Geneva Preview: Bentley teases biofuel supercar
by Alex Nunez on Jan 27th 2009 at 8:02PM 
Click above for a high-res image of Bentley's new biofuel supercar
When the curtain rises on the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Bentley will take a large share of the spotlight with the vehicle you see above. It has no name yet (it's simply referred to as the "Extreme Bentley" for now) and no technical specifics have been released, but what Bentley has revealed is that this will be the marque's fastest, most powerful production car yet... and it runs on biofuel. Visually, the grilles all have a blackout treatment, and sizable vertical intakes occupy the front bumper's outer edges. The hood also sports a pair of vents, presumably to help extract engine heat.
Given that the 600-horsepower/553-lb-ft Continental GT Speed currently owns the "most powerful production Bentley" title, look for more extreme ratings on this new, obviously Continental-based monster. As for the biofuel half of the equation, we expect to see an ethanol-drinking version of the twin-turbocharged W12 that propels the rest of the Continental range. In any case, a new Bentley's coming and it's fixin' to open up a plus-sized can of whoop-ass.
We'll learn more closer to the Geneva festivities, but if you happen to not be going to Switzerland in March and still want to see the flexfuel Bentley in person, head to the Big Apple in April. It'll be displayed at the New York Auto Show. Follow the jump for the official teaser video. It doesn't show much, but it essentially confirms that the Continental GT is the basis for the "Extreme Bentley." The coupe's familiar shape is outlined for all. (Thanks to Paul Tan for creating the embed.)
[Source: Bentley]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Farris 7:23PM (1/27/2009)
I like this thing. It almost looks like a dog's face, which is cool. I'll reserve final judgment until I see the profile and rear end, along with the specs of the motor/driveline, though. This has the potential to be great... don't screw it up, Bentley.
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AMcA 8:37PM (1/27/2009)
It still weighs nearly 6000 lbs.
Absurd.
firstplace 8:57PM (1/27/2009)
yeah baby pass the butter. 6000lb steam roller!
Hike15 9:32PM (1/27/2009)
modern bentley's need to learn about the wonders of aluminum.
audi has it so why not bentley
however, classic bentley's such as the azure and arnage have no need for that cause i mean who really cares how much it weighs?
chad.dawkins 11:30PM (1/27/2009)
It's a damn Bentley not a Lotus. Who gives a **** how much it weighs? It's also aluminum like the A8. The Bentley has the bigger engine, more leather, and thicker carpets(along with more chrome and such) so of course it's going to be heavier.
James Ricketts 12:16AM (1/28/2009)
it looks like a skull. wow i never could have imagined myself ever describing a car like that but i think i got it from those headlights and the grill ducts w/ no moldings. huh
Michael 7:38AM (1/28/2009)
@chad.dawkins:
Incorrect. The Audi A8 and the Bentley Continental are on different but similar platforms. The A8 platform (D3) is aluminum, but the D1 platform (of the Phaeton and Continental) is steel. This is still of course not the only reason for the D1 platform cars' weights, but definitely a big factor.
Hike15 7:25PM (1/27/2009)
It's a W12 that is in the regular continental, not a v12
but should be fun to hear the numbers when its shown.
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chad.dawkins 7:47PM (1/27/2009)
This, it's a W12
smokey32 2:00AM (1/28/2009)
The important question is will it run on bio-willie:
http://www.f2bbs.com
Vlad 7:35PM (1/27/2009)
what's up with this biofuel craze? Biofuel is evil, it causes hunger and forest elimination. I hate biofuel and this vehicle. ordinary Continental GT isn't that great anyway, and Flying spur is just awful. other Bentleys are awesome though.
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Zach 7:55PM (1/27/2009)
Well, its actually better for performance if you design right... Koenigsegg CCXR come to mind?
Higher octane and cooler burn = more hp
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Hudson 8:10PM (1/27/2009)
Good point. Running it on biofuel seems like it might be more about performance than anything else. I'm sure it will do wonders for PR though with those in the market for a new Bentley, I think some will buy it just wanting to believe they're 'doing their part' for the environment.
RamblinReck89 7:56PM (1/27/2009)
Why on earth would anybody dilute good moonshine with gasoline and then try and run a car off it? Damn Brits.
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Red 7:57PM (1/27/2009)
It's probably me, but it looks kinda spooky.
Me likey :)
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jc 8:13PM (1/27/2009)
It has the same vertical air intakes (brake cooling?) that bracket the front end of the 2010 Ford Fusion.
Ford...You're being imitated by ...Bentley.
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P.V. 9:14PM (1/27/2009)
I generally despise the use of biofuels on lower-end (sub-$100000) cars, but for cars like this (and, as an earlier poster mentioned, the CCXR), environmental impact is probably bad enough that the substitution of gasoline with biofuels won't make much more of a difference environmentally; that said, this will probably be even more powerful from the gasoline version.
Also, that front end looks menacing.
In short, I like!
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P.V. 10:24PM (1/27/2009)
Oh, but another thing: Bentley, could you actually ACTIVELY try to reduce your cars' weight? That's my one beef about your cars: their tremendous BEEF!
Jeff Johnson 6:05AM (1/28/2009)
it's a Bentley - the care that's "spared no expense" luxury.
Luxury on wheels = weight. Doesnt matter if you are in a Bently, Merc, BMW.
People buy these cars because they are the old school hand crafted metal on the cars, entertainment systems, reclining rear seats, massagers for everyone, hidden gadgets, etc etc
If weight is ANYONE's concern you dont have any business buying a Bentley, Rolls, or the luxo' Mercs, etc.
if i'm throwing down a few hundreds grand for a Bentley (i wish) I WANT it to be heavy, solid, and all that stuff. If if was light as a feather and had carbon fiber all over the place that would take away what a bently is supposed to be
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CarbonBlack 12:48PM (1/28/2009)
If I walked into my garage and saw that, I would be spooked!
That is one sweet looking Bentley!
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