Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000)
The Rolls-Royce Corniche V is a high end, two-door, four-seater luxury convertible car, that was produced in the United Kingdom from 1999 until 2002.
| Rolls-Royce Corniche V | |
|---|---|
 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche V | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Rolls-Royce Motors |
| Production |
|
| Model years | 2000–2002 |
| Assembly | Crewe, England |
| Designer | Graham Hull |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer (S) |
| Body style | 2-door 4-seat Soft-top convertible[1] |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Rolls-Royce SZ |
| Doors | 2 |
| Related | Bentley Azure |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.75 L turbocharged Rolls-Royce V8[1] |
| Transmission | 4-speed 4L80-E automatic[1] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 120.51 in (3,061 mm) [1] |
| Length | 212.79 in (5,405 mm) [1] |
| Width | 81.02 in (2,058 mm) [1] |
| Height | 58.07 in (1,475 mm) [1] |
| Kerb weight | 6,031 lb (2,736 kg) [1] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Rolls-Royce Corniche IV |
| Successor | Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé (indirect) |
The model debuted in January 2000 and it was the second new model generation to bear the Corniche name, after four consecutive Corniche series derived from the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. Contrary to all its predecessors, this Corniche was also the first Rolls-Royce with a soft-top that folded into the car's body.
Despite all-new sheetmetal, bearing a strong resemblance to the Silver Seraph, it had instead been derived from the pre-BMW era Bentley Azure, the model continued use of the traditional Rolls-Royce 6.75L V8 engine-block, in common with its predecessors, albeit significantly modernised, with improved performance, due to the Bentley-inherited turbocharger — this was the first Corniche to have this feature standard.[2]
Released after a five-year production gap, the fifth series Corniche was Rolls-Royce's most expensive model and flagship car, with a base price of US$359,900. From 2003, Rolls-Royce motor car production was handed over to BMW, who did not prolong the production of any of the existing models, but instead reintroduced the brand with an all-new Phantom VII.
The Corniche V was the only Rolls-Royce model launched under Volkswagen holding ownership; the last Rolls-Royce Corniche to date, and with just 384 units built.
Overview
Performance
The Rolls-Royce Corniche V is powered by a 325 hp (240 kW) 6.75 L turbocharged Rolls-Royce V8. The engine is capable of producing 738 N·m (544 lb·ft) of torque between 2,100-2,300 rpm. The engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. It has a top speed of 135 mph (220 km/h) and a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration time of 8 seconds. The convertible, weighing 6,031 lb (2,736 kg),[1] was built more for comfort than for speed.
Features
The Corniche V came outfitted with every luxury and refinement characteristic of a Rolls-Royce.
The interior has Connolly Leather interior, Wilton wool carpets, lambswool rugs, chrome gauges and a wide choice of exotic wood trims applied to the dashboard, console & waistrails, Dual automatic temperature control, powered adjustable front seats, 2 stage heated seats (front and rear), 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. The exterior has a powered retractable soft top, automatic dual-headlamps with chrome surrounds, powered boot mechanism, 17" Alloy wheels, automatic ride control and Electronic Traction Assistance System (ETAS).[1]
Styling cues were taken from the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph sedan, but it shares little mechanically with that BMW-engined car. Instead, the Corniche's V body was set onto the older platform used for the Bentley Azure, the Rolls-Royce SZ platform. Making it the first and only Rolls-Royce developed from a Bentley rather than the other way around, (not withstanding the fact that the Bentley Azure was developed on a Rolls-Royce platform to begin with.)
The Corniche V was the only new Rolls-Royce developed under Volkswagen's ownership, before the marque was sold in 2003. All Corniches were completely hand-built. The car was considered a slightly softer, much more exclusive version of the Azure.
Corniche V "Final Series"
Towards the end of production of the Corniche V, a limited run of 56 "Final Series" cars was planned, 56 being the years in which Rolls-Royce were built at Crewe. Ultimately, only 45 were made out of the original expected 56.[3] They are distinguished by, but not limited to the following:
- Front-fender badges reading “Rolls-Royce Cars, Crewe, England,” with a Union Jack insignia [3]
- Chromed mirror housings [3]
- Restyled & chromed Bentley Azure wheels [3]
- Spirit of Ecstasy Hubcaps [3]
- Red Rolls-Royce badges on the grille and trunk lid [3]
- Rosewood Burr & Cherry Wood trim with Spirit of Ecstasy inlay [3][4]
- Individually numbered commemorative plaque on the centre console (out of 56) [3]
Final Rolls-Royce Corniche V
The last Rolls-Royce Corniche (Chassis 2079) was manufactured on 30 August 2002. Along with most features from the "Final Series" specification, It also had a unique seat style: A Chesterfield buttoned theme in spruce Green without seat edge piping, different centre console plaque reading "A Century of Excellence" with the RR logo, and the cities where Rolls-Royces were produced from 1904 to 2002 (in place of the numbered commemorative plaque), silver text inlays on the radio flap reading "The Final Rolls-Royce Corniche Chassis 2079" & treadplates, reading "The Final Rolls-Royce Corniche Chassis 2079 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Crewe, England 1946-2002".[5] This was the last Rolls-Royce to be made at Crewe before it was transferred to Bentley models. It was in Rolls-Royce's ownership until September 2018 when it was auctioned off by Bonhams. The production run consisted of 384 cars.
| Bentley Azure/Rolls-Royce Corniche body production figures* | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999** | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | Totals | ||||
| Azure | 3 | 160 | 229 | 200 | 209 | 141 | 189 | 194 | 78 | 1,403 | ||||
| Corniche | - | - | - | - | - | 25 | 250 | 67 | 42 | 384 | ||||
| Totals | 3 | 160 | 229 | 200 | 209 | 166 | 439 | 261 | 120 | 1,787 | ||||
*stated by Pininfarina production records
**From 2 varying documents, newer data used
See also
References
- "Rolls-Royce Specifications - Corniche". Archived from the original on 12 December 2001. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- After the final 25 mark IV Corniche S models were also fitted with Bentley's contemporaneous turbo.
- Neyens, Dave (25 September 2019). "Two 2002 Rolls Royce Corniche Final Series Convertibles For Sale Las Vegas Auction No Reserve - Barrett-Jackson Auction Company - World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions". www.barrett-jackson.com. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- "Rolls Royce Corniche V Final Series". William Loughran. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- "Bonhams : The last Rolls-Royce built at the Crewe factory, 2002 Rolls-Royce Corniche Final Series Convertible Chassis no. SCAZK28E72CH02079". www.bonhams.com. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
External links
