The Geneva Motor Show in March 2000 was chosen to unveil the Rolls-Royce Park Ward. A body with the enormous wheelbase of 3,366mm did offer 250mm (!) more legroom for rear seat passengers than the mainstream model Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph. The overall length had been increased to a most impressive 5,640mm. As regards outward appearance the basic lines of the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph remained unaltered. Meticulous attention had been devoted to balance the lines by extending both the front and rear doors - with the attractive side effect of easier access and egress from the motor car. Adding polished chrome rails to the sills were another cleverly executed attempt to make the car's massive coachwork appearing lighter than in fact it was. 

After the convertible Rolls-Royce Corniche had been announced but a few weeks previously the Rolls-Royce Park Ward was the second debut of a new model in 2000. All the time since the introduction of the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph in 1998 there had been a gap in the model range - and this was now filled perfectly by the Rolls-Royce Park Ward. Chauffeur driven limousines offering extraordinary comfort - especially generous legroom - for rear seat occupants had a long tradition with Rolls-Royce.

It was acknowledged, that many details showed the tremendous advantages Rolls-Royce gained from having moved under the wings of a multi-national parent company because that had offered chances to use resources which previously simply not had been accessible. To mention but one area, the vast variety of perfectly tuned electronic control units improving safety and security as well enhancing comfort, did fill a complete list. - Some felt surprised, that the confrontation between Volkswagen as the present owner of the marque and BMW as the future owner of the marque didn't seem to be really tough. When the new Rolls-Royce Corniche showed the "old" V8-engine shoe-horned into the compartment beneath the bonnet instead of the all-alloy V12-engine delivered by BMW this had been considered as an indication of a fight between VW and BMW with no holds barred. Well then, the Rolls-Royce Park Ward is powered by the 12-cylinder power plant that is made by BMW...

Rolls-Royce Park Ward, 2000, #SCALD61E1 YCH07501