Geneva 2013: Rolls Royce-Wraith Revealed

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Published: 5 March 2013

Today we launch the ultimate gentlemen's gran turismo, a car that embodies the spirit of Charles Stewart Rolls, explained an excited Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

The Rolls Royce-Wraith will be priced at £210,600 in Europe, with prices for the UK expected to be similar when it arrives on our shores later this year.

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From zero to 60mph in only 4.4 seconds (0.3 seconds faster than the Ghost), the 624bhp luxury car is the first to incorporate an innovative new technology that will undoubtedly prove useful for a smoother drive: Satellite Aided Transmission. It uses GPS mapping data to anticipate the driver's next move based on location and current driving style, then selects the most appropriate gear for the terrain ahead. Corners, motorway junctions and roundabouts are all anticipated in advance meaning Wraith is constantly poised to deliver on its promise of performance.

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Hand-crafted and well refined, it is a stepping stone to the future of luxurious cars. Mr Muller-Otvos added: "The most powerful Rolls-Royce in history, Wraith promises the sense of adventure and speed that drove our founding forefather. But of course, Wraith's starting point is luxury, refinement and quality, traits that remain as important to Rolls-Royce customers today as they were more than a century ago."

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In profile, Wraith's sweeping fastback design gives the car its unique character. Bold lines, tension in the panels and a raked rear screen evoke the image of a world class athlete poised in the starting blocks. Further expression of dynamic intent can be seen in Wraith's deeply recessed grille, wide rear track and dramatic two-tone presentation.

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Coach doors open to reveal a sumptuous interior complete with softest Phantom-grade leathers and expanses of wood called Canadel Panelling. Named after the famous cove in the South of France where Sir Henry Royce and his design and engineering teams spent their winters, this contemporary and tactile finish sweeps through the interior, cosseting four occupants in a space bathed in light and warmth.

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The interior ambiance is complemented by Starlight Headliner, a bespoke feature available beyond Phantom family cars for the first time. 1,340 fibre optic lamps are hand-woven into the roof lining to give the impression of a glittering, starry night sky.

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Advances in mechanical and electrical technology deliver systems like head-up display, adaptive headlights and Wraith's keyless opening boot. But improvements in connectivity have taken the human-machine interface to a new level of sophistication, a suite of aids that could be likened to a contemporary on-board valet.

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Voice activation commands, for example, come with a one-touch call button located on the steering wheel. A destination no longer requires manual input from a navigation menu and route assistance begins immediately, on-screen and via audio guidance following a voice command such as 'navigate to Piccadilly in London.'

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Additional improvements in communications come in the design and functionality of the elegant Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller. This allows navigation through on-screen functions using a touch pad that features pinch and pull functionality to echo smart phone usage.

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Letters can also be 'drawn' onto the pad by hand rather than by scrolling through a series of available characters on-screen.

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