The Rolls-Royce Dawn may be the newest Rolls->ke74 on the block after only making its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.->ke235 But whether a car is old or new, aftermarket companies aren’t the type to differentiate one from the other. As long as it’s worthy of a tuning->ke1987 program, a tuner will build one for it. That’s what we have here with Mansory’->ke3403s newest creation. Since the model itself is only months old, this tuning kit is arguably one of the first to be developed for the Dawn.->ke5154 And as far as “firsts” are concerned, they have the potential to set the bar really high.

Knowing that, the important question to ask is whether Mansory did just that. Did it set a standard for future tuning kits for the Dawn? On the surface, it does seem like that’s the case. This program comes with an aero kit, a customizable interior, and a performance bump. In other words, it’s well-detailed enough to get people’s attention.

But this is Mansory we’re talking about here. The German tuner, for better or worse, has earned a reputation for being one of the most provocative tuners in the game. It’s built programs that have turned sports cars->ke506 into supercars->ke177 and supercars into, well, you get the picture. This kit, however, lacks that extra jolt that some might come to expect from Mansory. Whatever you may think of it, there are certain standards people may have for a certain tuner. I’m just not sure Mansory lived up to its own expectations with this program for the Rolls-Royce Dawn.

Continue after the jump to read the full review.

2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn by Mansory

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn by Mansory
  • Engine/Motor: V12
  • Horsepower: 740
  • Torque: 737
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Mansory is known for building some outlandish kits so it is a little surprising to see the German tuner exercise some restraint on this particular kit. That’s not to say that the cup is bare, but I did expect more out of Mansory. In any case, the Rolls-Royce Dawn did receive a new front spoiler with larger air intakes. LED daytime running lights have also been integrated into the spoiler, as is a smaller version of the front grille just below the license plate holder. The luxury convertible was also given a new carbon fiber front lip and a lightweight hood that’s also made from the lightweight material.

Over on the sides, Mansory installed new side skirts to help improve the airflow on this section of the vehicle. These skirts are integral for a car that can be driven with or without a roof. Then there’s the rear spoiler lip, which the tuner fitted into the Dawn’s trunk lid. Together with a rear spoiler, these two components are responsible for improving the downforce on the luxury convertible’s rear axle. Rounding out the exterior changes is a new set of 22-inch lightweight alloy rims shod in Vredestein high-performance tires measuring 265/35/22 and 295/30/22, respectively.

Interior

Note: Standard Rolls Royce Dawn interior pictured here.

There’s something to be said for a tuner that consistently offers only the best materials for its programs. Mansory’s reputation is untarnished in this regard and the interior upgrades for the Dawn are no different. As always, customers are free to choose materials like brushed aluminum, carbon fiber, burl wood, or highly polished lacquer surfaces for their cabins. These fine appointments should serve well to complement the extensive leather surfaces already installed by Mansory. And before anybody forgets, hand-crafted embroidering in the foot mats and the head rests are also part of the tuning kit, helping in their own little way to provide extra visual treats.

Drivetrain

Mansory continued with its program for the Dawn by giving the luxury convertible an engine modification fit for its stature. No mention was made on how the tuner was able to get this done, but it did say that it was able to increase the output of the Dawn’s 6.6-liter V-12 engine from the standard 563 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque to an impressive 740 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque. Do the math and that equates to an increase of 177 ponies and 162 pound-feet of twist. All these changes translate to a 0-to-62-mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds, four-tenths quicker than the standard version, and a top speed of 177 mph, 22 mph faster than the standard model’s 155-mph top speed.

Pricing

No word yet on how much this tuning kit will cost but this is Mansory we’re talking about. The tuner is as famous for its flamboyant programs as it is for the prices that come with them. Even if this kit is on the subtle side, I don’t expect the price to be follow. If any of you are interested though, I suggest contacting the tuner directly to get a proper price quote.

Competition

Mercedes-AMG S63 4MATIC Cabriolet

It’s perfectly understandable that there is a dearth of tuning kits for cars belonging in this segment, especially those of the convertible variety. So in lieu of that, let’s focus on the actual cars that are competing with the Rolls-Royce Dawn for your love, affection, and check books. One such model is the Mercedes-AMG S63 4MATIC Convertible. To be fair, the name “Mercedes” doesn’t have quite the ring to it as “Rolls-Royce,” but to Mercedes-AMG’s credit, it prepared a luxury convertible that’s more than up to the task of being a rival to the Dawn. The AMG S63 Convertible has the finer appointments down pat.

Just as important as all of that is the AMG S63’s 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine. It’s much smaller than the V-12 found under the hood of the Dawn, but it still packs an impressive punch to the tune of 577 horsepower and a whopping 664 pound-feet of twist, more than what the Dawn is capable of. All that power coming out of the AMG S63’s V-8 is also good enough to help the topless luxury ride sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, a full second quicker than the Rolls. On top of that, it also boasts a top speed of 186 mph. It’s electronically limited, sure, but even in normal guise, that’s faster than what the Dawn is capable of, Mansory upgrade included.

Read our full review here.

Bentley Continental GT Convertible

On the surface, the Bentley Continental GT Convertible can be considered as the real rival to the Rolls-Royce Dawn. Even the two companies have a storied history together. But more than any of that, the Continental GT Convertible has the tools to rival the Dawn in every facet. That includes the exterior, the interior, and all the way down to the engine and the significance of their respective badges. Say what you will about Bentley’s resistance in giving the Continental GT the next-gen upgrade it deserves, but you can’t deny that it hasn’t missed a beat in giving its luxury convertible the updates it needs to keep in line with the competition.

Speaking of going toe-to-toe with the Rolls, the Continental GT Convertible also features a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W-12 engine that now produces 582 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers are in line with what the Dawn is capable of, which all the more shows how evenly matched these two extravagant rides are. Performance numbers also reflect how evenly matched these two are. The Continental GT Convertible, for instance, is said to be capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds to go with a top speed of 196 mph. That’s faster than what the Dawn is capable of, as well.

Read our full review here.

Conclusion

I must admit that it’s still pretty disarming to see Mansory prepare a tuning program for a car in conservative fashion. Sure, the term “conservative” is relative in the tuning game, but given the German tuner’s opulent history of building some of the most outlandish kits imaginable, this one counts as conservative. Here’s the thing though. I love it. I think it was a smart play to put on the restraints with this program because the Dawn is still a new model.

Owners would want to know what they’re getting out of it without having to resort to a tuner like Mansory to show them the car’s true potential. The flamboyant programs will come in the future, but for now, consider this is as Mansory’s way of teasing us what’s to come for the Rolls-Royce Dawn.