- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
6.6TT, 12 cyl.
- Engine Power
465kW, 800Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 14L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
4 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Rolls-Royce Wraith quick spin review
Price: From $645,000 plus on-road and dealer costs.
Vitals: 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12, 465kW/800Nm, eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, 14.0L/100km, RWD.
What is it?
A fastback coupe based on the Rolls-Royce Ghost, making it the sportiest model in the British brand's expanded line-up.
What it isn't
A genuine sports car. While it is the fastest and most powerful car ever guided by the Spirit of Esctacy, it is still an oversized, over-the-top and hugely opulent limousine at its core.
What does it say about me?
That you have enough money to enjoy the finer things in life, and aren't quite willing to give up driving duties just yet.
What doesn't it say about me?
That you also have a 'real' sportscar – or three - for those times when you need to blow the cobwebs out of the system.
Who else is buying it?
It's a pretty exclusive club that can, firstly, afford to drop $750k-odd on a car and, secondly, an even more elite group of fat cats that would be attracted to the Wraith.
What colours does it come in?
The Wraith has been designed with a two-tone paintjob in mind and there are myriad of choices available. In typical Rolls style though, Sir can have his Wraith created in any hue he desires – so the possibilities are endless.
If it were a celebrity, who would it be?
Sir Stirling Moss; thoroughly British, and one who possesses both an old-world charm and a youthful exuberance that belies his age.
Why would I buy it?
Because there is no other car that makes you feel like you've really made it than a Rolls-Royce. It is also utterly opulent and supremely sumptuous yet lifts its nose and launches like an off-shore speed boat when you unleash its twin-turbo V12.
Best bits?
The attention to detail is staggering. While it borrows a lot of hardware from the BMW 7-Series, everything in the Wraith in bespoke – all the way down to the font in the heads-up display. Then, there's the automatic closing suicide doors, the LED Starlight headliner, the cosetting seats…the list is endless.
Worst bits?
With a kerb weight of just under 2.5-tonnes and a 12.7m turning circle, you could hardly call the Wraith an agile sports coupe.
Will it let me down?
Considering its well-proven – and Teutonic – underpinnings, it's extremely unlikely to succumb to any immediate mechanical issues. And the craftsmanship of its interior is second-to-none, so it hardly feels as though it will fall apart anytime in the next century.
Does it cost too much?
If you look at the Wraith as simply a machine to get you from A to B, then yes…it's hugely expensive. But it is also the closest you can come to driving a piece of automotive art. Besides, if you can afford it then the price is irrelevant.
Will I get a deal?
You may be able to negotiate on the few demonstrator models that have been used to tempt new owners since the Wraith arrived in Australia in July. But if Sir wants to tailor his Wraith to his own requirements, then probably not.
Will it get me noticed?
Considering you don't see a Rolls-Royce on every street corner, then it's a certainty. That the Wraith's fastback body style is even more unique cements its head-turning ability.
Does it go?
With 465kW and 800Nm, its twin-turbo V12 is capable of slingshotting the Wraith from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds – making it the fastest Rolls-Royce ever. While that isn't as quick as other hi-po, high-end coupes, such as the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe or Bentley Continental GT Speed, the combination of its effortless wave of torque and seamless eight-speed auto is so super smooth and whisper quiet that it feels more like a power generator rather than a conventional combustion engine resides under the bonnet.
Does it like corners?
It hangs on pretty well for such a big car, but it's hardly a sports car. The steering is light and there's plenty of lock, meaning lots of wheel work is required to manoeuvre it through the bends. And the brakes take a bit of effort to pull it up too. The reality is the Wraith is more suited to gentle cruising than corner carving.
What about bumps?
What, are there bumps in the road? If there are, you certainly don't feel many of them in the Wraith as the air suspension helps it float over any irregularities. If anything, the plush settings take a second to regain control of the huge – and heavy – 21-inch wheels over large bumps. But otherwise, it is supremely comfortable.
How's the stereo system?
You know it's going to be good when it doesn't even need – or have – a brand name on it. The 18-speaker system has been created and tuned specifically for the Wraith, and offers beautiful, rich tones and crisp clarity over the entire volume range.
What about service stations?
Unless you drive it out to the country estate often, it's not a cheap to run with a claimed urban consumption of 21.2L/100km. If you do, then its average drops down to 14.0L/100km. But, honestly, if you can afford a Rolls-Royce the price of filling it up is hardly a deal breaker.
Would you buy one?
If it was my one and only car, then probably not as I'd want something that was sportier. But if I already had that covered – and had the cash – then there's nothing that comes close to the opulence, comfort and wow factor offered by the Wraith.
What else should I consider?
There are very few coupe-style rivals for the Wraith, with the previously mentioned Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe and Bentley Continental GT Speed the most natural alternatives.
The spin
"In launching the 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."
The translation
Like every other brand, we're stretching Rolls-Royce into new dimensions with enough superlatives to justify its point of difference.