ENGLAND took centre stage at the Los Angeles Auto Show as the last all-new Rolls-Royce model likely to be hand-built at the company's Crewe factory was given its world debut. The Rolls-Royce name from midnight on December 31, 2002 will separate from the now Volkswagen-owned Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars and become part of BMW.

As a result, the Crewe workfore will only build about 450 Corniche models, of which about a quarter will be destined for the United States of America, which was why the car debuted in California. The all-new convertible is powered by a Crewe-built 6.75 litre V8 engine which produces 544 lb ft of torque between 2,100 and 2,300 rpm, offers 325 bhp at 4,000 revs, a top speed of 135 mph, a 0-60 mph time of eight seconds, and 15.9 mpg on the combined cycle.

For £250,000, specification includes wood veneers, deep-pile Wilton carpets, colour-keyed lambswool rugs and full Connolly hide upholstery.