Dawn represents the most glamorous expression of Rolls-Royce luxury in history. It is the product of the uncompromising commitment to delivering perfection."
However, Mansory clearly disagrees and has given the US$380,000 car's exterior, interior and engine bay some serious attention. The nose gets a new carbon fiber front spoiler with larger air intakes, the LED running lights have been changed and the hood section completely remodelled in carbon fiber to cut weight. The car also gets side skirts and a trunk-lid spoiler.
Yet all of these enhancements are subtle by the company's normal standards. However, under the hood it's business as usual. Mansory has re-tuned the Dawn's 570hp 6.6-litre V12 so that it now produces 740hp, 1,000Nm of torque, delivers a 0-100kph time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 285kph (that's 35kph more than the standard car delivers).
Inside, the company will offer customers whatever they want in terms of precious metals, rare leathers or carbon fibre detailing, much like Rolls-Royce itself.
And while purists and many luxury carmakers may frown upon the exploits of companies like Mansory, its services are in demand. So much so that Rolls-Royce itself has recently introduced a new ‘Black Badge' model line which Müller-Ötvös describes as "Motor cars for a group of young, driven, self-made people that will make a bold and edgy lifestyle statement about their lives." They offer more powerful engine tuning, carbon fibre instead of wood as an interior trim, larger wheels and matte exterior finishes.
The Dawn isn't currently part of the lineup but it soon could be and the idea is simple, Rolls-Royce wants to curate its cars so that no matter how each one is styled or personalised, it is still first and foremost a Rolls-Royce.
