Automotive

But a new car that will be hitting showrooms shortly will be the new Rolls-Royce WRAITH.  Which I believe, is likely to be built on a platform that is quite similar to the BMW 8er.  Do note, the Rolls-Royce Ghost is built on a chassis that's very similar to the BMW 7-series chassis.   

I will say, the WRAITH looks great in the official press photos.  Here are some of my personal photos at a private Rolls-Royce event in Northern California (that was ironically held at a very public place in full view of the passing public).  

First impressions and Key Points;

1.  It's not as grandiose as the Phantom.  The Phantom really feels and looks like something that's no longer a car (did you know it has two metal floors separating the car from the chassis, most cars have only one) but more like a boat on wheels.  This car is more palatable, a more manageable size.  It's a car, a big one, but not a boat.  The Phantom is a statement car, the WRAITH is something that is more palatable for all.

2.  It has a likable face.  The front fascia isn't overwhelming.  

3.  The two-tone paint scheme does work nicely, but this black/gray is probably not my favorite color.  

4.  The interior star-light roof is novel.  But I really think it's too much.  I'm a very serious person, maybe it's for someone more whimsical.  

5.  This is an early-production car.  The car you specify may be different upon delivery.  

6.  The car in the press-photographs is very impressive, it has wooden door panels.  This is very nice and a modern touch.  This car had leather.  I would specify the wood.  

7.  This car is incredibly high-tech.  There is a Rolls-Royce iDrive system (a la BMW) that has a touch pad that you can pinch to zoom and zoom out like a smartphone.  

8.  Performance will be exceptional.  624 Horsepower.  800 NM of Torque.  This is the fastest Rolls-Royce made yet.  Supposedly.  

9.  The car has a satellite GPS aided transmission.  This means; the GPS navigation system recognizes curves ahead of the car and informs the automatic transmission to downshift to prepare the car for the curve.  This is very unique.  Yes, there are benefits, but I think there are some limitations.  A doctor local to Northern California brought up a good point; the GPS positioning sensor is using Navigation Map data.  Navigation Map data does not have information regarding the turn's road camber.  Something that is very important that would affect how he would set up for the curve.  I personally would want to see if this feature would be able to be disabled.  

10.  One tiny problem with the doors.  The doors being hinged to the rear are quite long and quite thick, thus making them difficult to open when you're parked in a small parking lot.  Don't hit the car parked next to yours.  

To see the official photos, visit the Rolls-Royce website: http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/wraith/  

But here are the live ones...

For those PuristSPro members considering acquiring an expensive luxury grand-touring two-door car to escape the harsh English winters for the milder South of France (or just to drive around in year-round), please stay tuned.  

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