Rolls Royce Dawn: car review | Martin Love

The new convertible from Rolls-Royce is packed with surprises. The biggest being that not everyone hates you

Price: 265,155
Engine: 6.6-litre V12 twin-turbo
Power: 563bhp
Transmission: eight-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
0-62mph: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
MPG: 19.9
CO₂: 330g/km

Last Saturday, just after dark, a white van pulled alongside us at the lights. The driver glanced over, then his eyes swivelled and he gawped. What he saw in the gloom was a turquoise convertible Rolls-Royce, its hood dropped to reveal a pristine leather interior. The imposing car, its chrome glinting like star dust, is a sumptuous vision on any road, let alone a boring junction in south London. But what made the moment more surreal was that sitting in the car were David Bowie and Sid Vicious" Well, actually, it was me and a friend going to a 50th birthday party. Theme: Dead Rockers. I was the punk so why was I worried about getting black hair dye on the white headrest?