Motoring

A rock ’n’ roller!

February 3 - 9, 2016
3161 views
Gulf Weekly A rock ’n’ roller!

Gulf Weekly Kristian Harrison
By Kristian Harrison

Rolls-Royce vehicles have a storied history with the contemporary music scene, and in particular they have contributed to the myth and legend of rock ’n’ roll. To celebrate this partnership the company is bringing the Wraith ‘Inspired by Music’ model to the kingdom via distributors Euro Motors.

Since the launch of the Rolls-Royce Wraith in 2013, enthusiasts have been able to commission their Rolls-Royce Wraith with the exhaustively-detailed Bespoke Audio system.

Now, with Wraith ‘Inspired by Music’, these characteristics, and the precious materials used in the Bespoke Audio system, are brought to the fore, which executives say ‘creates the most exclusive music venue that delivers an unrivalled aural experience’.

A Lyrical Copper exterior paint finish is presented with a blend of brushed and polished textures. On the inside of the doors are the re-imagined speaker grilles presented in copper theme, and engraved with the words ‘Bespoke Audio’.

The door panniers and floor mats have been crafted from finely-woven leather to add an additional depth of tactility to the car’s interior cabin. Copper-coloured door inserts, which start at the front of the cabin before tapering at the rear, have been included in the design to emphasise Wraith’s characteristic internal curves.

No detail was spared in the design of the car and its relation to the music industry, both past and present. For example, the chaplets on the clock have been designed and crafted with a combination of warming copper and silver, whilst the radial lines of the outer bezel emulate the look and feel of vinyl records.

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller Ötvös said: “Wraith ‘Inspired by Music’ appeals to those looking to Rolls-Royce for unique and creative motor cars. Its effortlessly cool appearance complements the superior Bespoke Audio system, while the contemporary use of copper creates an atmospheric setting for the most encompassing music system on the market.”

The extraordinary clarity of sound and dynamic range in the model is delivered via a 1300w, 18-channel system comprising two highly powerful bass speakers, seven tweeters and seven mid-range speakers. Two ‘exciter’ speakers hand-fitted in the car’s headlining play a vital role in bringing the sound to the listener at ear-level; ensuring the output perfectly imitates the way music is experienced in a live setting. Microphones constantly monitor ambient and exterior noises and will adjust volume and tone settings automatically to ensure no external agent detracts from the user’s listening pleasure.

Rolls-Royce has been ingrained in rock ’n’ roll culture since January 1961 when Elvis Presley walked into the Beverley Hills Rolls-Royce dealership. Flush with the success of his music career and a five-year movie deal, he ordered a Rolls-Royce Phantom V; the only motor car in the world that he saw could befit his status as the ‘King of Rock ’N’ Roll’. From that day on, with a little help from the iconic photograph of Elvis aside his new model, a Rolls-Royce motor car became the conveyance of choice for the music scene’s burgeoning elite.

Many Rolls-Royce cars have taken their place in automotive and music folklore. John Lennon, for example, acquired a Phantom V in 1965 … for the measly sum of BD3,200 – can you ‘imagine’?

During his ownership he commissioned a number of cutting-edge additions for the time including; a television, portable refrigerator, record player and the first blacked-out windows to appear on a car in England. He was so enamoured with the interior comfort of Phantom that he is reported to have converted the rear bench-seat into a double bed.

However, it is his car’s exterior that ensures its place in the pantheon of famous Rolls-Royces. Not satisfied with the Phantom’s stately Valentines Black finish, he commissioned a Dutch art collective to re-paint the car in a psychedelic motif designed to mirror the decorations on fairground caravans.

* For more information about the Rolls-Royce Wraith ‘Inspired by Music’, visit the showroom in Sitra or call 17750750.







More on Motoring