Spy Shots: New Grand Bentley pics smuggled out of Crewe factory
by Noah Joseph on Jul 3rd 2009 at 2:24PM 
Bentleys may be as large and luxurious as yachts, but that doesn't mean the premium automaker's factory in Crewe is without leaks. Although Bentley is keen on metering out glimpses at a snail's pace, British auto mag CAR managed to get a hold of a batch of photos of the highly anticipated new "Grand Bentley".Under development with the code-name Project Kimberley, the new Bentley is slated to replace the aging Arnage sedan at the top of the company's line-up and do battle with the Rolls-Royce Phantom. With technological input from its sister companies under the Volkswagen auto umbrella, the as-yet unnamed Grand Bentley promises to take a big step forward from the Arnage, which still carries its mechanicals and platform from the days when the automaker was under the same roof as Rolls -- not in direct competition. The spy shots reveal mesh grilles, LED lights, a retractable hood ornament (like the Phantom's) and a swooping roofline reminiscent of the classic 50's-era R-Type Continental. Looks pretty sweet, and we'll probably get an even better glimpse as the car's unveiling later this summer approaches with the pace of...well, a speeding Bentley.
[Source: CAR]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
meshies 2:28PM (7/03/2009)
that is atrocious
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artandcolour 2:31PM (7/03/2009)
are those Gattling guns or headlights? the transition to the side looks very awkward. hope it gets better...
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TyWright 2:55PM (7/03/2009)
Anyone who doesn't recognize that this is a PR stunt by Bentley itself needs to give their head a shake.
Did you fall for it Autoblog?? This is as legit as Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman.
STUNT STUNT STUNT - and everyone's writing about it...
DiRF 5:07PM (7/03/2009)
@TyWright
Denial can be a very strong emotion sometimes... :P
Milos 2:36PM (7/03/2009)
is this Mitsuoka .... Camry-based car or Bentley? I know they are planning to take on the RR Phantom, but so far it looks more at home at some Chinese car show, and like 5 years ago.
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juan 3:20PM (7/03/2009)
correction my friend, after this images the results is like this
Rolls-Royce - 5
Bentley - 0
yosh 2:39PM (7/03/2009)
Rolls-Royce - 1
Bentley - 0
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Taglane 2:45PM (7/03/2009)
What the flying hell is that...
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DiRF 2:51PM (7/03/2009)
Wow... that... just...
We have come here today to mourn the passing of Bentley as a purveyor of fine, beautiful automobiles...
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jimmy glick 2:52PM (7/03/2009)
Yep, that's different. I've done some quick image searches to see if those headlights draw inspiration from vintage Bentley's. None that I can see so far. Maybe they just decided to take the "road less traveled" approach to design this time...for better or worse.
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homunculus 2:58PM (7/03/2009)
I think it looks pretty good.
it's an obvious throwback to the Bentley S1 or S2
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1955-1965-bentley-s-type-1.jpg
jimmy glick 3:09PM (7/03/2009)
I did see that. The S1 and S2 seemed to have the closest resemblance. However, I thought it was a stretch since the outside lights on those cars were much lower and also attached to the bumper. I'm sure you're right, though.
I will say that this 2010 version doesn't seem to be nearly as elegant. I'm willing to wait to see the official reveal before I pass judgement.
HotRodzNKustoms 3:03PM (7/03/2009)
I quite like it. It is obvious that Bentley "leaked" these pictures themselves.
Note there are actually 2 possibly 3 different cars pictured. Different parts of the car are covered when the car is shot from a different angle. In picture 3 while you are focused on the black car in the foreground there is a shot of the rear roof line of a silver one in the out of focus background.
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juan 3:18PM (7/03/2009)
what piece of ugly car ots very very awfull i hope that is a mule and not the definite model cause it sucks look like the chinese copy of the phantom.
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chad.dawkins 3:31PM (7/03/2009)
Wow, someone needs to be fired. That looks horrible.
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Quattroporte 3:34PM (7/03/2009)
Are we sure this is not a new Mitsuoka?
http://www.netcarshow.com/mitsuoka/2008-galue_204/1600x1200/wallpaper_01.htm
http://www.netcarshow.com/mitsuoka/2005-galue_ii/1600x1200/wallpaper_01.htm
http://www.netcarshow.com/mitsuoka/1999-galue/1600x1200/wallpaper_01.htm
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J 3:36PM (7/03/2009)
PR stunt or not that car is ugly. It reminds me of the Jeep Compass. The old Arnage was a nice looking car.
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Quattroporte 3:37PM (7/03/2009)
Was CAR's website hacked? There were never so many stupid ads and pop-ups on it before.
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martin 3:43PM (7/03/2009)
looks chinese 8-|
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Hello 4:03PM (7/03/2009)
It reminds me of the Mitsuoka Galue : (
http://static.autoblog.nl/images/wp2007/Mitsuoka%20New%20Galue_0.jpg
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