ENGINEERING ARTISTRY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP. It was some thirty years ago that the first Corniche defined the concept of luxury open-top motoring. Now its successor and namesake assumes the role of the world's ultimate convertible motor car, providing the select few with the opportunity to contemplate the infinity of the heavens in the most sumptuous of surroundings.
This is a Rolls-Royce so advanced technology abounds. But emanating from the graceful signature line of the coachwork is a sense of tradition and heritage that subtly proclaims its famous ancestry. All who gaze upon its elegant contours cannot but respect its poise and presence, for here is the ultimate combination of engineering artistry and craftsmanship.
The all-new Corniche convertible is a gloriously stylish and refined, open-top motor car that is to be individually crafted only for a fortunate few.
It is a name that inspires romantic associations with the Côte d'Azur and la grande Corniche. There's an echo of the classic Rolls-Royce convertible built at Crewe for more than a quarter of a century, until only a few years ago.
Now, for collectors and aficionados of the marque, the incomparable new Corniche may prove to be the ultimate expression of an authentic Rolls-Royce, hand-crafted at Crewe.
The long term future is unknown at the present time, but it is likely that the new Corniche will be the last coachbuilt Rolls-Royce convertible to be crafted by the artisans of Crewe.
The Corniche is a worthy celebration of advanced technology and the enduring values of traditional craftsmanship. It is a Rolls-Royce motor car that makes a special occasion of every journey. It will continue to reward with a sense of complete satisfaction that matches the owner's success in acquiring it. Wise investments do not come more seductive than this.
Contemporary grace characterises the flowing lines of the coachwork. Interior appointments feature hand-finished, natural wood veneers with subtle cross-banding and inlaid marquetry. Seats are upholstered in only the finest of hand-stitched hide. Deep-pile Wilton carpets grace the floor.
Such refinements are the Rolls-Royce hallmarks that have made Crewe a world-renowned centre of craftsmanship. And the performance of this most serene and effortlessly capable motor car is succinctly described by the company as "more than adequate". That is perhaps something of an understatement for a motor car with a 6.75-litre, light pressure charged V8 engine with prodigious reserves of power. (The Corniche is smoothly capable of accelerating from 0 to 60mph in 8 seconds and may whisper on, should the occasion arise, to a maximum speed of 135mph.)
World-wide, no more than 250 exceptional people will celebrate their year 2000 by commissioning the ultimate expression of Rolls-Royce style in a Corniche convertible - a motor car that is quite literally crafted only once in a lifetime.
BODY STYLE. Two door open, four seat, full convertible. All steel monocoque, high torsional rigidity, single pressing door apertures. Powered boot opening mechanism. Powered retracting fabric hood that stows beneath flush fitting chrome decking. Hood fabrics to match or contrast the body colour. 17" alloy wheels with bright trim centres and 255 section comfort tuned whitewall tyres.
INTERIOR STYLE AND APPOINTMENTS. Choice of fine wood veneers for dash, console and waistrails. Bright bezel surrounds to controls, instruments and speakers. Full Connolly hide upholstery. Deep pile bound Wilton carpets. Colour keyed lambswool rugs. Hide-covered steering wheel and airbag with matched hide-covered dashboard cowl. Steering column mounted gearshift. Tilt-adjustable steering column with 'easy entry/exit' feature when key is removed. Four memory settings for front seats, mirrors and steering wheel. Motorised memory front seats with integral safety belts and electric lumbar support. Two stage seat heaters to front and rear seats. 4 x 30 watt stereo, tuner, cassette and CD system with six CD changer unit mounted in the front seat armrest with eight speaker system. Dual level, CFC free air conditioning, with outlets in the console feeding air to rear passengers. Remote control of audio system for rear seat passengers. Provision for market specific telephone systems. Alarm and headlamp operations are programmable to owner's individual preferences.
POWER AND REFINEMENT.
Engine 6.75 litre light pressure charged
Rolls-Royce V8 engine.
Power 325bhp, 242KW at 4,000 revs/min.
Torque 738Nm, 544lb.ft at 2,100 to 2,300rpm.
Maximum speed 135mph, 220kph.
Acceleration 0-60mph 8.0 secs. 0-100kph 8.5 secs.
Automatic Ride Control provides computer control of the suspension dampers to optimise ride comfort and handling. Adaptive Shift Control modifies the gear change to driver style. Fully lined and insulated soft top roof for maximum refinement.
SAFETY AND SECURITY. Fully powered braking system with four channel electronic anti-lock. Electronic traction assistance system (ETAS). Viscous control differential - to smoothly control torque transfer with wheel slip. Seat belt pre-tensioners to front seats. Driver and front seat passenger airbags. Anti-side intrusion beams to doors. Automatic headlamps actuate in low light. Alarm system programmable to owner requirements.
DURABILITY. Underside of the bodyshell is zinc-coated and undergoes a ten-stage metal pre-treatment process prior to cathodic electro-priming. Multi-stage painting process with the latest 'clear over base' paint technology. Elastomeric stone-chip protective coating is applied to the sill and wheel arch areas prior to painting.
DIMENSIONS.
Wheelbase 3061 mm 120.5 in Overall length 5405 mm 17 ft. 8.8 in Overall width - across mirrors 2058 mm 6 ft. 9.0 in Overall height 1475 mm 4 ft. 10.1 in Maximum height attained during hood operation 2210 mm 7 ft 3.0 in Laden weight - GVW 3100 kg 6836 lb. Unladen weight - kerbside 2735 kg 6031 lb. Fuel tank capacity 100 litres 22 gal Turning circle - kerb to kerb 12.16 m 39 ft 10.7 in Luggage compartment volume 0.187 m 6.6 ftFuel consumption European Union drive cycle US EPA (us gallon) Urban 25.8 1/100 km (10.9 mpg) 11 mpg Extra urban (highway) 13.1 1/100 km (21.6 mpg) 16 mpg Combined 17.8 1/100 km (15.9 mpg) 13 mpg
Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price $359,990.00