In the space of a few hours, we have gone from posting that Bentley is working on an update for its Continental GT to showing you the fist pictures of the facelifted cars. Earlier today we reported that Bentley would debut an refreshed the Continental GT later this year, now spy photographers have caught the updated cars out during cold weather testing.

As we expected, the styling revisions will apply to all Continental models, including the Flying Spur sedan. The facelifted Continentals will get a mildly reshaped bumper with a wider central air intake. Bentley will also make some minor changes to the car’s interior, but the 6.0L W12 engine is likely to be unchanged.

The updated Bentley Continentals are expected to arrive by the end of the year.

## Source: World Car Fans ##

Share This

With the Brooklands coupe debuting at the Geneva Motor Show, Bentley is hard at work on an update for its popular Continental GT. The Bentley Continental is scheduled for an all-new model coming in 2010, but the team at Crewe will give the car a facelift to hold it over until the new model arrives.

On the styling front, expect the updated Continental to get a revised front fascia and new rims. The coupe will also get a slight power boost for its 6.0L W12, with horsepower up to 560-hp.

The report only mentions the Bentley Continental GT coupe, but the changes will likely be seen on the GTC convertible, and the Flying Spur sedan. The updated Bentley Continental GT coupe is expected to be released by the end of 2007.

## Source: AutoTelegraaf ##

Share This

Volkswagen has announced that the current head of Bentley, Franz-Josef Paefgen, will also add the Bugatti brand to his duties. Paefgen, a former head of Audi, will replace Thomas Bscher, who resigned from Bugatti after an apparent fallout with VW boss Martin Winterkorn. Bscher’s departure was the latest in a string of high-ranking executives to depart since Martin Winterkorn replaced former VW Group CEO Bernd Pischetsreider on January 1st.

Paefgen was the head of the Audi brand from 1998-2002, before moving over to Bentley.

## Source: Automotive News ##

Share This

The U.K.’s CAR magazine has posted the first photo of the Bentley Havana coupe. The flagship coupe version of the Azure convertible will have typical Bentley luxury, meaning an interior nicer than most homes, of course, with a sticker price that’s also higher than most homes.

The Bentley Havana will be powered by the automaker’s 6.75L twin-turbo V8 developing around 450-hp and an immense tire-spinning 645 lb.-ft. of torque. While it’s not to focus of the self-indulgent, that’s more than enough power to deliver 62 mph in about six seconds.

The Bentley Havana rounds out the automaker’s lineup — with coupe,convertible and sedan for both car lines — and is expected to debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, with sales starting in 2008.

## Source: CAR ##

Share This

Bentley Motors will unveil a new design study for ultra-luxury two-door coupe at next year’s Geneva Motor Show, according to AutoWeek. Citing dealer sources, the magazine says the new coupe concept will be called the Havana, and is expected to preview a flagship coupe to fit alongside the brand’s Arnage sedan and Arnage-based Azure convertible.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

Share This

Bentley announced that it has launched production of the new Continental GTC at its facility in Crewe. The Continental GTC is the droptop version of the company’s well-received Continental GT coupe, and is powered by a 552-hp twin-turbo W12. The GTC is the third member of Bentley’s Continental family, and joins the Continental GT coupe and Continental Flying Spur four-door.

To accommodate the GTC at its factory in Crewe, the final assembly of some Flying Spur models was performed at the premier Volkswagen Group manufacturing facility in Dresden, Germany. Bentley also confirmed that overseas production of its cars will end as schedules at the end of this year and all production to return to Crewe.

First deliveries of the new convertible will begin this month in the UK.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: Bentley ##

(more…)

Share This

Bentley Motors continues its development of its flagship Arnage range with improvements to the powertrain for model year 2007. The 6.75L twin-turbo V8 in the performance-oriented Arnage T now delivers 500 bhp and 738 lb.-ft. of torque. In the Arnage R and long wheelbase RL, the updated powertrain delivers 450 bhp and 645 lb.-ft. of torque. All Arnages get a new ZF six-speed automatic to replace the outdated four-speed.

Bentley Motors began work on the powertrain upgrades two years ago after its made significantly upgrades the Arnage’s chassis, steering and brakes, which meant the car could easily handle a significant increase in power and torque.

The new 2007 Model Year Bentley Arnage range will go on sale from September 2006.

More images and full press release after the jump.

## Source: Bentley ##

(more…)

Share This

With rumors and pictures of a Bentley SUV spread across the internet, does that mean it is true? According to Bentley’s new general manager for public relations, David P. Reuter, the circulating Bentley SUV spy shots are simply a sham.

“Bentley Motors is the maker of powerful, luxurious, grand touring motor cars and an SUV simply does not fit with our model lineup. We have no intention of producing the vehicle described in these reports,” said Rueter.

Of course, that’s what he’s supposed to say. What do you think?

## Source: Winding Road ##

Share This

Hans Lehmann’s spies are at it again. This time they caught another Bentley SUV test mule wearing a Porsche Cayenne body, and for aficionados of luxury SUVs this is better than another Cayenne. According to sources, Bentley is working on an SUV based on the next generation VW Touareg-Porsche Cayenne platform, and this is it. The Bentley SUV has been dubbed the “Cross Continental”, but this likely a play on its VW parent’s CrossGolf small SUV — now known as Tiguan.

The Bentley SUV is expected to be powered by a version of the Bentley Continental GT’s 6.0L Twin Turbo W12 engine developing 560-hp. Bentley may debut a concept for its SUV at an auto show in 2007 but the vehicle is unlikely to reach production before the end of the decade.

## Source: WorldCarFans ##

Share This

Bentley has long been rumored to be planning an SUV and its owner, Volkswagen, has definitely been expanding Bentley’s lineup. Is this the first proof of a forthcoming Bentley SUV? Sources say yes and that this Porsche Cayenne is a test mule for an upcoming Bentley SUV.

With Porsche doing much of the engineering for the platform that underpins the Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg, and Audi Q7, it makes sense to have Porsche working on a Bentley SUV as well. While the Bentley SUV would ride on the same platform as the three existing SUVs, the Bentley will have exclusive powerplants including the Arnage’s 6.75L V8 producing 475-hp and the Continental GT?s 6.0L W12 twin-turbo developing 560-hp.

## Source: World Car Fans ##

Share This

Bentley is considering production of a hardtop coupe based on its two-door Azure ultraluxury convertible, according to Ulrich Eichhorn, Bentley’s board member responsible for engineering.

However, Eichhorn rejected rumors that Bentley is considering producing a four-door coupe, based on the Continental GT, to compete with the forthcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

Share This

The 2007 Bentley Continental GTC convertible made its North American debut at the New York Auto Show. Bentley’s new convertible has a top speed of 195mph, a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, state-of-the-art W12 engine, advanced air suspension, and ultra-stiff body structure. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. According to Bentley, it is nearly as stiff as its coupe counterpart.

“The Continental GTC is the most distinctive new Bentley yet,” explains Bentley Motors’ Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen. “It is very elegant and at the same time effortlessly modern. It will appeal to many different customers: people who are tired of driving sports cars that require too much effort; people who want to move up from more standard convertibles; and people who want to make a statement about what they drive, yet still own a car that they can use every day of the year.”

More images after the jump.

(more…)

Share This

Starting at $170,000, and running up to $266,000, the four vehicles are so far out of reach for most of us that that is exactly what makes it a fantasy. “It’s all about want over need, lust before logic, and all of that,” writes Matt Stone.

Ferrari’s flamboyant 612 Scaglietti is the newest to market, and, starting at $266,155, is the most expensive here by at least the price of a loaded A8. Also new to the market is Aston Martin’s latest future James Bond mobile, the DB9. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz takes overkill to the extreme in the limited-edition CL65 AMG.

The bargin vehicle — if $170,971 is a bargin — in this comparision belongs to the Bentley Continental GT. This well-toned coupe delivers stunning specs and style at a price point this marque hasn’t played in for decades and allows this most traditional of nameplates to enter new psychographic territories.

## Source: MotorTrend ##

Share This