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The Rolls-Royce Wraith Launches in Geneva
After months of tantalising, teasing glimpses, Rolls-Royce have finally unveiled their new Wraith model in front of a crowd of thousands at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland.
Reviving the name of the iconic Rolls-Royce produced in the 1930s, the new Wraith is a two-door coupe version of the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and is billed as the British brand’s most powerful model ever.
A 6.6-litre V12 engine produces 624bhp enabling the car to go from 0-60mph in just 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 155mph.
However, Rolls-Royce have been at pains to point out that this enhanced sportiness and power is at no expense of comfort and performance. An eight-speed automatic transmission helps ensure a smooth ride, whilst satellite-aided transmission (SAT) uses GPS data to understand the road conditions ahead, automatically selecting the approapriate gear for the upcoming terrain.
Speaking at the Geneva unveiling, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce, said: “In launching Wraith we present the boldest design, the most dramatic performance and most powerful Rolls-Royce that has ever played host to the famous Spirit of Ecstasy figurine.
“Naturally, the starting point is luxury, refinement and exclusivity, traits that have made Rolls-Royce the world’s pinnacle luxury brand for the last 109 years. But this is also a car defined by a timeless elegance, one that encapsulates a sense of power, style and drama - and just a hint of the noir.
“Our new car will boldly shape the years ahead for Rolls-Royce, building on the success of Ghost, bringing more new customers to the marque. For Wraith is the ultimate gentleman’s gran turismo; it is the car we believe our great founding forefather and adventurer the Honourable Charles Rolls would have chosen to drive were he alive today.”
The car’s interior boasts a mix of leather, wood and hand-milled metals, whilst fiber optic lamps, hand-woven into the roof lining, give occupants the impression they are gazing up at the stars.
European prices for the Wraith are expected to start at €245,000 (£318,000) with the first deliveries slated for Autumn 2013.