Haute Auto: Arnage Vs. Maybach

The increasing popularity of super luxury sedans has forced automakers to roll out a new generation of innovative and powerful driving machines that go beyond the extraordinary. The Bentley Arnage Final Series and the Maybach 62S Landaulet effortlessly deliver the ultimate in comfort and technological sophistication. Suitable for an evening out or a morning drive through wine country, these four-door sedans will make you feel like royalty while delivering dynamically breathtaking performance.

[highlight_text] The Landaulet features exclusive seychelles white leather, white fabric, and white velour, which are accented with either black piano lacquer trim or black granite with gold detailing. [/highlight_text]

Maybach 62S Landaulet

The 2009 Maybach 62S Landaulet concept is beyond extraordinary. Based on the Maybach 62S sedan and powered by its 612-horsepower Biturbo V12, the Landaulet is what some like to call “business class on wheels.” The front seats are fully enclosed and separated from the rear passenger compartment by a removable divider. While the chauffeur’s section has the workings of most high-end luxury sedans, it is the rear section that inspires awe.

The most noticeable feature is the sliding soft roof. Controlled from the driver’s compartment, the roof takes only 16 seconds to fold and allows passengers to enjoy the clear blue sky. When fully descended, the retractable roof hides behind the back seat allowing for maximum trunk space. Even under adverse climatic conditions, two ultra-modern climate control systems ensure a pleasurable open-air experience.

Thanks to a liquid crystal membrane embedded in glass, the partition between the driver’s cabin and the passengers’ section can be turned opaque at the push of a button, allowing passengers to sit back in privacy. Fully reclining armchair seats allow even the tallest passenger to lounge in first-class comfort. The Landaulet features exclusive seychelles white leather, white fabric, and white velour, which are accented with either black piano lacquer trim or black granite with gold detailing. The entertainment system includes a DVD-player, six disc CD-changer, cooler compartment with its own electric compressor, and an intelligent system that holds glasses, goblets, and champagne bottles safely in position.

Despite being labeled as a concept, the rumored 20-vehicle production run of the world’s most exclusive luxury car is near an absolute lock.

[highlight_text] Unlike previous editions, the sedan adds chrome to the doorsills, speaker grilles, and inlays the material within the custom wood trim. [/highlight_text]

Arnage Final Series

Since 1998, the Arnage has combined first-class luxury and exquisite design, making it the four-door flagship of the Bentley range. Over the last decade the car has undergone constant refinement in order to maintain its position at the front of the luxury market. By combining the performance of the 500-horsepower Arnage T with the refinement of the Arnage R, the 2009 limited edition Bentley Arnage Final Series is the grand finale of the grandest Bentley.

The Arnage Final Series is one monster of a super-luxury sedan. Its twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V-8 boasts 500-horsepower at 4200 rpm. A six-speed ZF automatic transmission channels power to the Arnage’s rear wheels, propelling the car zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds.

Muscular lines and discreet exterior cues enhance the luxurious appearance of the car’s exterior. While 20-inch alloy wheels are awash in chrome, the overall “bling” of the sedan’s exterior is minimal. Key ingredients of the car’s distinctive appearance include a dark-tinted Bentley matrix radiator and lower grille with a retractable flying-‘B’ hood ornament.

The interior of the remarkably spacious cabin is made of superb, handcrafted quality, giving a feel of exclusivity. The Final Series is trimmed entirely with the customer’s choice of 25 different colors of leather hides. Bentley adds custom contrast stitching to the seats, including a hand-embroidered Bentley emblem on each seatback. Unlike previous editions, the sedan adds chrome to the doorsills, speaker grilles, and inlays the material within the custom wood trim. Stored neatly in the seatback compartment, which doubles as a seatback table, is a limited-edition chrome flask accompanied by two shot glasses.

The Final Series’ surprisingly advanced audio system not only employs an iPod interface, but a receiver that reads digital files from an SD card. A 1,000-watt amplifier powers high-end Naim speakers, rounding out the system. Production of the hand-built Arnage Final Series is limited to 150 cars, and the vehicles will be priced around $249,000 each.