CLUBHOUSE | DRIVING RANGE
THE DYNAMIC ROLLS
THE NEW WRAITH FROM THE PRESTIGIOUS ENGLISH CARMAKER IS THE MOST POWERFUL MODEL IN THE MARQUE’S ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY, WRITES BEN OLIVER.
SCORECARD How much?
HK$5.9 million
Engine:
6.0-litre twin-turbocharged V12 624bhp
Transmission:
8-speed automatic ZF
Performance:
0-100kph in 4.4secs 250kph (governed)
How heavy? 2,075kgs
A
decade ago this year, BMW gave new life to Rolls-Royce by building describe the most powerful car it has ever made. the famous old English carmaker a new home in the grounds of With 624bhp from its twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre the Earl of March’s Goodwood estate in the Sussex Downs, and by V12 it is titanically fast. I was lucky enough to test engineering the extraordinary Phantom, the first model to emerge at Goodwood in advance of its global media from what can hardly be called a factory. Just as it did with Mini and launch; the ride and the steering feel just a little Range Rover (before the latter passed to Ford, firmer and crisper to suit, but they and then Tata), BMW instinctively understood what made don’t sacrifice any of the Rolls’ famed The Wraith is a this storied old marque great, and incorporated that into an ‘magic carpet ride’. You get enough glorious ‘fastback’ of a sense of the road beneath to feel entirely modern new car. The Phantom was an instant hit, easily eclipsing the Maybach, Mercedes’ attempt at a superconfident deploying all that power, coupe, its deeply luxury saloon, which didn’t survive the global downturn. still enjoy the eerie sense of calm recessed grille and but Rolls-Royce prospered: two-door coupe and drop-head that only a Rolls can really provide. long, flowing tail versions of the Phantom arrived, as did the smaller Ghost. T here’s some impressive The latter really supercharged the marque’s sales, which at far more dynamic technology at work here too. The over 3,500 last year set yet another record. Wraith is the world’s first car to feature than the bigger To celebrate that success and its first 10 years under BMW, a satellite-aided transmission, in which Phantom coupe. Rolls-Royce has gifted itself its third model line. The Wraith is a the gearbox uses GPS data to sense glorious ‘fastback’ coupe, its deeply recessed grille and long, if the car is approaching a bend, and flowing tail far more dynamic than the bigger Phantom coupe. ‘Dynamic’ is the key alter its shift strategy accordingly, perhaps holding word here: Rolls-Royce doesn’t like the term ‘sporty’, so you need another way to a lower gear for longer to save unnecessary 32
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shifting. The effect is subtle but convincing. In a Rolls-Royce technology shouldn’t be ‘apparent’; you’re simply aware that the car feels smarter, calmer and more cooperative. And of course, it is stunning inside and out, finished to a standard no other maker really gets close to. The designers will encourage you to play up the fastback coachwork with a two-tone paint finish, but the marque’s bespoke service allows you to configure your Wraith any way you like, and it is certain that no two will ever be the same. Rolls-Royce is hugely popular in China, and many of the new trim stitchings and veneer finishes reflect that. As with other Rolls-Royces, the Wraith doesn’t really complete with other cars. If they have to make a choice, buyers might be weighing this against another racehorse or home or helicopter. But in this case, there really is no competition; there simply isn’t another car like this on the road. HKGOLFER.COM
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