Bentley Continental GT

But finding the correct basic seat position for those in the front was only the start. Mindful of the fact that drivers do not all come in the same convenient size, Bentley's packaging team resolved to ensure that the GT coupe fitted a wider range of potential Bentley customers than any other coupe in its history. And job one in this quest was to travel to New York and measure some professional basketball players. This led to exhaustive adjustment and extension of the seat runners until the car was capable of accommodating people for whom supercars could hitherto not even be considered. Read More...

Bentley Arnage

As Bentley has moved toward sleeker, trimmer luxury cars that trade a little heritage in the name of modern styling, the Arnage has become a bit of an orphan. Still, there will be those Bentley customers who are up crying at night, sad to see the Arnage go, especially in its potent twin-turbocharged Arnage T iteration.
To give the Arnage line a sendoff appropriate to a car costing multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars, Bentley has just announced the 2009 Bentley Arnage Final Series, a special edition Arnage limited to 150 units that epitomizes everything that has made the Arnage line a success despite its stratospheric price tag.
Dressed to the nines and carrying the most appealing parts of each Arnage model, the Final Series is both beautiful in the square-shouldered Bentley way and huge in the performance specs department. The fact that a vehicle carrying a scary curb weight of 5,700 pounds can still run 0-60 in 5.2 seconds and attain a top speed of 179 mph is testament to the powerful twin-turbo V8 sitting under the long, sculpted hood.
The rather-silly luxury Arnage Final Series touches we would expect from the Bentley of Bentleys include a retractable "Flying B" hood ornament, which can be electronically stowed in its own special compartment to prevent it from ending up around some car shwag collector's neck. If you have been an Arnage fan since 1998 but have never been able to put your wallet where your mouth is, the 2009 Arnage Final Series is your final chance.

BENTLEY ARNAGE FINAL SERIES
Handcrafted at Bentley, Crewe, Arnage Final Series is an exclusive run of 150 cars, celebrating the last of Arnage
Combining the performance of the T with the refinement of the R, Arnage Final Series is the ultimate expression of class-leading luxury and effortless power
Arnage Final Series is the culmination of 90 years of Bentley heritage and marks the 50th anniversary of the company's iconic V8 engine
Arnage Final Series also signals the end of an era as Bentley prepares for the future

INTRODUCTION
(Crewe, 24 September 2008) -- Since its debut in 1998 the Arnage has conveyed an air of sophisticated understatement as the four-door flagship of the Bentley range. Over the last decade the car has undergone a process of constant refinement to its body, design, chassis and powertrain to maintain its class-leading position in the high luxury market.
To celebrate 10 years of the Arnage, 50 years of its mighty V8 engine and 90 years of the marque, Bentley Motors will launch its limited edition model at the Paris Motor Show next week.
Called the Bentley Arnage Final Series, the new model features a unique specification, combining the performance of the 500 bhp Arnage T with the refinement of the Arnage R and design elements from the Brooklands coupe, for the ultimate expression of British luxury and effortless power in a four-door saloon - a grand finale, for the grandest of Bentleys.
Hand crafted at Bentley's Crewe facility, the Final Series is an exclusive run of 150 cars, a unique example of the marque's flagship created to bid 'farewell' to the highly successful Arnage line in the most appropriate manner and style. Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, explains:
"For 10 years, Arnage has enjoyed extraordinary success at the pinnacle of the luxury saloon market. The Final Series is a celebration of the Arnage era as Bentley prepares for the next generation of its flagship model."

BENTLEY ARNAGE FINAL SERIES - NEWS IN BRIEF
Limited production run of 150 cars
Arnage T powertrain with 6¾ litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing 500 bhp and 1000 Nm of torque
Six-speed ZF automatic transmission with sophisticated locking torque converter provides fast yet ultra-smooth gearshifts
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) logic system improves dynamic response and handling with less intrusive intervention when a reduction in grip is detected
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System fitted as standard
Exterior design styling changes include:
20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels
Retractable 'Flying B' bonnet mascot
Body coloured headlamp bezels
Dark tint matrix upper and lower grilles
Lower front wing air vents
'FINAL SERIES' badge on front wings
Bentley 'Jewel' fuel filler cap
Twin exhaust tail pipes
Interior design enhancements include:
'FINAL SERIES' treadplates to front doors
Drilled alloy brake and accelerator pedals
Waistrails with inset chrome strip and recessed Bentley marque badges (for the first time on Arnage)
Rear cocktail cabinet and document stowage trimmed in hide
FINAL SERIES stainless steel flask and shot glasses
Two picnic tables available in a range of premium unbleached veneers
Four Bentley umbrellas with wooden handles
Further enhancements to the standard Final Series specification include:
Large display audio head unit with Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot
Removable rear cup holders for rear centre armrest
Hide covered boot rail
Further enhancements to the Final Series optional specification include:
iPod interface
Rear remote control for infotainment system
Naim for Bentley audio system: 1100W, 10 speakers and next-generation Digital Signal Processing (DSP) with eight modes to create the world's best in-car sound stage.

A COMMANDING ROAD PRESENCE

For the last 10 years the Arnage's combination of muscular lines and understated luxury have endowed it with a commanding road presence synonymous with all Bentley Grand Tourers, subtly conveying the car's formidable performance potential. This powerful exterior profile is underpinned by a torsionally stiff bodyshell (with an astonishing 6,500 spot welds) that helps to deliver outstanding ride and refinement.
Based on the sporting Arnage T, the Final Series offers a range of discreet exterior cues that further enhance its powerful stance. Key ingredients of the distinctive appearance include a dark-tinted Bentley matrix radiator grille with Flying 'B' mascot and dark-tinted lower grille. The iconic Flying 'B', which can retract neatly into the grille surround, was originally designed by motoring artist F. Gordon Crosby and was first used on the 1930 Bentley 8-Litre.
The Arnage Final Series is further distinguished by exterior design features first seen on the exclusive Bentley Brooklands coupe, comprising 20-inch five-spoke, two-piece alloy wheels and 'Le Mans' lower front wing air vents.
Additional unique features include body-coloured front and rear lamp bezels, 'jewel' fuel filler cap (made from billet aluminium) together with 'Final Series' wing badges and polished stainless steel treadplates to the front doors.

EXQUISITE CRAFTSMANSHIP
The Arnage Final Series will have a very special appeal to Bentley customers, as Peter Guest, Head of Department, Body & Trim, explains:
"Thanks to its hand-built exclusivity and superb quality, Arnage has become a world-wide benchmark for automotive craftsmanship. The Final Series epitomises the truly bespoke feel we aspire to and are determined to maintain."
Inside, the Final Series is everything you would expect of a bespoke Bentley, offering the highest levels of hand-craftsmanship to a small, but discerning audience. The interior offers a remarkably spacious, luxury cabin to provide the ultimate in first-class travel for four adults.
Many of the most desirable Mulliner options are included in Final Series as standard, most notably the hand-made waistrails with inset chrome strip with recessed Bentley badges, the new rear cocktail cabinet and document storage trimmed in hide, plus the beautifully designed picnic tables available in a choice of three premium unbleached wood veneers - all prime examples of Crewe craftsmanship.
Bentley is the only automobile manufacturer in the world to offer as standard a cabin trimmed entirely with leather hides - including the headlining. The hand-crafted steering wheel requires up to 16 hours of double-stitching.
A set of mirror-matched veneers for each car takes 13 days to craft, while 17 hides and almost 400 separate pieces of leather are used for the upholstery, trim and headlining. Arnage Final Series spans the many eras between traditional coachbuilding skills and 21st century high-performance automotive engineering.
As in every Bentley, peerless craftsmanship and bespoke finishing are to the fore. Every item of trim, be it veneer, hide or chromed bezel, uses authentic materials. Built by hand, the creation of each Arnage takes a minimum of six weeks and owners can take full advantage of Mulliner, Bentley's specialist commissioning department, as Trevor Gay, Personal Commissioning Manager, Mulliner elaborates:
"Up to 80 percent of Arnage customers specify Mulliner features. Mulliner is completely dedicated to fully understanding their requirements and to delivering a bespoke experience and a uniquely high level of personal service."
Arnage Final Series is available in the full Bentley range of 42 exterior colours, 25 interior hides, and three veneers, plus the comprehensive line-up of Mulliner options and its bespoke colour-matching service that enable Bentley owners to create a uniquely personal car.
To help customers finalise the specification of their Arnage Final Series, the Bentley design team recommends six classic colour and trim combinations - Titan Grey (with Anthracite interior), Royal Ebony (with Beluga), Windsor Blue (with Windsor Blue), Meteor (with Imperial Blue), Burnt Oak (with Burnt Oak) and Black Velvet (with Burgundy).

NEW FEATURE ENHANCEMENTS
Arnage Final Series buyers will also benefit from a range of standard and optional feature enhancements. Standard enhancements include:
New audio head unit - with larger display screen and an SD (secure digital) memory card slot instead of the single CD slot.
New rear cup holders - displaying Bentley craftsmanship, these removable cup holders attach to the front edge of the rear centre armrest, or can be stored inside the armrest.
New hide covered boot rail - features coordinated leather trim and a chrome strip along the top edge.
New optional enhancements available at extra cost:
iPod Interface - links to the Infotainment system and enables customers to play their favourite music through the car's audio system. Supplied with connectors for iPod, USB, Mini USB and a 3.5mm AUX jack. Includes a 12 volt power outlet for charging purposes.
Rear remote control - enables the rear seat passengers to control the infotainment system. When not in use it can be stored in a dedicated pouch inside the rear centre armrest.
Naim for Bentley world class audio system - delivers the world's best in-car sound stage. Created in partnership with Bentley by Naim Audio, a UK-based high end hi-fi manufacturer, this system features 10 speakers, a dual channel sub-woofer and a 1100 watt amplifier - the world's most powerful production unit fitted in a car. Bentley is also the first car manufacturer to use a next-generation Digital Signal Processor (DSP) in its audio system which features eight individual modes to reproduce true emotions and a 'live' concert-like experience.

EFFORTLESS PERFORMANCE FROM CREWE'S MIGHTY V8
The engine, transmission, chassis and running gear of the Arnage Final Series are identical to those previously employed in Arnage T. In this specification, Bentley's remarkable all-aluminium 6 ¾ litre V8 engine produces 500 bhp (507PS/373kW) and 1000 Nm (738lb ft) of torque - figures that ensure that the legendary Bentley 'wave of torque' delivers effortless performance for a unique driving experience.
Acceleration to 60 mph is accomplished in 5.2 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.5 secs) with 100 mph reached in 12.1 seconds (0-160km/h in 12.0 seconds). Top speed of the Final Series is 179 mph / 288 km/h. Each V8 engine bears the signature of the team leader who oversaw its hand-built construction in the Crewe factory.
The six-speed ZF automatic transmission, first introduced for the 2007 model, ensures optimum flexibility, response and refinement. Three transmission modes (Drive, Sport and Semi-Automatic) allow the driver to take full advantage of the powerful 500 bhp V8 engine.

DYNAMIC HANDLING, SUPERB RIDE AND AWESOME BRAKING
Significantly upgraded in 2007, the Arnage's fully independent double wishbone front and rear suspension features coil springs with computer-controlled, adaptive electro-hydraulic dampers and automatic ride-height control with auto-load compensation. These endow the Arnage with impressive body control in all driving conditions, while the new five-spoke, two-piece 8.5J x 20-inch Sports alloy wheels with 255/40 ZR20 Pirelli P Zero tyres - originally developed for the Brooklands coupe - aid handling and road holding.
As an option, Final Series may be specified with carbon/silicon carbide, cross-drilled brake discs. Measuring 420 x 40 mm (front) and 356 x 28 mm (rear), these discs are the largest fitted to any production car on sale today. With eight-piston callipers, the brakes provide impressive retardation and also give an 8kg reduction in unsprung weight, benefiting steering response, ride suppleness and acceleration.
This lightweight braking system ensures virtually fade-free use, time after time, and superb resistance to disc distortion under high thermal conditions. Under normal use, the brake discs will last the lifetime of the car and pad life is doubled compared to the standard system.
The Traction Control system is calibrated with the aim of avoiding all unnecessary reductions in engine torque. The ESP logic system, which is set-up to allow spirited handling without any reduction in stability or safety, monitors the car's overall stability rather than simply loss of grip to the wheels. This reduces the amount of intervention required and restores power earlier and more progressively, allowing the power of the V8 engine to be fully exploited.

50TH ANNIVERSARY FOR BENTLEY'S MIGHTY V8
The fitment of Bentley's legendary V8 engine in the Final Series in its most powerful Arnage form is an ideal way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this renowned powertrain.
Drawing on the wealth of aircraft engine experience gained at Crewe - manufacturing thousands of Merlin engines to power such famous British WW2 planes as the Hurricane, Spitfire, Mosquito and Lancaster - the first Bentley V8 engine was designed and built in 1959.
The fact that Bentley's V8 design has served the marque remarkably well for five decades should not come as a surprise, as Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering, comments:
"The original forward-thinking design of the all-aluminium Bentley V8 was a masterpiece and so good that we have been able to improve it continuously for nearly 50 years.
"Today's engine produces around two and a half times the power of its 1959 predecessor, fuel consumption is only 60 percent of the original and emissions are an incredible 99 percent lower."
In 1959 the power and torque of that first 6.23-litre 90-degree V8 engine in the Bentley S2 saloon was officially described as "adequate". Actual output was around 200 bhp with 400 Nm of torque. Today, the Final Series 6 ¾ V8 produces 500 bhp and 1000 Nm with over 90 percent of that torque available between 1,800 and 3,800 rev/min.
One of the reasons Bentley's V8 engine has evolved so successfully is the position of the exhaust valves, high in the cylinder head with short ports, originally designed for rapid heat dissipation to help engine cooling. Decades later this meant that the catalytic converters could be quickly heated thanks to the short path from valves to catalysts, which benefits exhaust emissions.
Driven by the need to meet increasingly stringent exhaust gas legislation around the world and the desire of many Bentley drivers for more power, the V8 engine has progressively evolved over the years.
In 1962 an increased compression ratio enhanced performance. Seven years later, for the Bentley T-series, the V8 engine underwent a far greater power boost with a longer stroke increasing capacity to 6 ¾ litres, where it remains to this day.
The introduction of turbocharging in 1982 delivered an even more dramatic increase in power to 297bhp to create the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo. The later introduction of port injection systems and a charge cooler for the turbo further improved performance.
In 1999 the V8 engine was introduced into the Arnage, codenamed "F1", with a single turbocharger, by now developing 400bhp/298kW and 616 lb ft/835 Nm of torque. This was followed in 2002 by the "F6" version featuring twin turbochargers, boosting power to 450bhp/336kW with 645 lb ft/875 Nm of torque.
The V8 engine underwent perhaps its most extensive development in 2006 taking power to 500 bhp and torque to 1000 Nm. The introduction of two low-inertia, quick-reacting turbochargers that operate with far greater efficiency at lower engine speeds, reach maximum turbine speed in half the time of the previous units.
Furthermore, a re-profiled camshaft with an all-new roller tappet system provided revised valve timing and substantially improved refinement. These changes also delivered increased power, enhanced durability and ensured compliance with European EU IV and US LEV II emission standards. Read More...

Bentley Brooklands

The Bentley Brooklands is a stunning new model that marks the company's return to the luxury coupe market and reaffirms its reputation as creator of the world's most exclusive coupes. It is the ultimate Bentley: a stylish, four-seat, grand touring coupe with classic British proportions and muscular performance.
Bentley's chairman Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen describes the motivation behind the new coupe: "Bentley's proud sporting pedigree, forged by the exploits of the immortal 'Bentley Boys' on the famous Brooklands* racetrack in the 1920s, was the inspiration for our new coupe, capturing all the style, power and splendour of that era."
Sporting design cues are matched by the phenomenal performance engineering of Bentley's legendary Crewe-built V8 engine. The new Bentley Brooklands possesses the most powerful V8 the company has ever produced - a 530 bhp, twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter unit that also produces a prodigious 775 lb-ft of torque.
Each Brooklands coupe will be hand-assembled, employing traditional coach-building techniques and the craftsmanship skills in wood veneer and leather hide for which Bentley is renowned. To ensure exclusivity, lifetime production will be strictly limited to just 550 cars, with deliveries expected to start in the first half of 2008.

Exterior Design: Classic British Proportions
Bentley's rich coupe heritage provided the stimulus for Director of Styling, Dirk van Braeckel and his design team. For van Braeckel, the task was very clear: "To create a powerful, muscular and rakish grand touring coupe with classic British proportions, in the finest Bentley tradition."
While the new Brooklands is influenced by Bentley's fine coupe lineage, its design and engineering are thoroughly contemporary. The proportions of long bonnet, short front overhang and long rear overhang achieve the design objective perfectly, while the low roofline, steeply raked screens and pillarless side glass convey both power and movement.
As the Brooklands will be built in very limited volume, the designers were able to introduce unique features that necessitate specialist coach-building techniques, as Programme Director, Ashley Wickham, reveals: "The Brooklands' beautiful flowing lines are testament to the traditional coach-building skills and craftsmanship of Crewe's highly talented workforce."

Peerless Craftsmanship with a Sporting Character in the Interior Design
As in every Bentley, peerless craftsmanship is to the fore, enhanced by the warmth and richness of the finest natural materials. To tailor for their individual requirements, customers may choose from an extensive palette of hides, veneers, carpet tones and seat belt colors.
Its four-seat architecture and deeply bolstered seats lend the Brooklands' interior a distinctly sporting atmosphere, complemented by design accents such as aluminum foot pedals and footrest. A new, single-piece, hide-trimmed roof lining flows uninterrupted from the front windscreen all the way to the rear of the car, mirroring the long, sleek profile of the elegant exterior.
The interior designers sought to offer the very highest levels of comfort and legroom, in true Bentley grand touring tradition, while the pillarless window design enhances the feeling of space.

Most Powerful Crewe-built V8 Ever
Beneath its muscular, rakish, coach-built body lies the most powerful Crewe-builtV8 engine ever produced, developing 530 bhp. Maximum torque is an astonishing 775 lb-ft, the highest ever developed by a production V8 engine. Although performance figures are subject to final confirmation as part of the on-going development program, the new Bentley coupe will deliver supercar levels of in-gear acceleration combined with Arnage refinement.
At the beginning of the project, Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering, tasked his power train specialists to deliver an extraordinary driving experience in the Bentley coupe tradition: "Exhilarating, effortless, accessible performance for those truly passionate about their driving was our prime objective."
As with the latest Arnage, the V8 engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with strengthened casing that transforms the way in which both parts of the drive train communicate. A sophisticated, locking torque converter and ESP system ensure that the driver can readily access the prodigious power. A semi-automatic function allows manual gear selection for even greater driver control.
*The challenging Brooklands banked racetrack, which this year celebrates its centenary, was the birthplace of British motor racing. During the 1920s and early thirties, Brooklands, located in Surrey, England, was the scene of some of Bentley's greatest racing triumphs, forging an inextricable link between the company's motorsport heritage and this historic race circuit Read More...

Bentley Continental Flying

The new Bentley Continental Flying Spur is set to deliver even greater levels of refinement, comfort and opportunities for customer personalisation. The class-leading 12-cylinder luxury saloon will also be joined by the 600 bhp (610PS) Continental Flying Spur Speed. The most powerful 4-door car ever produced by the British manufacturer, the Flying Spur Speed offers the pure driving experience and uncompromising performance synonymous with all Bentleys bearing the Speed legend.
The Continental Flying Spur has been an extraordinary success story for Bentley since its launch in 2005. Its unrivalled combination of exciting performance, luxury, craftsmanship, style and four-door practicality has broadened the appeal of the Continental range. The Flying Spur has become the most successful 12-cylinder luxury saloon in the world and has played a pivotal role in the revitalisation of Bentley.
The instantly recognisable style of the Flying Spur undergoes a subtle evolution with changes to the front and rear design. The new, more upright grille and bolder lower air intake accentuate the distinctive Bentley profile, while the new rear bumper delivers a more aggressive and sleek appearance.
A comprehensive range of noise-absorbent measures including acoustic glazing, tri-laminate body undertrays and wheelarch liners ensure that cabin refinement, already a hallmark of the Continental Flying Spur, is best in class.
The new Flying Spur may now be specified with a sophisticated follow-to-stop, radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control system, which monitors traffic ahead and manages the throttle and brakes to maintain a pre-set time gap, up to a driver selected set speed.
As a further option, the new Naim for Bentley audio system provides the world's best in-car sound stage. Designed exclusively for Bentley by Naim, the renowned British hi-fi manufacturer, the system features an 1100 Watt amplifier, the most powerful unit offered in a production car, and 15 custom-built Naim speakers, including dual Naim sub-woofers. The next-generation Digital Signal Processor further enhances the listening experience.
The aluminium-intensive suspension of the Flying Spur features revised spring and dampers and a new bespoke 19-inch Pirelli UHP tyre for outstanding levels of ride quality, comfort and refinement.
Bentley's commitment to the highest quality of craftsmanship and customer personalisation is highlighted with an enhanced choice of beautifully crafted wood marquetry and chrome inlays. In addition, seat piping, a traditional Bentley feature, is introduced on Flying Spur together with two new hide colours. Three new colours and four duo-tone paint combinations are added to the exterior paint palette.
The 600bhp Continental Flying Spur Speed unleashes the same potent performance and intense levels of driver engagement as its highly acclaimed stablemate, the Continental GT Speed.
Inspired by Bentley's legendary 'Speed' models that first appeared in 1923, the Flying Spur Speed offers a range of headline performance figures including a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 200mph.
A lowered ride height, uprated and redesigned suspension as well as retuned steering deliver outstanding agility and body control. Exceptional grip comes from the unique 9.5Jx20 multi-spoke alloy wheels with bespoke Pirelli P-Zero UHP performance tyres.
The Flying Spur Speed is distinguished by subtle design cues which emphasise its performance credentials, including dark-tinted radiator and air intake grilles, wider rifled exhaust tail pipes and unique 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen explains the rationale behind the new range:
"The global success of the Continental Flying Spur has created a new generation of Bentley owners. Responding to their feedback, we have refined an already remarkable car and with the debut of the Flying Spur Speed we are extending its appeal."

CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR RANGE - NEWS IN BRIEF

CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR
Styling evolution
- New front end design with:
More upright front grille with bright chrome matrix
Larger, lower air intakes
Chromed headlamp bezels
Optional bright chrome matrix lower grille
- New, more slender rear bumper design with:
Wraparound brightware and black valance.
Bright tail lamp bezels.
Best-in-class cabin refinement
Acoustic glass to side and rear windows
New acoustic tri-laminate undertray and wheelarch liners
Retuned exhaust system
Enhanced driving dynamics
- The aluminium-intensive suspension features revised spring, anti-roll bar and damper settings and a new bespoke 19-inch Pirelli UHP tyre, for outstanding levels of ride quality, comfort, response and refinement.
- New design 19-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels.
- Retuned Servotronic power steering for improved feedback and feel.
- New 'Sport Traction' mode from ESP 8.1 system offers superb traction without being intrusive.
- Optional fade-resistant carbon ceramic brakes provide improved brake feel (only available on 20-inch wheels).
Discs last lifetime of car and pad life doubled (in normal driving conditions).
- New, follow-to-stop precision radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control with five time-gap settings.
- Power output of the twin turbo 6.0 litre W12 engine remains at 552bhp (560PS/412kW).
- Top speed of 195mph (312km/h) and 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.2).
Enhanced cabin comfort and customer convenience
- New optional exclusive Naim for Bentley audio system with 1100 Watt amplifier provides the world's best in-car sound stage.
- New optional glovebox-located iPod, MP3 & USB interface connects personal music to the in-car infotainment system.
- Multi-layer seat construction for enhanced comfort.
- New optional full width rear seat with electrically adjustable outboard positions and fixed central seat.
- Park distance control system with new graphics on infotainment screen
- Aluminium foot pedals incorporating the "B" Bentley logo.
Improved personalisation and bespoke choice
- Enhanced choice of handcrafted interior and exterior finishes include:
Contemporary style marquetry with crossbanding to door waistrails (Walnut & Chestnut veneers only).
Traditional style marquetry with crossbanding and inlay to fascia, door waistrails and upper centre console (Walnut & Chestnut veneers only).
New chrome inlay strip to door waistrails.
New two tone interior hide colour options providing greater opportunities for personalisation.
Two new interior hide colours, Linen and Imperial Blue.
Seat piping now available in 16 colours to allow customer to match secondary hide or single tone interior.
Three new standard exterior paint colours (Havana, White Sand and Onyx) along with four unique duo-tone paint combinations (Havana, Dark Sapphire, Onyx and Midnight Emerald) for the first time on the Continental family

THE NEW CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR SPEED

The new Flying Spur Speed shares the enhancements of the Continental Flying Spur model above with the following additions taken from the acclaimed GT Speed:
- A more powerful 600bhp (610PS/449kW) version of Bentley's highly acclaimed W12 with 553 lbft (750 Nm) of torque.
A 9% increase in power and 15% increase in torque.
Maximum torque constant from 1750 rev/min.
- More engaging Bentley driving experience through uprated chassis:
10mm lowered ride height, uprated spring/damper settings and uprated anti-roll bars for improved agility and body control.
Exceptional roadholding thanks to superior grip from unique 9.5Jx20 multi-spoke alloy wheels with bespoke Pirelli P-Zero performance tyres.
Improved steering response achieved through retuned speed-sensitive Servotronic system, solid-mounted front subframe and stiffer rear bushings.
'Dynamic' mode introduced on the uprated Bosch 8.1 ESP system with more progressive intervention to cater for the more spirited driver.
- 0-60mph in 4.5 secs (0-100km/h in 4.8s) and a top speed of 200mph (322km/h).
- Unique Speed model styling cues:
Front grille and lower air intakes in dark-tinted chrome matrix.
Bright chrome grilles available as a no cost option.
Wider rifled sports exhaust tail pipes.
'Speed' treadplates to all four doors.
3-spoke Sport leather steering wheel.
Optional bright or dark tint aluminium fascia panel.
Drilled alloy sport foot-pedals, knurled chrome/hide gearlever.
Diamond quilted hide to seat facings and door panels.
THE NEW 2009 CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR

With typical Bentley understatement the styling of the new Continental Flying Spur is both evolutionary and subtly effective. At the front, the new bright chrome radiator grille, now more vertical, has a more pronounced square edge, accentuating the distinctive Bentley profile.
Beneath the grille, the new lower bumper features a wider, bolder central air intake. The black matrix grille also provides a 14 percent increase in airflow for the more powerful Speed version and the charge cooler intakes are positioned on the corners.
The lower grilles may also be specified in bright chrome to complement that of the main radiator. Chromed bezels around the headlamps complement the new frontal design.
At the rear, the new bumper with black lower valance and wraparound chrome trims make for a more slender appearance that is complemented by new chromed tail lamp bezels. Director of Design, Dirk van Braeckel explains the styling evolution:
"The Flying Spur is instantly recognisable on the road and we were keen to retain its individuality. The subtle styling changes have given the car a fresh look at the front and sleeker, more balanced appearance at the rear."
Enhanced cabin refinement
Since its launch in 2005, the Continental Flying Spur model has achieved a well-deserved reputation for outstanding cabin refinement. For the new model range, the Bentley engineering team were tasked to build on this success and create a unique cabin ambience with best in class refinement and comfort.
Key to that improvement is a comprehensive package of enhancements to the Flying Spur's already impressive acoustic suppression technology. The complex double-glazed windows, a standard feature since launch, now feature a sophisticated acoustic laminate inner layer for all side and rear windows. In addition, new tri-laminate acoustic underbody trays and wheel arch liners absorb road noise.
A redesigned exhaust system provides greater refinement while maintaining the sporty, baritone character of the exhaust note. Overall, these changes deliver a substantial improvement in cabin refinement.
Bentley's Head of Body and Trim Engineering, Peter Guest, explains the effect of this acoustic management:
"We are immensely proud that the cabin refinement of the new Flying Spur is best-in-class. While achieving superb levels of noise insulation, the sporting character and sense of connection with the road is undiminished."
Enhanced driving dynamics and ride comfort
At the heart of the Continental Flying Spur is Bentley's 6-litre, twin turbocharged W12 engine, the most compact 12-cylinder engine in production. The 48-valve head employs four camshafts and continually variable valve timing. Power is transmitted via an uprated ZF six-speed automatic transmission.
The W12 engine continues to produce 552bhp (560PS/412kW) at 6100 rev/min and a maximum torque of 650Nm (479lb ft) from 1600 rev/min across virtually the entire rev range.
In common with all Continental models, the Flying Spur employs a complex four-link suspension at the front and a trapezoidal multi-link system at the rear.
Much of the suspension is made from lightweight aluminium, benefiting steering feel and rolling comfort. Self-levelling air springs are standard, constantly monitoring and adjusting the ride height and damping according to road conditions.
Outstanding levels of ride quality and comfort were the target for the new Continental Flying Spur and to achieve this, Bentley engineers have recalibrated both spring and damper settings and introduced a new bespoke 19-inch Pirelli P-Zero UHP tyre.
Using the same technology as the 20-inch performance tyre introduced on the 2008 Continental GT Speed, the 19-inch version is specially developed to optimise ride comfort and noise suppression, while providing outstanding grip and agility.
The hydraulics of the speed-sensitive Servotronic rack and pinion steering system have been retuned to reduce friction and improve steering feel and driver feedback.
The uprated advanced electronic stability control (ESP) 8.1 system has a new 'Sport Traction' mode that moderates ESP intervention at low speeds whilst providing a greater degree of driver interaction and control, offering superb traction without being intrusive.
Both Flying Spur models can now be specified with Bentley Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
As with conventional cruise control, ACC will maintain, within close limits, a 'set speed' as selected by the driver. In addition, ACC uses a long-range radar sensor, mounted in the lower front grille, to monitor the road ahead for other vehicles. When a slower moving vehicle is detected, the system automatically adjusts braking and acceleration to maintain a 'time gap', as selected by the driver.
The 'time gap' also controls the vehicle dynamic response. The larger the time gap the more relaxed the acceleration and braking, allowing the driver to tune the ACC system to suit their own driving style and traffic conditions.
All Flying Spur models are equipped with the largest brakes of any production passenger car on sale today, with 405mm x 36mm ventilated front discs and 335mm x 22mm rears.
Bentley's carbon/silicon carbide brakes (CCB) are offered for the first time as an option on Continental Flying Spur. With even larger 20mm x 40mm cross-drilled front discs and 356 x 28mm rears, with eight-piston callipers, they may only be specified with 20-inch alloy wheels.
The lightweight, fade-resistant braking system minimises disc distortion under high thermal conditions. Under normal driving conditions the brake discs will last the lifetime of the car and brake pad life is doubled compared with the standard system. A 20kg reduction in rotating and unsprung mass also benefits steering response and handling.
Brian Gush, Director, Chassis and Powertrain Engineering, comments:
"True to the Bentley tradition, the Flying Spur delivers effortless power while significant advancements in ride quality and comfort further emphasise its deserved reputation for world-class luxury. The new Speed model exemplifies our passion for creating cars that deliver truly exceptional performance and driving enjoyment."
Enhanced cabin comfort and customer convenience
The 2009 the Continental Flying Spur is the first model to feature the new Naim for Bentley audio system to create the world's best in-car sound stage.
Designed exclusively for Bentley by Naim, the renowned British hi-fi manufacturer, it features an 1100 Watt amplifier – the world's most powerful production unit fitted in a car – and 15 speakers. The speaker drive units are specifically tailored by Naim to the cabin of each model in the Bentley range to provide a unique and personalized audio experience.
Bentley is also the first car manufacturer to use a next-generation Digital Signal Processor (DSP) in its audio system, enhancing the listening experience still further.
All cars are now fitted as standard with a handset allowing rear passengers to control the main infotainment system.
A new optional iPod, MP3 and USB interface is located in the glovebox, enabling customers to connect personal music to the in-car infotainment system. When an iPod is connected, the tracks are displayed on the infotainment screen.
This perfectly complements the optional rear seat entertainment package that comprises two headrest-mounted 7-inch LCD screens, a 6-DVD multi-changer and two sets of headphones. An enhanced remote control unit now incorporates the rear seat entertainment systems.
A further driver convenience feature is introduced for the park/distance control. The new graphics readout on the console-mounted infotainment screen complements the audible signal.
All new Flying Spur models also benefit from significant developments to the cabin interior. The seating of all new models is extensively redesigned, with a multi-layer seat construction the comfort of which is optimised using different materials.
Employing the latest body profiling databases, the seats are constructed to offer the optimum shape for front and rear seat occupants. In addition, the rear seat cushions are lengthened by 40mm for additional comfort and support.
For the first time on Flying Spur, customers specifying a five-seat configuration may now opt for a rear-seat configuration with fully adjustable outboard positions and a fixed central seat. The outer seats have full lumbar adjustment together with heating and massage functions and a facility to adjust the position of an unoccupied front passenger seat for even greater legroom. Seat ventilation is available as an optional extra.
Improved personalisation and bespoke choice
Already renowned for its unrivalled standard of interior craftsmanship, the cabin of the Continental Flying Spur is now even more luxurious, offering unparalleled opportunities for personalisation in this segment of the market. This follows an extensive development programme that marries the latest production technology with the skills of Bentley's craftsmen and women at its factory in Crewe, England.
Continental Flying Spur customers may now choose from an array of beautifully crafted inlays. These include chrome inlays to door waistrails and a choice of intricate marquetry wood inlays in contemporary and traditional designs, creating a unique and personalised appearance.
The contemporary style inlays comprise crossbanding to the door waistrails while the traditional style inlays feature crossbanding and inlay to fascia, door waistrails and upper centre console. Both are available for Walnut and Chestnut veneers.
To further enhance the interior specification, seat piping is now available as a cost option and can be ordered in a contrast or non-contrast condition from the full colour palette of interior hides.
In addition, a new approach to the interior hide colour combinations provides customers with greater opportunities for personalisation. The door waistrails and lower door panels may now be matched to secondary hide while the centre door pads and armrests remain matched to the main hide colour creating a new two-tone effect.
Additions to the 2009 Flying Spur palette include two new hide colours (Linen and Imperial Blue) as well as three new standard exterior paint colours (Havana, White Sand and Onyx). Four unique duo-tone paint combinations (Havana, Dark Sapphire, Onyx and Midnight Emerald) are available for the first time on the Continental family.
THE NEW CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR SPEED
Following the highly successful introduction of the Continental GT Speed coupe in 2007, Bentley – almost half of new Continental GTs now sold are Speed versions – Bentley now offers the 600bhp (610PS) W12 powertrain in the new Continental Flying Spur Speed to deliver a more powerful and engaging Bentley driving experience.
The Speed engine develops 15 percent more torque and nine percent more power than the standard Flying Spur, while engine efficiency is optimised by the use of lower friction, lighter-weight components and a new engine management system. The resultant performance is exceptional, with a top speed of 200mph (322km/h), a zero to 60mph sprint time of just 4.5 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.8s) and effortless overtaking capability.
The most powerful four-door Bentley ever made, the Flying Spur Speed blends understated design cues to distinguish it from the Flying Spur. Its front grille and lower air intakes are dark-tinted chrome, while at the rear wider rifled sports exhaust tailpipes hint at the potential of the Speed model.
New 20-inch multi-spoke wheels available in both bright silver or darkened tungsten carry bespoke Pirelli PZero performance tyres introduced on the GT Speed model, which provide the car with superb grip and feedback.
The Speed's sporting performance is complemented by a highly capable chassis. Tauter handling and greater steering response with sharper turn-in and improved driver feedback is achieved through a retuned Servotronic steering system, direct-mounted front subframe and stiffer bushings.
Improved agility and body control is also achieved through uprated spring and damper settings as well as thicker anti-roll bars front and rear. To aid the car's high-speed dynamics, the Flying Spur Speed's self-levelling air suspension sits 10mm lower.
The advanced electronic stability programme (ESP), uprated to ESP 8.1 for both models, provides a greater degree of driver interaction and control.
The Flying Spur Speed offers a new 'Dynamic Mode' that allows increased wheel slip at higher speeds. Torque is reinstated more quickly after the traction control system is triggered, giving the spirited driver a greater sense of control and the ability to exploit the full potential of the new engine.
Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board Engineering, comments:
"The new Flying Spur advances its Bentley performance credentials while delivering outstanding refinement and comfort through our unique application of advanced technology and traditional craftsmanship.
With 600 bhp and a sports-tuned chassis, the Flying Spur Speed redefines customer expectations of a large, four-door luxury saloon. The performance, handling and agility set new benchmarks."

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

MODEL TYPE
Four-door
ENGINE
Type 12-cylinder, 6-litre twin-turbocharged engine
Installation Front, longitudinal, all-wheel drive
Construction Alloy heads and block
Bore/stroke 84 x 90.2mm
Capacity 5998cc
Compression ratio 9.0:1
Valve gear Chain-driven DOHC per bank, 4 valves per cylinder, cam phased inlet and outlet
Power Flying Spur: 552bhp/560PS/412kW @ 6100rev/min
Flying Spur Speed: 600bhp/610PS/449kW @ 6000rev/min
Torque Flying Spur: 479lb ft/650Nm @1600rev/min
Flying Spur Speed: 553lb ft/750Nm @ 1750rev/min
Fuel 98 (95) RON

TRANSMISSION
Type Continuous all-wheel drive
Gearbox ZF 6-speed automatic
Ratios 1st: 4.17
2nd: 2.34
3rd: 1.52
4th: 1.14
5th: 0.87
6th: 0.69
Final drive: 3.526

PERFORMANCE
Top speed Flying Spur: 195mph (312km/h)
Flying Spur Speed: 200mph (322km/h)
0-60mph (0-100km/h) Flying Spur: 4.9 seconds (5.2 seconds)
Flying Spur Speed: 4.5 seconds (4.8 seconds)
0-100mph (0-160km/h)
Flying Spur: 11.3 seconds (11.3 seconds)
Flying Spur Speed: 10.5 seconds (10.4 seconds)
50-70mph (80-120km/h) Flying Spur: 2.6 seconds (3.3 seconds)
Flying Spur Speed: 2.4 seconds (3.1 seconds)

SUSPENSION
Front Complex multi-link, computer-controlled self-levelling air suspension, anti-roll bar
Rear Trapezoidal multi-link, computer-controlled self-levelling air suspension, anti-roll bar

STEERING
Type Rack & pinion, power-assisted, speed-sensitive
Turns lock to lock 2.7
Turning circle (kerb to kerb) 11.8m (38.7 ft)

BRAKES
Front 405mm ventilated discs (optional 420mm carbon/ silicon carbide, cross-drilled discs)
Rear 335mm ventilated discs (optional 356mm carbon/ silicon carbide, cross-drilled discs)
Anti lock Standard with Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

BODY & CHASSIS
Construction Steel monocoque
Length 5290m m (208.26in)
Width (inc. mirrors) 2118mm (83.39in)
Weight 2475 kg (5456lb)
Height Flying Spur: 1475mm (58.1in)
Flying Spur Speed: 1465mm (57.7in)
Wheelbase 3065mm (120.67in)
Front track 1623mm (63.9in)
Rear track 1607mm (63.27in)
Wheels Flying Spur: 9.0J 19-inch Alloy (optional 9.0J 20-inch Alloy)
Flying Spur Speed: 9.5J 20-inch Alloy

Tyres (bespoke) Flying Spur:
275/40x19 bespoke Pirelli P Zero (optional 275/35x20)
Flying Spur Speed:275/35x20 Pirelli P-Zero
Tyre pressure monitoring standard

Luggage volume 475 litres (16.7 cu.ft./ 0.47m3)
Fuel tank capacity 90 litres (19.8 gallons/23.8 US gallons)

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Front legroom 1054mm (41.5in)
Rear legroom 980mm (38.58in)

FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSIONS
Fuel consumption Urban: 11.2mpg (25.3 litres/100km)
Extra Urban: 24.3mpg (11.6 litres/100km)
Combined: 17.0mpg (16.6 litres/100km)
Carbon dioxide emissions 396g/km
Emission controls EU 1V and US LEV II
EPA Drive Cycle City Driving: 10.0mpg (US)
Highway Driving: 17.0mpg (US)
CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR STANDARD FEATURE SPECIFICATIONS
INCLUDE:
EXTERIOR FEATURES
Bright chromed grille
Black lower grille
Twin Bi-Xenon headlamps with chrome surrounds
Twin oval stainless steel tail pipes
Keyless entry and ignition
Power latching to all doors
Rain sensing wipers
Electronic tyre monitoring system
Choice of 16 standard exterior colours

INTERIOR FEATURES
Burr walnut to fascia, front & rear console and door waistrails
Choice of 17 standard interior hide colours
Single tone, 4-spoke hide-trimmed multi-function steering wheel
Hide and chrome trimmed gear lever with
manual shift change facility
Four-zone electronic climate control
Electronically adjustable front seats with memory and heat settings
Integrated Bluetooth phone system with remote SIM access profile (rSAP)
Telephone voice dialing
Infotainment system with DVD Satellite Navigation and hi-fi system with remote control and 6 CD changer
Breitling clock
Steering column-mounted gear shift paddles
Engine stop/start button
Electronic cruise control
Footpedal with Bentley 'B' emblem
CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR SPEED FEATURE SPECIFICATIONS
INCLUDE:

EXTERIOR FEATURES
Dark chromed radiator and lower grille
Sports tuned exhaust with twin rifled oval stainless steel
Sports tail pipes
Lowered sports suspension (10mm front & rear)
Painted black finish to engine cover
20 x 9,5J wheels with bespoke performance tyres
INTERIOR FEATURES
Unique treadplates bearing 'Speed' name
Diamond quilted hide to seat facings and doors
Embroidered Bentley emblem to head rests
Indented hide headlining
Single-tone, 3-spoke hide-trimmed multi-function
Sports design steering wheel with silver switch surround
Sporting gear lever finished in knurled chrome and hide
Drilled alloy sport foot-pedals
A SELECTION OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY:
Naim for Bentley Premium Audio System
iPod/ MP3/USB interface
Traditional style cross banding and inlay to fascia, door waistrails and upper centre console (Walnut and Chestnut veneers only)
Contemporary style cross banding to door waistrails (Walnut and Chestnut veneers only)
Chrome inlays to waistrails
Choice of upgraded veneers
Fascia panels available in bright or dark tint* aluminium
Fascia panels, header and centre console in bright or dark tint aluminium*
Rear seat configuration with fully adjustable outboard positions and a fixed central seat.
Seat piping to front and rear seats in 17 colours
4-spoke wood and hide-trimmed multi-function steering wheel
Exterior paint match service to customer specification
Exterior paint colour from Arnage range Read More...

Bentley Continental GTC

Now, the introduction of the new GTC range builds on this success with a subtle evolution of its distinctive style and a range of technical and feature enhancements benefiting comfort and customer choice. The appeal of the GTC is further strengthened by the addition of the new 600bhp (610PS) GTC Speed model. It is Bentley’s most powerful convertible ever and inspired by Bentley’s legendary ‘Speed Models’ from the 1920s.
The new GTC models share a fresh frontal appearance. The radiator grille is more upright with a more pronounced square edge, accentuating the Bentley profile, and bolder lower air intake. These latest models are further distinguished by chrome headlamp bezels, the availability of two new exterior paints and a new colour hide.
For the standard GTC, new low-friction dampers provide improved ride comfort. In addition, two significant new options may be specified on both GTC models: lightweight, fade-resistant, carbon-ceramic brakes, the largest production passenger car brakes in the world, and a sophisticated follow-to-stop Adaptive Cruise Control system with long-range radar sensor that monitors traffic ahead and manages throttle and brakes to maintain a driver-selected time gap.
The GTC’s chassis and exceptionally rigid steel body have proved more than capable of coping with the power of the 552bhp (560PS) 6-litre W12 engine. For the new Continental GTC Speed, Bentley’s twin-turbocharged W12 now develops 600bhp (610PS) that delivers true 200 mph (322 km/h) performance, with the roof up, with exhilarating, effortless acceleration. Even with the roof down the GTC Speed can reach 195 mph (312 km/h).
The Continental GTC Speed is visually distinguished by subtle design enhancements which emphasise its higher performance credentials. At the front, the radiator and lower air intake grilles feature a dark tinted matrix as standard. Larger diameter 9.5J x 20-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels with Bentley-bespoke Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance (UHP) tyres, lowered and uprated suspension, wider twin-rifled exhaust tail pipes and a new boot-mounted lip spoiler that enhances high speed aerodynamics, reinforce the sporting character of the Speed model.
The GTC Speed’s 600bhp (610PS) W12 engine develops 9 per cent more power than the standard GTC. However, it is the 15 per cent increase in torque that really distinguishes the Speed model, which now develops an impressive output of 750 Nm (553lb ft). This is achieved across virtually the complete rev range, from just 1700 to 5600 rev/min, delivering that characteristic Bentley wave of torque.
The 0-60 mph sprint is despatched in a mere 4.5 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds) and 0-100 mph in 10.6 seconds (0-160 km/h in 10.5 seconds).
The GT Speed coupe, which debuted in 2007, has become the top selling GT model across the globe. This was followed in summer 2008 by the 4-door Continental Flying Spur Speed. Now, the Speed family is completed with the introduction of the GTC Speed, which is expected to account for up to two-thirds of GTC sales worldwide in its first year of production.
Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen explains the rationale behind the GTC Speed:
“The Continental GTC is an elegant Grand Touring convertible in the Bentley tradition, exciting the emotions with its distinctive blend of performance, luxury, craftsmanship and modernity. The GTC Speed completes the family of Continental Speed models and broadens the appeal of the GTC to customers who demand a more focused, open-top driving experience.”

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GTC – NEWS IN BRIEF
* New more upright front grille and larger, lower air intake
* Chrome headlamp bezels
* Retuned Servotronic power steering for improved feedback and feel
* Optional follow–to -stop, radar–based Adaptive Cruise Control system
* Optional fade-resistant high-power carbon ceramic brakes (only available with 20 - inch wheels)
* Two new exterior colours – Aquamarine & Blue Crystal
* New interior colour – Aquamarine

Technical
* 600 bhp (610PS) W12 engine, 9 per cent more power and 15 per cent more torque
* Top speed (roof up) of 200 mph (322km/h) and 0–60 mph in 4.5 secs (0–100 km/h in 4.8 secs)
* Top speed (roof down) of 195 mph (312 km/h)
* Lowered suspension (10mm front, 15 mm rear) features revised spring, anti-roll bar and damper settings for optimised ride quality, comfort and refinement
* New design 9.5J x 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels with Bentley-bespoke Pirelli PZero UHP 275/35 tyres
* New ‘Dynamic’ mode for ESP 8.1 system with progressive intervention

Exterior
* Dark-tinted matrix grilles to upper and lower air intakes
* Bright chrome matrix grilles available as a no cost option
* Dark tint finish to alloy wheels available as an option
* Wider rifled sports exhaust tail pipes
* New aerodynamic rear spoiler
* Black lower bumper valance

Interior
* ‘Speed’ treadplates to both doors
* 3-spoke Sport leather steering wheel
* Drilled alloy sport foot-pedals
* Knurled chrome and hide gear lever
* Diamond quilted hide to seat facings, door pads and rear quarter panels
* Optional turned aluminium inserts to fascia, centre console and door pad inserts.


Continental GTC
* Power output of the standard W12 engine remains at 552bhp (560PS)
* Top speed is unchanged at 195mph (312km/h) with a 0–60mph time of 4.8 secs (0–100 km/h in 5.1 secs)
* Improved ride comfort with new low-friction dampers
* Bentley ‘B’ brake pedal

Enhanced powertrain delivers more power and torque
Both Continental GTC models are powered by Bentley’s 6-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine which is produced exclusively at the company’s Crewe engine plant. The Bentley W12 is the most compact 12-cylinder engine in production with 48 valves and 4 camshafts with continually variable valve timing. Power is transmitted via a ZF six-speed automatic transmission.
The new Continental GTC Speed is powered by Bentley’s W12 engine in its most powerful, 600 bhp (610PS) form. It develops 15 per cent more torque and 9 per cent more power than the 552bhp (560PS) standard GTC.
Engine efficiency improvements result from the use of lower friction, lighter-weight components and a new engine management system, while twin, low inertia turbochargers with minimal turbo lag contribute to the W12 engine’s flat torque curve. In 600 bhp (610PS) form, the W12 develops a maximum torque of 750 Nm (553 lb ft) from 1700 rev/min all the way up to 5600 rev/min. The GTC Speed engine is visually differentiated by the ‘crackle black’ finish to the intake manifold.
This endows the GTC Speed with a top speed of 200mph (322 km/h) with the roof-up and a 0-60mph sprint time of just 4.5 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.8 secs). It also accelerates from 0-100 mph in just 10.6 seconds (0-160 km/h in 10.5 seconds).
The six-speed transmission can be left in two fully automatic modes (Drive and Sport) or used as a clutchless manual where the driver can change gears sequentially, via either the gearlever or paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.
The advanced continuous all-wheel drive system of both GTC models provides exceptional traction in all weathers. The drive is transferred between the front and rear axles via a highly sensitive centre Torsen differential. If the differential detects a deviation in torque demand between the two axles it automatically sends more power to the wheels with greater grip.
Both the GTC and GTC Speed also feature an advanced electronic stability programme (ESP 8.1). The ‘Sport Traction’ mode for the GTC moderates ESP intervention at low speeds, benefiting driver interaction and control, particularly on low traction surfaces. The ‘Dynamic Mode’ of the GTC Speed allows increased wheel slip at higher speeds compared to the standard chassis. This ensures that torque is reinstated more quickly, allowing the driver to exploit the full potential of the engine.

Brian Gush, Director, Chassis and Powertrain Engineering, comments:
“The new GTC Speed exemplifies our passion for creating cars that deliver exceptional performance and driving enjoyment. It is a driver’s car which will redefine people’s expectations of what a luxury convertible can achieve.”

A luxury convertible with outstanding ride and handling
The Continental GTC’s steel body has an exceptionally rigid torsional stiffness of around 30Hz that not only minimises ‘scuttle shake’ but provides a very stable platform for the aluminium-intensive suspension system, optimising its performance. Despite the boost in power and torque for the GTC Speed model, no changes to the body structure were required.
For the 552bhp (560PS) GTC, new low-friction dampers provide improved secondary ride (the response of the car to poor road surfaces) and even greater levels of comfort.
The GTC Speed has a range of dynamic enhancements that deliver a more sporting, open-top Bentley driving experience. The retuned Continous Damping Control (CDC) system ensures that the body response matches the inputs from the new sports wheels and tyres, while improved body control reduces pitch and roll when cornering enthusiastically. In addition, stiffer rear axle bushes deliver better axle control and turn-in response.
The GTC Speed’s suspension is lowered by 10 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear for improved handling, while the retuned speed-sensitive steering system and solid-mounted front subframe, shared with the standard GTC, benefit steering response.
The wider 9.5J x 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, unique to the GTC Speed, are fitted with bespoke 275/35 ZR20 Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance tyres that provide the car with superior grip as well as sharper steering response and feel.
To ensure optimum aerodynamic balance at speeds up to 200 mph (322 km/h) the new GTC Speed is fitted with a discreet spoiler on the trailing edge of the bootlid. This provides additional downforce and increases the top speed.
For both models, Bentley’s carbon-ceramic brakes (CCB) are offered as a cost option. Larger diameter (420 mm front, 356 mm rear), lightweight discs and eight-piston callipers offer fade-resistant braking performance with minimal disc distortion under high thermal conditions. A 20kg weight saving reduces unsprung mass and benefits steering response and handling. This braking system may only be specified with 20-inch diameter wheels and are the largest and most powerful brakes ever fitted to a production car.
The standard-fit tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) allows drivers to select tyre type and speed range parameters. As well as monitoring pressures, the system warns drivers if their speed is too high for the tyre pressures or if tyre speed ratings are exceeded on winter tyres.

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.”

Subtle evolution of the GTC’s distinctive style
Both the GTC and GTC Speed benefit from subtle revisions to their frontal appearance.
The matrix grille is now more vertical and has a more pronounced square edge that accentuates the distinctive Bentley profile. A new lower bumper design with a widened air intake reinforces the sporting stance of both GTC convertibles, complemented by new chrome headlamp bezels. The new design also provides a practical benefit by improving airflow to the more powerful Speed engine by 14 per cent.
The GTC Speed has a unique set of design cues, notably a dark-tinted matrix grille to the upper and lower air intakes, a black lower bumper valance, wider, rifled exhaust tailpipes and 20-inch, silver-painted, multi-spoke alloy wheels. The wheels are available as an option with a special dark tint finish.
GTC and GTC Speed customers have a choice of 17 ‘standard’ paint colours including two new colours (Aquamarine and Blue Crystal).

Luxurious hand-crafted cabin
The cabins of both GTC and GTC Speed are available with a choice of 6 natural, unbleached, laser-cut wood veneers and 17 premium grade leather hides, including the new option, Aquamarine.
The GTC Speed’s cabin is based on that of the Mulliner Driving Specification (a cost option on the standard GTC). It features diamond quilted hide seats with embroidered Bentley emblems, a knurled chrome and hide gearlever and a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with brushed aluminium switch surround. These are complemented by drilled alloy foot-pedals and ‘Speed’ logos to the polished treadplates. The standard GTC also receives a new Bentley ‘B’ brake pedal.
A range of options give further opportunities for personalisation, including fascia panels, centre console, door pads and rear quarters in bright aluminium. Uniquely, the GTC Speed is also available with a dark tint aluminium option.

New adaptive cruise control system
A sophisticated follow-to-stop, radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system is now available on both GTC and GTC Speed. It uses a long-range radar sensor, mounted in the lower front grille, to monitor the road ahead for other vehicles. When a slower moving vehicle is detected, the system automatically adjusts the throttle or brakes to maintain a ‘time gap’, as selected by the driver.

GTC and GTC Speed interior key features:
* Electronically powered, insulated three-layer fabric roof folds flat in 25 seconds
* True 2+2 configuration
* Fully adjustable electric front seats incorporating three-position memory (seats, steering column, exterior mirrors) and electric lumbar control with optional massage facility
* Rear seat panel removable to reveal lockable ski hatch
* Electronic climate control system
* Comprehensive infotainment system includes:

- DVD satellite navigation system with route guidance and post-code entry
- Optional television tuner (except for US market)
- Climate control operation
- Computerised suspension control operation (damper and ride height settings)
- 6-CD auto changer in glove compartment
- Optional Naim for Bentley premium audio system featuring 1100 Watt amplifier and 14 speakers Read More...

Bentley Azure T

Though the Bentley Azure T convertible has big power from its sweet twin turbocharged V8, this is a much different car than your typical British luxury sport convertible. The Azure T is a boulevard cruiser first, think effortless power here when it's needed but very cushy luxury all the time.
Just take a look at the interior. Bentley, as might be expected with a car costing multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars, will offer 8 accent wood choices and 25 leather hide types to choose from, allowing each buyer to feel totally comfortable when traveling at more than 170 mph in a portable living room on steroids.
Exterior styling gets some fancy performance accents over "standard" Bentley Azure models, like what Bentley calls ‘Le Mans’ lower front wing air vents and imposing 5-spoke 'Bright Finish' 20 inch alloy wheels. Make no mistake about it, the Azure T is a beautiful car through and through.

Bentley Azure T Performance - More Than a Pretty Face
But the Bentley Azure T, which is perhaps the heaviest convertible in the world at an F150-dwarfing 5699 pound curb weight, still hits 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Chock that up to the 500 bhp twin turbo that also spits out 738 lb-ft. of torque.
All kinds of fancy electronic gizmos ensure that ride stays silky smooth without plowing hard in the corners. Bentley has taken great pains to make this a quiet, neutral car even at speed as much as any drop to can be. Bentley boasts that the Azure T has the largest brake calipers fitted to any production car in existance. The ultra high-tech braking system, with calipers made from carbon/silicon carbide, give the Azure T enough slow-down-and-stop to offset big torque and disgusting vehicle weight.
This is rare convertible with enough utility to be a daily driver. The massive trunk, unfettered by the folding soft top, will have no trouble swallowing your golf clubs. Not like it matters much, as Bentley Azure T buyers carry 4-car garages at minimum.

BENTLEY AZURE T
* The world’s most elegant four-seat convertible now with 500bhp Azure T model
* Azure T delivers exhilarating, class-leading performance
* Unique Bentley ‘T’ styling cues reinforce the sleek, sporting stance of the Azure

INTRODUCTION
(Crewe, England. 12 November 2008). Stylish and powerful, the new Bentley Azure T is the world’s most elegant convertible and destined to become a future classic. With unique Bentley ‘T’ styling cues reinforcing its sporting stance, the 500bhp Azure T delivers driver-focused performance with the ability to transport four adults in first-class, open-top luxury.
The new Azure T, specified with the high performance version of Crewe’s iconic 6¾ litre V8 engine, is the latest in a line of Bentley models to bear the ‘T’ legend. The 1996 Continental coupe was the first modern Bentley ‘T’, followed in 2002 by the Arnage T, both flagship models with a distinctive sporting character and thunderous performance.
The Azure’s already striking form is now enhanced by 20-inch 5-spoke wheels and tyres, ‘Le Mans’ front wing vents, dark tint matrix grille and a sculpted, retractable Flying ‘B’ mascot.
For the performance-oriented Azure T, the twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces 500bhp and 1000 Nm of torque – an 11 per cent increase in power and a 14 per cent increase in torque over its 450bhp/875 Nm Azure stable mate.
The famous Bentley wave of torque is even more prodigious than before and performance is significantly raised with a top speed of 179 mph (288 km/h) and a 0-60 mph time of just 5.2 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.5 sec). Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing, Stuart McCullough comments:
“The new Azure T reflects our passion for creating the world’s most exhilarating and prestigious convertibles that, true to the Bentley T tradition, blend sophistication with a powerful presence.”

BENTLEY AZURE T – NEWS IN BRIEF
* Exterior design styling changes, as standard, include:
20-inch five-spoke ‘Bright Finish’ alloy wheels
Retractable ‘Flying B’ bonnet mascot
Dark tint matrix upper and lower grilles
‘Le Mans’ lower front wing air vents
Bentley ‘Jewel’ fuel filler cap
Twin exhaust tail pipes
Choice of 42 exterior paint colours
* Interior design enhancements, as standard, include:
Diamond quilting to seats and door panels
Drilled alloy brake and accelerator pedals
‘Engine-turned’ aluminium finish to fascia
Instrument faces in black
Embroidered ‘Bentley’ emblems to front seats and rear seat centre
iPod/USB interface
Choice of 8 unbleached veneers and 25 hides from full Bentley range
Knurled finish to: organ stops, mirror adjustors, door handles (interior and exterior), light switch and seat lumbar controls
Knurled & chromed gear knob

* Further enhancements to the standard Azure T specification include:
Large display audio head unit with Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot
Hide covered boot rail

* Further enhancements to the Azure T optional specification include:
‘Naim for Bentley’ premium audio system delivering the world’s best in-car sound stage and featuring 10 speakers, a dual channel sub-woofer and an 1100 Watt amplifier, plus eight individual Digital Signal Processor (DSP) modes to reproduce true emotions and a ‘live’ concert-like experience.

* Arnage T powertrain with 6¾ litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing 500bhp and 1000 Nm of torque – increases of 11% and 14 % respectively
* Top speed raised to 179 mph (288 km/h).
* 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds).
* Acceleration to 100 mph cut to 12.1 seconds (0-160 km/h in 12.0 seconds).
* Six-speed ZF automatic transmission with sophisticated locking torque converter provides fast yet ultra-smooth gearshifts
* Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) logic system improves dynamic response and handling with less intrusive intervention when a reduction in grip is detected
* Tyre Pressure Monitoring System fitted as standard

A UNIQUE OPEN-TOP MOTORING EXPERIENCE
Based on the Azure, the Azure T offers a range of discreet exterior cues that further enhance its powerful stance and hint at its increased performance potential. Key ingredients of its distinctive appearance include design features 20-inch five-spoke, two-piece alloy wheels and ‘Le Mans’ l1ower front wing air vents.
Further distinguishing points from the Azure are standard features such as dark-tinted upper and lower grilles, ‘jewel’ fuel filler cap (made from billet aluminium) and door mirror mountings finished in body colour.
Like the Bentley Brooklands, the Azure T sports the iconic Flying ‘B’ mascot, which can retract neatly into the grille surround. Originally designed by motoring artist F. Gordon Crosby, the ‘B’ was first used on the 1930 Bentley 8-Litre.
With exterior lines that echo visual elements of the Bentley Mk.6 from 1946, the Azure was enthusiastically received on its original debut as a concept car at the Los Angeles Show in January 2005. Now, as the Azure T makes its own ‘debut’ at LA, Raul Pires, Manager of Exterior design for Bentley Motors, notes:
“The Azure’s proportions provided us with the ideal platform to work with when creating the new Azure T. The prominent haunches and ‘supermodel’ body inspired our designers to create a new interpretation of a Bentley convertible with the accent placed on a more muscular, sporting stance.”
Bentley’s designers highlight the 1955 Park Ward S1 Drophead Coupé and 1995 Azure as the main influences for the current Azure and Azure T. Like the ’50s convertible, the car has a deep body with a single feature line that runs along both flanks and rises at the powerful rear haunches before spearing off at the rear of the car. Similarly, the Azure T’s fast and flowing roofline is echoed in its seven-bow canvas roof that gives the car a visible sporting profile when raised.
Prominent wheel arches grace a slender, narrowing boot that results in a ‘horse shoe’ trailing edge. This elegant shape is reminiscent of the first Crewe-built Bentley, the Mk.6, and the overall effect is a subtle hint at the power and performance that lies beneath the Azure T’s bodywork.
Delicate brightware detailing accentuates the flowing lines of the Azure T and this includes rear tail-lamp bezels, exhaust finishes and slender strips that run the length of the car.
Significant time and effort has gone into making the Azure T’s folding roof attractive as well as highly functional. Operated hydraulically at the touch of a switch, the impressive, three-layer canvas roof is elegantly stowed beneath the rear parcel shelf in a matter of 25 seconds. Because the roof is held in a separate well area, there is no impact on the generous boot space which was designed to hold two sets of golf clubs and hand luggage.

EFFORTLESS PERFORMANCE FROM MIGHTY V8
The engine and transmission of the Azure T are identical to those already employed in the high-performance Arnage T and Arnage Final Series saloons. In this specification, Bentley’s remarkable all-aluminium 6¾ litre V8 engine produces 500 bhp (507PS/373kW) and 1000 Nm (738lb ft) of torque – with over 90 per cent of that torque available between 1,800 and 3,800 rev/min – figures that ensure the signature Bentley ‘wave of torque’ delivers effortless performance for a unique open-top convertible driving experience.
Each of these hand-made V8 engines comes with a black-finish air intake manifold bearing the signature of the team leader who oversaw its construction by Bentley technicians in the Crewe factory. The six-speed ZF automatic transmission ensures optimum flexibility, response and refinement. Three transmission modes (Drive, Sport and Manual) allow the driver to take full advantage of the powerful 500 bhp V8 engine.
A sophisticated electronic management system provides fast yet smooth gearshifts regardless of how the car is being driven. Another important feature of the latest Azure T is the separation of the sports suspension and sports gearbox settings, allowing the driver to select their preference for each system independently – via a ‘Sport’ switch on the dashboard for the suspension and by positioning the gearlever for the transmission’s Sport mode.
Bentley’s V8 guarantees outstanding performance levels. From standstill, acceleration to 60 mph is achieved in just 5.2 seconds (0-100 km/h 5.5 seconds), 100 mph reached in 12.1 seconds (160 km/h in 12.0 seconds) and a top speed of 179 mph (288 km/h) is possible.

DYNAMIC HANDLING, SUPERB RIDE AND AWESOME BRAKING
The Azure’s double wishbone front and rear suspension is carried over to the Azure T unaltered. Set-up and fine-tuned to give a refined ride that best suits the character of this convertible Bentley, the system features coil springs with computer-controlled, adaptive electro-hydraulic dampers and automatic ride-height control with auto-load compensation.
The Azure T’s suspension delivers impressive body control in all driving conditions, while the new five-spoke, two-piece 8.5J x 20-inch Sports alloy wheels with 255/40 ZR20 Pirelli P Zero tyres further improve handling and road holding.
As an option, Azure T owners may specify an upgraded braking system with carbon/silicon carbide, cross-drilled brake ventilated discs. Measuring 420 x 40 mm (front) and 356 x 28 mm (rear), these discs are the largest fitted to any production car on sale today. With eight-piston callipers, the brakes provide impressive deceleration and also give an 8 kg reduction in unsprung weight, benefiting steering response, ride suppleness and acceleration.
This lightweight braking system ensures virtually fade-free use, time after time, and superb resistance to disc distortion under high thermal conditions. Under normal use, the brake discs will last the lifetime of the car and pad life is doubled compare to the standard system.
For Azure T and its Bentley stable mates, the Traction Control system is calibrated with the aim of avoiding all unnecessary reductions in engine torque. The ESP logic system, which is set up to allow spirited handling without any reduction in stability or safety, monitors the car’s overall stability rather than simply loss of grip to the wheels. This reduces the amount of intervention required and restores power earlier and more progressively, allowing the power of the Azure T’s V8 engine to be fully exploited.
The Bentley Azure T enjoys an 11 per cent power and 14 per cent torque increase compared with Azure and the strength and stiffness of the original chassis are such that no changes were deemed necessary, as Brian Gush, Director of Powertrain and Chassis, explains:
“The Azure chassis has always had an immense potential and this enables us to offer the extra power of our 500 bhp V8 engine and the driver-focused qualities of a true Bentley T without compromising ride comfort.”
Compared with the Arnage, the Azure T benefits from significant stiffening members. These strengthened steel parts lie in the sill section of the car and extend into the A-pillars that form the windscreen frame. Beneath the front and rear of the Azure, carbon fibre cross-bracing members reinforce the whole bodyshell, while adding far less weight than steel.
Strengthening has also been applied to the body structure behind the rear seats where an advanced rollover protection system is fitted. This immediately detects if the car is in danger of inverting and deploys two hoops that are integrated within the rear headrests. In conjunction with the strengthened front windscreen frame, these are capable of supporting 2.5 times the entire weight of an over-turned car.

EXQUISITE CRAFTSMANSHIP
Befitting its role as a new Bentley flagship convertible, the Azure T embodies a range of standard features that were previously unavailable or only available as cost options on the Azure. The seats and door panels have Diamond Quilting, the fascia features an ‘engine-turned’ aluminium finish (reminiscent of 1920s racing Bentleys), and the instrument faces are finished in Black rather than Parchment.
Bentley emblems are embroidered on the front seat backs and the rear seat centre, an iPod/USB interface is provided, while the full range of Bentley’s premium veneers is available, a knurled finish is applied to several handles and switches and a knurled, chrome gear knob is fitted.
The new Azure T will have a strong appeal to Bentley customers, as Trevor Gay, Personal Commissioning Manager at Mulliner (Bentley’s specialist commissioning department), explains:
“The Azure has always stood apart from the rest of the Bentley range and the higher-performance Azure T will allow customers the opportunity to use the Mulliner service to create a bespoke convertible to their exact specification.”
Although many of the most desirable Mulliner options are included in Azure T as standard, Bentley anticipates that the majority of buyers will request additional enhancements. Inside, the Azure T is everything customers would expect of a bespoke Bentley, offering the highest levels of hand-craftsmanship to a small, discerning audience. The interior offers a spacious, luxurious cabin to provide the ultimate in first-class, open-top travel for four adults.
As in every Bentley, craftsmanship and bespoke finishing are to the fore. Every item of trim, be it veneer, hide or chromed bezel, uses authentic materials.
Azure T is available in the full Bentley range of 42 exterior colours, 25 interior hides, and the full range of premium veneers, plus the comprehensive line-up of Mulliner options and its bespoke colour-matching service that enable Bentley owners to create a uniquely personal car.
Of course, the nature of a convertible means that its interior is often on display as much as its exterior and Bentley’s design team knew that the Azure T’s spacious cabin should make a strong a statement. Consequently, warm and inviting leather hide extend past the seats and onto the parcel shelf and this emphasises the dimensions of the rear compartment.
A new audio head unit with larger display screen and an SD (secure digital) memory card slot instead of the single CD slot is fitted. At the rear, a new hide-covered boot rail with coordinated leather trim and a chrome strip along the top edge gives the load area a tidier, premium appearance.
All Azure T models come with an iPod Interface linked to the Infotainment system, enabling customers to play their favourite music through the car’s audio system. The system is supplied with connectors for iPod, USB, Mini USB and a 3.5 mm AUX jack and includes a 12 volt power outlet for charging purposes.
As an option, Azure T buyers can specify the Naim for Bentley premium audio system. Created in partnership with Bentley by Naim Audio, a UK-based high end hi-fi manufacturer, this system features 10 speakers, a dual-channel sub-woofer and an 1100 Watt amplifier, plus eight individual DSP modes to reproduce true emotions and a ‘live’ concert-like experience.
In Azure T the sub-woofers are located in the rear passenger footwells and contained within a special enclosure to ensure the sound of this pure music remains within the open cabin. Read More...

BENTLEY MULSANNE

Nearly 80 years later, while paying respect to this illustrious past, the new Mulsanne is a thoroughly modern statement of luxury driving and grand touring. Conceived, styled and engineered entirely at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, England, the Mulsanne, with its completely new and unique platform, goes into production next year in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility within the Crewe factory.
Introducing the Bentley Mulsanne at Pebble Beach, where Bentley was the featured marque, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, said:
“The challenge we set our engineers was to create a new grand Bentley that would stand as the pinnacle of British luxury motoring, offering the world’s most exclusive driving experience. They have responded to this challenge with real passion and the result is a luxury grand tourer that sets new standards in terms of comfort, effortless performance and hand-crafted refinement – the very qualities for which Bentley is renowned.“
The Bentley design team, lead by Dirk van Braeckel, have created a flagship that offers the classic sporting, styling cues long-associated with Bentley - expressed in a thoroughly contemporary way.
“From the very first hand sketches in the styling studio, we were inspired by the traditions of the grand touring Bentleys and have sought to evolve this story for a new generation of Bentley enthusiasts.”
The return of the Mulsanne name to a car carrying Bentley’s iconic ‘Winged B’ emblem underlines the company’s racing pedigree and nowhere reflects that heritage better than the famed Le Mans circuit, the scene of no fewer than six Bentley triumphs. Few places offer a stronger or more emotive connection with the Bentley marque than the famed Mulsanne corner.
The Bentley 8-litre displayed alongside the Mulsanne in California was first shown at the 1930 London Motor Show. It was the second-built and was W.O. Bentley’s company car for two years. Capable of reaching more than 100 mph, the 8-litre demonstrated W.O. Bentley’s ambition and ability to build a grand luxury car capable of surpassing every other leading manufacturer of the day. A total of 100 cars were built in 1930 and 1931.
“The 8-litre’s breathtaking performance and quality was perhaps the finest example of a ‘pure’ grand Bentley. Every mechanical detail carried W.O. Bentley’s unique stamp and it was the clearest demonstration of a car built without compromise,” commented Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board Engineering.
“The Mulsanne has been designed with exactly the same guiding principles, so it is entirely fitting that these Bentleys from different eras share the same stage.”
The Bentley Mulsanne will go on sale from mid 2010. It will also be displayed at the forthcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show (15-27th September, 2009) where Bentley Motors will provide additional product information. Read More...

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT

Now the new Continental GT 4-seat coupe builds on the success of its iconic predecessor, capturing that GT spirit but with even higher standards of design, engineering, luxury, craftsmanship, dynamic performance, everyday practicality and refinement.
A beautifully sculptured new body gives the GT coupe an even crisper, more defined appearance. The contemporary interior offers new levels of cabin design, comfort and hand-crafted luxury. The seats, for example, provide even greater support and rear leg-room; a sweeping dashboard even more style and modernity. The new touchscreen infotainment system features state-of-the-art navigation, Google Maps and entertainment while the latest Balanced Mode Radiator speaker technology and Dirac Dimensions™ digital sound processing deliver enhanced audio quality.
Bentley’s acclaimed 6-litre, 12-cylinder, twin-turbocharged powertrain now has a raised power output of 575PS (567bhp/423kW) and 700Nm (516lb ft) of torque and this is mated to a new Quickshift transmission which enables double downshifts. Thanks to advanced FlexFuel technology it can also run on both standard unleaded petrol (gasoline) and sustainable bioethanol (up to E85) or any mix of the two.
In late 2011 an all-new, high-output 8-cylinder engine will also be available to order. This advanced power unit will deliver a 40 percent reduction in emissions compared with the W12 engine and will offer a class-leading CO2 emissions-to-power ratio with Bentley levels of performance and refinement.
Both engines are coupled to an all-wheel drive system with a sporty 40:60 rear-torque bias (compared with the 50:50 bias of the original Continental GT), minimising understeer during hard cornering and allowing the experienced driver to control the car’s line and balance via precise throttle control.
“The new Continental GT is an automotive work of art, with superb craftsmanship and elegant, contemporary design. It drives like a supercar, but without the usual sacrifices in ride or practicality. It is a car that you can enjoy every moment of every day.”
Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive
THE NEW CONTINENTAL GT COUPE – AT A GLANCE
Sculptured exterior design
•Advanced production techniques such as aluminium Super Forming (front wings and boot lid) allow for a more sculpted body and sharp ‘power lines’
•Unique jewelled headlamps with LED daytime-running lights
•More upright matrix radiator grille and new ‘double horseshoe’ rear profile first shown on the flagship Bentley Mulsanne Contemporary, hand-crafted cabin
•New interior with a bold, sweeping dashboard and instrument panel finished in premium, soft-touch leather hides
•Distinctive ‘cobra’-design seats for added comfort and enhanced rear cabin space
•A new touchscreen, 30GB infotainment system introduces advanced satellite navigation with dynamic route guidance, seven-digit postcode entry and Google Map compatibility (market specific)
•Audio systems feature the latest wide frequency Balance Mode Radiator speakers as standard
•Revolutionary Dirac Dimensions™ DSP for exceptional sound reproduction (Naim for Bentley premium audio).
More powerful W12 and new high-efficiency V8 FlexFuel engines
•6-litre W12 engine twin-turbocharged engine produces 575PS(567bhp/423kW) and 700Nm (516lb ft) of torque.
•0 – 60mph in 4.4 seconds (0 – 100km/h in 4.6 seconds)
•0 – 100mph in 10.2 seconds (0 – 160km/h in 10.2 seconds)
•Top speed of 198mph (318km/h)
•Overall weight saving of 65kg (143lb) versus predecessor
•New high-output, high-efficiency V8 engine due for release in late 2011.
Dynamic Bentley driving experience
•ZF 6HP28 transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by 50% and enables double downshifts
•New 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer when powering out of bends and provides for better modulation of line and attitude by ‘throttle steering’
•Increased front and rear track improves grip and stability
•Advanced ESC system fully exploits the potential of the more powerful W12 engine and improved chassis
•20” and (optional) 21” wheels
SCULPTURED EXTERIOR EXUDES QUALITY AND DESIGN INTEGRITY
Inspired by the iconic Bentleys of the past, Bentley’s design team under the leadership of Director of Design, Dirk van Braeckel, has created a thoroughly modern, sculptured body, built with advanced production technologies to ensure the highest standards of quality and body integrity.

Aluminium Super Forming technology is employed to create the front wings and the boot lid. This process heats the aluminium panels to nearly 500 degrees Celsius before shaping them by air pressure. By using a single sheet of aluminium, no seams or welding are required.
The latest body construction techniques deliver crisp, highly defined feature lines and form to every area of the exterior design. The familiar power lines and rear haunches – echoes of the original 1950s R-Type Continental – now have even sharper radii to create highly distinct surfaces, bringing the feel of a truly coachbuilt car to the new coupe.
The GT coupe’s new look is bolder than ever. The classic Bentley matrix radiator grille is more upright, while the new headlamp design, in traditional four-lamp format, has exquisite jewel-like detailing including eye-catching, LED daylight-running lamps.
At the rear, Bentley signature ‘floating’ LED lamps extend around the corners of the wings, emphasising the new coupe’s width and purposeful stance. The track is wider by41mm at the front and 48mm at the rear than the previous model. The bootlid design has a powerful ‘double horse-shoe’ motif, reminiscent of the new Bentley Mulsanne, while flared elliptical exhaust tailpipes reinforce the new GT’s sporting credentials.

The shape of the new GT coupe’s body is also more aerodynamic following extensive wind tunnel analysis. In conjunction with a range of extensive underbody refinements (including wheel arch and exhaust aerodynamic aids) the GT’s coefficient of drag has been reduced to 0.33Cd and the lift at the front and rear axles has also been reduced to create greater stability at higher speeds.
The new GT is specified with 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, with, for the first time on the Continental family, the option to upgrade to 21-inch designs. Three styles of wheel are offered – a 20-inch five-spoke version and two 21-inch Elegant and split-rim Sports variations, which come in a variety of chromed and painted finishes.
“The new GT coupe has an even stronger sporting character than ever before. It is an exceptionally refined and comfortable 2+2 Grand Tourer but with the heart, soul and looks of a supercar.”
Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design
CONTEMPORARY, HAND-CRAFTED CABIN WITH BENTLEY’S RENOWNED REFINEMENT
With an entirely hand-crafted interior, the Continental GT’s cabin sets new standards in refinement and luxury to create a stylish space in which up to four people can relax in total comfort.
The instrument panel and dashboard subtly echo the flying wings of the Bentley motif and are fashioned from the highest quality soft-touch leathers. New touchscreen technology and chrome-bezelled dials are housed within this dynamic cockpit area, which rises from the centre console in the form of dramatically surfaced ’wing’ buttresses.
The striking and unique ‘Cobra’ design seats are supremely comfortable thanks to the introduction of the latest body-supporting materials which use complex foams to provide softness at first touch but with excellent support over longer journeys.
The seats can be specified with front-seat ventilation as well as a state-of-the-art massage system with 10 individual massage cells and individual side airbags are provided as standard for all passengers. Front seatbelts feature a new electrically-operated automatic presenter, making buckling-up effortless. Driver knee airbags are standard fitment.
The new Continental GT offers superb everyday usability. The new slim-line front seats with scalloped backs also provide a further 46mm of legroom for back-seat passengers and easy access to the rear cabin.
No other Grand Tourer offers such impressive levels of refinement thanks to the advanced noise-suppression technology that includes acoustic glazing, under-floor shields and hidden anti-vibration panels throughout the interior.
The cabin is trimmed with soft-touch leathers, a full range of wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets – all hand-crafted in Bentley’s unrivalled workshops at the factory in Crewe, England. The attention to detail even extends to applying a UV stabilizer to the wood veneers to protect from bleaching, thus ensuring they can be enjoyed as new for decades to come.
Every leather hide is still sewn under the watchful eye of Bentley’s highly skilled craftsmen and women. By incorporating ingenious, angled ‘ramps’ behind the leather, the interior designers have created sharp, well-defined styling lines, while maintaining a soft-touch.
Other simple yet practical functions include a powered boot as standard, Electronic Park Brake with Move Off Assist and newly designed, leather-lined door stowage bins with an integrated bottle holder.
Perhaps the most stylish new storage device in the new Continental GT is the exquisitely designed, folding, removable case designed to hold items such as keys and pens and which can also be slipped into a pocket or bag. Crafted from veneers to match those of the coupe’s interior, the case (available as a cost option) is finished with inlaid Bentley wings, satin-chromed and leather-lined, and is secured in a recess above the twin drinks holders in the centre console.
“The new GT coupe interior combines form, practicality and innovation. Our task was to translate the original design sketches for the car’s cabin – which were quite extreme, almost revolutionary for a Bentley – into the final design. The result is a cockpit that moves the Continental GT on to the next generation.”
CLASS-LEADING INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS
Complementing its contemporary cabin, the new Continental GT also features advanced new touchscreen technology with rich map imagery and a 30GB on board hard drive.
The 8-inch screen displays the car’s audio system, telephone, ride and comfort settings and the very latest navigation system, which uses both an in-car hard-disc drive and a DVD player to access route data. It also employs dynamic navigation to guide you around areas of heavy traffic, finds destinations using geo-tagged photos from an SD memory card and is Google Maps-compatible (market specific).
The infotainment system, with 7 digit postcode entry, uses a combination of touchscreen controls and classic knurled rotary switches to offer instant usability and crystal-clear feedback. The graphic interface of the screen is engineered in-house to ensure its visuals are completely in keeping with the style of the interior. Look closely and you will see that the knurled switches on the screen are ‘virtual’ echoes of the knurled switches below.
The Continental GT’s new infotainment system also provides the ultimate in in-car audio entertainment. An eight-speaker sound system is offered as standard employing the latest Balanced Mode Radiator technology. These unique compact, flat-panel speakers provide exceptional clarity with a very wide frequency range.
An 11-speaker Naim for Bentley system – created exclusively for the Continental GT by British audiophiles Naim – employs revolutionary Dirac Dimensions ™ digital signal processing. This industry-first technology creates a virtual ‘sound field’ independent of speaker layout to deliver concert hall-quality sound reproduction for every occupant wherever they may be sitting.
The GT coupe also benefits from telephone and music player connectivity, digital television (where available) and DVD movie playback. Music can be played and controlled directly from an iPod®as well as from a six-disc CD changer, SD card reader or directly from the car’s hard-disc drive, which can store up to 15GB of music.
MORE POWERFUL W12 AND NEW HIGH-OUTPUT, HIGH-EFFICIENCY V8
The Continental GT is set to have a choice of two very distinctive high-performance engines. In addition to the new 575PS version of Crewe’s renowned 6.0 litre W12 powertrain, a new high-output 4.0-litre V8 engine option will be introduced in late 2011.
The new 4.0-litre V8 engine honours Bentley’s environmental commitment to deliver a powertrain that achieves a 40 percent improvement in CO2 emissions. The new V8 is being designed specifically by Bentley’s engineers to deliver all the exhilarating power and torque synonymous with the marque. The new Crewe-built engine will also offer a class-leadingCO2 emissions-to-power ratio.
At launch, the new Continental GT coupe is powered by the latest evolution of Bentley’s acclaimed 12-cylinder, 6-litre twin-turbocharged engine, now calibrated to provide even greater performance, thanks to increases in power, torque and fuel efficiency.
Designed in a unique ‘W’ configuration, it is the most compact and technologically advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world. Four camshafts and 48 valves allow the engine to breathe effortlessly and help to generate the distinctive Bentley wave of torque. It is also capable of running on petrol (gasoline), E85 bioethanol or any mix of the two – all from a single tank.
In 2008, Bentley announced a far-reaching environmental programme that included a 15 percent improvement in powertrain efficiency and the adoption across the Bentley model range of FlexFuel technology by 2012. Bentley’s FlexFuel models are capable of delivering potential CO2 reductions of up to 70 percent on a ‘well-to-wheel’ basis – the measurement of CO2 released by a fuel from its production (well) through to its combustion or deployment (wheel).
To ensure that the power and torque generated remain constant (whatever the fuel) an advanced Fuel Quality Sensor continuously monitors the ratio of the fuels used. It then guides the Engine Control Unit to adjust the engine’s timing. This provides the seamless power delivery for which Bentley engines are renowned, and ensures there is no compromise on performance when using fuels that create lower CO2 emissions.

Further revisions to the new GT coupe’s engine include low friction, lightweight components which allow the W12-format engine to rev even more freely, while the latest engine management system and twin, low-inertia turbochargers are optimised to ensure minimal turbo lag.
Overall, the GT coupe is 65kg lighter than its predecessor thanks to reductions in all areas of the car from engine components through to new seats. With its power output raised by 15PS and torque by 50 Nm - to 575PS (567bhp/423kW) and 700Nm (516lb ft) – the result is a 6 percent improvement in the new GT’s power-to weight-ratio, making it capable of accelerating from zero to 60mph in just 4.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds) with a top speed of 198mph (318km/h).
The increased power and torque are transmitted to the all-wheel drive system via an uprated six-speed Quickshift transmission, which halves shift times (to just 200 milliseconds). The revised gearbox also has the ability to deliver double downshifts (sixth to fourth gear, for example) and improves acceleration across the entire gear range. To cope with the additional power and torque, the planetary gear set of the six-speed ZF transmission is also strengthened.
Positive torque during downshifts is achieved through engine and gearbox electronic controller interaction for extra throttle and fuel injection during the overrun, replicating manual throttle ‘blips’ for precise rev matching . During transmission upshifts, fuel and ignition are cut momentarily to give faster mechanical shift times through torque reduction, also improving shift quality and durability.
“The W12’s extra power and torque and Quickshift transmission endow the new GT with instantly accessible supercar performance across the complete rev range. At the same time, Bentley’s pioneering use of FlexFuel technology underlines our ongoing environmental commitment.”
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE FOR OPTIMISED RIDE AND HANDLING
Both engines are coupled with a state-of-the-art, all-wheel drive system employing an advanced Torsen differential. This ensures safe yet dynamic sports car handling in all road conditions and all weathers.
In the new coupe, the power split has a 40:60 rear bias for a significantly more sporting feel in terms of handling and mid-corner acceleration. However, it can adjust instantaneously the power split between the front and rear wheels depending on the available grip. In addition, an uprated Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system provides additional security and grip whatever your driving style.
The new GT’s chassis delivers the optimum ride and handling balance. The wide front and rear track benefits agility and handling, while solid aluminium cast-forged, high-stiffness front suspension uprights and aluminium gravity die castings at the rear work in conjunction with a redesigned front anti-roll bar and retuned spring and damper settings. The result is improved response and stability at all speeds.
Continuous Damping Control (CDC) constantly monitors the car’s attitude and poise. By adjusting the suspension settings hundreds of times a second it can provide a remarkably supple ride at low speeds and increased control as speeds climb. It can also lower the car in ‘V-Max’ mode for enhanced stability at the highest speeds.
SUMMARY
Throughout Bentley’s history, iconic grand tourers have forged the marque’s reputation. In the 1950s the beautiful R-Type Continental set new standards of performance and style. In 2003, Continental GT revolutionised the luxury coupe market, combining supercar performance and dynamism with remarkable everyday practicality.
Now, the new Continental GT coupe sets even higher standards in every area of design, craftsmanship and engineering. Read More...