First Drive: 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith – A Driver’s Rolls-Royce? (Review)

Here’s our review the 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith.

2014_Rolls_Royce_Wraith_Review

What do you think of when you hear the name Rolls-Royce? Most of us picture being driven in a big, luxurious over the top sedan with your own driver and a multi-person staff waiting back for you at your mansion in the hills. Rolls-Royce caters to a select group of individuals that most likely have CEO next to their name on their business card, but would this same group of buyers be willing to leave their driver at home and take the wheel? Let’s hope so for Rolls-Royce’s sake…

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith

Rolls-Royce’s newest model, the 2014 Wraith still has certain design elements that we’ve come to expect from the brand, like the “Spirit of Ecstasy” at the base of the hood and the imposing grille. But what’s different is that it only has two doors and a back seat that is no where near as cavernous as the Phantom.

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith

The Wraith is pretty much a coupe version of the Rolls-Royce Ghost. It’s powered by the same 6.6L V12 engine, but it’s more powerful with 624 horsepower and 590 lb-ft. of torque. With that much power under that long hood, the Wraith is the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever to come out of Goodwood. Compared to the Ghost, the Wraith is about five inches shorter. Even though it’s shorter than the Ghost, the Wraith is a large coupe with an overall length that is longer than a Mercedes CL and Continental GT.

Rolls-Royce Wraith

On the road the Wraith drives like a large Grand Tourer. It’s eight speed automatic transmission teams up with the GPS system to make sure the transmission is always in the right gear based on the road’s conditions and its steering requires very little effort. Push the pedal to the floor and you are greeted with instantaneous acceleration that feels effortless and drama free. You won’t hear any crazy sounds coming from under the hood or outback, instead all that you will notice is that within less than five seconds you’ve already passed the posted speed limit on most roads.

2014_Rolls_Royce_Wraith_Review

Everything goes together so easily, that most enthusiasts will probably feel a bit cheated. Where’s the raspy exhaust, the dramatic sounds that we expect from high-performance engines? Not here! The Wraith’s air suspension also works hard to make sure that the road’s imperfections never reach its passengers, but combined with its uber light steering, the overall experience may wish you could feel the road a bit more. The Wraith is the most “driver’s car” in the brand’s lineup, but if a driver’s car is really what you want, then you’ll probably like the Bentley GT better. But then again, a Bentley is not a Rolls-Royce.

Rolls-Royce Wraith

Pros: The most-powerful Rolls-Royce available, imposing styling, sumptuous interior

Cons: Huge exterior, light steering, horrible navigation system

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith
Base Price: $284,900
Price as Tested: $358,000