Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000)

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See also Rolls-Royce Corniche for other models sharing this name

Rolls-Royce Corniche

Manufacturer:	Rolls-Royce
Production:	2000–2002 374 produced
Predecessor:	Rolls-Royce Corniche
Class:	Luxury car
Body style:	2-door 4-seat convertible
Platform:	FR Bentley Mulsanne
Engine:	6.75 L V8
Transmission:	4-sp 4L80-E automatic
Wheelbase:	120.5 in
Length:	212.8 in
Curb weight:	6050 lb
Related:	Bentley Azure

The 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche was a two-door, four-passenger automobile. Rolls-Royce's flagship car, it was the fifth car to bear the Corniche name on its debut in January 2000. At the time of its release, it was the most expensive vehicle offered by Rolls-Royce, with a base price of US$359,900. 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 body was set onto the older platform used for the similarly-styled Bentley Azure, making it the first and last Rolls-Royce descended from a Bentley rather than the other way around.

The 2000-2002 Corniche is powered by a 325 hp (240 kW) 6.75 L turbocharged V8. The Corniche's engine is capable of enormous torque, providing 738 N·m (544 ft·lbf) at 2,100 rpm. The car is operated via a four-speed automatic transmission. It has a top speed of 135 mph (215 km/h) and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of eight seconds. The convertible, weighing 6,836 lb (3,101 kg), was built more for comfort than for speed.

The Corniche came outfitted with every luxury and refinement characteristic of a Rolls-Royce. The car has a Connolly leather interior, Wilton wool carpets, chrome gauges and a wide choice of exotic wood trims. Dual automatic temperature control, a six-disc CD changer, automatic headlamps and automatic ride control are standard.

Part of the Corniche's desirability is the fact that it was the last car developed by Rolls-Royce before the marque came under BMW ownership. All Corniches were completely hand-built. The car was considered a slightly cushier version of the already luxurious Bentley Azure.

The very last Rolls-Royce Corniche rolled off the assembly line on August 30, 2002. This was the very last Rolls-Royce to roll off the line at the Crewe plant before it was entirely dedicated to the production of Bentley cars in 2002. Only 374 fifth-generation Corniches were ever built.

[edit] 2007 RR02

Rolls-Royce executives have confirmed that a new model, codenamed RR02, is to be built from 2007 at the company's manufacturing plant at Goodwood, England. It will be the successor of the Corniche, possibly reviving the Corniche name, and will be inspired by the Rolls-Royce 100EX prototype, unveiled in 2004.