Test drive on China's ancient trade routes with Rolls-Royce

British brand showcases classic and modern luxury

Following the debut of the Pinnacle Travel Phantom in Beijing at the end of April, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to bring Chinese customers ultimate luxury with its Signature Journey - National Test Drive Roadshow.

The "tradition of a century" themed event, which was held in 2013, continues this year in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

Rolls-Royce will present full-line models sold in China at this year's event to offer customers the chance to experience driving China's three major ancient trade routes.

As more and more Chinese people become keen to travel, Rolls-Royce aims to bring its taste and philosophy for luxury travel into China to meet local demand.

The carmaker's bespoke tailor-made service is widely recognized by Chinese customers.

The Pinnacle Travel Phantom represents the ultimate experience of luxury travel with Rolls-Royce.

"As the continuation of the Pinnacle Travel Phantom event this year, Signature Journey - National Test Drive Roadshow 2014 is going to showcase Rolls-Royce's prowess for Bespoke and present the ultimate enjoyment for Chinese customers during the journey," said Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars China.

The test drive event will roll out on China's three major ancient trade routes: the Tea-horse Road, the Silk Road and the Shanxi Merchants Road. In history the ancient routes not only connected China's east and west for trade but also helped merge different cultures.

Through the test drive event, Rolls-Royce aims to further showcase the brand's innovation of classic and modern elements, as well as the combination of performance and luxury.

Sichuan was a significant place on the Tea-horse Road, which connected Sichuan and Tibet, and it will be the first stop of the journey. It is a tea culture center with a history of more than a thousand years and a health and well-being hub.

At the event all models sold in China will be present, including the Phantom, Ghost and Wraith. The launch of the Phantom reinforced Rolls-Royce's leading position among high-end luxury automobile brands in China.

The car's Parthenon-style grille and its long rear overhang uphold Rolls-Royce's classic, solemn and elegant style and charm.

The Phantom combines sophisticated auto technology and exquisite craftsmanship.

As the contemporary interpretation of Rolls-Royce's classic elegance the Ghost breaks traditions in some aspects but retains the unique core values of the brand.

The extended Ghost is a car with top engineering design that offers smooth driving and control performance.

Based on the standard Ghost model the extended version for the China market is 170mm longer. This gives drivers extra inner space and greater driving performance, according to the automaker.

As the most expressive, powerful and dynamic car among Rolls-Royce's products, the new Wraith is the brand's interpretation of perfection.

The car's V12 engine and ZF eight-speed automatic transmission makes power up to 465KW easily obtainable.

From stationary the car can accelerate to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds.

Unlike many powerful racing cars the Wraith retains driving experience and flexibility.

The satellite-aided transmission boosts the car's driving force and control mechanism.

Rolls-Royce's 2013 financial figures showed that China contributed 28 percent of the British iconic brand's global sales of 3,630 vehicles, making the country its top market for the second time in three years.

lifangfang@chinadaily.com.cn