From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Comparative performance and handling review of a 3 1/2 Litre Hotchkiss against a Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\1\ scan0191 | |
| Date | 24th April 1935 | |
| INISH To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Bly.{B. W. Bleaney - Bentley Sales} X 3531 RED SEAL Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}13/KW.24.4.35. 3 1/2 Litre Hotchkiss. ****************** This car has a very outstanding performance. We give comparative figures of the Autocar test between the Hotchkiss of April 5th, and the Bentley which was taken 12 months ago. The Bentley then weighed about 1 1/2 cwts. less than it does now. For actual top speed the Hotchkiss is slightly better than the best conventional Bentley we have ever made. The acceleration is of course a great deal better than the Bentley when the gears are used, but not below 30 m.p.h. on top gear, because the top gear ratio of the Hotchkiss is 3.8 to 1 against our present standard of 4.1 to 1. The reason for the acceleration of the car - apart from the fact that the engine power output must be quite good - is its low weight, as it is only 7 lbs. over 30 cwts. Mechanically, the valve gear is quieter than the Bentley. The absence of an intake silencer, and a noisy exhaust system, give the car a feeling of coarseness which we do not think it really merits. The expenditure of a trifling sum on adequate silencers would improve the car out of all recognition. The steering does not lack selectivity, but again is not altogether pleasing to handle. It seems that there is nothing fundamental about this, but that it would be completely corrected by the latest type of double toothed Marles. The suspension is not at all bad from the sports car point of view. The brakes are most effective at ordinary speeds, but we understand are of the Bendix type, which from our experience might be expected to be inadequate if the car was driven to its limit on winding roads. The car tested was the two-door Saloon illustrated in the Autocar of April 5th. | ||