1975 Bentley Corniche Reviews

This is the most extreme Bentley yet made. Supersports is a fine-tuned, lightweight version of the Continental GT Speed which arrives here next month, costing $525,000.It has 3.5 per cent more power, 6.7 per cent more torque and weighs 110kg less, mainly because they have thrown out the rear seats and replaced the front row with expensive carbonfibre seats.  All of this means it accelerates to 100km/h in less than four seconds, which places the genteel British marque in the supercar class for the first time.Asia Pacific marketing manager James Barclay says they do not predict volume sales for the car, but then they don't do volume sales for any of their vehicles, particularly this year.  So far in 2009, Bentley has sold only 33 vehicles, compared with 82 for the same time last year.  "The Supersports is a niche product for us," Barclay says."We expect conquest buys from other brands such as the (Porsche) GT3 and (Ferrari) 599.  "It is the most extreme Bentley yet but Australia is a sports-focused market and cars like this are of real interest so we expect it to go well."The Supersports name is inspired by the original two-seater three-litre Supersports model introduced in 1925.  Like the current model, it was an evolution of the Speed model.The original 63kW Supersports was the first production Bentley to reach 100mph (160km/h).  This model’s 6-litre W12 twin-turbocharged has 463kW of power at 6000rpm and 800Nm of torque from 1700-5600rpm with a top speed of 329km/h.There are no major changes to the car's suspension, W12 engine or dynamics, only a host of ‘fine tuning’.  The biggest change is in the new Quickshift version of the six-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic transmission which halves shift times and allows double downshifts.Supersports is also the first car from Bentley which is ‘flexfuel-capable’ which means it will take a fuel mix of up to 85 per cent ethanol.  The company intends to make all its vehicles E85 capable by the end of 2012.The Supersports definitely is sports focused with its all-wheel-drive system tuned for more rear bias (60-40), rather than 50-50 like the GT and GT Speed.  This gives it a more ‘playful’ attitude on a track, Bentley says.Its electronic stability program is also re-programmed to trail the rear inside brake to tuck the front in and dial out bothersome understeer and dial in a little friendly oversteer.Outside, the vehicle looks more muscular thanks to wider flanks to accommodate a 50mm wider track and wide tyres on 20-inch wheels, and it has larger and extra air vents to improve engine breathing. Out back there are twin elliptical exhaust pipes.It comes with massive carbon ceramic brakes as standard. On a lesser model, they would be a $10,000 option. They are a little touchy, but are almost fade-proof and guaranteed to last the life of the vehicle.Inside, there is quilted stitched Alcantara leather, acres of carbonfibre trim and — unusually for Bentley — no wood.  Supersports comes in whites, greys and blacks in gloss and gorgeous satin finishes, while the brightware (grilles, lamp bezels, window surrounds and wheels) have a ‘smoked’ steel finish.All stainless steel components are applied with a Physical Vapour Deposition process normally used as a coating on industrial tools, watches and even hip replacement joints.The overall impression is of a car that feels light and agile with a fast change of direction and quick acceleration from any speed.  On the narrow and twisting country roads in north-west England where Bentley road tests all its vehicles, the car feels way too wide and way too powerful, for the too-close rock walls and hedgerows, yet it still manages to feel nimble.Only a smidgen of its potential can be unleashed in these conditions, yet it rides comfortably over the few potholes we encounter, which indicates a potential for long-distance GT work.  The thinly padded seats look harder than they are and have surprising comfort over a distance.

The iconic British brand’s new flagship arrives late next year with more than 100 exterior colour options, 24 recommended two-tone combinations and a host of exterior chrome trims. Bentley product manager Hans Holzgartner said that inside there was even more choice with 24 leather trim colours, five coloured leather pipings, nine wood veneers, even 23 seat belt colours plus a range of optional extras such as cross or contrast stitching and extra Bentley ‘wing’ badges.  “Someone actually did the calculations and came up with a figure of more than a trillion combinations,” he said. However, there is only one engine and one transmission.  The Mulsanne, named after a 1980s model and the notorious high-speed straight at Le Mans, will be powered by a lightweight aluminium 6.75-litre V8 with multi-displacement so it can cruise on just four cylinders.  “Why a V8, we have been asked,” Holzgartner says.  “We didn’t need the car to be any faster but we did want it to be more fun to drive and accelerate harder so we went for more torque for more strength at slow speed.’’ He says the engine is the ‘strongest production V8’ on the market with 1020Nm of torque from just 1600rpm.  The V8 is married to an eight-speed auto/manual transmission that can short shift and skip gears changing up or down to achieve a smooth drive, performance and efficiency.  Bentley claims the engine and transmission combine to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by more than 15 per cent. Asia Pacific marketing manager James Barclay said the Mulsanne would arrive in Australia in the last quarter of next year and cost ‘more than the current top of the fleet’ which means more than the $744,132 Bentley Azure two-door convertible.  The new Mulsanne is 150mm longer than the Arnage with all of that extra length in the wheelbase to provide more interior space. Despite the 23kg lighter engine, 10kg lighter gearbox and use of aluminium in all panels except the steel roof and polymer boot, Holzgartner says the vehicle would weigh much the same as the Arnage because of the extra interior features.  “Even the carpet is thicker to provide a feeling of quality,” he says. Bentley Mulsanne Price: about $750,000On sale: late 2010Engine: twin-turbocharged, 6750cc, alloy V8 with variable displacementPower: 377kWTorque: 1020NmTransmission: ZF 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive DIMENSIONS (mm): 5562 (l), 1926 (w), 1526 (h), 3266 (wheelbase) Rivals: Rolls-Royce Phantom 6.8L ($107,500)BMW 760Li 6.0L ($386,000)Mercedes-Benz 6.3L 63 AMG ($371,400) and 6.0L 65 AMG ($477,400).

His shed and under his house are packed with various vintage cars, mainly Rolls-Royces, in various forms of restoration.  The retired architect, now 77, says he doesn't restore them to concourse standard.  "I just want them to be able to run on the road," he says.Gargett started his love of old vehicles when he was a student at the Queensland University in 1954 and bought a 1926 Austin 7 utility for 35.  "It was a lot of fun but very primitive. But at least I learnt a lot about mechanics with that one," he says.But he claims his first "real vintage car" was a 1928 French Amilcar sports car he bought for 15 after uni when he joined the Vintage Car Club of Queensland (VCCQ)."I brought it home on a trailer and in bits in a box, but we got that going for some years," he says.His next purchase in 1961 was a 1925 20 horsepower (15kW) Rolls-Royce costing 220.  "It is fully registered and its six-cylinder engine is still running smoothly," he says.  "I don't drive it as often as I used to."His love of Rolls-Royces continued in 1963 with a 1920 Silver Ghost for 700.  "I had it out for our daughter's wedding and after the wedding I went to change the oil and a 1/4-inch bolt came out with the oil so I haven't been game to use it."I've stripped down the motor and am ready to put it back in now."  He then departed from Rollers but not too far with a 1924 Bentley Speed three-litre he bought for 500."The bloke apologised and said it wasn't worth it but he needed the money."  The Bentley remains a challenge to drive having the accelerator in the middle, another throttle on the steering wheel, gear lever on the right of the seat and the handbrake on the outside of the vehicle.  "It takes a bit of getting used to," he saysGargett claims his interest in British luxury saloons came from his father who "always admired them".  "It's not what they do, but the way that they do it," he says.  "I haven't had them valued because I'm on a pension."Anyway, people would need to spend some money to get them all back into good condition."  He also owns a 1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche with a 189hp (140kW) 6.75-litre V8 engine which would cost "well into the five figures just to do the motor up to running condition".He bought it in 1982 for $50,000 and used it every day until he put it off the road with engine failure.  The car also sports Queensland's first concessional registration number plate, "Qld Vintage 001".In the late 1960s the VCCQ authorised Gargett to discuss the possibility of concessional registration for cars built before 1930 with the government.  "In those days if the cars were not fully registered we had to arrange for a temporary permit for the weekend including insurance and we were supposed to return the permit on the Monday," he says. "A waste of time and money but nothing we could do would convince Main Roads to change their attitude. I think the permit cost us 10 shillings.  I received an introduction to a person from the Treasury and was telling him of our concern. He was surprised as he could see that the system was costing them far more than the fee they were charging."Talks with more government officials resulted in the establishment of concessional registration based on membership of a relevant club, use for club events, maintenance including testing within a reasonable distance from where the car was garaged and approved charity events.Today there are more than 15,000 vehicles in Queensland on concessional registration.  "I think the fact that one of my cars is registered as VIN 001 (now VN 0001) supports my summary of the position," he says.

...and buyers are already scrambling to get their orders in for what will be one of the automotive world's most super-exclusive, super-expensive status symbols. The Mulsanne, Bentley's peak luxury sedan, was unveiled this week at the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance and it is unlikely there will be much change out of three-quarters of a million dollars when it officially goes on sale in Australia next year. "I couldn't possibly comment on price at this stage but there has been huge interest in this car ever since it became known that the Arnage would be replaced," Bentley Motors' regional manager Ed Stiebig says. "The Mulsanne is a very distinctive, very bold design harking back to the history of Bentley yet on a completely modern platform and packed with the latest in technology." The flagship grand tourer is inspired by what many consider to be the crowning achievement of company founder W.O. Bentley, the 8-litre built in 1930. To emphasis that point the Mulsanne was unveiled on the Pebble Beach centre stage next to W.O.'s own carefully preserved 8-litre. 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 state-of-the-art manufacturing facility within the Crewe factory. However, precious few details of the new car were revealed along with its styling. "There will be a lot more technical details revealed when the Mulsanne goes on show at Frankfurt (Motor Show in September)," Striebig says. "As only the fifth all-new Bentley to be engineered in the company's 90 year history it is an ideal opportunity to engineer in all the latest technology that may have previously been unavailable." Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, says the challenge set for engineers on the new car was to create a car to stand at the pinnacle of British luxury motoring. "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," Dr Paefgen says. Lead designer for the Mulsanne project, Dirk van Braeckel, says the styling was inspired by the tradition of grand touring Bentleys. "From the very first hand sketches in the styling studio ... we have sought to evolve this story for a new generation of Bentley enthusiasts," van Braeckel says. The Bentley Mulsanne will begin product early next year with the first Australian cars expected to be delivered in around 12 months. "Given the global scramble for limited supply I think it would be fair to say that whatever numbers we can secure for Australia will be less than demand," Striebig says.

The first part of the show is the release of a shadowy shot of the new super-limo's grille and front end. The new car — tagged the Grand Bentley for the pre-launch campaign — is only the fifth all-new four-door limousine in the company's 90-year history and will sit at the very top of the iconic luxury marque's range aimed directly at traditional rival Rolls-Royce. "This is the all-new Grand Bentley ... this will be our pinnacle product," says Ed Striebig, regional manager for Bentley in Australia and New Zealand. "I think you have to be realistic about your volume expectations at that upper echelon of the market, but we are very confident that it will receive a good reception." The Grand Bentley is the model Bentley has been in desperate need of for several years as the ageing Arnage range struggled to hold its own against newer, more technologically advanced products such as the Phantom from Rolls-Royce. "I think it should certainly appeal to existing Arnage owners and to those people that perhaps more recently have looked to Rolls-Royce for a pinnacle limousine product," Striebig says. "But we also hope it will attract people who perhaps hadn't considered a car from Bentley in that segment of the market for some time by virtue of it being all new and state-of-the-art technology." Striebig would not comment on suggestions the first concept model of the new car will be displayed at one of the world's peak gatherings for well-heeled car owners, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 16 where Bentley are this year a featured marque. "We are not ready to announce our plans for market entry yet but there will be more information coming out within a couple of weeks," was all Striebig would say. Arnage production officially ends in September which will clear space at the Crewe factory for the new car, although it is not expected to be available for at least another 12 months. The Arnage replacement — it may well retain the historic nameplate — is expected to be built off a heavily modified version of Audi's modular platform seen in everything from the new A4 to the next A8. The V8 engine will be a bespoke Bentley powerplant and drive is most likely to be through ZF's new eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine is certain to be an E85 capable flex-fuel unit in the same vein as the recently launched Continental Supersports. While not confirming the new powerplant, Striebig says: "By 2012 all of our products across the whole portfolio will have flex-fuel capability, in the same way the Super Sport has. "This is very exciting ... it is a very rare occurence. If you look back over the 90-year history of the Bentley marque there have only been five all-new four-door limousines. "I know that everybody back at the factory — and there have been some 600 people involved directly from a design and engineering and manufacturing engineering perspective — is immensely proud to be involved."

The British-based, German-owned, manufacturer now guarantees that 85 per cent of all materials used in its Continental models are recyclable which also makes it more attractive for the company to offer environmental recovery at the end of the car's life. Official recognition of Bentley's efforts came in the form of a certificate from the German Motor Transport Authority (KBA). In a ceremony in Berlin, KBA's President Ekhard Zinke presented the official European-wide certificates to Dr. Arno Homburg, head of Whole Vehicle Development at Bentley Motors. "Our environment policy is based on sustainable principles and we take a holistic view of the whole process," Dr Homburg says. ""At the design stage we consider the environmental impact of all components over the entire life of the car. This is despite the fact that over 70% of all Bentleys ever produced are still in existence - our cars tend to end up as collectors' items rather than scrap." The recycling certificate is part of a comprehensive environmental strategy Bentley is applying, including offering bio-fuel capable models pioneered with the Continental Supersports which can be powered by either gasoline or ethanol. Bentley announced at the Geneva motor show earlier this year that by 2012, all Bentley models will be available with flex fuel technology.        

Common to all 1990cc engine inclines at 30 degrees.Cast iron block and Alloy head.89mm x 80mm bore and strokeSingle Overhead Cam - SOHCSpecifications by Models 2002 70kW @ 5500 rpm, 116 ft lb @ 3500 rpmsingle Solex 40 carburettor.171 kmp top speed0-100 kph in 11 secs2002 Ti twin Solex 40 carburettors.115 mph top speed2002 Tii 88kW @ 5800 rpm, 131 ft lb @ 4500 rpmKugelfischer Fuel Injection.184 kph top speed0-100 kph in 9.3 secs2002 Turbo 119kWKKK Turbocharger209 mph top speed0-100 kph in 7 secsThe 2002 Turbo was unveiled at the 1973 Frankfurt auto show. Only 1672 cars were built and all were left hand drive.Body Styles 2 Door HardtopTouring - 2 door wagon/hatchback - 1971 to 1975Baur Cabriolet - removable centre roof panel and fold down canvas rear section.Convertible - full folding canvas hardtop - introduced in 1971Distinguishing Features by Year1968-1968 plain trim, spartan interiorchrome bumpersround taillightssilver/black combination metal grille.two-piston front callipers and smaller rear drums approx first 200 cars.The rear axle uses the long-necked differential with sliding type universal jointsone barrel Solex carb.1969-1970 4-piston front callipers.A new style (short neck) rear axle was incorporated with regular style CV joints.interior trim mildly upgraded.1971The instruments and dash upgraded1972Tiinew cylinder head - E12 head, with a different combustion chamber shapebigger valves - 46mmKugelfischer mechanical fuel injectionhigher compression (9.0:1 vs. 8.5:1)larger intake valves (46 vs.44mm),TurboKKK Turbochargerlarger brakes,stronger suspension components including strengthened control arms, spindles and hubs.1/2 inch wider wheels (5X13 vs 4 1/2X13).1973Slight changes in interior switch placement/trim.1974Taillights changed to rectangular shapefront grill becomes black plasticinterior is upgraded with new style upholsteryUpdated dash/instrument cluster with fake wood grain surround.1975 - early 1976New seat designnew cylinder head (the E21 2.0), to be used on the '77-'79 320i,OptionsAutomatic transmissions where available on carburetted versions between 19'69 and 1975.Air-conditioningSun-roof.

The BMW 2002 is the most important model in BMW's history. It established BMW as a builder of quality performance sports sedans, brought global success and cracked the lucrative US market. The 2002 was the precursor to the 3 Series which built on the 2002's success and became the class leader for more than three decades. The 2002 was designed in Italy by Giovanni Michelotti and based on the "New Series" 1500 and 1600 sedans with a 5cm shortening in wheelbase. Introduced in January 1968 and sold through to 1975 the 20 in the name refers to the 2.0 litre capacity while the 02 represents the two doors. The model owes its existence to Max Hoffman, the US BMW importer of the period who requested BMW place the 2.0 litre engine in the 1600-2 body. The 1600 cc engine could not pass the US smog emission requirements. The 2002 model received four badges through its life: * 2002 - a single carburettor engine * 2002 Ti - twin carburettor engine * 2002 Tii - fuel injected engine * 2002 Turbo - Limited production Turbocharged engine Four different body styles were sold through the production run; * The standard two door hardtop (the only body style available for the turbo version) * The Baur cabriolet - a removable metal centre roof section with a folding soft rear behind a reinforced t-roof. * The Touring - a cross between a 2-door wagon and hatchback. * The very rare full-convertible soft-top. All retained the same basic engine, a 1990 cc cast iron block, aluminium head unit set at a 30 degree incline. The main change through the life of the power train, besides the fuel and induction delivery systems were two changes to the head design. All leading motoring magazines of the period were universal in their praise for the 2002. The virtues of its performance and quality were expounded with the only regular criticism being around the austere looks of the cars styling and interior. Some also noted the limited rear leg room. The 2002 had a very strong racing career that continues now in historic race series. In 1969 Dieter Quester won the European Touring Car Championship in the 2.0 litre class and was runner up overall to the Porsche 911. He also managed to win four rounds of the championship outright. BMW has recently revisited the concept of the 2002 with the introduction of the 1-series, the spiritual re-interpretation of the ground breaking original. The 1-series has re-set the package after the bloating of the 3 series that saw engine capacity and cylinder numbers double in the top of the line performance versions .

Is it the Bentley Flying Spur Speed's performance one should be most impressed by — or should that honour go to the stereo.Tough question.Here we have a $400,000 luxury tank with the soul of a sports car. The 6-litre 12-cylinder powerplant's 449kW and 750Nm across a delightfully wide delivery band from 1750-5750rpm will launch its 2.5-tonnes in a Porsche-like 4.8 seconds.That's impressive.It also handles direction changes with the poise of a ballet dancer and has the balance of a high-wire artist. Very impressive indeed.It would seem only fitting, then, that such a car should have a sound system capable of inspiring its own degree of awe. It does.The system from iconic — if little known outside the audiophile world — British company Naim is optional at $15,000. A mere snip in a $400,000 car.The tech stats are impressive, if a little pointless unless you live and breathe audio equipment — and in that case you probably know it all anyway — but suffice to say the 1100 Watt amplifier is the most powerful available in any production car.What does that mean to anyone sitting in the cabin? It means it is a really good idea not to wind the volume to the max. It absolutely could be harmful to your health.The 15-speakers hidden tastefully around the cabin — Naim's research and development boffins spent 18 months adapting their high-end sound systems to Bentley's rather plush interiors — will deliver bone-shaking doof-doof if that is what you really want or the most exquisite concert hall sound imaginable.It may be possible, if you listen carefully, that you hear the second violinist snap a horse-hair on his bow. It's that good.Step outside the car, close the doors and such is the quality of the Flying Spur Speed and its five-layer sound-insulating glass that — at best — you will hear a muted hint of what is happening inside. And therein probably lies the answer to the original question.Each of the component parts of the Bentley are of themselves impressive. Overall, they are more so.However, there is a new element to Bentley as a company.Historically there has been the distinct impression that you either loved the cars as they were or you went somewhere else. The marque was exclusive enough that if you weren't happy then that was your problem.In a changing world that is no longer the case. Owners are to be listened to and their concerns acted on ... and that is the genesis of the 2009 Flying Spur Speed."There was some early criticism of the similarities between the first Continental Flying Spur and the Speed," Australia and New Zealand Bentley boss Ed Strieberg said last year when introducing the 2009 model."Some people saw it as two trim levels of essentially the same car."The answer was to allow the Speed its own character, highlighting, rather than hiding, its sporting elitism.The changes to the 2009 model are not huge, rather a soft makeover highlighted by a larger and more upright grille, that five-ply sound-deadening glass, some extra choices in paint and trim, and electric adjustment for the rear seats.Inside there are the same acres of quality leather, sheets of hand-worked fine-wood trims and the most beautifully knurled metal knobs and gearstick.Understated but undeniably plush, even if some of the dash instrumentation and lesser switches hint at the marque's VW owners. The Bentley cabin remains a place of peace and grace.Dynamically the Flying Spur is something of a magic act. There is no getting away from the fact this is a big car. At nearly 5.3m it dwarfs most family transport, yet from behind the wheel it disguises its bulk almost magically.The steering is light and with enough `sneeze factor’ not to be nervous despite the sheer mass of the car. For all that refinement it is sharp and gives an unexpected level of feedback from the massive 275/35 tyres.Getting the car going is the thumping W12 engine, sourced from VW head office, but tuned and refined to suit the Speed's newly-freed sporty character. Yet, if it is an achievement to have the Flying Spur get up and go as it does then stopping it is an even greater one.The brakes are simply stunning. The 405mm (front) and 335mm rear discs pull the Bentley down from serious speeds in exceptional fashion. For a mere $30,440 you can add a larger set of carbon-ceramic plates — but that would be showy overkill.And that, most definitely, is not a Bentley trait.

As a builder of limousines for the British royal family, Hollywood stars and European aristocrats, the UK-based company always manages to get plenty of publicity. For Melbourne, it has chosen two Continental GTCs — a Glacier White and Monaco Yellow Continental — as the halo cars. They will be joined by the Bentley Flying Spur Speed and Continental GT Speed coupe, both potent additions to the Continental range. Inspired by the grace and power of Bentley’s bloodline, the Continental GT Speed delivers enormous power and tauter handling. Enhanced dynamics build on a heritage of high performance dating to 1919. The GT Speed’s 6.0-litre W12 engine develops an enormous 449kW/750Nm, propelling the car to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. It is the most powerful production Bentley ever built and the first to top 322km/h.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...