SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA | The most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce in history has arrived. The Wraith features all of the traditional luxury and refinement you’d expect from a Rolls-Royce, perfectly blended with modern technology, elegant style and unmatched power to further enhance the driving experience. While wealth certainly affords most Rolls-Royce customers the luxury of having a driver for their Phantom or Ghost, the dynamic character and styling of the Wraith will have even those who can afford to sit in the back and be driven to hop into the driver’s seat and take the wheel themselves.
Global Living was honored to attend the invite-only North American Media Launch of the Wraith at the Canyon Suites at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 7th. Editorial Director Alison Cavatore traveled from Washington, DC to Scottsdale and met with Rolls-Royce representatives Dr. Philip Harnett, Product Manager of the Wraith, and Richard Carter, Director of Global Communications for Rolls-Royce, before getting behind the wheel of the Wraith and test driving the vehicle through the Arizona desert.
Hand-crafted at the Rolls-Royce Goodwood plant in England, the Wraith is described by Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, as “the ultimate gentleman’s gran turismo, a car that embodies the spirit of Charles Stewart Rolls… the Wraith promises the sense of adventure and speed that drove our founding forefather.”
That sense of adventure and speed was evident while driving the Wraith through Scottsdale’s Tonto National Forest and along some of the area’s best highways. As a result of the 624 hp 6.6L V12 engine, the Wraith has the ability to go from 0-50 mph in 4.4 seconds. In addition, the car’s suspension is tuned to minimize body roll and discreetly amplify feedback when cornering, and the steering weight is heavier at high speeds and lighter at low speeds, adding to the drive experience. The Wraith also features the debut of Satellite Aided Transmission, a technology that uses GPS mapping data to ensure the correct gear is always pre-selected for the road terrain ahead, making every curve a thrilling and rare mixture of poise and power.
“It’s like having a butler in the hood. It’s effortless,” said Carter of the Satellite Aided Transmission.
Aside from the traditional markings of a Rolls-Royce, including the Spirit of Ecstasy leading the way on the hood, the Wraith stands out from the crowd with its sweeping fastback design, bold lines, a deeply recessed grille, wide rear track and dramatic two-tone presentation. The two-door, four-seat vehicle includes coach doors that open to reveal a yacht-like interior cabin complete with Phantom-grade leather and expanses of wood called Canadel Panelling, which Carter notes is pitched at precisely 55º throughout the car. Additional advances in mechanical and electrical technology include head-up display, adaptive headlights, and voice activated connectivity that amplifies the car’s effortlessness. The Starlight Headline, a Bespoke, hand-woven feature of 1,340 fiber-optic lamps available beyond Phantom family cars for the first time, gives the impression of a glistening, starry night sky.
A driver’s dream, the Wraith could be a game changer for Rolls-Royce. Not only does it demonstrate that the British brand can produce elegant, luxury vehicles with state-of-the-art technology, it is shows a newer, younger, slightly more aggressive Rolls-Royce full of style, drama, and a subtle “hint of the noir”.
The Wraith’s world debut took place at the Geneva International Motor Show in March and first deliveries will be made to customers in the final quarter of 2013. The 2013 Rolls-Royce Wraith has a base price of $284,900.
Images Courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars