Each one of the most important automakers became known for applying a particular aspect into every car it releases. Every car fan associates Alfa Romeo and Mitsubishi with sportiness, Audi and BMW with technology and Toyota and VW with conservatism, for instance. They could create a model to each available segment, but they would always be different interpretations of that special characteristic. So how interesting would it be if one of the most classy automakers in the world decides to project a sports car?
Rolls-Royce’s difference from most of the other brands doesn’t come from creating the fastest or the more expensive vehicles, and doesn’t even come from its cars being extremely luxurious or having restrictive prices. It actually comes from the English automaker’s unique concern on its customers receving nothing but the best from these cars, in all the possible aspects. It doesn’t worry about redesigning its cars each three years or to break sales records, but to offer the best available materials for the cabin, making the electronic systems easy and simple to use, delivering plenty of power in all driving conditions, and the ability of riding several floor types as comfortably as if the cars were floating. Not to mention the typical structural quality proved with so many previous Rolls running without problems for decades. After completing Phantom’s line some years ago, with extended-wheelbase sedan, convertible and coupé versions, it’s time to give Ghost its own family. But this couldn’t be done only by repeating the first’s variations in smaller scale, because the younger sibling came with a different purpose. Even though Ghost could still be labeled as a limousine without the smallest problem, its cheaper prices symbolize the intention of being a more “realistic” vehicle, directed to many more people and, therefore, to a completely different market from Phantom’s. That’s why the bigger brother’s variations are actually very loyal to the original concept, while the Ghost family allows bigger separations.
While Phantom Coupé follows the true definition of “version”, Wraith turns Ghost’s underpinnings into a very elegant fastback coupe – 2-inch longer and with 7-inch shorter wheelbase than the sedan’s, with exclusive doors which dispense B-pillars. After observing the gorgeous two-colored exterior design there’s an impressive cabin, with a combination of handcrafted chrome, leather and wood details – the center parts in the latter item are specially selected in order to form the perfect chevron scheme, such as the pictures show. There’s a s infotainment system in the central console, whose glass knob helps controlling the 10.2-inch high-definition screen to customize functions such as the Spirit of Ecstasy’s position. The coolest feature, though, is the available Starlight headliner, which uses 1,340 fiber-optic points to simulate the night sky. The large hood covers Ghost’s V12 engine with exclusive settings, to give Wraith 624 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque and enable it to go from 0 to 60 mph in 4s4 and to the limited 155-mph top speed, using an eight-speed automatic transmission. The automaker’s quote of “Wraith is no GT bruiser” is reinforced with having all the many electronic systems working to make the ride as pleasant as possible, rather than quick: the Satellite Aided Transmission uses GPS to locate the car and predict the driver’s following moves, in order to always activate the most adequate gear for the moment.
