Which Rolls-Royce Wraith Version Should You Buy?
The Rolls-Royce Wraith data presents two very different choices. The 1938–1939 first-generation Sedan offers the 4.3 MT with a naturally aspirated Inline 6, 115 hp, and a 4-speed Manual gearbox.
The Rolls-Royce Wraith data presents two very different choices. The 1938–1939 first-generation Sedan offers the 4.3 MT with a naturally aspirated Inline 6, 115 hp, and a 4-speed Manual gearbox. The 2013–2022 second-generation Wraith is the performance-focused choice: its 6.6 AT versions are Coupe or Coupe Hardtop models with a Turbo V-shaped 12-cylinder engine, 624–632 hp, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox, and RWD. No price or sale data is supplied, so the comparison below explains what each version provides technically—not what it costs.
Rolls-Royce Wraith generations: what changed?
The first generation, produced from 1938 to 1939, is represented by one Sedan version, the 4.3 MT. Its 4,257 cc Gasoline engine produces 115 hp at 4,400 rpm. The engine is front-mounted longitudinally, uses a Carburetor, has an Inline cylinder layout, 6 cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder, and No boost. Power density is approximately 27.0 hp per litre. Drive goes to the rear wheels through a 4-speed Manual gearbox.
The second generation ran from 2013 to 2015 as a Coupe and includes two database entries named 6.6 AT, both producing 632 hp at 5,600 rpm. To distinguish them accurately, this article identifies them as the 6.6 AT (632 hp, 870 Nm) and 6.6 AT (632 hp, 800 Nm). Both use a 6,592 cc Gasoline engine with a V-shaped layout, 12 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, Turbo boost, Direct injection (direct), and a front, longitudinal installation. Each combines an 8-speed Automatic gearbox with RWD.
The second-generation restyling ran from 2016 to 2022 and changed the body description to Coupe Hardtop. Its single 6.6 AT produces 624 hp at 5,600 rpm and 800 Nm at 5,500 rpm. The underlying specification remains a 6,592 cc Gasoline, Turbo, V-shaped 12-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder, Direct injection (direct), an 8-speed Automatic gearbox, and RWD. Compared with either earlier 632 hp version, the restyled car has 8 hp less and weighs 60 kg more.
Rolls-Royce Wraith engine and specs
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938–1939, 4.3 MT | 115 hp | not measured | 4,257 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| 2013–2015, 6.6 AT (632 hp, 870 Nm) | 632 hp | 870 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2013–2015, 6.6 AT (632 hp, 800 Nm) | 632 hp | 800 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2016–2022 restyling, 6.6 AT | 624 hp | 800 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
For engine output, the strongest numerical case belongs to the 2013–2015 6.6 AT (632 hp, 870 Nm). It matches the other early 6.6 AT on power but supplies 70 Nm more torque. Both early versions produce approximately 95.9 hp per litre, while the restyled 624 hp 6.6 AT produces approximately 94.7 hp per litre. The 4.3 MT produces approximately 27.0 hp per litre.
The data does not identify a Black Badge version. It also does not include a 2023 or 2026 Wraith specification, so those model years cannot be compared here.
Rolls-Royce Wraith performance and fuel economy
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938–1939, 4.3 MT | not measured | 137 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2013–2015, 6.6 AT (632 hp, 870 Nm) | 4.5 sec | 250 km/h | 22.2 L/100 km | 10.1 L/100 km | 14.6 L/100 km | 333 g/km |
| 2013–2015, 6.6 AT (632 hp, 800 Nm) | 4.6 sec | 250 km/h | 21.2 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km | 14.0 L/100 km | not measured |
| 2016–2022 restyling, 6.6 AT | 4.6 sec | 250 km/h | 23.0 L/100 km | 12.1 L/100 km | 16.0 L/100 km | 365 g/km |
For outright acceleration, choose the 2013–2015 6.6 AT (632 hp, 870 Nm). Its 4.5-second 0–100 km/h result is 0.1 second quicker than both the 800 Nm early car and the restyled version. All three modern versions have the same 250 km/h top speed.
For recorded fuel economy, the 2013–2015 6.6 AT (632 hp, 800 Nm) is the better choice. Its 14.0 L/100 km combined figure is 0.6 L/100 km lower than the 870 Nm version and 2.0 L/100 km lower than the restyled 6.6 AT. It also records the lowest city figure at 21.2 L/100 km and the lowest highway figure at 9.8 L/100 km.
The restyled 6.6 AT has the highest recorded consumption: 23.0 L/100 km in the city, 12.1 L/100 km on the highway, and 16.0 L/100 km combined. Its recorded CO₂ output of 365 g/km is 32 g/km above the 333 g/km figure for the 870 Nm early version. CO₂ for the other 632 hp version is not measured.
Rolls-Royce Wraith dimensions, weight, wheels, and tank
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938–1939, 4.3 MT | 1,900 kg | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2013–2015, 6.6 AT (632 hp, 870 Nm) | 2,360 kg | not measured | 135 mm | 82 L | 255/50 R21; 285/45 R21 |
| 2013–2015, 6.6 AT (632 hp, 800 Nm) | 2,360 kg | not measured | 135 mm | 82 L | 255/50 R21; 285/45 R21 |
| 2016–2022 restyling, 6.6 AT | 2,420 kg | 2,458 kg | 135 mm | not measured | 255/50 R21; 285/45 R21 |
The two 2013–2015 versions share a 2,360 kg kerb weight and an 82 L tank. At approximately 3.73 kg per hp, they also have the best weight-to-power result in the supplied data. The restyled 6.6 AT weighs 2,420 kg, giving approximately 3.88 kg per hp. The 4.3 MT weighs 1,900 kg but has approximately 16.52 kg per hp.
Ground clearance does not separate the modern choices: every second-generation version has 135 mm. Their listed wheel sizes are also identical at 255/50 R21 and 285/45 R21. Gross weight is measured only for the restyled 6.6 AT, at 2,458 kg.
Suspension and brakes
The 1938–1939 4.3 MT uses Independent, spring front suspension and Dependent, leaf spring rear suspension. Its front and rear brakes are Drum.
The 2013–2015 6.6 AT (632 hp, 870 Nm) has Independent, pneumatic suspension at both ends and Ventilated disc front and rear brakes. The 2013–2015 6.6 AT (632 hp, 800 Nm) lists Independent, pneumatic front suspension, while its rear suspension is not measured; its brakes are Ventilated disc at both ends. The restyled 6.6 AT has Independent, pneumatic front and rear suspension plus Ventilated disc front and rear brakes.
Which Rolls-Royce Wraith version should you choose?
Choose the 2013–2015 6.6 AT (632 hp, 870 Nm) if maximum supplied performance is the priority. It has the highest torque, matches the highest power at 632 hp, and records the quickest 0–100 km/h time at 4.5 seconds. Its trade-off against the other 632 hp car is 0.6 L/100 km higher combined consumption.
Choose the 2013–2015 6.6 AT (632 hp, 800 Nm) if you want the strongest balance of performance and recorded economy. It retains 632 hp and a 250 km/h top speed, takes 4.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h, and has the lowest combined consumption at 14.0 L/100 km. Its torque is 70 Nm below the 870 Nm version.
Choose the 2016–2022 restyled 6.6 AT if the later Coupe Hardtop production period matters most. Numerically, however, it does not improve on the earlier cars in power, acceleration, weight, or consumption: it has 624 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, weighs 2,420 kg, and consumes 16.0 L/100 km combined. What any additional purchase price buys cannot be assessed because price data is not provided.
Choose the 1938–1939 4.3 MT only when the first-generation Sedan format and its mechanical specification are the objective. Its 115 hp 4.3 MT, 4-speed Manual gearbox, naturally aspirated Inline 6, Drum brakes, and 137 km/h top speed make it fundamentally different from every modern 6.6 AT. Its acceleration and fuel-consumption figures are not measured, so it cannot be compared with the later cars on those criteria.