624 hp Rolls-Royce Wraith is the most powerful ever

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The Rolls-Royce Wraith coupe has finally been unveiled in Geneva after a tiring tirade of teaser shots (here, here, here and here). It’s an elegant fastback based on the Ghost, and it also happens to be the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce ever with 624 hp. Among Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, that is, not counting Rolls-Royce Plc’s aerospace creations – lest we confuse the two.

Based on the Ghost limo and set to battle Bentley’s Continental GT (albeit from a significantly higher price point, as Rolls-Royces always do) the Wraith juggles hallmark Rolls-Royce attributes of luxury, refinement and hand-craftsmanship with new-found sense of power, style and drama.

Styled as a fastback rather than a traditional coupe, the Wraith holds its own in the looks department. The bold lines and sharply raked rear end evokes a sprinter poised in the starting blocks to visualise its athletic prowess.

The deeply recessed grille, wide rear track with aggressive haunches and the two-tone paint scheme – a standard feature – presents a new age of dynamism for the ultra luxury marque.

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There’s enough performance to back up the looks too, the Wraith getting a modified version of the Ghost’s V12 engine with 624 hp and 800 Nm of torque. That’s a healthy increase from the limo’s 571 hp and 780 Nm, making it 0.3 seconds faster to 100 km/h at just 4.6 seconds.

With a shortened wheelbase and suspension tuned to minimise body roll and amplify feedback through corners, the Wraith promises a level of driver involvement beyond that of past Rolls-Royces. The steering wheel is said to weigh up at high speeds to promote spirited driving, which is a large departure from norm for the British brand.

It’s no GT bruiser, however. Rolls-Royce claims to have achieved agility improvements without compromising its famous trait of absolute waftability, the sensation of riding on a bed of air. It just adds a more responsive and dynamic dimension to the company’s much heralded polished and effortless driving experience.

New on the technology front is Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT), a system that uses GPS data to study and anticipate appropriate gearchanges to suit the upcoming road geometry and driving style. Corners, highway junctions and roundabouts are all actively anticipated in advance so the Wraith is constantly poised to react and perform at its best.

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Opening the reverse-hinged suicide doors reveal a sumptuous four-seat cabin with enough Phantom-grade leather and timber to make even Marilyn Manson green with envy. The fibre optic Starlight Headliner, available here for the first time outside Rolls’ Phantom-class vehicles, adds a beautiful noir ambience for the privileged to enjoy.

Mechanical and electrical advancements deliver high-tech gadgetries such as head-up display, adaptive headlights, keyless opening boot and a new sophisticated voice-operated human-machine interface that Rolls-Royce likens to a contemporary on-board valet. The iDrive-like Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller now allows pinch and pull functionality through a touch pad, as well as handwriting recognition to aid on-screen navigation.

The Rolls-Royce Wraith starts at a hefty €245,000 (as near as makes no difference one million Ringgit) in Europe, and first deliveries are scheduled to commence in the final quarter of this year.

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • Alpha on Mar 05, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    Imagine driving this wearing a full classic black suit,a top hat, and cane while spitting at all the other supercars you saw on the road. That’d be a hoot!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Turunkan Harga Kereta on Mar 06, 2013 at 9:32 am

      This car should be banned in Malaysia. It is a wonder, the government taxes the same person who buys this car the same as the poor dude who buys his Proton Saga. Yes, that rich person, whether he has worked hard for his money OR that dirty crony, still pays the same as some poor dude who pays RM38,000 for his Proton Saga or Naza Sutera.

      Still think we have a fair government? Vote wisely.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
  • i saw this in Quill 9, PJ just now.
    white color.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 19
  • Jimmy on Mar 05, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    Many people in Malaysia have the ability to buy this car once in their lifetime yet they will not do so because of various reasons, some don’t see the need.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Expatriate VN on Mar 05, 2013 at 5:55 pm

    Price at RM 1 Million in Europe. Once pass through the door of NAP, the price is well above USD 1 Million in Bolehland! At this price it is still OK for the rich and famous cronies and AP Kings!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 87 Thumb down 3
    • Shut_up on Mar 06, 2013 at 7:22 pm

      At least most of the AP kings and cronies are malay. Its better than seeing the non bumiputra showing off. just stop complaining.. Even if u can buy expensive car..do you even have the money to maintain in using it

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 8
  • The rear is a bit of normal..i prefer if they could design something like Jaguar XJS, Citroen C5….and a slight of a boot… not a fastback..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
  • Black Dog on Mar 05, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    Yeah, powerful enuf to slam onto the pillars in the French tunnels…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Kalun on Mar 05, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    What I will say is that they ruins it. Rolls Royce should’ve been very comfortable and not a rush sort of manner. They stiffen up the suspension make it no more a RR.
    It’s like having “Sport” cruise ship or Sport Balley shoes.
    That’s just non sense

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • TC Boy RSS on Mar 05, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    disagree.

    the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever is
    RR Phantom Coupe 9.0L V16 engine with over 850hp.

    the driver is Rowan Atkinson. no joke.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kereta lembu on Mar 06, 2013 at 8:36 am

    After all the hype and teasers, to be honest, I’m not blown away with the design. Its practically a RR Ghost with 2 doors. Its every bit a Rolls Royce but nothing spectacular, sorry!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • tkling on Mar 07, 2013 at 12:33 am

      RR is RR, how you expect them to change the styling? Its just classic…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • jolly_idiot on Mar 06, 2013 at 9:41 am

    With all those muscle. I wonder will the apek driver drive this car like a loco?

    Come on la. Muscle is great but its under use for the buyers on this car segment.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • niterunner99 on Mar 06, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    Agree with all Bros comments…how i wish there’s 1 of these for us here to try out 1 round in a carpark!
    i’m very sure i can’t afford it!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • tkling on Mar 07, 2013 at 12:31 am

    Well, looks like sail the luxury motor yacht on the road! It is about the feeling….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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