Speed and style aren’t the only reasons to buy a high-end vehicle. Some drivers are looking for the supreme indulgence of a sensory deprivation tank on wheels—with the emphasis on “tank.” What makes the ride so smooth in a luxury car? In the end, it comes down to size and money.

Sheer Weight

When you want a comfortable trip, you have to show the road who’s boss. That means squashing the asphalt into submission with the equivalent of a solid gold steamroller. What kind of poundage are we talking about? Consider:

• The Mini Cooper can weigh as little as 2,600 pounds.
• A Lexus ES weighs around 3,600 pounds.
• A Chevy Silverado weighs about 5,100.

To put this into perspective, a Bentley Mulsanne, which has quite a smooth ride, is about 6,000 pounds.

Extended Wheel Base

Car enthusiasts agree that the more ground a car can cover—without moving—the more luxurious the vehicle feels.

• A Toyota Camry is about 16 feet long.
• BMW 7 series: a little over 17 feet.
• A Lincoln Navigator is 18.5 feet.

A Mercedes-Maybach S650 Pullman is about 21.5 feet long. Just make sure you have a chauffeur who likes a parking challenge.

Superior Insulation

While Rolls Royce engineers were testing the second-generation Ghost, passengers reported that it was so quiet it made them nauseous. The aluminum skin was double sound-proofed, with tires lined with lightweight foam. To make it a little bit noisier, they ended up piping a soft undertone into the cabin. That’s the kind of quiet where you can whisper even when the car is topping 80 miles per hour. It’s the ultimate cone of silence.

Plush Interiors

You know you’re in a supercar when you reach your destination without realizing the vehicle was moving. It’s a complete cocoon experience, with seats made of bull leather (because female cattle are prone to stretch marks) raised in climates too cold for mosquitos to blemish the skin. Even the floor mats are decadently deep. Other amenities that distract from the outside world include rare wood trim, a whiskey cabinet with monogrammed glasses, and air conditioning so specialized that you can keep the lower cabin a different temperature than the upper.

So what makes the ride so smooth in a luxury car? The best materials on the largest, heaviest thickest “boat” you can find. That probably makes it difficult to sell your Rolls Royce —unless you’re ready for a new one. Nahas Motorcars can take it off your hands with concierge-level convenience. We’ll come to you and hand you a check the same day. Contact us for a quote.