Bentley Continental News

The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show. Bentley’s bi-turbo V8 engine sets a new, downsized standard for the company as Detroit previews two cars with its new powerplants. The Volkswagen-owned luxury car maker claims slicing off four cylinders from its W12 engine - Bentley is the UK’s biggest 12-cylinder engine manufacturer - has resulted in a 40 per cent fuel saving and emission reduction. Yet the 4-litre V8, which is related to the family’s Audi 4.2-litre engine, pumps a hot 373kW and 660Nm. The engine debuts this week at the Detroit motor show in the Continental GT and the convertible version, the GTC. The W12 engine will remain an option. Features of the V8 are direct injection, two turbochargers and intercoolers, and the ability to switch to become a V4 when coasting to reduce fuel use. It is bolted to a new close-ration eight-speed automatic transmission and drives to all wheels. Bentley says: “The arrival of the new V8 Continental models fulfils Bentley’s environmental commitment to produce a new powertrain that delivers a 40 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.’’ “The instantly recognisable growl of the new 4.0 litre V8 engine sets it apart from its Bentley stablemates.’’ The V8 models of the Continental are distinguished by a black grille with chrome frame and centre bar, a red enamel Bentley ‘B’ badge, and a black matrix three-segment lower front bumper divided by body-coloured strakes. At the rear, the pair get chrome “figure eight’’ exhaust tailpipes, a dark lower valance and red enamel ‘B’ bootlid badge. Both models have 20-inch alloy wheels as standard with an optional 21‑inch six-spoke design which is available in dramatic Diamond Black (exclusive to the Continental V8) or Diamond Silver finishes. Inside the cabin, an Eliade cloth headlining, new contemporary Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneers, optional two-tone leather colour split and short centre console continue the fresh, sporting design theme. Since the launch of the original GT in 2003, the W12-engined Continental range has recorded over 50,000 sales worldwide.

The cars will be unveiled at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9. The new 4.0 litre, twin turbocharged V8 Continental GT coupe and GTC convertible offer impressive power-to-emissions in the high luxury sports car sector. This new Bentley V8 engine delivers maximum power of 373Kw at 6000rpm and an strong peak torque of 660Nm which is available across virtually the entire rev range from 1700 to 5000 rev/min. The combination is said to provide exhilarating performance and effortless power delivery. Combined with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, this translates into a sub-5 second acceleration time for the 0-100km/h sprint and a top speed of over 290km/h. At the same time, the new V8 Continental models achieve outstanding levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the luxury performance sector and are capable of travelling over 800km on a single tank of fuel. The arrival of the new V8 Continental models fulfils Bentleys environmental commitment to produce a new powertrain that delivers a 40 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. The new V8 engine features variable displacement with a highly sophisticated engine management system, ensuring a seamless and imperceptible transition from V8 to V4 mode under light throttle load. The high-technology V8 also features high pressure direct injection, low friction bearings, thermal management, energy recuperation via the charging system, and innovative turbo charger packaging for greater efficiency. The instantly recognisable growl of the new 4.0-litre V8 engine sets it apart from its Bentley stablemates. The new V8 engine will be available in two models; the Continental GT and the Continental GTC.

Bentley's chief executive Wolfgang Duerheimer told Carsguide this week that he is "writing the business case and I hope to bring it to the (Volkswagen) Group board this financial year". Duerheimer has driven the case for Bentley's SUV, which would sit well above the current crop of luxury soft- roaders, possibly to the north of $350,000. The 12-year veteran of Porsche was research and development chief there for a decade, a time during which the Cayenne came to fruition, revitalizing the brand's fortunes. "The SUV will be," Duerheimer told Carsguide at the launch of the renewed Continental GTC in Croatia. "I have been working on this project for eight months. The longer I dive into this the more confident I get thrash this is the right decision. There is no SUV in the Bentley segment, there is nothing above the ($250,000) Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. "A car which contains the quality, luxury and craftsmanship that Bentley stand for does not exist. A slice of a big cake is possible for us." The German points to Porsche for proof. "When we proposed the Cayenne the dealers said we were crazy. Our clients said 'we drive sports cars, we don't need an SUV'. Even the media told us we were crazy. "We have sold 50,000 units of the SUV without hurting the sports car business." While nothing approaching that volume is mooted, Duerheimer suggests an SUV will push Bentley toward 20,000 annual sales of all models. While he says a version of the Continental GT coupe with a bespoke version of Audi's new twin turbo V8 will become e marque's entry car, the SUV would at least in part be derived from much humbler models. VW's Touareg, Audi's Q7 and the Cayenne have such commonality they are assembled on the same Slovakian production line. "We will not do everything from scratch," Duerheimer concedes. "We are in the lucky situation where Bentley can access all the technology in the group. "I have design models. Our assessment shows we have a completely new approach to SUVs in the group."

...this 2012 Bentley Continental GTC Speed hit British roads for final testing.The update for the drop-top includes a more aggressive look on the nose, vents in the bonnet and new headlamps.The tail end has a new spoiler, slimmer lamps and a revised exhaust.

Bentley, which uses up to 12-cylinder engines in its 2-tonne-plus top-end saloons, says the fuel slashes its CO2 footprint by up to 70 per cent. The luxury carmaker in 2008 started making its cars compatible with E85 (85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol - or any variation in between) as a means of reducing emissions and meeting proposed European exhaust gas regulations. Bentley engineering director Dr Ulrich Eichhorn says even though E85 wasn't available in all markets, customers showed immense interest in towing a green line. "In markets where ethanol is available, we see high interest by customers,'' he says. "We estimate that from well to wheel - the lifecycle of the energy process - a Bentley running on sustainable E85 will have a whole of life CO2 reduction of more than 70 per cent. "It makes a rational reason why a buyer would buy a Bentley. It promotes an environmental message. "We know of one customer who traded in an almost-new Flying Spur model and bought the latest Flying Spur with the E85-compatible engine. "He did it for three reasons - environment, the fact that in Britain it saves him about $30 because of a lower tax; and his neighbour has a Prius and he is delighted that he can smuggly match its CO2 footprint. They may not be reasons chosen by most owners, but they make sense for him and there's a clear benefit to the environment.'' Bentley is facing a choice of going it alone with the proposed - and not yet legislated - 120g/km CO2 threshold of European delivery cars. It takes effect in January 2012 with a graduated introduction trough to 2015. "We can either join with Volkswagen and take advantage of the lower emission level of the group's fleet, or go it alone. It's being discussed. Personally, I think it makes more sense to stay within the Volkswagen Group's fleet.'' Bentley last month proved the worth of its E85 commitment by settling a world ice speed record on the frozen Baltic Sea off the coast of Finland. Former rally champion Juha Kankkunen sent a Bentley Continental GT at 330.69km/h over a 14km graded section of the 700mm-thick ice. The fuel used, says Eichhorn, was derived from waste straw.

While most people associate James Bond with Aston Martins, the original Ian Fleming books had the British master spy driving a Bentley.  In a new book commissioned by Ian Fleming Publications, author Jeffrey Deaver has returned 007 to his rightful place in a Bentley in the pages of Carte Blanche.Deaver, author of the Bone Collector, selected the Bentley Continental GT in his book to be published on May 26, a few days before the anniversary of Fleming's birthday.The book is partly set in Dubai, where Deaver recently drove a Continental GT.  "It is an inspirational and awe-inspiring city and makes a perfect Bond location, especially for a novel that pushes our hero to new extremes," he says.Despite Bond driving a Bentley in Fleming's books, his first car in a movie was a Sunbeam Alpine in the 1962 film, Dr No.  He didn't drive a Bentley until the second Bond flick, From Russia With Love, in 1963 in which the licensed-to-kill agent drove a Bentley Mark IV.It wasn't until the third Bond movie, Goldfinger, in 1964, that Bond drove the famous Aston Martin DB5, the quintessential Bond car.  There were also Bentleys in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) and Moonraker (1979).Other car companies have used Bond films to promote and even launch new models.  Highlights are the amphibious Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me and the launch of the BMW Z3 Roadster in GoldenEye.Agent 007 carsVehicles starring in James Bond films:1962, Dr No: Sunbeam Alpine, Chevrolet Bel Air convertible1963, From Russia With Love: Bentley Mark IV1964, Goldfinger: Aston Martin DB5, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes 190 coupe, Lincoln Continental, Ford Mustang convertible, Rolls-Royce Phantom III1965, Thunderball: Aston Martin DB5, Ford Mustang convertible, BSA Lightning 650cc motorcycle, gyrocopter1967, You Only Live Twice: Toyota 2000 GT, BMW 2000 CS1969, On Her Majesty's Secret Service: Aston Martin DBS, Mercury Cougar, Bentley Mark II Continental, Rolls-Royce Corniche1971, Diamonds are Forever: 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1, Triumph Stag, moonbuggy1973, Live And Let Die: Glastron speedboat, double-decker London bus, Chevrolet Impala convertible, Mini Moke1974, The Man With The Golden Gun: AMC Hornet and Matador, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow1977, The Spy Who Loved Me: Lotus Esprit, Wetbike concept, Ford Cortina 2.3 Ghia, Mini Moke1979, Moonraker: Bentley Mark IV, Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II1981, For Your Eyes Only: Citroen 2CV, Lotus Esprit Turbo, Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II1983, Octopussy: Mercedes-Benz 250 SE, BMW 5 Series, Alfa Romeo GTV1985, A View To A Kill: Renault taxi, Ford LTD, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, Chevrolet Corvette C4, Jeep Cherokee (XJ)1987, The Living Daylights: Aston Martin DBS and V8 Vantage, Audi 200 Quattro1989, Licence To Kill: Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Kenworth petrol tanker1995, GoldenEye: BMW Z3 roadster, Aston Martin DB5, Russian tank, Ferrari 3551997, Tomorrow Never Dies: Aston Martin DB5, BMW 750iL, BMW R1200C motorcycle1999, The World is not Enough: BMW Z8, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow2002, Die Another Day: Aston Martin Vanquish, Jaguar XKR, pink Ford Thunderbird convertible2006: Casino Royale: Aston Martin DBS and DB5, Jaguar E Type Roadster, Fiat Panda 4x4, Ford Transit, Ford Mondeo2008: Quantum of Solace: Aston Martin DBS V12, Alfa Romeo 159 and 156, Audi A6, Ford Ka & Edge, Jaguar XJ8, Volvo S40T5, Volkswagen Type 1.

It's fast, it's flash, and it's finally here.  Bentley have unveiled their new GT coupe at the Paris Motor Show. The W12 engine produces more power (575 PS / 567 bhp / 423 kW) and torque (700 Nm / 516 lb ft) as well as sharper acceleration times throughout the range. There's also increased storage space, an additional 46 mm of legroom for back-seat passengers and a state-of-the-art 30 GB infotainment system supported by touchscreen technology.Deliveries to customers will start in the first quarter of 2011.

The V8 will have 40 per cent lower CO2 emissions than the 384g/km of the W12, but both engines will be capable of running on 85 per cent ethanol.  Bentley has committed to having E85 compatibility in all its cars by 2012 with the first being the Supersports launched here last December. While performance details are not yet available for the V8, the 12-cylinder, twin-turbocharged powertrain will have 12kW more power with 423kW and 700Nm of torque. It will be mated to a new Quickshift transmission which enables double downshifts. Bentley claims this combination of engine and transmission drops the 0-100km/h time from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds.  Australia's Bentley spokesman, Ian Churchill, says they will be taking orders for the new four-seater coupe later this year with a local launch in the second quarter of next year. "The W12 engine is available at launch with the V8 derivative to be communicated late 2011," he says.  "Both will ultimately be available to the Australian market. "The key point to note with these two engine configurations is our overall commitment to producing engaging vehicles for the market while still making clear our intention to embrace a combination of flex-fuel and engine improvements to reduce Bentley's environment impact."Pricing will be announced soon, he says. "In terms of sales we expect strong interest from owners of the current Continental coupe, of which we have sold 23,000 since launch in 2003," Churchill says.  "The blend of supercar performance with everyday practicality has meant the new GT is attracting many new clients to the Bentley stable." The car will also feature "super formed" aluminium front wings and boot lid that allow for a more sculpted body.  Super forming 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 process was first used on the Mulsanne and it allows a weight reduction in the coupe of 65kg.  The exterior now features jewelled headlamps with LED daytime-running lights, a more upright matrix radiator grille and new double horseshoe rear profile first shown on the flagship Bentley Mulsanne. Inside is a new sweeping dashboard and instrument panel finished in premium, soft-touch leather hides, cobra-design seats, more rear cabin space and a new touchscreen, 30GB infotainment system with satellite navigation.

The special 'Arabia' models from Bentley show how well the luxury badge has done in the Middle East while other brands were suffering sales drops.  The oil-rich market has doubled its slice of Bentley purchases in the last five years and now buys 10 per cent of the marque's global sales, despite the recent global financial crisis.In recognition of that the VW-owned British breed has been busy at its Crewe headquarters, designing and developing two unique Continental models with a range of features specific to the Middle East market.Imaginatively named the Continental Flying Spur Arabia and the Continental Flying Spur Speed Arabia, the high-performance luxury four-door saloon - which starts at just under $400,000 if you bought one here - has additional features to create what the company says is "the ultimate in distinguished, elegant driving developed for the Arabic  market.''Both cars are further distinguished by some subtle exterior and interior Arabia motifs. These include an exterior front fender badge, tread plate and ashtray lid badge all bearing the Arabia signature.In any other part of the world - and many other brands - it might well be called a "bling'' edition, but Bentley isn't treading on the toes of "Pimp My Ride.''  The already-ample features list has been bolstered with ventilated "fluted'' seats that now cool as well as heat - the latter not really a must-have for the Middle East - as well as the option of active cruise control, a rear-view camera, iPod connectivity for the rear DVD system, phone handsets front and rear and carbon ceramic brakes (which need the Speed's 20in wheels, optional on the Flying Spur, for space).Even the fuel cap has been blinged up in bright chrome with the famous B badge.  Bentley's Middle East and Asia regional director Geoff Dowding says the new models for Arabic customers is recognition of their growing importance to the marque."Bentley has a long and proud tradition of being able to design, engineer and personalise our cars to the individual styling and driving tastes of our customers and these special-edition Bentleys showcase these skills for the Middle East Market,'' he says.The Arabia editions don't get any extra urge, but the standard six-litre twin-turbo W12 has an elegant sufficiency of propulsion for the 2440kg machine, thanks to 412kW and 650Nm being delivered to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic.That's enough for the Flying Spur Arabia to reach a top speed of 312 km/h and a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 5.2 seconds.  The Speed Arabia has 449kW and 750Nm at its driver's disposal, dropping the 0-100 km/h sprint to 4.8 seconds and upping the top speed of 322km/h.

The second is the four double-door garages.  Then he opens the doors to reveal cars stacked on top of each other on hoists. Jags, Mercs, a Porsche, Bentley and even a VW Karmann Cabriolet, plus five 1980s-'90s BMW motorcycles.Bitneris is a serious motoring nut.  But he almost wasn't, thanks to bad experiences with his first car, a "1950s-something" Standard 8.  "What a piece of crap that was. Even the floor fell out," he laughs."I was studying engineering _ it's tough being poor _ and I bought it in total ignorance because the guy that sold it to me left the country and it was still under finance.  They repossessed it and I went through a lot of heartache.  Then I bought a 1947 Fiat. What a piece of crap that was, too."Then came his motoring epiphany.  "The highlight of my life was working for the Ford Motor Company back in the late '60s, early '70s when they were developing the GTHO," he says."My job as a young engineer was to build the plant expansion to make the new models. I built all the assembly lines.  A GTHO cost about $4800 at the time and now they're fetching more than 100 times that. I should have stolen a couple of them.  I used to get to drive them on the weekends after working 80-100 hour weeks. They were great days for motoring."His career took him overseas for the next 30-odd years, living in 21 countries and learning to speak six languages.  Bitneris says his first "collector" car was a 1960 Jaguar XK 150 he bought in 1976 in Canada.  "It didn't cost a lot of money. It was the first one I could afford to buy," he says.He won't talk about how much he paid for any of his cars _ he has mostly forgotten _ and he won't talk about what they are worth now.  "People squander their money. I squander it on cars," he says. "I'd like to think that they could be my superannuation."  Bitneris has owned several different marques, all European."After the Jaguar it's a bit of a liar's contest," he says.  "I've bought a lot of cars I don't have anymore such as Series I and II Rolls-Royce Shadows."  He currently owns a 1961 Bentley Continental Park Ward Cabriolet which is number 68 of only 125 handbuilt at Crewe. It features a 6.25-litre V8 with about 150kW of power and four-calliper brake pistons."I paid a lot of money for that but it's worth a lot of money now," he says.  He also has two Mercedes-Benz 220S models.  One is a 1958 220S Cabriolet like the one Princess Grace died in. He bought it from a "crook" in Western Australia. The other is a 1959 Coupe he bought off a restorer who now wants it back.But Bitneris won't sell it to him. Instead he has flown to Russia to negotiate selling the two Mercs and Bentley to a collector.  He also owns a 1971 Jaguar E-Type Roadster which is one of the first with a V12 engine.  "I love Jags. They were the ants pants in my day. You could pick up women with them," he says.He also tends to favour cabriolets because "that's where the money is".  Sitting on top of one of the Mercs is a 1965 Porsche 356 SC, one of only 12 brought into Australia.  "I bought it from a guy whose wife ran off with the boss and he didn't want her to have it so he sold it to me cheap," he says."It was in totally original condition with a spare engine.  "The gods favoured me that day."  He boasts it has such a good drag co-efficient you can slip it into neutral at 160km/h and it will coast for more than 1.5km before stopping.There is also a 1979 VW Karmann Cabriolet in his garage that he admits is "a piece of crap, but mechanically perfect".  He's thinking of putting a Subaru engine in it.Bitneris is also planning to convert a four-door 1959 Jaguar Mk IX to two doors and right-hand drive with a bonnet that hinges forward like on the E-Type.  "My next project will be a Series 1 E-Type; I'll pull out the engine, gearbox and brakes and strip it down to about 900kg and put in a four-litre modern Jag engine," he says."At 900kg it's lighter than my Porsche 356.  I'll use it as a run-around."  He even has plans to start building replica Porsche RS 61 Spyders using the original drawings.  "It's a tiny car with only has a 1.6-litre engine, but boy is it quick," he says.Bitneris used to drive all of his cars, but now claims he can't afford to register them.  "I mainly drive the E-Type which has been converted to fuel injection using a Skyline GT-R system and injectors," he says.  "The car was quick as it was, but it's quicker now with about 50 per cent extra power."They are all my favourites."  Bitneris says that even as a dedicated revhead, he still has concern for the environment.  "I've got a couple of stills and I'm going to make my own ethanol so I can drive all of these around without having to worry about the cost to the environment or the cost of fuel."