Bentley News

The Russian widow claims late husband, Alexandre Anisonian, was wrongfully killed in his Bentley Continental GT because the vehicle’s side curtain airbags failed to deploy.She is suing Bentley through their Brooklands Moscow dealership for 60 million roubles (about $1.9m). Mr Anisonian died on February 8, 2012 when his Continental GT was hit by a large truck that ran a red light."Since the accident, we have run several tests that all conclude the strong impact should have set off the car's side curtain airbags," Mrs Anisonian’s lawyers said in a statement.Bentley has responded to the lawsuit by denying any blame, but stating that it is cooperating with Russian authorities.The luxury carmaker – owned by auto giant Volkswagen Group – said it takes safety very seriously and its vehicles meet the strictest crash test standards in the world.Overseas media reports have suggested the court hearing scheduled for January 14 will be told Anisonian’s Bentley was travelling at high speed when the accident occured. 

At last week’s 2012 Paris Auto Show Bentley unveiled a race car concept based on its luxury-oriented Continental GT. Simply labelled the Continental GT3, the one-off concept is confirmation of Bentley’s interest in returning to motorsports, which could include a new one-make racing series for the Continental coupe similar to what rivals such as Maserati and Lamborghini currently do with some of their cars.  While Bentley concedes the concept provides a solid foundation for the automaker’s “long-term” motorsport plans, to keep interest alive in the shorter term, we could see a road-going version of the car. In fact, as early as October of last year we reported that Bentley could launch a track-focused version of its Continental GT, perhaps as a replacement for the Continental Supersports model. Now, Autocar is reporting that this track-focused version could be a production Bentley Continental GT3. With pricing similar to the range-topping Continental Supersports, somewhere close to $553k, the production Continental GT3 would be the most potent model in the Continental range. This means that output from its twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W-12 engine would likely be turned up to around 522 kilowatts. However, the lighter and more responsive twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 may be offered instead. Going into the future, Bentley will be positioning its 12-cylinder engines at the prestige end of the market, while the V-8s will be aimed at performance buyers.  Though the race concept featured a rear-wheel drive chassis, the production version would likely remain all-wheel drive for safety reasons. Other changes would likely include a more subtle exterior and a plusher cabin -- it's still a Bentley after all. If given the green light, expect the production Continental GT3 to go on sale in 2014 at the earliest. Numbers will be limited, so perhaps only around 300 examples will see the light of day. www.motorauthority.com  

   

The outrageous and outrageously expensive SUV has won a go-ahead for the road after an overwhelming response from super-rich buyers.

Like the latter, however, the four door is due for a thorough facelift......copping an array of new details and accents and a new (cough, splutter) “entry-level” variant with Audi's twin-turbo V8 engine to sit beneath the blown W12.

British luxury brand Bentley is known for expensive handmade cars just about large enough to sleep in. So it’s no stretch to see them teaming with New York’s landmark St Regis hotel for an ultra-prestige suite. The 108-year-old hotel built by John Jacob Astor IV – who went down with the Titanic – already has several special suites at the kind of eye-watering tariffs only shrugged off by royalty and A+ list celebrity. The Tiffany, Dior and Orient Suites will set you back just short of $10,000 per night, and join them this month will be the Bentley Suite, designed in collaboration with the British marque. The 158sq-metre suite – roughly three times the size of your average small flat – will “be outfitted in the defining accents of the luxury automotive brand” according to the Bentley announcement. That means the signature burled wood of the Bentley dashboard has been put to service for a king-sized sleigh bed, while the floors are covered in black leather tiles. The suite comes with a complimentary car: a $662,857 Bentley Mulsanne for your personal use, but only within a 10-block radius of the Manhattan hotel. That might sound a bit limited, but New York blocks are massive, and the hotel probably expects the Mulsanne to return from forays with its massive boot crammed with high-end shopping bags.

The car valued at just over $1 million Australian dollars was unveiled to mark at the gala opening of one of the world's largest Bentley dealerships in Beijing. Designed by the craftsmen and women of Bentley's Mulliner division, the creators of the State Limousine presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, just 60 examples of the Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition have been created with each car representing a year of Her Majesty's reign. Most of these cars are expected to find home in China. These very special Bentleys are distinguished by a range of exquisite, handcrafted features paying tribute to the Jubilee. These include bespoke embroidery to all four headrests using gold stitching, veneered picnic tables in the rear cabin decorated with a gold overlay depicting a royal carriage used for great occasions of state as well as luxurious, hide cushions featuring the same motif. Two beautiful, highly-polished stainless steel treadplate plaques featuring the famous `Bentley Mulliner, England' script and `Diamond Jubilee Edition' have also been commissioned for these Mulsanne models.  

A REGAL 1930 Bentley four-litre saloon that had spent most of its life in NSW is heading overseas after selling for $462,000 at Shannons' auction in Sydney last week. Still wearing its original Freestone & Webb fabric coachwork, the Bentley was pursued by a number of bidders and this developed into a telephone duel between two overseas enthusiasts. It sold for more than $100,000 above its pre-sale estimate. The Bentley came from the estate of the late sewing machine importer Alan Mingaye, from Mosman, who found the car lying partially disassembled under a tree in Turramurra in 1957. It received a full body-off-chassis restoration in 1980, but because of Mingaye's ill health, had not been driven regularly since 1988. Another auction highlight was a 1971 Chrysler Valiant VH Charger E38 R/T coupe finished in trademark hot mustard, selling for $75,000. The Charger was fully restored three years ago and is believed to be correct in all details, including its 208kW straight-six engine, big fuel tank and a rare optional two-spoke steering wheel. A 1970 early-build Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 finished in yellow dolly was chased by four floor and phone bidders before selling well above its pre-sale estimate for $71,000. The Torana had recently had a bare metal restoration after 23 years in storage and had travelled only 93,600 miles, just 1500 of them after its restoration. A trophy-winning 1884 HDT Commodore Group 3 sold for $38,450 and a 1977 Holden HX Kingswood Deluxe sedan fetched $10,000.  Also a red 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Roadster in restored condition sold for $76,000, a right-hand drive 1929 Buick ``6 Wheel Equipped'' Roadster sold for $52,500, a 1989 French Racing Blue Morgan 4/4 four-seater Roadster sold for $45,000 and a right-hand drive 1988 Citroen 2CV6 Dolly sold for $18,500.  

... rival the prices on the BMW options' list for things like salad and spuds.So it's no surprise that the top end of town calls the shots at the Palexpo alongside Geneva Airport as Europe's carmakers go head-to-head for the first time in 2012. Ferrari and Lamborghini battle for go-faster bragging rights as Rolls-Royce and Bentley get serious about family motoring for the ultra-rich, while Infiniti pitches an new exotic coupe and even Ssangyong of Korea goes upmarket with a new concept. There are also dozens of one-off dream machines and hotrod tuner cars in Geneva, a show that is traditionally dominated by European design stars including Pininfarina and Giugiaro. But there is plenty, too, for ordinary car buyers as the Fiesta ST brakes cover, Hyundai updates the i20 and teases with the Veloster Turbo, Jaguar confirms an XF station wagon, Audi and Mercedes-Benz previews their A3 and A-Class, and Ford even updates its box-boring Transit workhorse. Picking the best of the best is tough with so much gorgeous stuff on the stands, but Alfa Romeo is the winner for 2012 and edges out the Infiniti Emerge-E with its Disco Volante.The pretty little red coupe is dreamy without being stupid and is already confirmed for production, although the slightly-retro body will be draped over Alfa's existing 8C Competizione chassis - 4.7-litre V8, 335kW, 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds - which means it's no chance for Australia with only left-hand drive.The Ferrari F12 is exactly what you expect from the fastest car to wear the badge - 340km/h and 0-100km/h in 3.1 seconds - including a swoopy body that taps the past as well as the influences that created the California convertible, but Lamborghini goes even better with an Aventador J preview car that is snapped up for a rumoured $2.8 million ahead of genuine production of an open-topped Aventador supercar.Rolls-Royce updates the Phantom with a new nose that still demands respect, as well as tweaking its colour choices with a two-tone approach that triggers memories of cheap seventies vinyl roofs, and Jaguar gets serious for families with an XF Sportbrake that will still struggle in a world of SUVs.Further down the food chain, the Audi A3 looks good but not as edgy as an A-Class that must break away from the bus pass generation into something closer to the Y-Gen futurists, and Volkswagen previews a more car-like Tiguan crossover with its Cross Coupe.Hyundai has a preview of a new flagship coupe called the i-oniq - did it mean ironic? - Kia shows a Track'ster that will become the new Soul, Honda shows the CR-V design that's coming to Australia, and the pocket rocket Ford Fiesta ST breaks cover with a confirmation for Australia.The action and excitement at Geneva goes on and on, and that is - really - the best thing about the show. Detroit in January hinted that the word's carmakers are finally emerging from the austerity and fear of the global financial crisis and the big-spending effort in Geneva confirms it, with good news for almost everyone from Euro billionaires to ordinary Aussie families.PG PICKS:1. Bentley EXP 9 F.Only one word fits - Ugly. With a big capital U. The hulking British bulldog might tick the boxes for cashed-up families, but this SUV makes a LandCruiser look elegant, and subtle.2. Giugiaro Brivido.Exactly what you expect to see in Geneva, as designers go all-out to impress the crowds - and each other. Not for production but a great looker with huge gullwing doors.3. Range Rover Evoque Convertible. A certainty for production as Land Rover milks its most successful design - ever. This one will never go bush but is being fast tracked for Double Bay and Toorak.4. Ssangyong XIV-2. Who knew the South Koreans could trump the Euros with a design that combines SUV practicality with a coupe-convertible body? A big surprise.5. Toyota FT-Bh: Just when you thought the uglies were done, Toyota lobbed with this. If it's the future for hybrid cars then sales will be slow. Very slow.

Not wanting to be left behind in the SUV craze, iconic British prestige marque Bentley has joined the fray.  The Crewe coach builder reveals its EXP 9 F all-wheel drive luxury Sport Utility Vehicle concept at the Geneva Motor Show this week. However it's turned out to be an awkward design project that -- if blinged-up not a great deal more -- could become the ostentatious bad taste icon of rap royalty. Bentley Motors boss Wolfgang Dürheimer says they know that many Bentley customers already own SUVs. "With EXP 9 F, Bentley is making a clear statement of intent that we have both the expertise and desire to meet and exceed their expectations,'' he says. It wouldn't be a Bentley without the full monte of luxury touches. Open the two-piece tailgate and there is a luxury picnic hamper set including silverware and pewter champagne flutes. Inside are silk wool floormats and handcrafted elements in wood and leather from their Crewe craftsmen. The interior trim also features polished aluminium, bronze and gunmetal. It's a five-seater, although it's best suited to four as the rear armrest lifts to reveal a cooled compartment for champagne and glasses. The EXP 9 F is powered by a six-litre, twin turbocharged W12 engine married to an eight-speed transmission although the new four-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 or a hybrid drivetrain are also expected to be offered. Although the company is not yet saying what will drive all wheels, it should be expected to use a 4Motion system from its parent company Volkswagen. Design boss Dirk van Braeckel says the EXP 9 F retains Bentley style cues such as the matrix grille, round lamps and muscular haunches. However, there is little they can do to disguise that fat back, even with that famous "B'' badge and ultra-wide built-in chromed exhausts. Without the badge, it could easily be mistaken for a Touareg from the rear. Design themes include the shape of turbine fans in the day-time running lamps and 23-inch alloy wheels, and fighter jet engines in the rear lights. Bentley Motors Australasia spokesman Ian Churchill says they are “keen to gain public reaction”.  “This will determine the car’s future in the Bentley line up,” he says. “Unfortunately there are no plans just yet to bring the concept car to Australia post the Geneva show.”