Bentley Flying Spur vs. Mercedes-Benz S600 vs. Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II

On this high-speed three-lane highway, the big, blond Benz is the easiest car to drive hard and fast. Wide, well-poised, and always firmly planted, the S-Class feels rock solid even as it rolls over wet grooves, yawning expansion joints, and fast washboard sweepers. It also boasts the latest tech. Whoever is in charge of the ugly two-spoke steering wheel will enjoy a comfortable driver’s seat and will be assisted by adaptive cruise control, automatic lane guidance, night vision, and an adaptive suspension that uses cameras to adjust for the road ahead. Parking is fully automatic if you so desire, navigation is governed by real-time traffic information, surface heating extends to the door panels and the center console, and the all-LED lighting system outshines its rivals. In contrast to all this cutting-edge technology, the 6.0-liter V-12 that drives the S600 is not exactly a brand-new piece of kit. The three-valver harks back to the 5.5-liter V-12 that first appeared in the Maybach 57 in 2002. With 523 hp, the twin-turbo motor is the relative weakling of this trio—the Ghost has 563 hp, and the Bentley 616 hp. But the Mercedes does make the most torque, at 612 lb-ft, and it is the lightest at 5,038 pounds. (The Bentley and Rolls each weigh about 5,500 pounds.) Although the Mercedes is super comfortable and ultra safe, it remains at all times commendably involving.

The word “involving” also applies, surprisingly, to the Rolls-Royce. What makes all the difference here is the optional dynamic driving package. Quicker steering commanded by a thicker-rimmed wheel, retuned dampers, and a revised rear- suspension impart precision and heightened road-holding capabilities on the formerly floaty Ghost. The slight slack just off center that we’ve noticed at high speed in earlier Ghosts has all but disappeared. Despite its considerable weight, the Series II is confidence-inspiring when pushed, as body roll and brake dive are now better suppressed.

“The brain buys the Benz. Our adrenal glands want the Bentley. The gut, though, would almost certainly spend even more for the keys to the Ghost.”

Still, there comes a point where Sir Rolls prefers a more leisurely pace. With stability control on, the Ghost is automatically reeled in early enough for the glasses on the rear picnic tables to stay put. But with the nannies off, you find yourself maneuvering the Titanic through the upper reaches of the Thames. The Rolls is at its best surfing the V-12’s wave of low-end torque, which crests at 575 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. It appreciates defensive steering and throttle angles, and it even uses info from its navigation system to avoid superfluous gear changes. In this car more than in the other two, a smooth driving style will be rewarded with total refinement and, pardon the cliché, splendid isolation.

Black beauty: The Bentley is tastefully appointed all around, but its interior is cramped for a car this size.

Creature comforts:
The Benz’s interior prevails with perks such as heated armrests. The Rolls (below) has improved iDrive.

Under the pressure of fast downhill sections, we’re amazed by the collective stopping power of the brakes. All three cars employ manhole-cover-size discs straddled by calipers big enough to tame a train. The 500-pound weight advantage of the S600 pays off by shortening the stopping distance. The heavier Bentley has help from optional carbon-ceramic rotors, which combine fade-free stopping power with commendably progressive pedal feel. Even so, we wish the Bentley had shift paddles so we could more easily manage our speed via engine braking. The Rolls-Royce boasts a potent stopping apparatus that works as effortlessly as the rest of the car. Like the light two-finger steering, the brake pedal only needs a couple of toes’ input to deliver. Another forte our behemoths have in common is unerring directional stability. All three models were virtually immune to strong crosswinds, foul weather, and sudden surface variations. Fast corners were rarely an issue either, but like a full-size bullet train, our 36-cylinder convoy had to slow down significantly for tighter bends.

Of course, these cars need to offer more than just high-speed capability. First, they need to be supremely comfortable. The German contender is hard to beat on this metric, and this verdict extends to the second-row accommodations, which offer ample leg- and headroom, not to mention a chair massage. The Bentley, though just as long, is comparatively cramped, and even the driver’s seat feels relatively flat and insufficiently adjustable. These cars also need the latest and greatest equipment. Top honors go again to the Benz, which won’t even charge you extra for most of the first-class goodies. The flip side is that the S600’s cockpit is a hard-to-decipher maze of touchpads, knobs, buttons, and thumbwheels. The BMW-inspired Rolls-Royce does better with an improved version of iDrive. In these matters the Bentley, the oldest of the trio despite a recent refresh, shows its age via a dated infotainment system and a conspicuous lack of modern driving aids. Fuel economy might not be a priority here, which is just as well. Over a weekend of hard driving, the Mercedes averaged nearly 15 mpg, the Ghost Series II 12 mpg, and the thirsty Bentley 11 mpg.

Score one for drama: Suicide doors are just one of the eye-grabbing features of the Rolls. Inside, the rear seats are subtly angled toward each other for more intimacy.

Harder to measure, but more important, are presence and a sense of occasion. If you like Teutonic flair paired with overkill engineering (motorized buckles, airbags for the rear belts, perfume dispenser, etc.), you will appreciate the Mercedes-Benz S600. If you prefer more of a gentleman’s club atmosphere, the beautifully executed and tastefully appointed Bentley Flying Spur might be the right choice. But to make a statement of real presence and affluence, nothing beats the Rolls-Royce Ghost, with its dramatic suicide doors, inviting theater seats in back, and remarkably well-appointed cabin.

Battle royale: The S600, the Ghost Series II, and Flying Spur all have their merits. But if you had to choose just one …