The concept of a fast, powerful limousine capable of whisking its occupants across continents at high speed is nothing new. Indeed, Bentley themselves were doing just that almost 100 years ago with the 6½-litre and then the 8-litre model, as discussed on page 26 of this issue. But going quickly in a straight line is not difficult; you just pile on the power and hang the expense. Getting a car with limousine-esque accommodation to behave like a sports car, or at least like a wieldy grand tourer, just wasn't on the cards until quite recently.
Mercedes got close with successive S-class models, but it took AMG or Brabus to make them stop, steer and go really well. Ditto BMW's 7-series and the rare Alpina versions. Maserati's more recent Quattroportes, the QP V and QP VI are wonderful to drive fast thanks to the Ferrari V8
