Resurrected automobile god of elegance
Wraith is an old Scottish word meaning ‘ghost’ or ‘spirit’. This name was given to the 1938 Rolls-Royce, which existed for only one year. No less than 75 years have passed, and now the new owners of the company, while developing a new model, probably leafing through old photos in search of inspiration, came across the old Wraith and fell in love with it. Maybe it was not quite like that or not at all like that, but one way or another, the company decided to revive the Rolls-Royce Wraith and make it as charismatic as the original model.
Old Wraith
The 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith is an incredibly beautiful car. It is customary to say something good about old cars, noting how beautiful, how legendary they are and all that. But in most cases, to be honest, it’s just a tradition. In fact, we look and think: “Lord, what kind of cuttlefish, how could one drive such a thing?” Well, this does not apply to the 1938 Wright. This is really one of those rare old cars that really deserve fascination. This is truly a very beautiful, harmonious, balanced and sophisticated car. By the way, rare Wraith models are still in use and receive commendable reviews, which describe this model as a solid, truly luxury car with a huge ergonomic interior and excellent driving characteristics.
It would be interesting if the automaker had decided to release this particular car without changing it too much… Such an idea would not be strange. The 1938 Wraith would find its buyers who, despite its outdated technical parameters, could choose this sedan for its magical elegance. The old Wraith has no exterior flaws.
The 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith is really very beautiful, harmonious, balanced and sophisticated car.
From a technical point of view, the 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith was a typical luxury touring car of its time. It was powered by a 4,257 cc inline 6-cylinder engine with 50 hp, approximately like the 3 generation Phantom. It had an independent front suspension with coil springs and semi-elliptical leaf springs on the rear axle. The Wraith was capable of developing a top speed of 140 km/h.
The first period of existence was ended by the Second World War. The Wraith production officially ceased in 1939. But back in 1940, the company kept on delivering these cars. Some cars even took part in battles. The last Rolls-Royce Wraith of 1938 found its owner back in 1947.
New Wraith
Being part of BMW, Rolls-Royce launched the new Wraith in 2013 and unveiled it at the Geneva Motor Show, where the Wraith was in the spotlight throughout the event as the supernatural king of the show. The old Wraith became an ideological model, which passed its tourist format and inimitable charisma to the new Wraith. The new model, built on the BMW F01 platform, was equipped with a 12-cylinder engine with of 623 hp, accompanied by an 8-speed automatic transmission. The car’s speed and power capabilities could be called impressive, but not terrific. But the interior design and luxury were truly unrivaled.
The new 2013 Rolls-Royce Wraith and the old 1938 Wraith are clear and direct relatives. The new Wraith is clearly reminiscent of the 1938 sedan with the same hood color and the graceful rear end. Moreover, the designers have introduced elements of aggressive, dashing convertibles of the 50-60s into the two-door body. The influence of American muscle cars is also noticeable, with their typical shift of the front of the cockpit closer to the center of the chassis. The radiator grille glittered in silver, and the retractable silver Spirit of Extasy sculpture made it clear that this fastback was not meant for a mere mortal.
The old Wraith passed its tourist format and inimitable charisma to the new Wraith.
The interior wood-paneled panels hid an infotainment system borrowed from the BMW 7 Series. The doors were huge, but they could be closed literally with the touch of a finger. The dashboard featured three large dials, without a tachometer. Instead, there was an old dial that showed the engine power reserve.
In 2016, the Wraith was restyled. The sedan has become even sportier, finally settling in its role as an ultra-luxury touring car for those who love to be in charge. The speed qualities of such a huge sedan are simply excellent: it can develop 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The suspension has become more rigid, and the 8-speed automatic transmission has acquired an uncanny ability to predict traffic conditions and choose the optimal gear. The interior is finished with natural leather and wood veneer. There are heated and ventilated massage seats, a great 18-speaker sound system and all modern luxury and safety options and features, divided in three groups, as one or two simply could not fit them all…
With such an interesting background, the Wraith has practically no competitors. In terms of luxury, only another Rolls-Royce can compete with it, but the Phantom has a higher status. If the buyer is ‘poor’ and is not yet able to save up for a new Wraith, a standard alternative choice would be the Bentley Continental GT or even the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe.
