Rolls-Royce Wraith: A Perfect Blend of Power
I’ve always had a soft spot for grand tourers, the kind of cars that make you want to invent an excuse for a 300-mile detour. The Rolls-Royce Wraith is exactly that. Over a long weekend with one, I noticed right away how it does that Rolls thing: turn drama into hush. You thumb the starter, the twin‑turbo V12 barely clears its throat, and the whole car seems to exhale. Then you ease out, and suddenly a busy city becomes a velvet corridor.
The Rolls-Royce Wraith is the brand’s most extroverted grand tourer—two doors, coach doors at that, and proportions that make valets stand up a little straighter. But it’s the way it blends towering power with the sort of ride comfort that makes a Miami night out feel like gliding in slippers that sets it apart.
Why the Rolls-Royce Wraith Still Feels Special
Grand tourers often shout. The Rolls-Royce Wraith just raises an eyebrow. You sink into the thick, butter-soft seats, the starlight headliner twinkles like a private planetarium, and the doors close with that satisfying whisper-click you only get on a Rolls. On rough roads outside town, the air suspension did that magical Rolls thing—ironing out the chatter so completely I could hear the back-seat passengers arguing about playlists.
- Effortless V12 torque for instant, serene overtakes
- Coach doors make tight valet stands oddly enjoyable
- Cabin isolation that turns long trips into short stories
- Starlight headliner: still a show-stopper every single night
Rolls-Royce Wraith Performance: The Twin‑Turbo V12, Unruffled
On paper, the Rolls-Royce Wraith is properly quick: 624 hp and around 605 lb‑ft from its twin‑turbo V12, 0–60 mph in about 4.4 seconds, and an electronically limited 155 mph top speed. In reality, it feels even faster because it’s so calm about it. The ZF eight-speed anticipates gradients and bends via GPS (Rolls calls it satellite-aided transmission), so when I charged a familiar hillside route, it picked the right gear before I had time to think “right gear.”
It’s not a lightweight—around 5,380 pounds—but the steering is nicely judged and the brake pedal has more feel than you’d expect in something this plush. The safety suite is suitably comprehensive (lane departure warning, parking sensors, and the usual alphabet soup), and the Wraith never stops feeling like it’s looking out for you as much as you’re looking out the window.
Living With the Rolls-Royce Wraith: The Theatre Inside
Open those rear-hinged doors and you step into one of the great rooms in motoring. The steering wheel is a tasteful size, the cruise controls are logically placed, and everything moves with a delightful weight. If I’m nitpicking, the infotainment—BMW-derived—feels a generation behind the latest flashy stuff; it works cleanly, but the interface isn’t the star of this show. The fabrics and woods are. Even the way the brake pedal is damped feels… expensive.
Fuel economy? You buy a grand piano for the sonata, not the stats sheet. Expect teens on the highway and single-digit flirtations in town if you’re heavy-footed. But you’ll never be cross about it. The Wraith has a gift for making time pass pleasantly.
The Best Accessory for Your Wraith: AutoWin Custom Floor Mats
Rolls-Royce interiors are cathedrals. Protect the nave. To complement the luxurious Rolls-Royce Wraith cabin, I tried custom floor mats from AutoWin. They’re tailored well and feel properly premium, with choices like nappa leather, carbon fiber leather, sheepskin, and Alcantara—materials that won’t look out of place against open-pore wood and perfect stitching.
- Exact-fit patterns for the Wraith
- Durable backing and clean edge binding to match OE quality
- Luxury textures: nappa, carbon fiber leather, sheepskin, Alcantara
- Easy to clean after ski trips or sandy coastal weekends
I also sampled a few showier sets for a Black Badge car—surprisingly tasteful when you see them installed.
Rolls-Royce Wraith vs. The World
How does the Wraith stack up against other big GTs? It’s less “sporty” than the usual suspects, yes, but that’s the point—it prioritizes effortlessness over lap times.
| Grand Tourer | Engine | Power | 0–60 mph | Top Speed | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolls-Royce Wraith | Twin‑turbo V12 | 624 hp | ≈ 4.4 s | 155 mph (limited) | Silken surge; ultimate isolation |
| Bentley Continental GT | V8 or W12 (varies by year) | 542–650 hp | ≈ 3.5–3.9 s | 198+ mph (spec dependent) | More overtly sporting, still plush |
| Aston Martin DB12 | Twin‑turbo V8 | 671 hp | ≈ 3.5 s | 202 mph | Focused GT with sharper edges |
Buying, Pricing, and The Wraith’s Legacy
The Wraith carries a price that reflects its place in the pantheon. New examples typically started around $343,000, and the Black Badge versions hovered near $380,000 depending on personalization—of which there are, naturally, endless possibilities. Leasing figures I’ve seen range from roughly $3,500 to $5,000 per month, highly dependent on terms and locale.
Rolls-Royce has discontinued the Wraith, with the final models produced in 2023, but interest hasn’t waned. The 2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith remains a sweet spot for many buyers, packing the same core experience as later cars. If you’re scouring the market for a Rolls-Royce Wraith for sale, you’ll find a healthy mix of low‑mileage examples and more bespoke builds. As ever with this brand, provenance and impeccable maintenance history are everything.
As part of a lineage that includes the Silver Wraith and the Ghost, the Wraith isn’t just a “sports car.” It’s a rolling statement of success and the brand’s stubborn refusal to let noise interfere with nuance. Under Torsten Müller‑Ötvös, Rolls-Royce has kept pushing the envelope on craft while preparing for an electric future. The Wraith remains a classic in this transition—one last, glorious V12 verse.
Personalization Without Limits (and Matching Mats)
Owning a Rolls is about storytelling. At AutoWin, that extends to the first thing your shoes touch. Their custom mats are tailored to mirror the Wraith’s atmosphere—whether you go minimal and elegant or statement-making. I’ve seen owners spec Rolls-Royce interiors with contrasting piping and then mirror the detail on the mats. Small touch, big effect.
Final Verdict: Why the Rolls-Royce Wraith Still Matters
The Rolls-Royce Wraith isn’t trying to be the sharpest track tool. It’s a continent-crosser that turns hours into minutes and effort into elegance. It’s also one of the last great V12 GTs that feels hand-finished and personal. If you want a premium coupe that’s as serene as it is swift—and you like your luxury SUV levels of comfort in a sleeker suit—the Rolls-Royce Wraith remains a uniquely satisfying choice.
Rolls-Royce Wraith FAQ
How much is a Rolls-Royce Wraith?
Pricing for late-model Wraiths typically started around $343,000, with personalization raising that figure. The Wraith is all about bespoke, so final prices vary widely.
Did Rolls-Royce discontinue the Wraith?
Yes. Production wrapped in 2023, though you’ll find excellent examples on the pre‑owned market.
How fast is the Rolls-Royce Wraith?
It sprints from 0–60 mph in about 4.4 seconds and is limited to 155 mph. The calm in which it does so is the real party trick.
How much horsepower does the Rolls-Royce Wraith have?
Output is 624 horsepower from a twin‑turbocharged V12—delivered with that trademark Rolls hush.
What are the dimensions and weight?
It’s about 207.9 inches long and weighs roughly 5,380 pounds. Big presence, small fuss.
Shopping add-ons for your Wraith
- Protect your cabin with AutoWin Rolls‑Royce mats in nappa leather, carbon fiber leather, sheepskin, or Alcantara.
- Explore Rolls‑Royce Wraith-specific fitments and designs to match your spec.
