SimplyAbuDhabi IX

I n the process, we managed to catch up with Mr Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls- Royce Motor Cars CEO to see what he had to say: “I am delighted to unveil a new Rolls-Royce model that promises to draw superlatives from its audience. 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. And I can assure you that performance delivers on the promise of this dramatic exterior styling, while of course remaining steeped in hallmark luxury, refinement and exclusivity. The Wraith will boldly shape the years ahead for Rolls-Royce, building on the success of the Ghost, bringing more new customers to the marque. For the Wraith is the ultimate grand tourismo; 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.” Power, style, drama In its design, Rolls-Royce Wraith presents a masterpiece of elegant simplicity, exuding poise and the promise of dynamism. There is a sense that this car is ready to move on its driver’s command - quickly if necessary. Grace and beauty define the exterior presentation. The swept lines of the fastback, a style whose origins can be found in 1930s automotive design, most clearly signal its purposeful character, one which hints gently at the noir. Performance complements the drama of exterior styling. A shorter wheelbase, wider rear track, 624 bhp / 465kW derived from the twin turbo V12 and a 0-62 time of around 4.6 seconds give expression to the car’s dynamic looks. But Wraith is no GT bruiser; it is every inch a refined and luxurious Rolls-Royce, a car where the sense of arrival and joy of the journey are as important as the canvass upon which it is drawn. Effortless performance, luxurious interior Wraith debuts the most intelligent drive train ever to feature in a Rolls-Royce, including the application of ground-breaking technologies like Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT). This processes GPS data to predict the driver’s next move and automatically select the right gear for the road ahead. Unnecessary gear changes are thus avoided, augmenting the famous Rolls-Royce trait of waftability and ensuringWraith is constantly poised to deliver on its dynamic promise. Following a sweeping bend, for example, the right gear is always available for effortless acceleration. Complementing Satellite Aided Transmission, Wraith’s further dynamic enhancements include a more direct steering response to aid precision in corners, as well as more dynamic spring and damper settings. Step inside Wraith’s coach doors and there is the feeling of going aboard a luxury yacht. It is a serene space for four occupants, who will be cocooned in a striking and contemporary interior furnished in beautiful materials, surrounded by tactile Phantom-grade leathers. Design details like the open-pore Canadel Panelling and blood orange needle tips for speedometer and power reserve gauge hint further at agility, speed and performance. Look upwards however, and Rolls-Royce presents something more traditional – at least for the 21st century. Starlight headliner - offered for the first time beyond the Phantom range – features thousands of tiny fibre optics hand- woven by craftspeople into the roof lining. It remains one of the company’s most endearing and popular features. The Hon. Charles Rolls Wraith is a model that draws parallels with the story of founding forefather Hon. Charles Rolls. For like the pioneering Rolls, this car pushes boundaries, taking Rolls-Royce further than it has gone before, challenging then delivering on the promise of speed and adventure. In a similar vein, this car also embraces the very finest things in life, the elegance and refinement enjoyed by a new generation of confident gentlemen and women. It will establish a reputation as the ultimate gentleman’s grand tourismo - the car Charles Rolls would have chosen to drive fromParis toMadridwere he alive today. Or fromNew York to Washington. Or from Shanghai to Beijing. Or from ........ Design “ The purposeful fastback profile is Wraith’s defining element. Inherent in this graceful line that sweeps from the top of the screen to the very rear edge, is the promise of fast, yet effortless touring .” Giles Taylor, Design Director Like a world-class sprinter poised at the starting blocks, Wraith presents a picture of anticipation and quickens the pulse when viewed for the first time. Without