REPORT: Bentley to delay flex-fuel capability for 2010 Continental Supersports
Bentley Continental Supersports - Click above for high-res image gallery
While the environmental merits of any 621 horsepower, twelve-cylinder behemoth that's capable of traveling at speeds of up to 204 miles per hour are, at the very least, debatable, Bentley hasn't exactly been shy about touting the green angle of its upcoming 2010 Continental Supersports.
Further straining the gorgeous coupe's eco credibility is word from Green Car Advisor that U.S. laws and "engineering challenges" – including the fitment of hardened valve seats in Bentley's W12 engine – mean that the first 200 Supersports imported to the United States won't actually be flex-fuel capable.
Ah well, somehow we doubt that buyers willing to plonk down the $267,000 it takes to park a twin-turbocharged Continental Supersports in their driveway will be all that concerned with pumping ethanol in the tank.
UPDATE: Bentley informs us that there is no delay in the Continental Supersport's getting the flex-fuel treatment. It's been Bentley's plan all along to wait until summer of 2010 to introduce flex-fuel capability in the United States.
Gallery: Bentley Continental Supersports
[Source: Green Car Advisor]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
HotRodzNKustoms 9:33AM (10/07/2009)
Is the 621 horsepower measured on 91, 93, or ethanol? Because that could effect the horsepower... not that the average buyer would be able to tell the difference between 600 and 621 horsepower. You know... this makes me miss the very English way to rate horsepower as "adequate."
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sublime.intervention 11:00AM (10/07/2009)
The 621 is quite likely to be on UK fuel, probably 99 RON, although E85 is known to be more volatile.
The whole green credentials is so Bentley don't get stuck with huge fines following the introduction on CO2 limits within the EU...
Imag 9:39AM (10/07/2009)
This is actually pretty despicable after all the BS hype by Bentley. I love the car, but trying to claim green credits for ethanol capability is bad enough; not even delivering is just lame.
I suppose now I'll have to refrain from buying one.
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Venom 10:26AM (10/07/2009)
A green Bentley.
The most pointless project ever...
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recharged95 11:54AM (10/07/2009)
Looks like the flex-fuel Bentley was vaporware all along. Hardened valve seats? Car makers have tackled and solved that problem for awhile already (hint C6R corvette?) for street use. Lame excuse.
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emperorkoku 4:43PM (10/07/2009)
...people still talk/care about ethanol?
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