Category: Bentley

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Bentley Motor Shows Motorsports

Paris 2012: Bentley Continental GT3 concept

Bentley Continental GT3 concept

The highlight of Bentley’s stand at the Pairs Motor Show is their Continental GT3 concept. It’s based on the Continental GT Speed and is set to hit racetracks late next year.

It’ll be great seeing the big Bentley mixing it with the best on offer from the likes of Audi, Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche and others.

There’s been no confirmation of the Continental GT3’s drivetrain, but it will be rear-wheel drive the main discussion point is the engine: will it be the 6.0 W12 or a 4.0 litre V8? One thing is clear—in GT3 trim—Bentley’s Continental looks as good as it ever has.

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2012 Geneva Motor Show in pictures – part 1

2012 Geneva Motor Show

After a couple of days for press previews the doors to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show are about to be opened to the public. Figuring you probably can’t make it we’re bringing you our biggest photo gallery ever. That’s right, there’ll be over 200 images from the floor of Geneva for you to enjoy.

We’ve kept things varied and ensured there’s dream cars, like the Ferrari F12berlinetta and Lamborghini Aventador J, as well as everyday stuff like the new Audi A3 and the Subaru Impreza Hatch. Then there’s the Valmet Automotive Dawn. We’re not quite sure what that is and you’ll see it in part 2 of our gallery, to be added later today.

After the break you can enjoy the first installment where we’ve taken an alphabetical approach and presented manufacturers from A–K.

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2012 Detroit Motor Show photo gallery

2012 Detroit Motor Show

Here we have a selection of images from the floor of the Detroit Motor Show, or more correctly, the North American International Auto Show.

Unlike Tokyo late last year there’s a noticeable lack of weird and wonderful concept creations, but we certainly applaud the appearance of the Honda NSX Concept. It’s easily the clear star of the show in our eyes.

Not so fortunate is the Chevrolet Code 130R concept; a BMW 1 Series Coupé that somehow turned out all wrong. So, too, the Chrysler 700C. Seriously, does anyone actually look at these things before they are put on the stand. And if they do, then we’ll have some of whatever it is they’re smoking please.

Equally, we can’t quite understand the fascination the North American audience has had with the Ford Fusion. Its poor mans Aston Martin-like grille is an embarrassment.

Anyway, there’s 50-odd pictures for you after the break. Why don’t you be the judge and tell us what you like and don’t like.

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Bentley

Somebody, please, make it stop!

Bentley SUV rendering

“If Bentley were able to sell an SUV with the same level of craftsmanship as a Continental or Mulsanne, we could have an interesting success on our hands.

“I believe our version of the Cayenne could become our biggest selling vehicle… With an SUV, Porsche doubled in size.”

They are the harrowing words of Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer. The worst part is, he is bloody right, too.

Yep, by 2014 the Volkswagen Group will have another marque flogging off an overpriced, underused SUV.

The irrepressible onslaught of the urban behemoths carries on. Nothing, it would seem, can be done to stop this progression of unnecessary excess. Peak oil? No. Global Financial Crisis? No. Sales just keep on climbing. Manufacturers keep on indulging our demands.

Sure they’re actually not too bad to drive. And in the small percentage of cases a luxo-SUV is actually fit for purpose it can be quite a rewarding experience. But, most are just a big hunk of metal that scream, “I’m loaded, now piss off!”

As a learned friend of AUSmotive has described this latest talk from Crewe like this, “The Bentley SUV is a Volkswagen Touareg with £100K of mesh on the front.”

[Source: Car | Thanks to Mark and Matt for the tips]

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AIMS 2011 gallery: Everything else

Suzuki at AIMS 2011

Here’s all the left over bits from the Australian International Motor Show. The cars that didn’t quite have enough material for their own sub-gallery or, in some case, cars that usually don’t fit the AUSmotive niche.

The Suzuki Swift S-Concept you see above caught our eye. It looks quite sharp, don’t you think. Speaking of which, the Joss prototype is worthy of a second look. Can Australia really produce a world-class supercar?

You’ll see new metal from Bentley and Maserati. As well as the ‘all-new’ Ford Focus and those teeny weeny Mad Max concepts. Pretty mad looking they are, too.

The best France could offer was Peugeot this year, no Renault to be seen. The new 508 sort of looks alright, but the person responsible for the rear light detail on the 207 SW needs to be guillotined!

Japan popped in with the still menacing Nissan GT-R and Toyota FT-86II Concept. Incidentally, that seemed to be the only car on the Toyota stand that wasn’t prefixed by the word Prius.

And, finally, the Mitsubishi Concept PX MiEV probably the only concept car ever to feature massive Brembo brakes hidden behind chunky alloy wheels. Oh yeah, remember the first time you made a model car and there were bits of glue all over the place? Yeah, check out the front grille on the PX thingy if you can. Bit of a rush job, do you think?

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Bentley

The new Bentley Continental GT, now in video

Bentley Continental GT

Following the release of images of the new Continental GT from Bentley you can now feast your eyes on a new video clip. Despite ending somewhat abruptly the footage has a great blend of imagery featuring production and design techniques interwoven with the big GT driving around the Ascari race track.

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Bentley

The new Bentley Continental GT

Bentley Continental GT

Back in 2003 Bentley launched a new Continental GT. It was one of the first models to emerge under Volkswagen ownership. It was a great looking car. It had a big, demanding presence, while having some of the nicest curves in the game. That’s a picture of it above. Looks great, doesn’t it. Well, as it happens, that is actually the new Continental GT. Yep, it’s a brand spanker.

So the gentlefolk at Crewe have taken the evolution path, then. And why not, this new Continental GT looks fantastic. To be fair, the car looks even more svelte than before. The iconic crease lines over the wheel arches are what gives this grand tourer its classic shape, perfectly complemented by the well crafted roofline.

The GT is still powered by a 6.0 litre W12. Manufacturing improvements now see that lump producing 423kW (575 PS) and 700Nm. The GT still looks big, so it should come as no surprise, then, that she tips the scales at 2320kg. Despite that, when coupled with a new ZF 6-speed auto and Volkwagen Group’s Torsen all-wheel drive system, the GT can reach 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. That’s a couple of tenths quicker than a BMW M3. If you keep your right foot buried into the floor, you’ll reach 160km.h in 10.2 seconds.

Continuing the bold statements made by this car is the fuel consumption. It’s very bold, actually. The overall combined rating is 16.5l/100km. But I guess sir won’t be too fussed by trivial matters of his Bentley’s fuel consumption.

Coming in late 2011 is a high-output, high-efficiency V8. That sounds suspiciously like the terms used to describe the engine in the Audi RS5. Coming up after the break are more pics and an extensive press release with thanks to the Bentley PR department.

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Bentley News

White trash

Bentley - white trash

Manchester City footballer Stephen Ireland proves the old adage that money can’t buy taste. But it appears that money can buy love, contrary to the theory put forward by famous Mancs Messers Lennon and McCartney.

The abomination above used to be a Bentley Continental GTC before Ireland and his money trashed it in preparation for his girlfriend, Jessica Lawlor.

A source from Man City said, “He never told a soul what he was doing and Jess was absolutely stunned when he presented her with the car. She’s as pleased as punch with it and is delighted with all the effort Stephen has gone to in having customised for her every need and wish.

“He’s thought of absolutely everything. The other soccer Wags will be jealous for sure when they see Jess cruising around.”

Follow the link below to see the touching tribute Ireland commissioned for the head rests. It’s noice, different, unewesual!

[Source: Mail Online | Thanks to Tim for the tip]

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Bentley Motor Shows

VIDEO: Derek Bell drives Supersports at Goodwood

Derek Bell drives Continental Supersports at Goodwood

Legendary sportscar racer and five time Le Mans winner Derek Bell was thrown the keys to the Bentley Continental Supersports at Goodwood recently. The car’s appearance at the 2009 Festival of Speed offered one of the first opportunities to give passenger rides in the 621bhp W12 coupé, and, of course, Mr Bell was only too happy to oblige.

Watch the video footage below and marvel at his skillz and be amazed at his magic driving gloves that appear and disappear throughout the clip!

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Autostadt counts 18 millionth visitor

Autostadt, Wolfsburg, Germany

Car enthusiast heaven, otherwise known as the Autostadt, in Wolfsburg, Germany, recently saw its 18 millionth visitor through the turnstiles. Visitor numbers are nine years ahead of schedule. The Autostadt opened its doors on 1 June 2000, with predictions of 1 million visitors per annum. A figure which, in reality, has turned out to be 2 million visitors each year.

The Volkswagen Auto Group theme park has unique pavilions for all of the marques in its stable. That’s Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Seat, Skoda and, of course, Volkswagen. Also included is general auto museum featuring notable cars from outside the VAG history books, as well.

It’s a pretty amazing place, dominated by the twin glass car towers where buyers can collect their new cars from. You can get a taste of that experience from this previous AUSmotive article. If you get the opportunity I highly recommend a visit. Volkswagen’s press release can be read after the jump, along with a few happy snaps of my own from my visit in 2006.

Further information can be read at autostadt.de and volkswagen.com.

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Bentley

Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley has followed the GTC Speed by extracting even more life from the Continental platform by releasing the 621bhp (465kW) Supersports coupé.

The Supersports utlises Bentley’s FlexFuel technology which allows the car to run on bioethanol, petrol or any mix of the two. This enables a drop in CO2 emissions of up to 70 per cent. Performance has hardle been affected, either, with the big cruiser getting to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

The 6.0 litre W12 complements all that horsepower with a massive 800Nm of torque. Further to its 0-100 times, the Supersports can reach 100mph in just 8.9 seconds while having a v-max of 204mph (329km/h).

While the Continental might be showing its age a little, it still cuts a stunning profile and suits its market position very well. The visual mods and red leather interior of the Supersports also help to keep the Conti looking fresh and aggressive.

There is a massive press doc after the jump, along with a few more pics.

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Bentley

Bentley Continental GTC Speed

Bentley Continental GTC Speed

The Continental GTC was first released in 2006, now Bentley has given things a bit of an extra nudge by releasing details and images of the GTC Speed. Power output of the 6-litre twin turbo W12 is now a mammoth 447kW (600bhp). It is Bentley’s most powerful convertible ever and commenting on the GTC Speed’s character, Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering, said “The GTC Speed offers supercar performance, superb refinement, comfort and unrivalled craftsmanship all in one car. It perfectly evokes the spirit of the original Bentley ‘Speed Model’ of the 1920s.”

With the roof up Bentley claims the GTC Speed can top 200mph (322km/h), although, in order to keep sir’s toupé in place the top speed is more sedate 195mph (312km/h) when the roof has been lowered. The 0-100 dash is over and done with in just 4.5 seconds, which is very bloody quick it has to be said.

The Continental Coupé Speed, released in 2007, has become the highest selling Continental model and Bentley expects two in three GTC models sold will be a Speed variant.

Just released in the UK, the GTC Speed retails for £145,000 (AU$300,000). Ouch. What financial crisis!

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