GQ_South_Africa_2017

DRIVE Q&A

56 GQ.CO.ZA OCTOBER 2017

GQ: Th e roof of the Dawn can only be

described as a triumph – what is the

inspiration for this design?

Giles Taylor: Th e multi-layers, French

seam and shape of the roof all contribute

to the fi nesse, luxury and silence of the

experience inside the Dawn. Th is highly

complex craft technique takes inspiration

from the world of fi ne tailoring and

mirrors the endeavours of London’s Savile

Row tailors. Th e craftspeople who work

on the roof come from such backgrounds.

GQ: It is by far the quietest closed-roof

convertible ever – how was this achieved?

GT: Two key techniques were employed

to ensure the roof not only appears

beautiful and sensuous in its form, but also

contributes to the silence of the car in its

function. A perfectly smooth surface,

combined with an innovative tailored

‘French seam’ ensures that the airfl ow over

the car with the roof up creates no noticeable

wind noise. Inside, the Rolls-Royce Dawn is

as silent as a Rolls-Royce Wraith – a fi rst in

convertible motoring.

Secondly, the actual

opening and closing of the

roof mechanism is both

beautiful and unobtrusive

at the same time. Silence

and seclusion may be

exchanged for the sounds,

light and aromas of the

outside world, with the roof

opening in complete

silence in just 22 seconds,

and at cruising speeds of up

to 50km/h.

GQ: Given the endless

customisation option list,

how do you recommend fi rst-time buyers

create a vehicle that will feel truly

personal but remain classic?

GT: A bespoke commission can include

anything from the relatively simple

application of a hand-painted coachline

or tread-plate expressing a family name

or business insignia, to more elaborate

collaborations like paint perfectly

matched to a favourite garment or even a

wood set sourced from a customer’s

private estate.

GQ: How do you go about developing

innovative vehicle designs for a younger

audience while staying true to the

marque’s strong heritage?

GT: Our focus has been on modernising

the form language to suit a younger

customer who is increasingly

attracted to Rolls-Royce, while

respecting the classical,

timeless qualities that are

essential to our brand identity.

Since the launch of the Wraith

in 2013 and the Dawn in 2015

we have noticed the average

age of our patrons decrease

by as much as 10 years.

Th ese younger customers

are often entrepreneurs who

commission a Rolls-Royce

to mark their success.

GQ: CEO of Rolls-Royce Torsten

Müller Ötvös speaks about the business

of selling rarity. How meticulous is the

entire production process?

GT: It takes 60 pairs of hands to design,

craft and construct a Rolls-Royce motor

car. For example, an astonishing 20 000

wood veneer combinations are available

in each and every Rolls-Royce car. Each

car has 120 diff erent wooden parts which

are created with individual decorative

veneers, making them unique to every

customer, and it can take up to 40 pieces

of quality wood to create each veneer.

SILENT

MIGHT

Words by Paul Sephton

Quiet convertibles are

a rarity, but it’s precisely

that kind of pleasant

surprise that makes the

Rolls-Royce Dawn as

serene as it is sumptuous.

Rolls’ Director of Design,

Giles Taylor, tells us more

Fast facts

Around 2 000

Rolls-Royces are

cruising SA’s roads.

The average age

of an Rolls owner

has decreased to 45.

Most Rolls-Royce

owners have at

least fi ve other cars.