Category: Exotic Cars

Bentley Motorcars is a brand associated with timeless luxury and everlasting elegance, so it should come as no surprise that the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, prefers to be chariot-ed around in none other than a Bentley. Founded in 1919 by W.O. Bentley, this British manufacturer committed from the start to produce the absolute best–hand-built and crafted with the finest materials and brightest minds. Such a standard of craftsmanship would suggest that it qualifies as suitable for one of the most royal bums in the world to nest in when traveling. We agree…and so does the Queen. The Bentley State Limousine was created on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002, and is an official state car used primarily for official engagements, surrounded, of course, by her Royal Protection Squad. The Limousine is also used by the Queen to go to and from church when at Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House.

The State Limousines twin-turbocharged 6.75L V8 engine produces 400 horsepower and 616 lb-ft of torque, with a maximum speed of 130 miles per hour. The vehicle is longer than the Bentley Arnage, equipped with vast coach doors opening to almost a 90-degree angle, and opaque panels optional for more privacy, or removed for visibility of the passengers. The body work and glass is bullet-resistant and the cabin can be sealed in case of any sort of gas attack for the protection and safety of the passengers as well. Like all British State cars, the limousine has a mount for a crest and pennant, which either feature the British Standard or visiting States; and when Her Majesty is on board, her personal mascot of Saint George replaces the typical Bentley Flying B. The bodywork was built by Bentley’s Mulliner coachbuilding division; and British textile manufacturer, Hield Brothers, produced the lambswool sateen cloth used for the upholstery of the rear seats.

Needless to say, if there was any brand capable of producing a coach of such magnificence fit for royalty, Bentley Motorcars shoots straight to the top of the list.

Rolls-Royce, a name synonymous with elegance and power, is perhaps the most well-known luxury brand of all time, coming into existence just over a century ago. Nothing makes the statement, “I have arrived,” more than pulling up in a Rolls-Royce, especially when you’re not the one driving it, you’re the one riding in it.

So what makes a Rolls-Royce so special, anyway? What makes this brand not only the most luxurious, but also the most expensive? These are common questions asked when talking about this British manufacturer, especially when you’re considering the amount of money you’re about to spend, even if you are considering used Rolls-Royces. The answer is simply this: Perfection ain’t cheap. When it comes to design and performance, these automobiles outshine their competitors by producing cars that define power and luxury, always going the extra mile to achieve absolute perfection. In the words of Sir Henry Royce himself:  “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it doesn’t exist, design it.” Oh, he designed it alright.

Of course perfection has its price, but why so expensive? After all, it’s just a car, right? Wrong. The why and how of it is also quite simple: These cars are completely and totally made by hand, down to the very last stitch. Not only that, Rolls-Royce only uses the finest materials offered anywhere in the world, hiring only the most gifted people to work with such materials.

For example, you’ll notice every material that makes up the interior of the car is completely blemish-free. That’s because there is someone designated to inspect every piece of cowhide to ensure there are no impurities or imperfections. There is then someone to stitch it all together over the course of several weeks. And then someone to weld the spaceframe together by hand…you catch my drift. There are a lot of really talented people behind producing just one Rolls-Royce, and they are compensated accordingly. To put it simply, Rolls-Royce will stop at nothing to achieve perfection, no matter the cost.

Final question: Is it really worth all that money? Well, that all depends on the buyer. If it’s important to them to have such a rare item, one that symbolizes luxury, power and success, then of course it’s worth the money. Also, bear in mind that when you buy a Rolls-Royce, you are not just buying a mode of transportation, you are buying an experience, you are buying excellence. So, yes, these cars are ridiculously expensive, but when you’re buying perfection, what wouldn’t you pay?

When designing the first ever Rolls-Royce, a friend advised [Henry Royce] to ‘turn out a reliable car at a low price.’ Instead, ‘he sought to turn out ‘the best motor car in the world regardless of cost.’ More than 100 years later, that same desire for perfection is the driving force behind Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.”
–Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

When it comes to luxury in the automotive industry, there are certain manufacturers that come to mind. Only a handful of these companies, however, are known for setting the standard of excellence and opulence. The Bentley Motor Company is one of these prestigious brands that is now associated with the likes of Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Ferrari. The historic British car company was founded by W.O. Bentley in 1919, when the first Bentley car was created. The Bentley designs dominated the Le Mans races from 1927-1930, proving to be quite successful in terms of performance and speed, and has preserved that reputable standing even today. Over time, Bentley has often been compared to Rolls-Royce, both due to it’s long-standing rivalry, as well as their partnership for a period of time. The difference between these two manufacturers early on, however, was Rolls-Royce was known for luxury and sophistication, while Bentley’s reputation was for performance and speed. Little did they know the partnership that was to come. During the Great Depression, Bentley became financially unstable, and Rolls-Royce Limited purchased the company in 1931. Gradually, Bentley automobiles began to resemble the Rolls-Royce style, while maintaining the emphasis on performance, until ultimately, they became one of the most desired luxury cars available anywhere in the world.

So, aside from opulence and speed, what makes a Bentley so desirable? One word: Exclusivity. Chairman of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo, once said, “The exclusivity of Ferrari is fundamental for the value of our products; we don’t sell a normal product. We sell a dream.” Verrissimo, Senor Montezemolo. When it comes to luxury vehicles of this caliber, that is exactly right. These are not just cars anymore, they are dreams. Some ranging in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, only the wealthy can afford a Bentley, narrowing down the clientele tremendously. So, we’re left with the rich (and famous). As of late, more and more celebrities are stepping out in their Bentleys, associating them with the most elite class of people in the world. Another appealing attribute of the Bentley line is their ability to customize any car, catering to each customer’s wants or needs. And we mean anything. Bentley refers to this as a “bespoke” model. With bespoke models, you can individualize your Bentley as much or as little as you desire. Don’t want to customize? No problem, Bentley has packages that will make you feel like it was made just for you. Take this 2013 Bentley Continental GTC with the Mulliner Driving Specification, it has everything from diamond quilted hides and custom wheels to a jewel fuel cap… Bentley considers every detail. So, whether you want everyone to know just how accomplished you are, or you simply want to reward yourself, a Bentley can be anything you want it to be, and more.

As Valentine O’Conner, Bentley spokeswoman, once said in reference to the Arnage T, it is “the perfect mix of British refinement and amazing performance.” We believe this to be true of all Bentleys, and we believe that the sophistication of a Bentley is never overstated or undervalued.