Rolls Royce Wraith teased for the final time before Geneva debut – and it’s a fastback!

By Nick Jaynes February 26, 2013

Rolls Royce Wraith teaser

Rolls Royce has been rather stingy with images of its upcoming Wraith model. But it appears the luxury automaker decided one more teaser ahead of the car’s Geneva debut wouldn’t hurt. While the outline above doesn’t give us much insight into the overall look of the Wraith, what we can tell is that it will indeed be a fastback coupe.

If nothing more we’re very excited at this prospect. After all, we were raised on the fastback muscle and pony cars of the late 1960s and early ‘70s. So nothing – to us – says performance and power like that of a hulking fastback.

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At this point, rather than make up some overarching opinion about the high-end English luxury coupe, which we clearly know very little about, we’ll leave it to Rolls Royce design director Giles Taylor, who said in a press blast:

“Inherent in the graceful line that sweeps from the top of the screen to the very rear edge is the promise of fast, yet effortless touring. Yet, perhaps my favorite aspect is the expressive gesture that comes from the side window graphic, gliding through Wraith’s glamorous coach door.

It works with a strong sense of linear purpose from the shoulder line, which has the promise of potential like the athlete in the starting blocks. In contrast, the line that cuts through the shoulder line is a little more artful and adds that certain air of effortlessness to Wraith’s dynamic statement.”

In spite of Taylor’s wooden thoughts on design, we rather agree with him. We think the fastback gives the Wraith an athletic look, which has been missing from the bespoke luxury lineup for sometime. In the 1920s and ‘30s, high-end cars stood apart from their counterparts with distinctive designs, wowing onlookers.

In recent years, however, that hasn’t been the case. Though absolutely striking, Rolls and Bentley haven’t really led the world in luxury design language. The Wraith, we hope, could change all of that.

We’ll be bringing some extensive Geneva coverage next month, make sure to watch for our full coverage of the Wraith when it is unveiled.

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