The Oxford English Dictionary definition Luminary is: 1) A person who inspires or influences others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere. 2) A natural light-giving body, especially the sun or moon - and Rolls-Royce's latest limited edition of the same name fits both.
The Wraith Luminary Collection was unveiled at the firm's home of Goodwood in south-west England in response to an ongoing global demand for Rolls-Royce Collection Cars, Rolls-Royce said. In keeping with the marque's exclsuive reputation, just 55 of these spectacular Wraiths are for sale.
“Wraith Luminary is a stunning Collection Car. It speaks directly of our contemporary Rolls-Royce brand – progressive and trailblazing; the pinnacle in hand-crafted luxury," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "This is a motor car that celebrates visionaries who achieve eminence in their respective fields. Indeed, this collection is for the world’s luminaries.”
The models feature a newly developed exterior paint, Sunburst Grey, which appears a flat grey until it is in sunshine, when rich copper tones become evident.
This month The National reported another first for the luxury car maker. Rolls-Royce has for more than a century been the benchmark for automotive excellence and the company's latest development is testament to its confidence in the range.
"We are doing something very unique right now," said Arno Husselmann, general manager of Abu Dhabi Motors. "Up until now Rolls-Royce had a four-year unlimited mileage service contract – from this month we are now offering a nine-year unlimited mileage service contract, the first in the world, nobody has ever done this before."
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Abu Dhabi Rolls-Royce takes luxury to another level
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Globally, Rolls-Royce announced in January it sold a total of 3,362 cars in 2017 in almost 50 countries, while China sales increased 40 per cent compared to 2016. Although the global sales figure was down on the 4,011 sold in 2016, the firm said that was mainly due to the absence of the Phantom from the market for most of the year. New Phantom was unveiled in July and the company said it has a strong order book.
Rolls-Royce said the Luminary Collection’s defining feature, Tudor Oak wood, sourced from the forests of the Czech Republic and selected for its depth of colour and the density of the grain structure, is for the first time, illuminated.
The light of 176 LEDs permeates through a perforated design in the unique Tudor Oak veneer, allowing a "mesmerising pattern, reminiscent of the trailing light of a shooting star, to luminesce at the touch of a button". Linked to the controls of the starlight headliner, the cabin’s veneer surrounds Wraith’s occupants in an ambient light.
The Rolls-Royce starlight headliner, a handwoven configuration of 1340 fibre optic lights which act as a glittering night sky, in this collection incorporates shooting stars into the constellation; a playful display of light designed to entertain the car’s passengers. Taking nearly 20 hours to configure, eight shooting stars fire at random, predominantly over the front seats.
The application of hand-woven stainless steel fabric, a contemporary and innovative new technique in luxury craft, is appointed to the central transmission tunnel and door panniers. Incorporating strands which are 0.08mm to 0.19mm in diameter, this technical fibre is woven in a pattern oriented at precisely 45 degrees, designed to complement the lines of the interior and provide a uniform appearance throughout the passenger compartment when viewed from either side.
Taking three days to produce in a "clean room" environment, the fabric is manipulated to cloak the centre console, modified from use in an industrial environment, to create a finish that refracts the light of the illuminated panelling in the doors.
As a final touch, the car’s tread plates bear the words: ‘WRAITH LUMINARY COLLECTION – ONE OF FIFTY-FIVE’ engraved in hand-polished stainless steel.
