Making its debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the Rolls-Royce Wraith promises to be the premier gentleman’s grand touring coup. Sporting a 624 horsepower V12 engine connected to an eight-speed automatic ZF transmission, the Rolls-Royce Wraith is said run 0 to 60 mph in 4.4-seconds. The Rolls-Royce Wraith puts out about 590 lbs-feet of torque (800 nm) and, despite the immense torque, Rolls-Royce insists it’s not a sports car.
“Today we launch the ultimate gentlemen’s gran turismo, a car that embodies the spirit of Charles Stewart Rolls,” commented Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “The most powerful Rolls-Royce in history, Wraith promises the sense of adventure and speed that drove our founding forefather. But of course, Wraith’s starting point is luxury, refinement and quality, traits that remain as important to Rolls-Royce customers today as they were more than a century ago.” – Rolls-Royce media.
The interior represents some of the most exquisite craftsmanship available today. Wood panels and accents, known as Canadel Panelling, adorn the interior. This is especially noticeable on the door panels and on the center control location near the armrest. Rolls-Royce describes the interior as “yacht-like” which is precisely the image they wish to personify.
“For over a century a Rolls-Royce motor car has featured technologies designed to support occupants discreetly, delivering a peerless driving experience epitomised by the term ‘effortlessness’. In every Rolls-Royce these assist the driver when called upon, but are prepared to return without fuss to the background when no longer required.
Advances in mechanical and electrical technology deliver systems like head-up display, adaptive headlights and Wraith’s keyless opening boot. But improvements in connectivity have taken the human-machine interface to a new level of sophistication, a suite of aids that could be likened to a contemporary on-board valet.
Voice activation commands, for example, come with a one-touch call button located on the steering wheel. A destination no longer requires manual input from a navigation menu and route assistance begins immediately, on-screen and via audio guidance following a voice command such as “navigate to Piccadilly in London.”
Additional improvements in communications come in the design and functionality of the elegant Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller. This allows navigation through on-screen functions using a touch pad that features pinch and pull functionality to echo smart phone usage. Letters can also be ‘drawn’ onto the pad by hand rather than by scrolling through a series of available characters on-screen.” – – Rolls-Royce Media
Prices start at €245,000 in Europe which translates to around $319,000 and deliveries will commence near the end of 2013.
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We’ll bring you updates of the Rolls-Royce Wraith the moment we get them.
