Three contenders for the title of ultimate luxury car.
The Maybach 62S.
I'm something of a car nut. Was watching some Top Gear online and it featured these 3 cars.
So which one has the ultimate wow factor for you?
The Maybach 62S.
The Bentley ArnageThe Maybach 62 S is a car for people who have an eye for the extraspecial. It brings together all of the hallmark traits which have, since the very beginning, set aside each and every Maybach vehicle as a paragon of technical perfection, traditional craftsmanship and creative brilliance. This prestigious, high-end luxury saloon goes yet further by adding a generous helping of dynamic individuality with an assured sense of style to enrich the brand's heritage.
Exclusive design features plus high-tech performance enhancement give the Maybach 62 S an athletic, one-of-a-kind feel that make it into a beguiling travel companion on any road in the world. Arresting details such as the radiator grille with twin louvres, the striking main headlamps finished in the vehicle colour and the front fog lamps with their elegant chrome surrounds instantly catch the eye.
Exclusive wheels and a customdesigned exhaust system with two visible tailpipes add further powerful touches. Under the bonnet, the Maybach 62 S holds true to the philosophy of discreet dynamism with the most powerful Maybach engine ever, promising majestic propulsion and astonishing agility. This combines with the lavish spaciousness on offer and the peerless finery of the appointments and equipment to produce something truly worth cherishing: your very own business jet on wheels.
The Maybach 62 S succeeds in reconciling inspirational motoring comfort with a level of performance that belies the vehicle's imposing dimensions and satisfies even the highest expectations.
The source of this exceptionally dynamic streak is a twin-turbocharged Maybach V12 powerplant with a displacement of six litres delivering 604 hp. Torque peaks at a heady 738 lb-ft @ 2000-4000 rpm. Having undergone a painstaking programme of refinement at the Mercedes-AMG engine manufacturing facility, the engine excels by virtue of its instantaneous power delivery and barely perceptible noise levels. And thanks to the meticulous attention to detail lavished on the chassis by the Maybach engineers, all of this formidable power can be unleashed safely and effortlessly.
The ESP® Electronic Stability Program, ASR acceleration skid control and the braking system have all been adapted to the increased power reserves of the Maybach 62 S, working in unison with the sensitive AIRMATIC Dual Control air suspension and the exclusive 11-spoke, 20-inch wheels to produce outstanding handling dynamics and directional stability. Which all means that a journey aboard the Maybach 62 S will never cease to be an experience for all the senses – regardless of where you're sitting.
The Rolls Royce PhantomVehicle Overview
After 10 years, Bentley's flagship Arnage is in its final year. For the first half of 2009, the Arnage comes in traditional trim levels of base R, extended-length RL and sporty T. Then, in the middle of 2009, just one trim level will be offered: the Arnage Final Series. The Arnage Final Series combines the performance of last year's Arnage T with the luxury and refinement of the Arnage R.
The Arnage Final Series is comparable in stature to the Maybach 57 and Rolls-Royce Phantom, though both of those cars cost about $100,000 more. Only 150 Arnage Final Series will be built.
The Azure convertible and Brooklands coupe share components with the Arnage, though both are substantially pricier. They are listed separately in the Cars.com Research section.
New for 2009
The Arnage will drop the R, RL and T trim levels in mid-2009, leaving just the Final Series, which gets a new stereo unit with a larger display screen and an SD memory card slot instead of a CD player. There's also a new optional iPod integration unit, a 10-speaker, 1,100-watt audio system and backseat remote controls for the entertainment system.
Exterior
Bentley sedans are largely hand-built. The Arnage T's grille receives a darker finish, while the Arnage R and RL receive chrome-finished grilles. An optional retractable "Flying B" emblem — Bentley's iconic symbol — can sit above the grille.
The Arnage Final Series has a few exclusive features, like a Bentley "Jewel" fuel cap and "Final Series" badging.
At 212.2 inches long and 76.1 inches wide, the Arnage is slightly smaller than competing stately sedans. The Arnage RL limousine is almost 10 inches longer. Most RLs are likely to be chauffeur-driven.
Interior
- Available in 42 exterior colors
- Available 18-, 19- or 20-inch wheels
- Xenon headlamps with auto-leveling function
- Power folding mirrors with auto-dimming glass
- Dual exhaust pipes
- Fog lamps
- Optional sunroof
Secondary controls on the Arnage are hidden behind veneered panels. Bentley buyers can choose between walnut, oak, bird's-eye maple and black lacquer interior trim to complement the myriad interior leather options. The Arnage Final Series comes with a rear cocktail cabinet with a "Final Series"-branded steel flask and shot glasses.
The trunk has 13.2 cubic feet of space, which is smaller than its competition.
Under the Hood
- Available with 25 leather hides and three veneer trims
- Diamond-quilted leather seats
- Navigation system
- Power-adjustable tilt steering wheel with cruise control buttons
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Heated/powered seats in front and rear
The Arnage Final Series gets the Arnage T's performance setup. The Final Series and Arnage T have a sports-tuned suspension, including stiffer road springs, anti-roll bars and revised damper tuning for better handling.
Bentley says each can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds.
Safety
- 450-horsepower, 6.8-liter V-8 with 645 pounds-feet of torque
- 500-hp, twin-turbocharged 6.8-liter V-8 with 738 pounds-feet of torque (on T and Final Series)
- Six-speed automatic transmission with sports function
- Adaptive/auto-leveling suspension
- Engine starter button
A backup camera is available on the Arnage. Standard safety features include:
- Side curtain airbags
- Front and rear side-impact airbags
- Front and rear sonar sensors
- Antilock braking system
- Electronic stability control
- Traction control
Like the Great Pyramid of Giza, Rolls-Royces change shape slowly and imperceptibly without affecting grandeur or purpose. This evolutionary pace ensures that even older Rolls models will remain relevant and rewarding, creating no sense of shame for owners even when placed next to newer, fresher versions.
That said, the single most noticeable change on the 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom—the new front bumper—does just enough to tidy up the Phantom’s face that it might prompt customers to go ahead and toss down $400K for a new one anyway. Indeed, the nicely integrated fascia brings the bumper, fenders, and grille into agreement with each other. Together, they replace the clunky, unresolved front end that, frankly, made the pre-’09 Phantom look like it had already “menaced” a wall or two as part of the assembly process.
Rolls-Royce made more changes to the big bad Phantom for ’09, including new power rear bucket seats; relocated rear climate, window, and audio controls; a new clock; fabulous new rear vanity mirrors; and, for the first time, the unique headliner that uses tiny lights to mimic twinkling stars—evidently, when you have this kind of money, the stars always come out at night. The iconic Rolls grille has also been tweaked, becoming shallower to mimic the Phantom Coupé and Drophead Coupé, and cast-aluminum 21-inch wheels are now standard, with two additional wheel designs also being available. Production of the 2009 Phantom has just commenced at Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood facility.
I'm something of a car nut. Was watching some Top Gear online and it featured these 3 cars.
So which one has the ultimate wow factor for you?
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