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Rolls-Royce celebrates History of Rugby with special Wraith

With its latest special edition, Rolls-Royce celebrates the history of rugby – not only the game, but also the English school where the game got its start. The unique vehicle was created by the company's Bespoke customization division. It gets its start as the Wraith fastback coupe, but applies a number of unique details that ought to make Anglophiles and fans of the game alike swoon. To set this Wraith apart, the Bespoke team gave it a white paintjob to evoke the team jerseys of the Rugby School in Warwickshire, where William Webb Ellis laid down the foundations of the game in 1823. The special edition also features a green coachline, with a red rose that adorns the school's crest and was – according to legend – borrowed (with permission) from the emblem of Queen Elizabeth I. A unique set of 21-inch split-five-spoke alloys complete the exterior treatment, while the interior has been adorned with off-white leather complimented by navy and red trim, piano black veneer, and an English rose motif. The automaker even partnered with legendary rugby-ball manufacturer Gilbert to create a small run of balls out of the same leather that trims the interior, and embroidered by Rolls-Royce's own craftsmen. Of course not everyone – even those who can afford a Rolls-Royce – will be taken with this particular example. But like other specials from Goodwood, the extent of the customization goes to show what customers can expect when ordering their own. Related Video: ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS UNVEILS BESPOKE 'WRAITH' – HISTORY OF RUGBY' When the established rules become a constraint to creativity, it takes individuals of vision to carry the game forward. It was this spirit of individuality that has inspired the creation of two Great British institutions – Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the game of rugby. Celebrating the illustrious history of the latter, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is delighted to introduce the Rolls-Royce 'Wraith – History of Rugby', a unique creation from the company's Bespoke Design Studio in Goodwood, England. Usually tasked with reflecting the individual taste and lifestyle of a bold new generation of customer, Rolls-Royce's Bespoke team has drawn inspiration from the rich history of the quintessentially English sport to create a unique car.

Lunaz electrifying classic cars with coachbuilt, millimeter precision

One day last year, as David Lorenz waited by the side of the road for repair help with his classic car, he had an idea: Why not update all of that ancient mechanical "character" with a modern electric drivetrain? That would give an owner the beauty of the past, the mechanicals of the present, and the powertrain of the future. Jaguar does it with the E-Type Zero, and Aston Martin's in the game with the reversible EV powertrain swap for the DB6 Volante. And so Lorenz founded the British engineering firm Lunaz Design, named after his daughter Luna and headquartered at the Silverstone Technology Park. The company's first products are almost ready for order, starting with a 1953 Jaguar XK120 and a 1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V. Lunaz conversions aren't a matter of pulling an engine and installing a battery pack; Lunaz reengineers classics. Managing Director Jon Hilton oversees a team bringing experience from carmakers such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, McLaren, and Rolls-Royce, with Hilton's resume including six years with Cosworth Engineering followed by eight years in Formula One. To develop the Lunaz offerings, a chosen car is stripped to the metal and weighed so that engineers understand the weight distribution at each corner, then the car is stripped to the chassis and 3D-scanned. This yields information allowing designers to create a powertrain that fits to the millimeter and stays true to the handling dynamics of the original vehicle. During the rebuild, the company says, any imperfections are remedied "using traditional coachbuilding techniques." The Jaguar and the Rolls-Royce get battery packs in two locations, one under the hood and one under the trunk floor. Lunaz says it can fit more battery for its in-house design into each car that way. The Jaguar's 80-kWh battery feeds two electric motors sending 375 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. The Phantom V uses a 120-kWh battery pack, but its output hasn't been released. While remaining true to the exterior and interior design of each car, Lunaz fits LED lights and modern tires, a modern suspension, better brakes with regenerative braking, power steering, an upgraded propshaft, and a fly-by-wire throttle. Safety and comfort additions include cruise control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. Inside, the instrument cluster gets battery gauges, there's modern climate control, an infotainment screen with satellite navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection is a car with a secret

Rolls-Royce has unveiled yet another special-edition vehicle, this one being a version of the Wraith. It’s called the Wraith Kryptos Collection, and itÂ’s a bit more intriguing than most.  That intrigue comes from the secrets itÂ’s holding within. This car is a driving encrypted cipher. Rolls-Royce designers decided to incorporate a “labyrinth of complex ciphers” outside and inside the Wraith Kryptos. “As a designer, IÂ’ve always been fascinated by the notion that you can communicate messages that are understood by only an elite few, using symbols, pictograms, and ciphers,” Rolls-Royce Designer, Katrin Lehmann said. Finding the key becomes integral to appreciating the full meaning of an item that can otherwise be viewed simply as a work of art.” A number of messages are encrypted throughout the vehicles, but youÂ’ll need to be a decent cryptographer to get anywhere with it. To be frank, weÂ’re not sure how complex Rolls-Royce got with its cipher. Perhaps the scores of folks still looking into the ZodiacÂ’s cipher could take a break and see what Rolls has in store for everyone. Whatever it is, there are only two people who own the code to read the messages, the designer, and the CEO. A paper key has been tucked away into the CEOÂ’s safe at the home of Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce probably hasnÂ’t told us everything, but you can find code on the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, exterior paint, the headrests, metal trim and headliner. A combination of Kryptos Green (a newly-developed Rolls-Royce color), Delphic Grey, Dark Grey and Orbit Grey paint give this Wraith its signature appearance. For the 50 owners who end up with a Wraith Kryptos Collection, theyÂ’ll be able to submit guesses at cracking the code via the Rolls-Royce application, Whispers. Feel free to drop us a line when you figure it out, too.