REPORT: Bentley prepares for market recovery by advancing new Continental debut
Bentley Continental GT Speed in the Autoblog Garage - Click above for high-res gallery
While other automakers cut back their development programs in hopes of streamlining overhead during this difficult economic climate, Bentley is taking the opposite approach. Rather than cut back on developing new vehicles, they're actually pushing to move things ahead on their calendar.
According to Automotive News, the logic is based on the projection that the economy is on the road to recovery, and Bentley wants to be there when its wealthy clientele has got more fluid cash on hand to splurge on new six-figure luxury cars. While the replacement for the range-topping Arnage is expected to carry on unchanged, the successor to the Continental range is being moved forward, as confirmed by Crewe's own sales and marketing chief Stuart McCullough.
So whereas the next Continental GT was previously slated for introduction in 2011, the new coupe is now being prepared for its debut next year. No official word on rescheduling the introductions of the Flying Spur and GTC models to go along with it, but we'd expect the sedan to move forward from 2012 to 2011, with the convertible to follow in 2012 instead of 2013 as previously reported.
[Source: Automotive News – subs. req'd]
_132x88.jpg)
_132x88.jpg)
_132x88.jpg)
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jrejre 6:14PM (4/20/2009)
Is there some logical connection between Bentleys and Rvs that I'm missing?
Reply
Quattroporte 6:17PM (4/20/2009)
They're about as heavy.
PA Castaway 6:38PM (4/20/2009)
LOL I was wondering the same thing... Why did Bently pose the Continental GT amid Ohio registered campers? But I think it is a photo that an Autoblog test driver took which would certainly explain the odd setting.
bigford87129 6:39PM (4/20/2009)
They cost the same.
asifgrkhan 7:17PM (4/20/2009)
Way back in July 2008, when Neff was reviewing the Continental GTC Speed, he decided to do the photoshoot at his family RV Business
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/in-the-autoblog-garage-bentley-continental-gt-speed/
Some free advertising never hurts. :-)
P.V. 6:17PM (4/20/2009)
I'm looking forward to it. I want to see a comparison between the new Flying Spur (yes, I know there's no word about it yet, but still...) and the new RR Ghost; that would be ____ing SWEET!
Reply
Quattroporte 6:25PM (4/20/2009)
Is it just me, or does anyone else think "Bentley Continental Flying Spur" flows better than "Rolls-Royce Ghost"?
Reply
jc 6:36PM (4/20/2009)
It's about time for a redo.
Looking tired.
Reply
Quattroporte 6:44PM (4/20/2009)
I don't think it was the most magical design to begin with, though I like what they did with the recent face lift as well as the Speed models. Although, I think it is their commonness that is mostly to blame for their "looking tired".
JF 6:31PM (4/20/2009)
I'm usually not a Bentley / R.R. kinda guy, but in coupe form in that color, it looks amazing.
Reply
Ben 6:52PM (4/20/2009)
When this thing first came out way back in the day, I thought it was the most gorgeous car I had ever seen.
Now I see one just about every day and they seem to blend in with everything else. The design is getting pretty dated, and is no longer worthy of carrying such a high price tag.
As for the Continental's interior....I still love that.
Reply
Jared 7:28PM (4/20/2009)
I've never cared for this car since it was introduced. Oversized. Overweight. Not very attractive.
Reply
yosh 12:33AM (4/21/2009)
Bentley should've been BMW's. RR should be with VW
Reply