Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000)

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 and 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),{{Cite web |title=Rolls-Royce Specifications - Corniche |url=http://www.rollsroycemotorcars.co.uk/rolls-royce/specs_corniche.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011212115720fw_/http://www.rollsroycemotorcars.co.uk/rolls-royce/specs_corniche.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2001-12-12 |access-date=2023-02-07 }} was built more for comfort than for speed.

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).

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.

File:Rolls Royce Corniche 1.jpg

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.{{Cite web |last=Neyens |first=Dave |date=September 25, 2019 |title=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 |url=https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/two-2002-rolls-royce-corniche-final-series-convertibles-for-sale-las-vegas-auction-no-reserve/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=www.barrett-jackson.com |language=en}} They are distinguished by, but not limited to the following:

File:Rolls-Royce Corniche V interior.jpg

• Front-fender badges reading “Rolls-Royce Cars, Crewe, England,” with a Union Jack insignia
• Chromed mirror housings
• Restyled & chromed Bentley Azure wheels
• Spirit of Ecstasy Hubcaps
• Red Rolls-Royce badges on the grille and trunk lid
• Rosewood Burr & Cherry Wood trim with Spirit of Ecstasy inlay {{Cite web |title=Rolls Royce Corniche V Final Series |url=http://www.williamloughran.co.uk/stock/rolls-royce/rolls-royce-corniche-v/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=William Loughran |language=en-US}}
• Individually numbered commemorative plaque on the centre console (out of 56)

File:RR Corniche.JPG

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".{{Cite web |title=Bonhams : The last Rolls-Royce built at the Crewe factory, 2002 Rolls-Royce Corniche Final Series Convertible Chassis no. SCAZK28E72CH02079 |url=https://www.bonhams.com/auction/24878/lot/301/the-last-rolls-royce-built-at-the-crewe-factory-2002-rolls-royce-corniche-final-series-convertible-chassis-no-scazk28e72ch02079/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=www.bonhams.com |language=en}} 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.

*stated by Pininfarina production records

**From 2 varying documents, newer data used

• Rolls-Royce Corniche

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Rolls-Royce Corniche V}}

• [http://www.rrab.com/rcor5.htm Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000–2002)]
• [http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/Luxury_Cars/2000_Rolls-Royce_Corniche.S183.A1911.html 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche review]

{{Rolls-Royce}}

Corniche

Category:Cars introduced in 2000

Category:Cars discontinued in 2002

Category:Convertibles

Category:Flagship vehicles