Rumormill: New details on next Bentley Continental emerge
Bentley Continental GT Speed - Click above for high-res gallery
The Camry for Rich People (AKA the Bentley Continental) is ready for a makeover and, according to Automobile, work is underway on the next iteration of Bentley's volume model. Due to arrive in 2011, the new coupe will reportedly emerge lighter than its predecessor, along with sharing more components with the Audi A8 and possibly packing a diesel drivetrain.
The styling of the new GT is led again by Dirk van Braeckel, so expect an evolutionary design that captures all the cues from the current model and packages them into a more aerodynamic package. With the A8's front suspension employed in favor of the Volkswagen Phaeton's, front overhangs should be shorter, allowing the wheelbase to be stretched. This, along with a wider track and a slightly larger footprint, will allow the interior accommodations – primarily the rear seats and trunk – to grow. An aluminum space-frame is expected to be used in front, with a traditional steel setup in the rear to shave around 400 pounds from the current coupe's curb weight, bringing the final tonnage down to around 4,800 pounds.
Power will be provided by an array of upgraded W12s producing approximately 580 hp and 515 lb-ft of torque in the standard model and 650 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque on the Speed variants. Both models stand to benefit from a eight-speed automatic gearbox, and a 4.2-liter turbo-diesel putting out 374 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque is reportedly in the works. Automobile speculates that a plug-in hybrid could make it to market, assuming lithium-ion batteries are available.
The standard Continental GT should arrive in early 2011, followed by the redesigned Flying Spur in mid-2012, with the GTC convertible coming in late 2013 and the Speed variants arriving in 2015.
Gallery: 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed
Gallery: Review: Bentley Continental GT Speed
[Source: Automobile]
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_thumbnail.jpg "2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Xcountryflyer 4:35PM (3/11/2009)
At least two people drive a Bentley at my company. We think its rather ostentatious. It'd look better to drive something more mundane to work and keep the Bent at home.
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zamafir 4:43PM (3/11/2009)
A brooklands maybe but not the conti, not a day goes by I don't see a handful on the road... maybe that's why they've lost their ostentatious feel to me. Whenever I see one I think "oh cool, someone who wants something that's quicker and nicer than a 6 series... nice... "
this, of course, always follows:
"what's with those cheap tail lights".
superman211 10:12PM (3/11/2009)
I want to look as poor as possible at work. Act like you are barely scraping by each week on what you get.
Then cry and seem so grateful when you get a raise.
Not really, just not the place to show off. Office politics are nasty.
Max 4:41PM (3/11/2009)
Yeah, one should definitely not look like a show-off at work.
To the plug-in hybrid info, I'm sure a 30k price increase won't hurt as much on a 300k car than on a 20k car. I look forward to see electric Bentleys !
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Edmond Dantes 4:49PM (3/11/2009)
Hah, The Camry for Rich People. That's a good one. It's true, though, at least around here. I've spoken to a few Continental drivers, and the majority of them don't give a damn about cars and bought their car because it looks cool and is expensive. I'm not saying that this is widely applicable, but it is what it is.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
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Michael 4:50PM (3/11/2009)
That's not to say, of course, that I wouldn't love to have one. It's still a very nice car. It just wouldn't be my first choice in that price range. Honestly, I'd rather have an A8 W12.
Michael 4:52PM (3/11/2009)
Wow, that doesn't make any sense. Add in "I agree." to the beginning of that.
person935 4:58PM (3/11/2009)
Why are Bentleys so heavy?
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MikeofLA 5:08PM (3/11/2009)
Read the part where it says it's on the VW Phaeton platform. They are built on Full Size Sedan platforms, with huge engines, and wheels and all the ancillary components to support it.
Kimura 5:11PM (3/11/2009)
I hope it keeps its hardtop body style It's the only car besides a few Mercedes that still offers this, and IMO it looks better than the Mercedes hartops.
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jc 6:28PM (3/11/2009)
Bentley needs to be careful.they're turning into a volume brand and in so becoming will dissolve their air of exclusivity which in no small part justifies the high price.
Let's face it.It's a VW/ Audi product ,and Rolls Royce is out there doing it better.
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P.V. 7:43PM (3/11/2009)
I look forward to this, given how good the current one is in every respect.
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k.w.a 7:59PM (3/11/2009)
Bentley is so "New Money" now. they're already coming out with an all new GT?? It seems like every luxury car company nowadays has had to make the decision to remain classy and struggle or cheapen themselves for profit. Bentley has clearly fallen it the latter category.
Of course Bentleys are nice and I certainly wouldn't mind if someone gave me one for free (lol), but I would much rather drive a car the screams wealth AND CLASS... like a Ferrari, Aston Martin, Maserati,Fisker,...even Porsche still has class even though it's the prime example of what happens when a company sells its soul for money.
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Jason 10:59PM (3/11/2009)
My wife love the Continental series..specifically the GTC. I'm surprised that they have a new one in the works already considering the long cycle life of the Arnage series. I personally would love to have a new Arnage T for its simple elegance and posh. Knowing that 09 is the final year for the current Arnage series has me wondering why we haven't heard anything about its replacement but instead are about the Continental. Either way, Bentley is one of my favored automakers and Im excited to see what they have in store next.
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smythe 12:03AM (3/12/2009)
Love this car, where ever it goes people just stare at the pure class of this vehicle, it demands respect wherever it goes.
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bakka 9:59AM (3/12/2009)
And seriously overweight!
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