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  • Bentley reveals powertrain options for its EXP 9 F concept

    In Bentley, Cars, International News / By / / 10 comments

    We’ve seen this before, Bentley’s SUV experiment. Shown at the Geneva show last month, the EXP 9 F is described by Bentley as “a vehicle that feels equally at home at an opera gala performance, on the sand dunes and the overtaking lane of the autobahn”. Make no mistake, this “concept” is a future model line alongside the Mulsanne, Continental and Flying Spur.

    “A Bentley Grand Tourer doesn’t necessarily have to be a coupé, a convertible or a saloon – it could equally well be an SUV. What’s important is that it should be true to Bentley’s brand values and in line with the desires and needs of our customers,” said Alasdair Stewart, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing.

    Any luxury SUV has to target China, a goldmine full of new money, and Bentley is showing the EXP 9 F off at the Beijing show now, where the British brand also revealed powertrain options for the SUV. The showcar’s hood hides a 6.0L twin-turbocharged W12 engine, developing 600 bhp and 800 Nm of torque. This petrol engine is coupled with an eight-speed close-ratio transmission.

    A range of other engines are also under consideration. This includes Bentley’s recently launched 500 bhp, 4.0L V8 as well as a V6 plug-in hybrid. With a potential 30 km range in full electric mode and CO2 emissions of 130 g/km, the V6 hybrid would still be capable of a 0 to 100km/h sprint time of less than five seconds. This sounds very promising, and in tune with the times.

    See our previous post for more details and images.

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  • Bentley EXP 9 F – the SUV experiment finally arrives

    In Bentley, Cars, International News / By / / 34 comments

    Seems the SUV path mulled a little while ago has taken shape – Bentley is unveiling its EXP 9 F all-wheel drive luxury SUV concept at the Geneva show, and the study is set to examine the potential for a third Bentley model-line alongside the bespoke Mulsanne and performance Continental ranges.

    Key Bentley styling cues – such as the matrix grille, round lamps and the strong power-line and haunch along each flank – have been re-interpreted for the EXP 9 F, with plenty of sculptured flowing surfaces to emphasise the power, muscularity and robustness of the design.

    Cues at the front include daytime running light apertures that act as the charge cooler air intakes for the twin-turbo W12 engine, each with a dramatic, mesh-covered turbine fan design and rifled inner surface finish.

    At the rear, the swooping lines of the tailgate takes a sporting profile, with an ultra-wide, two-part split tailgate to boot. The EXP 9 F also gets twin exhaust tailpipes with rifled inner surfaces, their elliptical shapes echoing those of the rear light clusters, the design of which is inspired by the form and details of fighter jet engines, so it goes.

    The 6.0 litre, twin-turbocharged W12, together with an eight-speed transmission, is the powertrain of choice for the concept, but the production form could well see the company’s recently-launched 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 or a hybrid drivetrain.

    Meanwhile, the 4+1 seating cabin is contemporarily Bentley, with the hallmarks of the usual craftsmanship and level of tailored luxury from the brand. You’ll find traditional handcrafted elements such as wood, leather and polished metals such as aluminium, bronze and gunmetal helping to create the scene. Oh, and reversible silk wool floormats as well, with one side finished in durable, ribbed saddle leather for those rougher outdoor moments.

    The company looks set to take the vehicle into production; it says that the show vehicle, which wears 23-inch multi-spoke alloys, is to provide a basis for feedback and comments with the aim of refining the concept further.

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  • Bentley Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification – sporting interpretation set to debut in Geneva

    In Bentley, Cars, International News / By / / 1 comment

    Bentley is to unveil a highly distinctive and sporting interpretation of the Mulsanne in Geneva next month. The new Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification, to give the variant its full name, wears a number of dress-up cues, including unique 21-inch alloy wheels, Bentley Flying B wing vents and a Diamond Quilted leather-trimmed cabin.

    The 505 hp 6.75 litre V8 sports saloon will also feature a driver-selectable, sports-tuned suspension and steering. The Drive Dynamics Control system, which allows suspension and steering systems to be tuned to a preferred driving style, now has a unique Sport setting that offers enhanced grip, body control and steering accuracy without compromising ride comfort.

    The Mulliner Driving Specification’s 21-inch light aluminium alloy two-piece wheels – with race-derived titanium fasteners – are available in both painted and polished finishes, and wear 265/40 series rubbers.

    Other items include drilled alloy accelerator and brake pedals, with the raised grips on each individually polished, as well as Mulliner treadplate plaques on the vertical surface of the driver and front passenger door sills.

    In common with all Mulsannes, there’s a choice of over 100 paint colours, a virtually limitless choice of unbleached premium quality veneers – with two marquetry options – and a selection of 22 leather hides available for the Mulliner Driving Specification. Performance specs continue as is, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.3 seconds and 296 km/h top speed.

    Aside from the new variant, the company has also announced that the Mulsanne range now features two new options – a large tilt-opening, tinted glass sunroof and an exquisitely designed, electrically operated bottle cooler, complete with hand-blown and hand-cut lead crystal champagne flutes.

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  • Bentley Continental V8 uses VAG’s new 4.0L twin-turbo V8

    In Bentley, Cars / By / / 16 comments

    We knew this would happen sooner or later – downsizing for better fuel efficiency has hit the super luxury marques – the Bentley Continental now has the option for a 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 engine to compliment the car’s current big 6.0 liter twin turbo W12 engine in the Continental GT and GTC – the V8 model will be called the Bentley Continental V8.

    The new Bentley Continental V8 will be powered by Volkswagen Group’s new twin turbocharged 4.0 liter TFSI V8 engine that made its debut in the S6, S7 and S8. In the Bentley Continental V8, the motor produces 507 PS at 6,000rpm and a peak torque of 660Nm flat from 1,700rpm up to 5,000rpm. It’s one of the more powerful tunes that the V8 is available in, though slightly different from the Audi S8′s – the S8 produces 13 more PS (520 PS) but 10Nm less torque (650Nm). Plenty of power but the W12 is still the king of course – making 640 PS in its most potent tune.

    The new V8 is pretty advanced compared to the W12 – it’s got direct fuel injection, low friction bearings, thermal management, and the ability to seamlessly shut off four of its eight cylinders, effectively turning it into a V4 under light throttle load. It’s also mated to a gearbox that has 2 additional cogs – a ZF 8-speed automatic. Bentley claims the Continental V8 models will be able to travel over 800km on a single tank of fuel – but I’m pretty sure that’s one huge tank of fuel.

    Bentley has also released 2 videos of the Continental V8 – one of its engine sound and another promotional video. The V8 engine is available in both the coupe and convertible bodies. Will we see a Rolls-Royce Ghost with a V8 engine soon?



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  • Bentley gets a £3 million conditional grant allocation to support development of new powertrain applications

    In Bentley, Cars, International News / By / / 4 comments

    Over in the UK, Bentley has announced that it has received confirmation of a conditional grant allocation of £3 million from the UK’s Department for Business Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

    It’s the second time this year Bentley has been successful with the UK government’s RGF, having received £1.68m in the first round to create additional manufacturing jobs and training. The new grant funding will help support the development of a new powertrain application, which will enable Bentley to exploit new export markets and safeguard over 200 jobs as well as create a small number of additional positions within the company’s 900-strong engineering department.

    The company, which exports over 80% of its production says that, despite the economic uncertainties, recent investment in new models is already paying dividends as growth continues in all major markets, with China continuing to break records. By the end of September, its sales in China had exceeded 1,000 units for the first time as the country cements its position as the second biggest global market for the brand, growing at a rate of over 80% a year.

    Customers in emerging markets are increasingly showing interest in the new two-door Continental GT and GTC, delivering significant sales growth, but for that to continue – and the long term future of the company be assured – the company says it has to look at new powertrains which anticipate changing demand. The grant should help take care of that.

     

  • Bentley Continental Flying Spur – special edition for China

    In Bentley, Cars, International News / By / / 9 comments


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    Another special edition of the Bentley Continental Flying Spur is coming about, and this one is set for the Chinese market. The company is working together with British design company Linley for the creation of a limited edition run of 10 units for China, which happens to be its biggest four-door market globally.

    The cars will incorporate signature Linley elements, among these specially selected Linley veneers in Santos rosewood on the fascia, console, waistrail as well as the roof console, effectively covering the entire wood surfaces of the model where Bentley chestnut or walnut would normally be used.

    The iconic Linley Helix motif, from the company’s Helix Furniture Collection, will be found on the waist-rails and picnic table of the Flying Spurs. The Helix pattern will feature four different types of veneer, which contrast with the Santos rosewood, to show the wave effect delivered by the marquetry. Also on, a rear console modified for a customer-commissioned Linley humidor.


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    Stainless steel Linley treadplates will feature on the cars, as will a Linley for Bentley rhodium-plated plaque in the glove box. Modified fluting on the seats will have burnt oak contrast stitching, with additional burnt oak hide highlighting the storage areas and door pockets.

    To remind its owner it’s not just a bog standard CFS, a Linley branded leather bag with a sumptuous cashmere blanket and other Linley items such as a leather luggage tag will be included in the boot of them limited edition cars. Yes, money won’t always buy you happiness, but it can certainly afford you a fair bit of luxury.

     

  • Frankfurt preview: second-gen Bentley Continental GTC

    In 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Bentley, Cars, International News / By / / 0 comments

    Bentley’s Continental GTC convertible goes into its second-generation form next month, when the car makes its debut in Frankfurt. The drop-top, which replaces the current model that was introduced in 2006, will feature cues from its GT coupe sibling launched last year.

    If the original Continental GTC was elegant and understated, then this one is beefier and has a more assertive presence. It also offers a more dynamic driving experience, with a wider track front and rear, sharper steering and retuned suspension helping to improve things on that front.

    The all-wheel drive system features a new 40:60 rear torque bias (compared with 50:50 of the original GTC), minimising understeer during hard cornering and allowing the spirited driver to manage the car’s line and balance via precise throttle control.

    At the heart of it is the 6.0 litre, twin-turbocharged W12, with a ZF 6HP28 transmission replete with QuickShift in tow. Power output has been raised from 552 hp to 567 hp and the famed Bentley ‘wave of torque’ has been increased by a further 50 Nm to 700 Nm. Performance specs include a 0-100 kph time of 4.8 seconds and a 314 kph top speed.

    The new GTC’s cabin features additional rear legroom, new storage solutions and current faves such as touch-screen infotainment, automatic seat-belt presenters, Naim for Bentley premium audio and a Bentley-designed Neck Warmer for comfortable roof-down motoring.

    Luxury continues to be the buzzword here, and the four-seater gets a new, even more spacious and sumptuous hand-crafted cabin, with soft-touch leather hides, an extensive range of wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets. In all, 17 standard soft-touch leather hide colour choices are to be had, with six colour split combinations, complemented by a range of seven veneers, all done in house.

    Twenty-inch ‘Five Spoke’ alloy wheels, wearing Pirelli P Zero 275/40 donuts, come as standard, with optional 21” wheels in three styles (‘Five Spoke Two-Piece’, ‘Seven Spoke Elegant’ and ‘Ten Spoke Propeller’) available, a first for the GTC. Going the latter route gets the 275/35 P Zero rubbers.
    Read more ›

     

  • Bentley mulling the idea of building a luxury SUV

    In Bentley, Cars, International News / By / / 14 comments

    If everyone’s doing it, why shouldn’t we? That’s the train of thought Bentley seems to be in at the moment – the British luxury carmaker is looking at entering another segment and is targeting to build a luxury SUV, according to reports. The company hasn’t yet firmed up on things, but the reports say that its CEO, Wolfgang Duerheimer wants to build an off-road SUV and has discussed the matter with execs at Volkswagen, which owns the brand.

    Duerheimer was once Porsche’s development chief and oversaw its move into SUV territory. The Cayenne has been a resounding success for the company from a business point of view – it currently accounts for half the company’s overall sales. No doubt, all this must be providing the inspiration for Bentley to venture down the same path – expect to hear more on this front developing in the future.

     

  • Bentley Continental GT launched – from RM1.74 mil on

    In Bentley, Cars, Local News / By / / 92 comments

    Bentley Kuala Lumpur last night unveiled the latest addition to its line-up, the new Continental GT. The second-generation two-door 2+2 grand tourer rolls in at a starting price of RM1.74 million, excluding insurance, and depending on specification and trim levels, works its way up to about RM2.1 million or so.

    The all-wheel drive car, while carrying over the 12-cylinder 6.0 litre unit from its predecessor, is of course a faster beast than the older one. With a power output of 567 hp at 6,000 rpm and 700 Nm at 1,700 rpm of torque, and mated to a ZF 6HP28 six-speed Quickshift transmission, the car does the 0-100 sprint in 4.6 seconds and gets to a 318 kph top speed.

    The W12 block is FlexFuel ready, allowing it to run seamlessly on gasoline, bioethanol (E85) or any combination of the two. Later this year will see the introduction of a high-output V8 engine option.

    Equipment levels available includes an 8-inch touchscreen, 30 GB infotainment system with advanced navigationrt settings at your fingertips. The standard audio system gets you eight speakers, while the Naim for Bentley Premium audio system, created exclusively for the Continental GT by British audio specialists Naim, takes the number of Balanced Mode Radiator speakers to 11, and Dirac Dimensions digital signal processing gets thrown in as well.

    As is to be expected, there’s plenty of refinement to be found, especially inside the cabin. There’s a host of beautiful main and secondary leather hide options, veneers, engine-spun metal fascias and exterior paint colours (including new Extreme Silver and Liquid Mercury finishes), so there’s a world of choice when it comes to dressing up the car, of which the local order book lists four thus far.

     

  • Bentley Supersports creates world speed record on ice

    In Bentley, Cars, International News / By / / 6 comments

    The combination of a crazy Bentley and a nerveless Finn has created the new world speed record on ice. Finland’s four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen drove a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible on frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, reaching 330.695 km/h (205.48 mph) to set the benchmark. The previous record was also set by Juha in 2007 when he did 321.6 km/h in a Continental GT at the same venue.

    The Anglo-Finnish team used a car with minimum mods. A fully-welded, heavy-duty safety roll-cage, along with Pirelli SottoZero II 275/40R20 winter tyres and a rear bumper-mounted parachute provided reassurance. Front and rear spoilers provided optimum high speed stability. The AWD 6.0-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible was fuelled with E85 bioethanol.

    Man and machine overcame temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees, sudden snow blizzards and potentially dangerous crosswinds on the 16.5 km track on a 70cm-thick layer of sea ice. The record attempt was driven on a 1000 metre long measured distance with the speed certified by officials from the Finland Traffic Police. His new world record was based on the average of two runs in opposite directions with measured speeds ratified by a representative of Guinness Book of Records.

    A delighted Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s new Chairman and CEO said: “The ice speed record is an amazing feat by Juha Kankkunen, whose skill and courage in extreme conditions truly make him one of the modern-day Bentley Boys. We will be celebrating this achievement with a very special ‘extreme’ Bentley, which will be the most powerful model ever to bear the famed Winged B emblem.”

    This limited edition of just 100 examples will make its global debut at the Geneva show in March. Gallery after the jump.
    Read more ›

     
 
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