Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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CARNOISSEUR The Grapes of Wraith R olls-Royce cofounder Sir Henry Royce once said: "Start with the best and make it better. When it does not exist, design it." With that in mind, I arrive with great anticipation to drive the Wraith Coupe 2014 at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars New England in Wayland. There she is, strategically positioned for my road trip to Royal Jewelers in Andover to check out watches. The latest Wraith coupe continues the Rolls-Royce tradition of handcraftsmanship, but it exudes a cutting-edge style; chiseled lines flow from the distinctive grill to the windshield A-pillars, accented by a two-tone paint treatment similar to the RollsRoyce Ghost. The package is completed with the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. The interior is outfitted with the latest technology, including a 10.25inch high-definition dashboard screen controlled by an iDrive-type knob on the center console. It also incorporates a unique touch pad that enables fingertip writing of navigational inputs and detailed views of local maps. By far the most unique feature is the Rolls-Royce signature Starlight Headliner, which embeds 1,340 fiber-optic nodes in the roof; when lit, they replicate the night sky. It's your own personal planetarium. 168 Power is provided by a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V-12 producing 624 horsepower, enabling the Wraith to accelerate to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The latest eight-speed automatic transmission is assisted by an exclusive satellite-aided system that uses GPS data to detect and anticipate upcoming terrain. When approaching hills, for instance, the transmission will hold the vehicle in a lower gear. But back to my adventure: After careful instruction from Paul Downey, the dealership's Rolls-Royce expert, I proceed down Route 20 in virtual silence. Merging onto Route 128 was effortless. I settle into traffic (above the legal speed limit) and fire up Steppenwolf's classic track "Magic Carpet Ride." It is the perfect choice as this car rides like no other due to the Wraith's unique suspension system, which utilizes an electronically variable air system on all four corners. The Wraith and I park in front of Royal Jewelers. We fit right in, I must say. After a great presentation on the latest premium watches, I return to Wayland and reluctantly hand over the keys to this starship—a better man for driving Sir Royce's best. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars New England, 531 Boston Post Road, Wayland, 888-216-0412; herbchambersrollsroyceofnewengland.com BC PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ROLLS-ROYCE THERE'S NO SWEETER RIDE TO CELEBRATE BOSTON'S HOLIDAY SEASON THAN ROLLS-ROYCE'S NEWEST COUPE. BY CRAIG CARLSON BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 168_BC_BOB_Carnoisseur_Holiday_13.indd 168 10/31/13 4:03 PM