A lot has changed since the first Rolls-Royce Wraith chassis rolled out of the Derby factory in 1938; not least, that this most British of institutions is now owned and operated by German manufacturer BMW.
But much has stayed the same and, while 75 years separate the two models’ launches, the Wraith name stands for quality, opulence and engineering excellence as much now as it ever did.
Hailed as the firm’s most dynamic model to date, the Wraith has an air of the sporting about it thanks to a striking fastback rear that screams ‘high-speed express’ – though without straying too far from the Ghost platform on which it is based.
The roofline sits 50mm lower than the four-door, while the wheelbase is shortened and the rear track widened.
The result is sleek and muscular, though still demolishes the scales at 2.5 tonnes.
Two-door Royces have always stood out and the Wraith is no exception, with two vast rear-hinged doors that self-close at the push of a dash-mounted button – as entertaining when at the supermarket as at a red-carpet premiere.
