Bentley News

Kids aren’t usually a factor in Car of the Year judging.  But child friendliness rates highly with women buying cars – and with women judging cars.The countdown has been kicked off to decide the Women’s World Car of the Year, and the kid factor is one the judges pay a lot of attention to.“Statistics show that women drive children in cars significantly more often than men – and that means women need to take that into account, both when buying and as judges of cars,” WCOTY president Sandy Myhre said from New Zealand.“Any woman who has grappled constantly with child seats and belts and children considers those things when looking at buying a car.  Men might too but the fact is, women drive children in cars more than men.“Women would not consider that aspect in a Porsche 911 more than a bloke. The point is, it can be considered in these awards - and that is one of the points of difference in these awards.”Myhre points out that significant research into buying habits show that in addition to buying for themselves, women have a major influence in household purchase decisions for big ticket items.Ford Australia, for example, says their research shows that women are behind the majority of purchases of the Territory SUV – either as single women buying one, or in influencing the joint decision with their partner. “A report from Mattingly & Associates in Australia concluded, in part, that businesses that didn't understand this influence would be hard-pressed to stay in business.  That report was aptly called 'When I've Made Up Our Minds',” Myhre says.However, the kid factor is just one of the criteria by which the 2012 Women’s World Car of the Year will be judged.There are four categories in the Women's World Car of the Year – Family Car, Luxury Car, Sports Car and Economy Car. Points are allocated to each of ten criteria: driveability, engineering, comfort, child friendliness, style, interior, storage, dashboard efficiency, carbon footprint and colour range.The 20 judges from eleven countries have submitted their own personal short list and more than 300 cars were suggested. These individual choices were then whittled down to form a master list of 32 in terms of popularity. Judges will now allocate points for these cars from a criteria list.The announcement of the winning cars in each category and the supreme winner will be made before the end of March. The supreme award trophy and category certificates will be presented to the car companies concerned at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2012 – the Paris Motor Show – in September. The supreme trophy will this year be made in The Netherlands. Category-winner certificates will be designed at Peartree Studios in Colerne, UK.The first winner of the Women's World Car of the Year was the Jaguar XF in 2010 and the trophy made in South Africa was presented at the Jaguar boutique showroom in Knightsbridge, London. In 2011 there was a dead-heat between the Citroen DS3 and the BMW 5 Series. The two trophies made in India were presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011. 

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.

This Swiss Breitling watch costs $290,000, but you can have it for free. Only one problem: you have to buy one of 100 limited-edition Bentley Continental ISR Supersports convertibles (pictured right) costing $553,000 in Australia. That's $42,000 more than the "standard" Supersports convertible, so the buyer potentially saves $250,000 on the value of the car and watch. Bentley Motors regional manager Ed Striebig says they have not yet received an order for an ISR, "but the order books are open". "We've been about 1 per cent of our worldwide sales, so on that basis, we should expect a car to come to these shores," he says. The car and watch are inspired by four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen's 330.695km/h world-record-breaking run this year on the perilous frozen Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland. He was driving an all-wheel drive, biofuel-powered 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible when he broke his previous ice speed record of 321.6km/h set in 2007 in the Continental GT. The ISR (Ice Speed Record) model is up 7kW to 470kW on the convertible driven by Kankkunen and is the most potent Bentley yet, reaching 100km/h in 3.8 seconds and 160km/h in 9.5 seconds. Power is transferred between the front and rear axles automatically via a Torsen center differential and it features massive 419mm carbon ceramic rotors up front and 355mm at the rear. It sits on 275mm wide tyres on 20-inch wheels. The ISR comes in three special exterior colours - Beluga, Quartzite, and Arctica White - with a dark grey metallic soft top. The 100 self-winding watches and Bentley convertibles have similar design cues such as red detailing, carbonfibre fascia and knurled finish on the buttons. Of course, the signature Breitling dashboard clock also has a red accent. And both the car and watch feature the same engraved number. Bentley Continental ISR Supersports convertible Price: $553,000 Engine: 6-litre twin-turbocharged W12, 471kW/800Nm Transmission: 6-speed automatic Performance: 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds, top speed 525km/h Dimensions: 4804mm (L), 2194mm (W), 1388mm (H), 2745mm (WB) Kerb weight: 2395kg Tyres: 275/35 R20 Economy: 16.7L/100km (combined) CO2: 388g/km.

1 Jay Leno: Duesenbergs What a Doosey of a way to start this top 10 star cars feature! One of the world's most expensive cars and most sought after by Hollywood legends over the years is the American luxury Duesenberg. Talk show host Jay Leno has one of the biggest stables of exotic cars in the world, including six Deusenbergs, each worth more than $1.5m. They are so luxurious, they gave birth to the expression "What a duesy/doosey"! They have been owned by celebs such as Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Greta Garbo, and Mae West. they have also been owned by millionaires Howard Hughes and William Randolph Hearst, criminal Al Capone and royalty. 2 Simon Cowell: Bugatti Veyron They cost about $2m and are one of the fastest production cars on the planet with a top speed of 431km/h. The Veyron also launches to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds. The TV talent show judge is a good judge of a car with a garage that also includes a Ferrari F430 and Rolls Royce Phantom. He has also paid a deposit for the Rolls-Royce 100EX Cabriolet which is still just a concept. 3 David Beckham: Custom Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead The V12-powered Roller is worth about $1.3m in "standard" trim. But there is nothing standard about this Roller for the soccer superstar and husband of Posh Spice. For a start, it has custom-made 24-inch Savini forged wheels which cost several thousand dollars each. Beckham's number 23 is embroidered on to the leather seats. 4 Jerry Seinfield: Porsche 959 The reclusive comedian built a $1.4m multi-storey garage in New York just to house his 46-car collection, most of which are Porsches. The most expensive is his rare 959. Only 337 were built and only 200 of those were street legal. A 959 is estimated to cost more than $1m. Bill Gates also owns one, but neither he nor Seinfeld can drive them on the streets as they don't pass US emissions tests. 5 Jay Z and Beyonce: Maybach Exelero Rapper Shawn Corey Carter (Jay Z) and Beyonce Knowles paid about $8m for this one-off German luxury sports car. It was commissioned by Fulda Tyres to test their widest tyres, but now Maybach is building the Batmobile-esque cars for general sale. The 350km/h two-seaters are powered by a 522kW twin-turbo V12 engine. The Exelero features in Jay Z's Lost One video. 6 Kim Kardashian: Ferrari 458 Italia Now that she has filed for divorce from her husband of 10 weeks, Kris Humphries, her collection of cars could also be split up. The reality TV star has several cars, including a Bentley Continental GT, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Range Rover and Ferrari F430, to which she has added the F430's successor, the 458 Italia. In Australia they cost more than $500,000, but Kim's has apparently been specially pimped. 7 Paris Hilton: Bentley GT Continental Of course, it's pink! The body, the grille, wheels, seats and interior trim. If that's not bling enough, it features a diamond-encrusted dashboard that is reported to be worth more than $250,000. In Australia, they cost about $400,000, but with a diamond-encrusted "PH" badge on the front, this one cost a whole lot more. The heiress bought it as a Christmas gift to herself in 2008. 8 Nicolas Cage: Ferrari Enzo The Hollywood actor's addiction to cars caused his financial ruin. At one stage he owned nine Rolls-Royces. But his most valuable and valued car was the legendary Ferrari Enzo which was gone in less than 60 seconds at auction for a bargain price. The V12 sports car, named after Ferrari's founder, had a top speed of 350km/h. Only 399 were built. They can sell for up to $20m. 9 Ralph Lauren: McLaren F1 LM The American fashion designer owns a huge collection of classic cars including the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe, Porsche 550 Spyder, a Bugatti Veyron, two Ferrari 250 Testa Rossas and a rare 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, of which 39 were made. While some might consider the 250 GTO the greatest Ferrari of all time, fetching up to $15m at auction, it's not as rare as the McLaren. Only five were built to honour the five McLaren F1 GTRs that finished and won the 1995 Le Mans 24-hour race. 10 Patrick Dempsey: Jaguar XK120 The hunky actor from Grey's Anatomy has great taste in cars, especially race cars. The aspiring racer has driven the pace car in Indy 500 and has raced sports car and off-road buggies. He is a co-owner of an IndyCar team and also owns a classic Jaguar XK120. They were built between 1948-1954 and successfully raced at Le Mans.  

Volkswagen is looking good to claim the crown as its two biggest rivals, Toyota and General Motors, both run into trouble.Brand T has been hit badly by its reliability and safety scare in the world's biggest showroom, the USA, and hurt in many other countries - including Australia - by the production troubles triggered by the Japanese tsunami and earthquake earlier this year.Volkswagen is already number one in Europe, with sales of 2.8 million vehicles - nearly triple the annual sales rate in Australia. Meanwhile, General Motors is still rebuilding after its bankruptcy and is also impacted by sluggish sales at home in America.Volkswagen Group has been aiming for the top spot for several years under the aggressive leadership of Ferdinand Piech, and forecasts it will hit the target in 2018 as it aims to increase its annual global sales to around 10 million vehicles.It is spending around $100 million to increase production across the   world, as well as developing a vast range of new models currently   headed by the value-driven baby Up.But, with the troubles at its rivals, three forecasters are now saying it will finish on top at the end of 2011. The respected JP Power organisation in the USA, as well as IHS Automotive and PwC Autofacts, believe Volkswagen's worldwide sales this year will rise by around 13 per cent to 8.1 million.Its biggest successes are coming in China off the back of the Volkswagen brand, but VW Group can also claim totals from a huge range of brands including Bugatti, Bentley, Audi, Seat and Skoda. At the same time, Toyota's total is forecast by Power to fall by 9 per cent to 7.27 million.The Japanese slide is worse than it looks, as it could also cost Toyota second place to General Motors after the hard work to become global number one in 2010. Power says GM's sales will improve by 8 per cent to 7.55 million, although the margins at the top of world motoring will be very tight by December 31.

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."

Synonymous with the unique twin turbo W12, an assortment of variants, including a brand entry Continental GT, will run an Audi-sourced V8. Wolfgang Duerheimer, chief executive of the Volkswagen Group-owned ultra luxury marque, tells Carsguide "it will not be many motor shows before we (officially) announce it". "It will be a group engine and it will be developed with our own calibration and our own settings." While Duerheimer refused to be specific, the engine in question is almost certain to be the 4.0-litre direct injection twin turbo V8 soon to debut in Audi's S6 and S7. While the fearsome emissions of the W12 - almost  380 grams of Co2 per km - are ameliorated across the VW Group, the Crewe UK based marque is not immune to the global push to downsize engines. Increasingly that pressure is coming not only from European legislators, but those of China whose new money elite comprise Bentley's second biggest market after the US. More affordable variants, as bent eights would certainly be, are also central to Duerheimer's push to get the iconic brand's sales back to five figures annually, as they were before the GFC. The primary sales shove will come in the form of a new SUV, but Durheimer says this would run only a 12-cylinder engine. Bentley's Asia Pacific spokesman Robin Peel says that while the eight is born of necessity it also represents a reconnection with its pre-VW Group heritage. "After all, we ran a V8 for more than 50 years," he says. "It's en engine we would expect to have appeal for Australians given your enthusiasm for V8s."

The previous luxury cabrio launched in 2006 and Bentley says the assertive stance of the new model has a more modern and muscular presence. The four-seater boasts a new, even more spacious and sumptuous hand-crafted cabin, with a choice of 17 leather colours and seven wood veneers to choose from. The 6.0-litre W12 engine is good for 423kW and 700Nm to ensure it lives up to Bentley's "wall of torque" reputation. Bentley has defied the market in the past 12 months to grow by more than 30 per cent. China has led the growth, with 1000 Bentleys finding a home there - or one in four of every Bentley made in the past 12 months.

...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.