How big is the back seat in the 612? I have a Bentley GTC and it is pretty tight, is the 612 much bigger? I can get my 5 yr old in a car seat in the bentley, and a small adult back there in a crunch, but not comfortably. Any comparisons would be helpful, thanks.
There is plenty of room for two adults. My wife and I comfortably drove to dinner (both in the front seats at 5'10" and 6') with two friends who were 5'9" and 6' in the back seats. Took 30 min each way and all commented on how comfortable the drive was (and the awesome cornering and speed). The seats are very deep and thus are deceiving in terms of size.
My kids are 8 and 11, and we drove 1500 miles through Europe this summer with no problems. And they even had a bag on the arm rest between them sometimes! If you're going to put a car seat in, I don't think it would be an issue, but be sure to test them first.
Speaking from personal experience owning and even sitting in the back of both a 612 and Bentley GT (not the convertible though): The back seat of the Bentley has more room. I could ride in the back of the Bentley for a couple hours with no problem (again, from actual experience when I let a friend drive for a couple hours). Fitting into the back of the 612 was more of a short term thing: I could do it, but would not have wanted to be back there for hours. Neither is spacious, but the nod goes to the Bentley.
I would say that it's the other way round!! I think that the rear space of the 612 is larger than a Bentley GT hardtop!! The boot/trunk of the 612 is much smaller though.
The annoying thing about the 612 is that its length isn't really transferred to its interior. While there's more room under the hood than it'll ever need, the cabin isn't proportionally large considering the car's length. I'm 6' 2" and cannot fit in the back of a 612 so that it is comfortable for both me and a 6' driver. However, it is very similar in size to the Bentley Continental GTC's back seat - perhaps a bit more leg room and a bit less hip room. A five-year-old should be fine.
The trunk on the 612 leaves something to be desired, although once you really start packing it, it's better than it seems at first glance. And honestly, I think it's better than the trunk on the 456. Not the best for 4 people for two weeks, although with careful packing it can be done!
Since you own both, what are your opinions both of the backseats, and the cars in general? I dont plan on dumping the GTC, I just occasionally need a bit more room in the back, I am wondering if the 612 will give it to me, or if I will need to go for a Quattroporte (or perhaps a flying spur), but I am trying to avoid that choice for the moment. edited: Oh and I meant a booster not a full fledged car seat in the rear.
The 612 is fine for kids-- maybe even teenagers (they're flexible) but if you seriously expect to carry an adult back there, other than on an emergency or extremely rare occasion, get a 4 door.
Agree with Don. The GTC back seats are easier to enter - with the top down. I think the 612 may provide a tiny bit more knee room for an adult (I'm just under 6'), but I'd hate to ride back there for long. Parked the cars next to each other, sat in the back seats of each, and was glad to be the driver! Had a QP, traded it towards the 612. I plan to use the 612 primarily for driving back and forth to race tracks - for an average total trip of say three nights away from home. The car seems perfect for this purpose. With my wife - I'm certain the back seats would be loaded with "necessities." IMO, for a family trip, I'd very highly recommend the QP; I put 22,000 miles on my QP in less than a year, had absolutely no problems with the car. My wife and I and 19 year old daughter were comfortable in our QP, along with a fair amount of luggage. We'd have been unhappy in the 612. My 612 is an '08, and the comfort and convenience features are the best I've found in a Ferrari - bluetooth, ipod, front and rear park sensors, rear camera, nav, etc. The GTC is a gem, solid, powerful, torquey, a lovely interior, nice noises - my wife's primary driver. I rarely drive the car, but am always impressed when I do. The side by side pics don't help much, but here are a few: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
My bottom line - neither car has what I'd consider a useful back seat - except for children and perhaps a very patient teenager. Perhaps better than the back seats in a DB9, but still not terribly good. I'd strongly recommend an interesting four door, and the QP IMO is a very good one. More: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
That's curious. While I haven't owned the two concurrently, I presumed that 2 years and 50K miles in a 612 followed immediately by 2 years and 48K miles in the Bentley GT, and having carried more then two in both cars several times, would give me some specific knowledge and basis upon which to have made the claim that I think the back of the bentley is bigger. Maybe they make both different for those of you on the other side of the pond? Or, I supose it could be because your steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car... Cetainly both have very lmiited back seats, and I would hardly call either back seat more than extra storage space. Oh well. Thems opinions. Everyone has one...
I would second that. We view the back seatrs as useful storage sapce for trips and infrequent passengers. Had the QP for one year and loved it. just didn't need the extra car, but if we had to carry four people more than infrequently, we would have kept it. Ours also was essentially without flaw for over 25K miles.
I think the photos clearly show the deeper seat in the 612 which allows an adult to sit more comfortably. The deep set seat is deceiving in terms of space until you sit there. The rear of the front seats has indentations where your knees hit to give an extra inch of space.
I'm a big fat guy; and the back seats in the 612 are just fine - light years ahead of the back seats in a 456.
