Features

Gregory Peck rode a Vespa on his Roman holiday. Jude Law drove Gwyneth Paltrow across Capri in his Alfa Romeo. For Audrey Hepburn, only a classic Fiat would do. In Italy, no self-respecting follower of brio and la bella figura sets out without the right ride.

That used to mean something Italian - the sensuous Pininfarina-sculpted swoops of a Ferrari, the stubby haunches of a Maserati or the simple charms of a red Alfa Romeo convertible.

But there is a new capo on the piazza and - whisper it sotto voce - he's Inglese.

I'm heading for the hills and lakes north of Milan to see this stylish newcomer. It's no surprise to find it here. Well-to-do Brits have always loved this part of Italy. The Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simpson chose Lake Como to escape the scandal created by their romance.

DH Lawrence described the Italian lakes as "the most beautiful place on earth" and the mottled peaks and clear waters helped Churchill recover from the depression he called "a touch of the black dog".

The new arrival is to be found at one of the few Grand Hotels worthy of the description. The Grand Hotel Villa d'Este in Cernobbio on the south-western shore of Lake Como was built in the 16th century by the Cardinal of Como as a palazzo retreat from the pressures of the town.

When I arrive, smudgy lake mist still covers the terrace but the summer sun soon burns it off to reveal the best, luxury British car for a generation: the Rolls-Royce 101EX.

The slitty LED headlamps come into focus first, followed by the aluminium bonnet, milled from a single ingot and brushed by craftsmen for almost a month until it is thread-perfect. On top of the laconic, swept-back grille, the new underlit Spirit of Ecstasy mascot glows in the gloom.

Rolls-Royce's trademark 'waftability' undercut scoops low and hard into the flanks, echoing the shut-line of the rear-hinged coach door and creating a snarky profile. The muscular boot is so elegantly tapered and tailed down that is seems to flow into the lake.