Few of you know that the British automobile giant Bentley would hardly have survived to this day and would have delighted us with its wonderful models, if not for the help of a competitor, Rolls Royce.

This dark and confusing story happened in the 30s of the last century, when the Bentley company was in a state of bankruptcy, its workshops were idle without orders, employees did not receive salaries, the case of Walter Owen Bentley began to gradually die. But then the following happened ...

The British automobile company Bentley, specializing in the production of luxury cars, has existed since 1919, when entrepreneur Walter Owen Bentley, together with engineers F. Barges and G. Varley, developed their first car and named it after Walter Owen - Bentley.

But let us return to 1930, when the legendary Bentley company lost its independence and priority in the world car market. Orders for a luxury car decreased, Bentley's workshops stopped, the company was in a state of bankruptcy for a long time due to incorrect marketing policies and old "boring" bodies and engines that did not correspond to the latest trends in automotive fashion, the founders of which were rightfully considered the British.

And here the notorious English trait of the northern character intervened - prudence and solidarity in difficult times.

Gathering all the forces in a fist, the finally bankrupt Bentley company was saved by another car company, its British competitor, the auto giant Rolls-Royce. Through the Napier firm, Bentley became part of the elite Rolls-Royce automobile company. From that moment on, a new stage in the history of the Bentley company began, which did not diminish the previously achieved high position in the automotive high society.

In 1955, the legendary S-1 series was presented by Bentley as part of Rolls-Royce (see my photo), demonstrating the ultimate technical investment of Rolls-Royce and Bentley - a model called S-1.

The Bentley S-1 was a replica of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and was powered by a 4.9-liter 6-cylinder engine with automatic transmission. And no matter how beautiful the Rolls-Royce is, Bentley still looks much more elegant and stricter.

Not so long ago, I already told you about Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III 1962 -. Today we will talk about the Bentley S-1 ... But back to the Bentley.

Bentley S-1: Based on Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud
Year of issue: 1958
Engine capacity: 4900 cc kb
Engine power: 137 hp
Number of cylinders: 6
Maximum speed: 170 km / h
Number of seats: 5

1.
Oddly enough, but even a cursory glance at the Bentley S-1 gives the impression that this is a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost ... And this is partly true.

2.
Behind the bodies of Bentley and Rolls Royce are the same

3.
Still, Bentley's wings are more graceful.

4.
And the front wing of the Bentley S-1 is more interesting in design.

5.
And of course, the most important difference from Rolls Royce is single headlights

6.
Oh yeah, Bentley is beautiful

7.
Although in essence, this is a Rolls Royce

8.
If it had not been for Beshki's shield

The progenitor of the Bentley S-1 was the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Royce was produced from 1955 to 1966. During this time, 7868 copies of the Silver Cloud of various modifications were produced. It was the most successful classic Rolls-Royce model in her entire life, according to the company's clients. The latest versions of Silver Cloud have already been stripped of that classic austerity and elegance.

Specifications of this Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud model, car details -
Year of issue: 1955
Engine capacity: 4900 cc kb
Engine power: 165 hp
Number of cylinders: 6
Maximum speed: 171 km / h
Number of cylinders: 5
Number of cars built: 2238

Technically, comparing two completely identical and so different cars - Bentley S-1 and Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, we can conclude that Rolls-Royce has a top speed 1 km / h more than Bentley S-1. This symbolic inequality of two identical cars was not made by accident - Rolls-Royce took the bankrupt Bentley company under its financial tutelage in order to maintain the leadership of British cars in the world market.

9.
Read more about Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud - 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I -

10.
Unlike the Bentley S-1, the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost has straight fenders and twin headlights. And perhaps that's all. All the main differences end there.

11.
And yes, this is not a Bentley, but a Royce Royce. But what's the difference.

12.
I don't know about you, but personally, in terms of design, I really like the more expensive version of the Rolls Royce of the Silver Ghost - the Bentley S-1

These are the same and at the same time different two legendary cars.
By the way, which car did you like better - Bentley or Rolls-Royce?

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost - 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer -
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud - 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III -
Bentley S-1 or how Rolls-Royce helped its competitor - Bentley S-1 1958 -
Rolls-Royce increased sales in Russia and set a record -

Here's some more sweet ...
Bugatti Type 57 - Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio Cabriolet - 1935 -
Rolls-Royce Phantom I Piccadilly Roadster - 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Piccadilly Roadster -
Cadillac V16 Fleetwood Convertible Coupe - 1930 Cadillac V16 Fleetwood Convertible Coupe -
Jaguar E-Tape - Jaguar E-Tape 1961-1975 - The history of the ugly duckling -
Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berdinetta - 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta -
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud - 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I -

Even before the premiere, the Bentley Bentayga was dubbed the main competitor. And although the Rolls-Royce SUV turned out to be significantly more expensive, these two models will compete, which means they can be compared.

For starters, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is 20 cm longer than the Bentley Bentayga - 5341 mm in length with a wheelbase of 3295 mm versus 5141 and 2992 mm, respectively.

Design is subjective. Some people liked the strict style of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, while others liked the neoclassical appearance of the Bentley Bentayga.

The interior of both SUVs is dominated by leather, wood and aluminum. Larger dimensions, of course, make Rolls-Royce more spacious inside, and its trunk volume is more - 560 liters versus 430.

Both Bentley and Rolls-Royce have equipment like the virtual instrument panel, head-up display, 360-degree cameras and night vision systems.

Of course, premium SUVs received original accessories. For example, the Cullinan is equipped with folding seats in the trunk, and for the Bentayga you can order sets for a picnic or elite hunting.

Both cars are powered by turbocharged 12-cylinder engines (although the Bentayga has a V8 and even a diesel) and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 6.0-liter W12 Bentley develops 608 hp. from. and 900 Nm, and the 6.75-liter Rolls-Royce V12 - 570 liters. from. and 850 Nm.

The Bentayga is more powerful and lighter, and therefore capable of accelerating to 100 km / h in 4.1 seconds and developing 301 km / h. The dynamics of the Cullinan is still unknown (expected about 5.5 s to 100 km / h), and the maximum speed is 250 km / h.

Both vehicles have adaptive shock absorbers and variable ground clearance air suspension. The Bentley SUV was also equipped with active anti-roll bars.

The price of Rolls-Royce Cullinan starts at $ 325 thousand, and you can buy a Bentley Bentayga for $ 195 thousand. Of course, the difference in price is significant, but in this segment it is not the most important factor.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.

The past century for the creators of Bentley and Rolls-Royce has passed under the flag of an unspoken confrontation in a very narrow but significant segment of luxury cars. This struggle only spurred both manufacturers, but by the end of the 20th century, both companies were on the verge of bankruptcy. The world of automotive giants could not afford to lose two of the carmakers who made a splash. Then Rolls-Royce was under the wing of BMW, and Bentley, in turn, went to another German auto giant - Volkswagen. But this was not the end of their confrontation, which we will discuss further.

Bentley Flying Spur 2014 can be bought for almost 10 million rubles.

Let's see what we have here. And on our test - Bentley Flying Spur 2014, which became lower and wider, acquired a silk gloss, softer suspension and anti-roll bars, which are literally proud of the Bentley dealership. He began to look more like an imposing Rolls-Royce, and then they again clashed in a battle for leadership in the luxury segment.

It is in this colorful color that the 2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost is an absolute stop-lens on the streets.

Of course, here it is important to pay attention to the price tag, which is difficult to look at with indifference. Without regard to the floating rate, let us compare the price in dollars. So Rolls-Royce Ghost. Base? Some $ 267.300 ( or 13,183,000 rubles at the rate of the Central Bank - approx.CarLeader). Hmm, what about the Bentley Flying Spur? 200.500 dollars ( or 9.888.000 rubles at the rate of the Central Bank - approx.CarLeader) is already better. But here we are reminded of the endless sets of options, without which the car becomes mediocre enough, as far as it can be for such money. So, for a Bentley with options, you can pay up to $ 50 thousand. But here, anticipating our interest, Rolls-Royce unobtrusively talks about its package of options, reaching almost 120 thousand US dollars ( or 6 million rubles, like newLexusLS- approx.CarLeader) and crashes the Bentley in the race for the highest price tag!

Of course, both cars are masterpieces of modern automotive engineering. But even here it was not done without reminding of itself here and there particles of oak plastic, which even Toyota itself would be ashamed of. Not to mention Bentley's obscure rear seat media controller and VW's inappropriate navigation menu.

Some of the little things about the new Bentley are annoying.

Both cars are powered by 12-cylinder bi-turbo engines with huge power reserves, but let's take a look at the differences. The luxurious 2014 Ghost features a 563 hp engine. from the BMW 7 Series, while the Flying Spur unit, unexpectedly emerging from the bins of the Volkswagen concern, has a capacity of 616 hp.

The key impression of cars depends on several factors. Firstly, with less power, the automatic transmission in Ghost works flawlessly, while Bentley fails to realize the entire herd of horses due to the strange settings of the automatic transmission, which sometimes loses its orientation when driving too actively and does not allow achieving the stated 4.3 seconds to hundreds. Second, the power distribution in Roll-Royce goes to the rear wheels, while the all-wheel drive system in Bentley makes its own adjustments to the car's behavior.

When testing cars for comfort indicators, it was Rolls Ghost, confirming its ghostly nature, showed a lower level of noise inside the cabin compared to Bentley, as well as a third less vibration and shaking transmission to the cabin from irregularities on the road.

All these subtleties are unlikely to greatly affect the perception of the car. But we put their visual appeal to the test in a busy street test, and here's what it showed: Royce got twice as much attention and even got people to turn around and take out their cameras, whereas its quarter-million-dollar rival Bentley didn't. Of course, you can say that any car painted like a Ghost will attract enough attention, but the fact remains - in order to show its status, Rolls-Royce Ghost is more suitable.

Photo gallery: Bentley Flying Spur 2014 vs Rolls-Royce Ghost 2014 (+7 photos)

Rolls-royce motor cars officially unveiled its most powerful car at the Geneva Motor Show. Mind-blowing 624 horsepower coupe Rolls-royce Wraith will accelerate it from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.4 seconds and the car will cost more than $ 300,000, it will go on sale a little later, but definitely this year. The car was designed to change people's perceptions of the famous luxury brand, CEO Thorsten Müller-Otvos told Drive May.

“I am confident that the machine will attract many new customers to the brand,” he said. And she has no competitor. Wraith bears a resemblance to the continental version of the Bentley GT model in the Grand Touring category, but Mr. Müller-Otvos would especially like to emphasize that he does not see it as a rival.

"Do I see Continental as a competitor? Definitely not, "he said." We're in a different price segment, with prices solidly over £ 200,000. "But I wouldn't be surprised if some existing Bentley customers buy the Wraith. Many people in this segment don't see the Continental as a luxury car anymore."

Attacking the opponent. Bentley's board member responsible for sales and marketing, Kevin Rose, admitted that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars are not direct competitors for the Bentley brand, with their bestselling models starting at around £ 130,000. This is partly true since we are not in the same price range, but many of ours and their customers have six or seven cars, so many of them will have both Rolls and Bentleys, "he told Drive.

But I was startled to hear they weren't thinking about a super-luxurious Bentley, "he said as he showed off the automaker's latest redesigned Flying Spur ahead of the official opening on Tuesday. The Flying Spur The Bentley Flying Spur could rival the Rolls-Royce Goust. Indeed. if Wraith encroaches on territory Continental GTMade up of ultra-luxury sports cars yet, the new Flying Spur offers a worthy alternative to the Rolls-Royce Goust. Unlike the previous Flying Spur, which was essentially a stretched version of the Continental GT, this car was built from scratch and the link with the Continental GT was finally severed.

But we are not competing too much, "said Mr. Rose." We are rivals on a friendly basis. They dominate their segment of the ultra-luxury car market, we dominate our segment at a higher price point. Which is a little narrower. Consequently, Bentley sold 8,510 vehicles last year, while Roll-Royce sold 3,575. Bentley sales are also growing faster than Rolls-Royce in recent months. Bentley's sales grew 22% last year, following 37% growth in 2011 and 11% growth in 2010. By comparison, Rolls-Royce, which is owned by the BMW group, saw sales growth of around 1%, significantly slower than the 31% growth rate in 2011 and 150% in 2010.

Müller-Otvos nonetheless said he was optimistic about the future as the ultra-luxury car segment is growing in line with the rise of the ultra-wealthy. Müller-Otvos also noted that the new V12 on the Wraith should help change the attitude towards Rolls-Royce in general, as the company is currently implementing a slightly less powerful and modern Phantom. In general, when we make a new model, we intend not to amaze the audience with pure power and luxury. We also want to add a new dimension to the brand, "he said. I wouldn't be surprised if even Ferrari owners, who are tired of cars that aren't comfortable enough for everyday driving, want to upgrade to our new coupe. But the Wraith is a more gentlemanly Gran Turismo. A sporty enough car, probably not the right definition for a Rolls-Royce.

At first glance, all of these lavishly equipped luxury chariots aim their branded mighty grilles at the same lucrative market niches. In fact, they differ significantly in approach, environment and attractiveness. The Bentley Flying Spur is an old-school five-seater sports car that combines a superbly finished antique interior with a highly efficient chassis and drivetrain. The Mercedes S600 looks like a dressed up S300. However, in its exquisite detailing, a summary of the Technology Bible can be seen. The Rolls-Royce Ghost S2 combines a recognizable character that is trying to impress with a talent full of ideas. But the trio has one quality in common - fuel gauges, synchronously leading to suicide - which once again proves that weight, resistance and a heavy right leg are the sworn enemies of economy.

Despite a recent update, Bentley remains the oldest car ever, and he knows it. The compactness of the package belies the Spur's generous 5299mm length. A stiffer suspension was installed to ensure a low ride and speed, and the 2.4 tonne weight suggests that the body is still made from Sheffield steel. The driver's seat is stiff, shapeless and insufficiently adjustable, and the beautifully finished (deliberately old-fashioned) interior lacks modern conveniences such as shift paddles, driver assistance systems, and advanced infotainment. This old car is charming and interesting in its own way. For a lower price point, the S600 offers richer equipment, an infinitely soft ride and an additional half meter of cabin space. But you still have to look for a long and luxurious car that will get you from A to B faster than a bad, black Bentley.

Alps

On a three-lane highway in the direction of the Tyrolean Alps, the Mercedes S-Class can handle speed more easily. Wide, well-balanced and securely grounded, the car feels confident even when overcoming aquaplaning areas, as well as wide expansion joints and ribbed surfaces. Anyone at the ugly two-spoke steering wheel will be helped by: customizable cruise control with automatic braking, automatic lane guidance, a night vision camera and an impressive electronic control unit that scans the road surface with three cameras and using springs and adjustable shock absorbers smooth out irregularities.

As long as a Bentley, the S600 is huge inside and the seats are very comfortable. Parking is fully automatic if you wish. The heating system will heat the surface of the door panels and center console when needed, and the intelligent lighting system will outshine its competitors in variety, range and sensitivity. Despite the fact that the Mercedes is incredibly comfortable and safe, it is also attractive.

It's unexpected to hear similar praise addressed to the Ghost S2. Making a difference is the optional Dynamic Driving Package, which performed surprisingly well on a 19-inch winter tire. The thick-rimmed steering response, improved anti-roll bars, controlled air suspension and re-tuned shock absorbers all add a little bit of precision and added stability to the car. The slight lack of composure that caused the early Ghost to frown at high speeds has disappeared - body roll and dive under braking are now better suppressed. Despite all its mass and momentum, the Ghost accelerates more confidently. Another update is the powerful LED headlights with integrated direction indicators. With the exception of more comfortable seats, the interior has remained practically unchanged, so here, instead of a tachometer, there is the same useless power reserve gauge.

Can these limousines be driven?

The picturesque mountain range that joins the southern edge of Bavaria and a thin stretch of Austria pampers visitors with a fork of promising roads. Avoiding highways packed with radars, we drive southwest on a curved Class B road, drive through a couple of small passes, and occasionally drive on dangerous country roads with narrow sections for one car. In all sharp corners and, in addition, steep climbs, the Flying Spur has established itself as the undisputed leader. After all, he is the only one with all-wheel drive. This active safety bonus allows him to be invincible in terms of traction and reliability of wheel traction. Add 800 Nm of torque, flavored with a 6.0-liter W12, and it becomes clear why Benz and Rolls have a nightmare with Bentley taillights receding into the distance. An 8-speed automatic transmission is responsible for speed distribution. It desperately lacks pushbutton controls to cope with steep downhill driving where even a very powerful composite braking system will sizzle with tension in one way or another.

Despite the Dynamic Driving Package, the hour comes when the Rolls prefers to slow down, and that moment comes sooner rather than later. With ESP on, the Ghost started to slow down pretty quickly. Turning it off, however, reveals that you are driving the Titanic along the upper forks of the Thames. This is tantamount to a tailcoat dressed to compete in a decathlon - there is no point in persuading Rolls to become a ridiculous sports car. While Bentley also claims the term "waftability" (Rolls-Royce's unique sense of light movement), it doesn't fit the Ghost better — as soon as the road starts to narrow and the turns twist, Rolls chooses a smooth ride. The highest torque of 770 Nm was at a low 1500 rpm, which makes you be careful with the steering wheel and throttle in sharp turns. The car even uses a satellite navigation system to avoid unnecessary gear changes. More than the other two, this limousine will reward a relaxed driving style with overall sophistication and luxurious privacy.

Like the W12 housed in the Spur and the 6.6-liter V12 crammed into the Ghost, the 6.0-liter V12 engine that powers the S600 is not entirely new. The three-valve is derived from the original 5.5-liter V12, which was first introduced in the Maybach 57 in 2002. At 530bhp, the twin-turbo engine cannot match the 571bhp. the Ghost or the even more muscular Bentley with 625bhp and 830Nm of torque, the relatively light Mercedes is far from a slacker. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.6 seconds, he overtook his opponent from Goodwood by 0.3 seconds. While the S600 and Ghost speed up to 260 km / h, the third musketeer can go up to 320 km / h under certain circumstances. These high speeds are rarely important, but handling and stability are always the case. And here Benz has to struggle from time to time to keep up. While the S63 AMG is available with 4Matic all-wheel-drive, the comfort-oriented S600 lacks it, so ESP turns on its brains - especially when trying to keep up with the Flying Spur.

Luxury has many facets, and these three giants take most of them with impressiveness. Space? The Mercedes is hard to beat here, and that sentiment extends to the rear seats with ample leg and headroom. Equipment? All the credit goes back to Benz, which won't even charge extra for all these premium amenities. Ergonomics? The win with a minimal margin goes to the BMW-inspired car from Rolls-Royce, which is custom-made and features an improved version of the iDrive system. The driver's seat in the S600 is fully loaded with touch panels, buttons and rotary controls. However, their maze is difficult to understand, and some of them are questionably useful. Feeling like a holiday? If you're into Teutonic styling, welded together with over-the-top technical saturation (automatic buckles, backseat airbag, air freshener spray, and the like), then choose a Mercedes. If you prefer the atmosphere of a gentlemen's club, then a beautifully made and tastefully equipped Bentley will be just right. However, to emphasize true presentability and affluence, nothing outshines the Ghost's exhilarating rear doors, eye-catching theatrical passenger seats and the tasteful yet functional driver's seat.

Can a V12 limousine be economical?

Economy is definitely not the main characteristic in the Super League. However, it is foolish to neglect the fuel consumption, which made itself felt after all three cars drove back to Munich at night. If Mercedes consumes an average of 13.9 liters per 100 km, the Ghost SII barely suffices 15.7 liters, and the most drinking Bentley, which asks for all 18 liters.

It will be more difficult to save money when buying the cars themselves. The cheapest (if it is appropriate to use such a term here) will be the S600, which sells for 197,000 Euros. The Bentley costs 214,000 Euros without additional equipment, but when you fit the big wheels, panoramic roof, good leather, an entertainment complex and a carbon ceramic braking system, the figure easily reaches 273,000 Euros. Remains Ghost for 303,000 Euros in the basic configuration Count on 400,000 Euros for the dance-vocal specimen presented in this review.

To validate the fact that these 12-cylinder engines occupy the top niche among the most vibration-balanced powertrains, we have vertically placed a coin on each idling engine. The coin remained on all three engines. Regardless of the type of car it drives, the W12 engine is the sportiest. It sounds a little rough when strained, hoarse at full load and loud at partial load. To meet the expectations, a UK-made engine (which began life more humbly in a VW Phaeton in 2002) needs 6,000 rpm. The power limit comes at 6200 rpm, just like in a 6.0-liter Mercedes, but that's where the similarities end. Mercedes S600 will deliver maximum power from 4900 to 5300 rpm. Designed and built in Munich specifically for the Ghost, the V12 engine requires 5250 rpm for maximum power. The attached seven-speed transmission is exceptionally smooth. The high status is emphasized by the absence of selector paddles on the steering wheel and the choice of the control program. In Benz, you can change gears with your fingertips or lock a program in Dynamic mode. The Spur remains the only contender to feature an 8-speed gearbox that has an extra gear ratio for better torque and speed distribution.

We expected light travel, easy gear shifting and normal suspension tuning. We got all this, albeit to varying degrees. We were surprised by the overall power of the braking system, which uses large discs, which are enough to cope even with a heavy road train. Equipped with optional carbon ceramic brake discs, the Bentley (wrapped in 21-inch summer tires) effectively dampens kinetic energy at very high speeds, resulting in dynamic braking without any withering. The 300-kilogram superiority of the S600 pays off in reduced braking distances and response times. Even Rolls-Royce, which puts more emphasis on looks and absolute rest, prides itself on a strong and well-balanced braking system. The brake pedal only needs a little pressure to start the process. Another common virtue of our giants is its unshakable directional stability. All three models are virtually immune to crosswinds, bad weather and road surface changes. Sharp turns would not be a problem either, but our 36-cylinder convoy had to slow down dramatically with every sharp turn.

Conclusion

So which luxury car is the best? Who will get the victory? Benz becomes the leader. Undoubtedly, it has the most upscale salon and will spoil you with a bunch of unrivaled devices. This is an exciting high speed cruiser that will save you enough money to buy a seaside cabin.

A werewolf man might fall for a Bentley, a car that is essentially two in one: a smart and stylish four-door model, genetically related to the Continental GT Speed, and an adherent of traditional British character and art, which is usually inspired by buyers who find the Jaguar XJR too mundane. ...

However, the oligarch will almost always reach for the keys from Ghost. Why? Because he wants the best car of the best, the most representative and prestigious, perhaps the loudest, giving the proletariat every reason for indignation.