Transmission : 3
speed automatic gearbox, one piece propeller shaft,
hypoid bevel differential
Chassis : 5
seater, 4 door saloon, steel monocoque, separate sub frames
front and rear
Dimensions : wheelbase 120.5 inches
Performance : Max speed 120 mph (193 km/h)
It cannot be denied, however, that
with the introduction of these models, speculation began as to
whether these cars represented
the last production series of the types and heralded a new series of
models to be released to the public.
Such speculation apart, the Silver
Spirit II and the Silver Spur II had more than skin-deep differences
to their forebears. By taking advantage
of the advances made in technology, particularly in electronics,
the engineers at Crewe had reworked
the Rolls-Royce self-levelling system
and
developed a suspension without
an equal in the world.
Vertical, longitudinal and lateral
accelerometers monitored acceleration, road surface conditions and braking
and sterring changes. All data
from external transducers and switches were received by a
microprocessor control unit. This
information was compared continuously with programmed
threshold values for each switching
control and the damper values adjusted as necessary
within milliseconds.
The interior of Silver Spirit II
gained modest, although useful, alterations and additions.
An extensive programme of ergonomics
research led to a
The split
level air conditioning could
be tuned more precisely due to two additional outlets in the
dashboard.
A sound system with ten speakers
and a 100 watt amplifier was considered to
provide
concert hall quality.
Heated front seats with an electrically
operated lumbar support and a
leather trimmed two-spoke
steering wheel underlined how carefully
Rolls-Royce had
considered any feature which
would make the new product a true
driver's car.
Rolls-Royce had produced a pair
of very desirable motor cars and now saw the need to provide an
anti-theft alarm as standard thus
helping keep their customers' precious possessions from
changing hands in an unintended
way.