Wraith Rover

In many instances that could be dismissed as press spiel, hyperbole and froth, but on this occasion every word is apt.

Driving this car is an event, memorable with every turn of the wheel, and not just for those fortunate enough to be inside.

The two-door Wraith stands out in any crowd – even among a gathering of its peers.

A traditional looking front end, gives way to the sweeping lines along its flanks and climaxes with a steeply raked rear windscreen.

The Wraith drives every bit as good as it looks. At 2.3 tonnes you might imagine it to be something of a behemoth, but once your nerves calm it’s amazing how user friendly it is.

All things are relative of course, though I am not sure most real world owners of the Wraith will pop down to Tesco in it or drop their kids off at school as I did.

Under the bonnet is a V12 powerplant that puts out 624bhp and 590lb/ft of torque. That’s enough to waft it from nought to 60mph in 4.4 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155mph.

This is a car that can be and perhaps wants to be driven fast and it’s supremely able in that respect. However, it takes some cojones to put it through its paces on tight and windy roads.

On the inside: Open the huge coach doors and you are met with an interior befitting of some boutique hotels. The luxuriant leather is the first thing you feel followed by the thickness of the lambswool footmats under your feet.

Then your eye catches the Canadel Panelling - the kind that you might see in some Victorian library. Curved around the contours of the door, it is designed to create a mirror image through the centre line of the car.

While the Wraith is up there with the best when it comes to ultra-modern technology it also manages to retain a sense of motoring past. Some manufacturer’s would – and have – made a right pig’s ear of this concept, but the designers at Rolls have managed it to perfection.

The seats a set low, but in order to see over the huge wing mirrors I had to make use of the electronic height adjustment otherwise I would have been taking my life in my hands turning left or right.

What do you get: Much of what you need to use is accessed by a central control system that is both beautifully designed and intuitive to use. It means that it can offer everything the driver wants today, without the in your face vulgarity some modern cars display.

In addition to the standard equipment, our car came with options totalling more than many executive models. There was a driver’s assistance package consisting of high beam assistant, lane departure warning, active cruise with stop and go, head up display and night vision, monogrammed headrests, 21ins polished alloys, Wraith detailing, lambswool footmats, rear privacy glass and perhaps most impressive of all what Rolls calls its Starlight Headliner, but is essentially a roof inlaid with hundreds of tiny lights that looks simply stunning in the dark.

How practical is it: This is a big car, but as I have mentioned earlier it’s far from unwieldy. While you want to avoid tight spaces, getting in and out of car parks is made a lot easier by a great camera system that enables you to look down on the car.

In terms of space, you can really stretch out in the front as you might expect, but even rear seat space is generous. As you might expect of a car of this nature there’s only room for two in the back, but you get all the creature comforts you might normally only expect up front.

In addition, getting in and out is made easy thanks to the coach doors which enable your good lady to retain her modesty. Additionally, the doors can also be closed at the touch of a button negating the need to lean out.

The boot has 470 litres of space which is more than adequate for what would be required of it.

Running costs: The Rolls is not what you would call frugal. Official statistics say it should be possible to get a shade over 20mpg on the combined cycle. We managed a best of around 18mpg. CO2 emissions are 327g/km.

Verdict: Peerless performance and quality.

Alternatives: Bentley Continental GT