Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Bentley Mulsanne to spawn coupe and convertible to replace Brooklands and Azure]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/report-bentley-mulsanne-to-spawn-coupe-and-convertible-to-repla/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/report-bentley-mulsanne-to-spawn-coupe-and-convertible-to-repla/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/24/report-bentley-mulsanne-to-spawn-coupe-and-convertible-to-repla/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Bentley works on a two-tier system, with its entire product line-up based on a pair of platforms. At one end you've got the Continental family, including the GT coupe, GTC convertible and Flying Spur sedan. At the other sits the Arnage sedan, Azure convertible and Brooklands coupe (pictured above). Its separated step-sister Rolls-Royce is gearing up to follow the same formula with the Phantom range and the new Ghost, but with the introduction of the new Mulsanne, Bentley is expected to comprehensively shake up its top-tier offerings.

According to reports and substantiated by plain old logic, Bentley is planning to replace the Brooklands and Azure models with a new coupe and convertible to be based on the Mulsanne. That means that the Vickers-era platform will finally be retired, with the Mulsanne's more advanced chassis being put to further use for a pair of two-door models. No word on when the new Brooklands and Azure will debut, or for that matter what nameplate they'll carry, but expect them to evoke Bentley's golden racing era when they do.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Bentley Mulsanne


[Source: Auto Express]

REPORT: Bentley Mulsanne to spawn coupe and convertible to replace Brooklands and Azure originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleybentley arnagebentley azurebentley brooklandsbentley mulsanneBentleyArnageBentleyAzureBentleyBrooklandsBentleyMulsannefalsemulsannemulsanne cabriomulsanne convertiblemulsanne coupeMulsanneCabrioMulsanneConvertibleMulsanneCoupeThu, 24 Sep 2009 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: New Grand Bentley teaser reveals round headlights, big grille are the real deal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/video-new-grand-bentley-teaser-reveals-round-headlights-big-gr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/video-new-grand-bentley-teaser-reveals-round-headlights-big-gr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/video-new-grand-bentley-teaser-reveals-round-headlights-big-gr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

Bentley seems to again be following in the footsteps of its corporate siblings at Audi with the latest teaser video
for the upcoming Grand Bentley. Like the last teaser for the A5 Sportback, this one features the company's lead designer, Dirk van Braeckel sketching the replacement for the Arnage.

Unlike the Audi video, we don't get to see the full profile of the new big Bentley, although a bunch of other details are shown along with comfirmation of a spy photo that appeared recently showing the round headlights. Specifically, from the rendering glimpses shown, it appears that a smaller round lamp sits outboard and lower down than the larger main lamp. This is an element that hearkens back to Bentley models of the 1950s. We'll be getting the full story on the new Crew car in a bit less than four weeks at the Pebble Beach Concours where it will be revealed publicly for the first time. You can check out the video after the jump.

[Source: Bentley via Youtube]

Continue reading VIDEO: New Grand Bentley teaser reveals round headlights, big grille are the real deal

VIDEO: New Grand Bentley teaser reveals round headlights, big grille are the real deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleybentley arnageBentleyArnagegrand bentleygrand bentley teaserGrandBentleyGrandBentleyTeaservideoTue, 21 Jul 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: New Grand Bentley test mule out in public]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/spy-shots-new-grand-bentley-test-mule-out-in-public/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/spy-shots-new-grand-bentley-test-mule-out-in-public/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/spy-shots-new-grand-bentley-test-mule-out-in-public/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Time is ticking away until the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where Bentley will be taking the wraps off its new flagship limousine, tentatively known as the Grand Bentley or by its internal code-name Project Kimberley. But while Crewe has released a pair of teaser shots to keep our mouths watering and some grainy camera-phone images leaked out of the factory, nothing could give us the impression of just how big this behemoth will be until these spy shots surfaced.

Expected to measure some 30 centimeters (that's about a foot) longer than the jurassic Arnage that it replaces, the new Grand Bentley should be just about the right size to compete with the Rolls-Royce Phantom - itself about the size of a truck. That shouldn't stop it from reaching close to 200 mph in true Bentley style, though. With such gargantuan proportions, nobody should be too surprised by the projected lack of a long-wheelbase version straight from the factory... really, how much longer would you expect?

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: New Grand Bentley test mule out in public originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The New Grand Bentley - Click above for high-res image gallery

Car magazine has been keeping up on the story of the New Grand Bentley, aided by someone at Crewe who's been snapping illicit shots of the vehicle. This is Bentley's next official photo, however, and unless the British automaker has thrown a MacGuffin into the plot, it appears to contradict one of Car's assertions when speaking of its own spy shots: "It's not clearly visible on these shots, but the rear door handles will be hidden...." Have a look at the high-res photo and you'll see the opposite of a hidden door handle.

According to Car, the "Project Kimberley" Bentley will get a version of the company's long serving 6.75-liter V8 that's "been given a thorough makeover" and all-wheel-drive, but no long-wheebase version. According to us, while it is impossible to be sure, it looks like the trailing edge of the C-pillar might extend beyond the rear window, which would be appealingly Euro-gangster if true.

And if you're keeping track, four of the nine movies are now available for viewing at www.newgrandbentley.com. Remember, though, that we're only about halfway through the marathon tease, so don't expect to see much. You can read more about the car's unveiling at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance next month after the jump.


Gallery: New Grand Bentley


[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Hot Shot: Another (official) pic of the New Grand Bentley

Hot Shot: Another (official) pic of the New Grand Bentley originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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]

Spy Shots: New Grand Bentley pics smuggled out of Crewe factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above to view the video after the jump

Few cars have been as long in the making as the upcoming "grand Bentley." The long-awaited replacement to the Arnage is tipped to debut sometime this summer - possibly at Pebble Beach in August - but the stoic British automaker is intent on teasing us with little video clips every step along the way. (About nine of them in all if you look at the dedicated website.) Unfortunately, if these first two clips are any indication, the teasers will hardly be showing us anything new, just some hoity-toity piano music and fountain pen-scribed statements about what the brand is meant to stand for accompanied by the same shot of the new model's front bonnet. Follow the jump to see for yourself.

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading VIDEO: New Grand Bentley teasers don't reveal anything new

VIDEO: New Grand Bentley teasers don't reveal anything new originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The New Grand Bentley - Click above for high-res image

Aspiring Thomas Crowns have been waiting for a brand new Bentley to replace the Arnage for too long. Grab your monocles and have a look, chaps - what you see above is an initial taste of "the height of British luxury motoring" and "the purest expression of the Bentley spirit." Simply called the New Grand Bentley, this is what will replace the long-serving Arnage (and its 50-year-old V8?) as Brahmin at the top of the Bentley caste.

What can we discern from this shadowy glimpse? Unless the Photoshopped lighting effects deceive us, the bonnet goes from being a trap hood to a clamshell affair; the fenders lose one of their detail lines; and if the perspective is accurate, we are loving the swept grille. For you purist Anglophiles, be proud: the car has been designed and engineered in Crewe, and will be built there to boot.

Anything more than that will have to wait for the car to debut this summer. In the meantime, you can also visit www.NewGrandBentley.com (which will probably be a glamorous tease served on a silver tray), scrutinize a high-res version of the photo above, and check out a 19-second video clip after the jump.


Gallery: New Grand Bentley


[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading The house of the Winged B teases the New Grand Bentley [w/VIDEO]

The house of the Winged B teases the New Grand Bentley [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley Arnage Final Series - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The auto show circuit may be on its annual summer break, but that's not going to stop Bentley. A recent report suggests the crew from Crewe is preparing to take the wraps off its next-generation Arnage at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California this coming August. And when it does, it'll be bigger and badder than ever.

There's no word yet regarding rumors that the Arnage's replacement could take on Bugatti's W16 or Audi's V12 TDI engines, but reports indicate that the new Arnage - aside from being, you know, new - will be bigger and further upscale from the current, aging behemoth. Apparently Bentley and their corporate overlords at Volkswagen are growing tired of watching their clientele go to arch-rival/former sister-company Rolls-Royce or (heaven forbid) Maybach, but they're still going to take their time: The next-gen Arnage isn't supposed to begin production until a year after the current model, now in its final iteration (pictured above), ceases production. At Pebble Beach we're tipped to see a pre-production prototype that promises to closely mirror the eventual production model, which is expected to take advantage of Audi's modular platform but incorporate a unique V8 engine (probably based on the current Jurassic-era 6.75-liter "perfectly adequate" V8) mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic and likely able to run on E85 ethanol to give the muscle-tank the air of environmental conscience.

[Source: AutoTelegraaf]

REPORT: Bentley Arnage successor to go even further upscale, debut at Pebble Beach in August originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley Arnage Final Series - Click above for high-res gallery

Bentley has long been rumored to be considering the use of diesel engines. The torquey oil-burners would enable Crewe to continue offering the kind of freight-train muscle for which it has become known while living up to the mandate of offering improved fuel economy, and, with the latest developments in particulate filter technology, reduce carbon emissions, as well. The company's marriage to Audi, which has carved out a nice niche for itself in diesel propulsion, seems to be a match made in motor heaven, and now reports suggest that, at long last, the marriage is set to be consummated with the next Arnage sedan.

According to the latest output from the ever-churning rumor-mill, the replacement for the aging Arnage will employ a version of the V12 turbo-diesel used in the current Audi Q7 TDI. With 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, the twelve-cylinder oil-burner would prove an ideal power-plant for the big saloon, and could get an even higher output version to join the half-century-old 6 &frac34;-liter V8 found in 530-horsepower trim in the current Brooklands, all while Bentley continues to toy with ethanol-burning variants of its W12 as previewed in the Continental Supersports show car unveiled just days ago at the Geneva Motor Show and Her Majesty's State Limousine.


Gallery: Bentley Arnage Final Series


[Source: 4wheelsnews]

REPORT: Next Bentley Arnage to feature Audi turbo-diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click on the image above for a small high-res gallery of Bentley's V8 engine

When the conversation turns to classic V8 engines from a bygone era, the discussion often starts and ends with the small block Chevy that was introduced way back in 1955 and continues to terrorize the overhead-cam masses from Ford all the way to Ferrari. Bentley would like to remind you that it, too, has an iconic engine born back in the '50s that still deserves to be feted, and it still has pushrods. And celebrated it shall be at the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation lecture on January 22nd. This year will mark the 6&frac34;-liter Bentley V8 engine's 50th anniversary, with the motor having seen its first installation in the 1959 Bentley S2. The mill was enlarged back in 1968 to its current displacement and has seen the addition of turbochargers and intercoolers on the way to its current position under the hoods of the 530-horsepower Bentley Brooklands coupe, Arnage and Azure convertible models for 2009. Congrats on the achievement, Bentley Boys.

Gallery: Bentley V8 engine


[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Bentley V8 turns 50 years old

Bentley V8 turns 50 years old originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The whisperers have it that Bugatti may be borrowing from Bentley for a new sedan. What they can't seem to pinpoint is exactly what kind of sharing the two marques will be doing, and whether or not the resulting super Bug will be a supremely high-powered four-door to compete with the Rolls-Royce Phantom. If the two brands do indeed share something, like the next Arnage's platform, for instance, that might make sense. But just a few months ago, Bugatti said that its next product would be even more expensive than the Veyron, and lead man Josef Paefgen has also said that there will be no inexpensive Bugatti.

A $400,000 sedan wouldn't be inexpensive, true, but compared to $1.6 million for a Veyron, it's a flat-out bargain. Besides, the $242,000 Arnage T, after all the bespoke options, would come perilously close to a $400K Bugatti in price, and the next Bentley Arnage is growing in order to fight the Phantom. So if a Bugatti sedan with Bentley underpinnings were that close in price to a Rolls Phantom... then who's Bentley meant to get in the ring with?

[Source: TopSpeed via German Car Blog]

Rumormill: Bugatti and Bentley join forces to battle Rolls-Royce originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above to view high-res gallery of the Bentley Arnage Final Series

Speaking as someone who has driven more than his fair share of Bentleys, I can say that although the brand's Continental series is the way of the future, the more expensive and stately Arnage is still a benchmark to be respected. Bentley has announced that it will debut the Arnage Final Series at next month's Paris Motor Show, thereby confirming for the first time that the current model's ten-year run is about to end. Only 150 of these special Arnage models will be built, and all are powered by Bentley's legendary twin-turbo 6.75-liter V8 producing 500 bhp and 738 lb-ft of torque, which also happens to be celebrating its 50-year anniversary in 2008. Bentley says the Final Series combines the performance of the Arnage T with the refinement of the R, and a few odd features are thrown in like a rear cocktail cabinet with a Final Series stainless steel flask and two shot glasses and four Bentley umbrellas mounted in the trunk. Like any special edition, there are also Final Series badges on the exterior and interior, as well.

So if the Final Series marks the end of the Arnage, what's next? We asked Bentley outright, and they of course couldn't comment on future product, but say that work is well underway on the brand's next flagship model and hinted that it may move even further upmarket. We take that to mean the Rolls-Royce Phantom should consider itself put on notice. We also asked if Bentley's iconic V8 would be retired in these times of strict emissions regulations and maybe replaced with something from the VAG parts bin. Again, while they could neither confirm nor deny anything, we got the impression that there's life left in this 50-year motor.

Gallery: Bentley Arnage Final Series


[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Bentley Arnage Final Series (It's so hard to say goodbye)

Paris Preview: Bentley Arnage Final Series (It's so hard to say goodbye) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest Bentley Arnage is doing the rounds in Spain, but it isn't the sedan's appearance that's news, it's how it might be powered. As far as cosmetic bodywork, the changes appear minimal, including new fog light placement, rear apron and exhaust exit. A little more substantially, the car is widened at the B-pillar, which should finally give back bench passengers the kind of room that befits a Bentley sedan.

Exterior and interior tweaks aside, what's under the hood is where things are supposedly cracking. Rumors that we can only guess are highly speculative suggest that the coming Arnage will get a diesel engine. We're not sure if those rumor-mongers got the memo a month ago in which Bentley CEO Josef Paefgen stated there will be no diesel Bentleys. But supposing one of Rudolph's children was dropped in that massive engine bay, suspects are Audi's V12 TDI for the standard model, and the Veyron's W16 to create a thermonuclear Arnage T. Sign us up.

[Source: Global Motors]

Spy Shots: Updated Bentley Arnage in Spain originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Bentley Brooklands

Bentleys and buckets of torque go hand-in-hand. Therefore, it might make some sense for the German-owned British luxury marque to consider one of the VW Group's big, powerful turbodiesels for one of its upcoming models. Not so fast, says Bentley. It has specifically polled its customer base -- made up mostly of Americans and Asians -- to determine if there's any interest in an oil-burning Bentley. Apparently, there isn't. Instead, the luxo-barge company will focus on biofuels in an effort to lower the fuel consumption and emissions of a numbers of its models. As a matter of fact, the first flex-fuel engine from the Flying B is expected to debut in 2009 and Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley's Chief Executive, says that all of its models will be capable of running on biofuels by 2012 as part of its plan to go British Racing green.

[Source: Autocar]

No diesels for Bentley originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleybentley arnagebentley azurebentley azure tdibentley brooklandsbentley continentalbentley continental gtbentley continental gt speedbentley continental gtcBentleyArnageBentleyAzureBentleyAzureTdiBentleyBrooklandsBentleyContinentalBentleyContinentalGtBentleyContinentalGtcBentleyContinentalGtSpeeddieseldiesel bentleyDieselBentleyFri, 22 Aug 2008 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: 2010 Bentley Arnage going Continental? Nope]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/rendered-speculation-2010-bentley-arnage-going-continental/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/rendered-speculation-2010-bentley-arnage-going-continental/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/rendered-speculation-2010-bentley-arnage-going-continental/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The next Bentley Arnage is due in 2010, and thank heavens it won't be a biggie-sized clone of the Continental Flying Spur. That means we don't expect it to look so much like the rendering above, which is 75-percent Flying Spur with a GT tail. A bit long-in-the-tooth by modern replacement standards, the Arnage still sells about 600 - 800 units per year, which is not far behind the much newer Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The next Arnage will take advantage of Audi's spaceframe technology, which will ultimately be utilized by every car in the range. With a 150-kg-plus drop in the car's weight, your gas mileage should improve to a number you still won't care about if you can afford a Bentley.

Engine choices will remain in the all-gasoline family. Bentley says that there simply isn't demand for a diesel in one of its cars, and it's not going to put one out there to try and stimulate it. It might -- and we stress, might -- however, be looking for something to do with the quad-turbo W16 from the Veyron, and that could make for a very interesting Bentley indeed.

[Source: Autocar]

Rendered Speculation: 2010 Bentley Arnage going Continental? Nope originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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click above for high-res gallery of LWB Bentley Arnage spy shots

While Bentley continues to achieve sales success with its Continental line of cars that includes the GT, Flying Spur, GTC and new GT Speed, the upper-level Arnage line has been left to get by on its old world charm and bespoke everything hand-built construction. We showed you some spy shots of the next-gen Arnage back in April that suggests Bentley may position the next-gen Arnage as a direct competitor to the Rolls-Royce Phantom, and whether that's the case or not, the next Arnage will most certainly continue catering to the wealthiest 1% of the world. A super extra long version of the Arnage was recently spotted by KGP photographers with an extra 18 inches of wheelbase, and while Bentley already offers the LWB Arnage RL model, this particular car eclipses that and then some to firmly land in limousine territory. In other words, it's not a car drive, it's a car in which you're driven. Whether this mule is based on the current model or actually hiding some hardware for the next-gen model isn't known, but either way it shows just how interested Bentley has become in attracting the chauffeur-driven crowd.

Gallery: LWB Bentley Arnage - spy shots


[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Really Long-Wheelbase Bentley Arnage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentley arnagebentley arnage lwbBentleyArnageBentleyArnageLwbspy picsspy shotsSpyPicsSpyShotsFri, 06 Jun 2008 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: 2010 Bentley Arnage grows to target Phantom]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/spy-shots-2010-bentley-arnage-grows-to-target-phantom/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/spy-shots-2010-bentley-arnage-grows-to-target-phantom/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/spy-shots-2010-bentley-arnage-grows-to-target-phantom/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Having launched the Continental GT in 2003, the four-door Continental Flying Spur in 2005, the Azure in 2006, the Continental GT Convertible in 2006 and the Brooklands earlier this year, Bentley is now turning its attention to its flagship sedan: the Arnage. Although the vehicle has been on the road since 1998, that's still nothing compared to its predecessor, which was introduced in 1980 before being replaced by the Arnage. No matter which way you cut it, though, the Arnage has just turned ten years old, and that's a long product cycle. Reports and spy shots suggest, however, that a new version is expected for 2010.

There's no telling to what degree the new Arnage will be a completely new model, however sources suggest that, thanks in part to a lengthened wheelbase, Bentley will target the Rolls-Royce Phantom with its new limousine. However, previous reports have discounted the possibility of a diesel engine or Bugatti's quad-turbo W16 finding its way into the engine bay. We can, however, still hold out hope. Not that Bentley's storied 6.75L twin-turbo V8 is a disappointment mind you. Believe us, we've sampled it.

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: 2010 Bentley Arnage grows to target Phantom originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We're all about synergies between sister companies when the result could be a Bentley Arnage powered by the Bugatti Veyron's 1,000+ horsepower quad-turbo W16 engine. That's the rumor coming out of Crewe, and we couldn't be happier to hear it. AutoCar is reporting that Bentley head honcho Franz-Josef Paefgen wants the Arnage to outgun the less expensive Continental Flying Spur again. The larger and older car is currently powered by a 6.75L V8 producing 500 HP. The Flying Spur, meanwhile, gets 552 HP from its twin-turbo W12. In order for the Arnage to trump the Flying Spur, a new engine is needed. Enter the Veyron from fellow VW/Audi Group member Bugatti. While the Veyron fits its engine like a tailored suit around a WWE Wrestler, the same powerplant in the Arnage would likely be significantly detuned. The Veyron has the benefit of all four wheels to help it hook up while the Arnage uses just its rears, so power would have to come down to a more manageable level. Nevertheless, a significantly detuned TT W16 would be more than enough to embarrass the Continental Flying Spur in a straight line.

[Source: AutoCar]

Rumormill: Bugatti Veyron-powered Bentley Arnage originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Speaking of recalls... It's one thing for a full-line automaker like General Motors or Ford to announce a recall, as those companies produce thousands of vehicles a day. It's quite another for a manufacturer like Bentley, which still primarily builds its entire lineup by hand, to announce a recall. The company from Crewe is reportedly recalling 520 examples of its ultra expensive Arnage that were built over the last 18 months due to incorrect bolts being used to attach the wheels, which could come loose as a result.

Bentley has reportedly already contacted owners of the affected vehicles, who no doubt include a number of wealthy and famous people who were bothered to discover their $221,000 sedan has issues. One of the reasons for paying that much for a car is so you don't have to deal with recalls like the rest of us schlubs. But we'll give Bentley a break, as anyone can have a bad day... for 18 months.

[Source: Scotsman.com via KickingTires]

Bentley blushing: Recalls 520 Arnage models for wheel problems originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you drive a Cadillac Escalade, Forbes' Dan Lienert has your number. Lienert says you are an unapologetic risk taker who makes about $175k a year and like to entertain. On the other hand, if you prefer to drive a Lexus LS, you are intelligent, polite, well-traveled and family oriented.

The story covers eight other high-end luxury and sports cars, so all you Yugo drivers (like to hang on to possessions for purely sentimental reasons, might also own a Fuego, prefer champale to champagne and probably make much less than $160,000 a year) can rest easy knowing Forbes doesn't yet know your marketing profile.

All these generalizations are based on brand-sponsored market research and quotes from automaker representatives, so the validity of the broad suppositions they make are less than scientific. And please keep in mind we're just the messenger.

[Source: Forbes.com]

Forbes figures out what your car says about you originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911ArnageBentleyBentley ArnageBentleyArnageCadillac EscaladeCadillacEscaladeChevrolet CorvetteChevroletCorvetteCornicheCorvetteDodge ViperDodgeViperEscaladeFerrariLexusLexus LSLexusLsPorschePorsche 911Porsche911Rolls RoyceRolls Royce CornicheRollsRoyceRollsRoyceCornicheViperMon, 12 Feb 2007 17:54:00 EST