Motor Trend: 2006 Rolls-Royce Phantom vs 2005 Bentley Arnage R

[bmwrules]

1st Place - 2006 Rolls-Royce Phantom

The first Rolls in decades that truly lives up to the brand's aristocratic reputation.

5-Speed automatic
Base price - $332,750
As tested price - $346,650
453 hp @ 5350 rpm
531 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
Weight to power - 12.8 lb/hp
EPA city/hwy - 12/19 mpg

0-60 - 5.7
0-100 - 15.0
quarter mile 14.3 sec @ 97.8 mph
45-65 - 3.0
Braking, 60-0 - 121 feet
Braking, 100-0 - 351 feet
Lateral acceleration - .77 avg.
Motor Trend figure eight - 28.2 sec @ .61 g avg.

2nd Place - 2005 Bentley Arnage R

Entertaining to drive and still charismatic to own, but starting to feel its age.

4-Speed automatic
Base price - $220,985
As tested price - $250,230
400 hp @ 4000 rpm
616 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm
Weight to power 14.3 lb/hp
EPA city/hwy - 10/14 mpg

0-60 - 5.9
0-100 - 15.3
quarter mile 14.4 sec @ 96.9 mph
45-65 - 3.1
Braking, 60-0 - 115 feet
Braking, 100-0 - 331 feet
Lateral acceleration - .78 avg.
Motor Trend figure eight - 28.0 sec @ .60 g avg.

The Bentley impresses because it's faster and more fun than you expect, but the Rolls-Royce makes you feel truly special. That skinny steering wheel suddenly makes sense: You don't steer the Phantom, you guide it with your fingertips while you and your passengers are cosseted and cocooned from the visissitudes of daily life. The Phantom evokes a sense of serenity that's unlike anything else on the road. In an era when time is the world's most valuable commodity, that makes it the world's best luxury car.

 

[Centurion]

The verdict doesn't suprise me at all. The Arnage is based on a 10 years old and heavy platform which does gives it a dated feel. The Phantom is as superb as ever, though it might only suit people who needs protection, don't have a licence or prefer to be driven.

 

[bmer]

Woah, interesting figures of these luxury vehicles! What's next? We'll get lap times for Arnage and Phantom from Nordschleife?

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Woah, interesting figures of these luxury vehicles! What's next? We'll get lap times for Arnage and Phantom from Nordschleife?

Lol, you beat me to it.
Phantom and Arnage, the utimate track cars and drag racers.

 

[SDNR]

The Phantom is as superb as ever, though it might only suit people who needs protection, don't have a licence or prefer to be driven.

...or people who just love extraordinary and exotic things.

 

[Merc1]

Newer smewer, give me the Bentley.

M

 

[klier]

Newer smewer, give me the Bentley.

M

For real????

The Rolls is like better at....everything?

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Well, neither is a driver's car, so an M5 of CLS 63 would be just fine.

 

[Zafiro]

I saw the RR on the streets a couple of month ago. The car is massive and have a lot of presence. It would be my choice (although neither of them are on my dreamlist).


http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00122is6.jpg
http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00123ze2.jpg

 

[Merc1]

For real????

The Rolls is like better at....everything?

Yes, for real. I'll take the inferior Bentley any day.

M

 

[PanterroR]

Yes, for real. I'll take the inferior Bentley any day.

M

Hey Marcus, wouldn't you be ashamed to drive a 250k car with a 4spd auto tranny??? j/k...

 

[Merc1]

Hey Marcus, wouldn't you be ashamed to drive a 250k car with a 4spd auto tranny??? j/k...

Why yes, I'd have to switch it out for a 2007 model!

M

 

[PanterroR]

Why yes, I'd have to switch it out for a 2007 model!

M

No, you can only take one from THIS test and you can only choose a 2005 model, so your choice sucks!

 

[Merc1]

No, you can only take one from THIS test and you can only choose a 2005 model, so your choice sucks!

Oh well I guess I'm stuck then, but then again no one ever complianed about the old 4-speed so I'll take it. I remain devoted to the Arnage!

M

 

[PanterroR]

Oh well I guess I'm stuck then, but then again no one ever complianed about the old 4-speed so I'll take it. I remain devoted to the Arnage!

M

I know man, just playing with you...

 

[Merc1]

I know man, just playing with you...

Maybe I should have put a smiley there because I didn't take it any other way. I know you're style of post now.

Would you believe that brand new Azure still has the 4-speed????? I guess in another 7-8 years they'll get around to updating it.

M

 

[PanterroR]

Would you believe that brand new Azure still has the 4-speed????? I guess in another 7-8 years they'll get around to updating it.

M

No, i can't believe! What's going on with them? Ok, no complaints on the trannys, but still...

 

[Merc1]

No, i can't believe! What's going on with them? Ok, no complaints on the trannys, but still...

I guess they figure that if they could get away with it for that long in the Arnage a few more years in Azure won't be a problem.

M

 

[PanterroR]

I guess they figure that if they could get away with it for that long in the Arnage a few more years in Azure won't be a problem.

M

Whatever the case is, i still think that sucks...Regardless of how good it is...

Just for my info, is there any brand new car from 2005 or 2006 that comes with 4spd tranny? Doesn't matter wich one or what kind of car...

 

[Merc1]

Just for my info, is there any brand new car from 2005 or 2006 that comes with 4spd tranny? Doesn't matter wich one or what kind of car...

Oh god yes, plenty of GM, Ford and Chrysler models here in the U.S. Now you see why our auto industry has and is suffering so much, they're behind! In all fairness though, Ford, GM and Chrysler are putting 5 and 6-speeders in a lot of models for 2007, but there are still some 4-speeders in all of their respective lineups. Chrysler of course is putting their version of the Mercedes 5-speed in a lot of vehicles and some 07' models like the Pacifica are getting a outside supplied 6-speeder.

M