)
When was the last time you saw a Rolls-Royce passing by? There you see, the car is so exclusive that you actually have to take a couple of minutes before recalling when or where. This is precisely what the company's aim is. The Rolls-Royce is no run o' the mill sight on the roads. So, now you know why you should give a damn about the launch of the Rolls-Royce Wraith in India last week.
The company founder, Sir Frederick Henry Royce, who died 80 years ago, was clear about the vehicles he wanted to make. "Take the best that exists and make it better: when it does not exist, design it," he told his workers. That is the philosophy behind the Wraith. It is the most powerful and technologically advanced vehicle in the auto maker's history. And oh, the people at Rolls-Royce will tell you that the Wraith costs Rs 4.6 crore - and add "only" to make sure you don't feel overwhelmed.
Why is it so expensive? One has to go beyond the imposing exteriors to comprehend the richness of the Wraith. Open the signature coach doors, also called "suicide" doors, which spring out in the opposite direction to a normal car door, and you are welcomed into an extravagant lounge-like cabin. The two-door Wraith's interiors are similar to the company's other rich offer, the Phantom. It has the exquisite Starlight Headliner - 1,300-odd fibre-optic lamps hand-woven into the roof's headlining to mimic a "starry night sky". The lights come with a control switch and can be set to twinkle or a bright/soft mood lighting effect.
The Wraith is a four-seater coupe with lush seats, made of natural grain leather, that provide the comforts of a luxurious yacht. The interior has been hand-built by skilled craftspeople and technicians. You can choose to have Canadel paneling, which uses beautiful open-grain wood throughout the cabin. The veneer is delicately curved around the contours of the door and each piece is orientated at 55 degrees, then carefully matched. This creates a perfect mirror image through the centre line of the car.
Did we mention this is also the fastest Rolls-Royce? Yes, it has a tuned version of sibling Ghost's 6.6-litre twin turbo V12. This mammoth engine produces 624 BHP, but it is the pacy yet smooth eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox that ensures the Wraith sprints to 100 km in a mere 4.6 seconds. Not only does the speed make it distinct from other Rolls-Royces, but the Wraith is also a driver-focused car, made to leave enthusiasts ecstatic. Don't forget that the electronically controlled air suspension creates the car's signature 'magic carpet ride'.
This is a car that can see into the future. Satellite-aided transmission uses GPS data and the navigation system to scan the road to anticipate what lies ahead. It then automatically chooses the optimum gear for the terrain. Power is delivered effortlessly for you, so you can surge through every corner, around every roundabout and into every slip road smoothly.
This coupe has, again, the most aerodynamic design among Rolls-Royce vehicles. Even the emblematic 'Spirit of Ecstasy' sits further on the grille and is angled by a few degrees to add a touch of extra style. The two-tone exterior paint complements the athletic prowess of the Wraith.
ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH: THE SPECS
Engine: 6592 cc V12
Power: 624bhp@5600 rpm
Torque: 800 Nm @ 1500rpm
Gear box: 8-speed automatic
Price: Rs 4.6 crore
