Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000)
2000-2002 · Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000) — Grand Tourer, V8 Turbo, designed by Graham Hull.
The Story
The 2000 Corniche was a swansong: the final Rolls-Royce convertible of the Crewe era, built only from 2000 to 2002 as BMW prepared to move the marque to Goodwood. Closely related to the Bentley Azure and wearing Silver Seraph styling cues, it used the 6.75-litre single-turbo V8 (325 bhp) and was the first Rolls-Royce whose soft-top folded fully out of sight into the body.
It was unapologetically old-school – a vast, floating, supremely comfortable boulevard cruiser rather than any kind of sports car. Only 374-384 were built, making it among the rarest modern Rolls-Royces and a quietly significant bookend to the Crewe story.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Graham Hull
Graham Hull was Rolls-Royce/Bentley’s chief stylist (1971–2001), responsible for the Arnage and the related RR Silver Seraph, and author of ‘Bentley & Rolls-Royce: The Crewe Years.’ FLAG: Arnage/Azure attribution from general references.
Studio Motors POV
The last Crewe convertible – overlooked next to the Phantom Drophead that followed, but its rarity and end-of-an-era status make it a smart, quietly appreciating buy.
The Engine
Rolls-Royce / Bentley L-Series 6¾ V8
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Corniche (2000)
Worth Knowing About the Corniche (2000)
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1) It was the first Rolls-Royce whose soft-top folded completely out of sight into the body. 2) It rides on the older SZ / Bentley Azure platform – mechanically distinct from the BMW-engined Silver Seraph it resembles. 3) Only ~374-384 were built across just three model years.
5 Fast Facts
- 1) 6.75L single-turbo V8, 325 bhp / 544 lb-ft. 2) ~374-384 built – among the rarest modern Rolls-Royces. 3) The last convertible of the Crewe era. 4) Shares its platform with the Bentley Azure. 5) Revealed January 2000.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
FLAG: no individually-documented celebrity owner verified to cite.
Studio Buyer’s Brief
Rarity makes good cars sought-after. Verify the complex powered hood, the turbo V8 and the self-levelling ride. Low-mileage, fully-documented examples command a premium – and these are appreciating.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Rolls-Royce Corniche (2000)
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 2000-2002
- Units built
- 374-384
- Variants
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V8 Turbo
- Engine family
- Rolls-Royce / Bentley L-Series 6¾ V8
- Displacement
- 6.75L (6,750 cc)
- Power
- 325 hp
- Torque
- 544 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 8 s
- Top speed
- 135 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 119 hp/tonne · 18.6 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic (GM 4L80-E)
- Drivetrain
- Rear-wheel drive · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 6031 lb
Questions
Corniche (2000) FAQ
What engine is in the 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche?
The 2000 Corniche uses a 6.75-litre single-turbocharged V8 producing 325 bhp and 544 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 4-speed automatic gearbox.
How many 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniches were made?
Between 374 and 384 examples of the 2000 Corniche were produced across three model years, making it one of the rarest modern Rolls-Royces.
What is historically significant about the 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche?
The 2000 Corniche was the last convertible of the Crewe era and the first Rolls-Royce whose soft-top folded completely out of sight into the body, giving an uninterrupted rear silhouette.
How much is a 2000 Rolls-Royce Corniche worth today?
The 2000 Corniche typically trades between $90,000 and $180,000 depending on condition, mileage, and documented provenance. Hagerty and Classic & Sports Car track valuations for this model.
How does the 2000 Corniche differ from the 1971 original?
The 2000 Corniche uses a turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 on the Bentley Azure platform. The 1971-generation Corniche ran for over two decades on the Silver Shadow platform with a naturally aspirated Rolls-Royce V8.
The Rolls-Royce Lineup
Explore every Rolls-Royce
Silver Wraith ’46Silver Dawn ’49
Phantom IV ’50Silver Cloud I ’55Phantom V ’59Silver Cloud II ’59
Silver Cloud III ’62Silver Shadow I ’65Phantom VI ’68
Corniche (1971) ’71Camargue ’75Silver Shadow II ’77
Silver Spirit / Silver Spur ’80
Corniche (2000) ’00Phantom VII ’03Ghost (1st Gen) ’09
Wraith ’13Dawn ’15Phantom VIII ’17Sweptail ’17Cullinan ’18
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