Recently, motoring journalist and Engine Room Show co-host Dave Humphreys, was invited to the unveiling of the all-new Rolls-Royce Wraith over in the UK. Check it out below.
By Dave Humphreys
Yesterday at the Geneva Motor Show, amid scenes of that are the equivalent of mass hysteria from the motoring press, Rolls-Royce unveiled their new Wraith.
But 1,000 kilometres away from all the jostling and pushing, I was attending a special launch of the same car at Rolls-Royce’s factory in Goodwood, England.
In traditional style the day began at the factory with a full English breakfast followed by a brisk walk through one of the most serene factory environments I’ve ever experienced. The reason for the briskness of our escort through was to get to the new car in time for what would be a synchronised unveiling. As the covers were being pulled off the car on the Geneva show stand, the shutter doors were going to be pulled back here.
As the shutter doors were pulled back, the team of designers explained how they developed the look and shape of the Wraith. It draws inspiration from the nautical world, particular at the rear of the car where the roof slopes down and meets very heavily defined shoulder lines. Unlike the bigger Phantom Coupe, the iconic Rolls-Royce grille is less dominant and, in what designers say is a nod to the jet engine design, is more deeply recessed. But the single most eye-catching feature of the Wraith is its frameless coach doors. Their wide aperture allow for very easy access to the drivers seat upon where one can simply press the door close button allowing the door to silently and smoothly shut automatically.
The most powerful Rolls-Royce ever made
The Wraith is the most powerful Rolls-Royce that has ever been made: 624 bhp is generated by a 6.6 litre twin-turbo engine. That power is delivered via an 8-speed auto transmission with the promise of 800 Nm of torque from just 1,500 rpm. This enables the Wraith to do a 0-60 time of just 4.4 seconds and goes on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Inside, the Wraith holds nothing back in terms of offering luxury to its potential owners. Rolls-Royce offer 9 different colour leather interiors as well as numerous different wood finishes as standard. If the standard offerings aren’t to your liking their bespoke department can create a leather interior colour matched to you specific taste. Buyers can also choose to have a Starlight Headliner installed into the roof lining. This consists of 1,340 individual fibre optic lights, which are hand woven into the leather roof-lining to create a starry night effect inside the car.
Starlight Headliner
The Rolls-Royce Wraith goes on sale later this year at a starting of approximately €250,000 plus tax. The options list after that is almost endless. If you’d like the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot on the end of the bonnet in 24 carat gold it will set you back a mere €50,000.
Click through the gallery for more pics.
Make sure to follow Dave on Twitter via @LordHumphreys and check out his motoring podcast, The Engine Room Show with Dave Moore and Steven Cooper from 98FM, over here.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
