Growing up in humble beginnings on a West London council estate, it was almost impossible to envision a life where I would be invited to drive arguably the greatest car ever made around a world-class racetrack. Fortuitously, I have ended up doing just that.
Euro Motors, the dealer of Rolls Royce in the kingdom, invited me down to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) to put the new Wraith to the test. They say that reality seldom lives up to expectation but whoever ‘they’ are, they’ve clearly never driven a Rolls Royce Wraith. Wraith is built around a steel monocoque body, which means there is no separation of chassis and body. This technique means there is a reduction in exterior dimensions whilst maximising interior space. A wider rear track, longer bonnet and deeply-recessed pantheon grille, come together seamlessly to deliver a car with its own unique character. However, thankfully, it is still instantly recognisable as a ‘Roller’. Make no mistake, this is a model that exudes grace and beauty both inside and out. The coach doors open to present an inviting interior, which, its makers say, screams comfort and modernity. Additional ambient lighting comes on request – courtesy of reading lights above C-pillars and waterfall roof lights. Black chrome dials are framed by a black horseshoe sweep. Blood orange tips to gauge indicators pay homage to the marque’s aviation heritage and the steering-wheel boasts a thicker rim. A new touch is the new Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller, which presents a touch pad (rather than a touch screen which might leave unsightly fingerprints at driver and passenger eye level), with the ability to ‘write’ characters by finger, as well as the ability to scroll through function menus by turning the chrome dial and pressing down to select its functions. However, as impressive as it looks, it’s how it drives that matters most and, make no mistake about it, this is not a chauffeur’s car … this is a driver’s car. Under the bonnet is a 6.6-litre V12 engine that features direct petrol injection to maximise efficiency and reduce emissions. It makes the dash from 0-100kmph in 4.6 seconds, which is staggering considering the weight and size of this sleek gran turismo. As I took to the race track amongst a convey of gleaming Rollers, I navigated the twists and turns with relative ease, which really impressed me because due to the size and weight of Rolls Royce in the past, occasional critics dared suggest it sometimes felt more like driving a boat than a car, especially while cornering. However, the responsive steering on the Wraith makes things much easier. Admittedly, it still won’t handle like the winning F1 car driven by Lewis Hamilton, but it took the twists and turns at the BIC with conviction at speed. There is a feeling of shock and awe when you put your foot down. Not only is the power immediate and visceral, it is silky smooth. For the petrolheads, there is a combination of double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, which work with an intelligent, four-cornered, air-suspension system and electronic variable damping. For the housewives, this simply means it maintain its hallmark ‘magic carpet ride’ which makes you feel as though you’re gliding rather than driving. When you’re pushing the speed limit in this car, which is very easy to do, it’s comforting to know there are a plethora of safety features. The Advanced Crash Management system (ACSM) for example, utilises sensors placed around the car to make 2,000 measurements per second. This data ensures the car deploys the correct safety features in the event of an accident. Fortunately for me, I wasn’t involved in a prang, but I did break a little late at one corner, which was more embarrassing than unsafe. Luckily, the car was so nimble I managed to recover quickly and was soon back on track. All-in-all, a beautiful day out with a beautiful car … I could get used to it. For details, call Euro Motors on 17750750.
