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 prepares for market recovery by advancing new Continental debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/bentley-prepares-for-market-recovery-by-advancing-new-continenta/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/bentley-prepares-for-market-recovery-by-advancing-new-continenta/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/bentley-prepares-for-market-recovery-by-advancing-new-continenta/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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]

REPORT: Bentley prepares for market recovery by advancing new Continental debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 bentley continental2011BentleyContinental2012 bentley continental2012BentleyContinentalbentleybentley comntinental flying spurbentley continentalbentley continental gtbentley continental gt speedBentleyComntinentalFlyingSpurBentleyContinentalBentleyContinentalGtBentleyContinentalGtSpeedcontinentalcontinental flying spurcontinental gtcontinental gtcContinentalFlyingSpurContinentalGtContinentalGtcflying spurFlyingSpurMon, 20 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: New details on next Bentley Continental emerge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/11/rumormill-new-details-on-next-bentley-continental-emerge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/11/rumormill-new-details-on-next-bentley-continental-emerge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/11/rumormill-new-details-on-next-bentley-continental-emerge/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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]

Rumormill: New details on next Bentley Continental emerge originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20112011 bentley continental gt2011BentleyContinentalGtbentleycontinentalflying spurFlyingSpurgtgtcspeedWed, 11 Mar 2009 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Bentley to release Continential Flying Spur Speed at British Int'l Motor Show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/bentley-to-release-continential-flying-spur-speed-at-british-int/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/bentley-to-release-continential-flying-spur-speed-at-british-int/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/bentley-to-release-continential-flying-spur-speed-at-british-int/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery.

Big, blocky, heavy, low - whatever. The one and only phrase you need to remember is "hellaciously fast." Bentley's Continental Flying Spur Speed, officially announced in June, is pretty much what it'd be like to strap an EMD powertrain from a freight locomotive into a car, without all the noise and industrial fumes. Set off by subtle cues, the Flying Spur Speed turns the burner up on the already hot Flying Spur, boosting horsepower out of the twelve cylinder powerplant to an even 600 hp from 552 hp. It's enough to hurtle this elegant block of English-cum-Germanic automobile to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, and filthy automotive types will be able to crawl all over this fine automobile at the British International Motor Show. In a mere 15 days, the special brightwork, rifled exhaust tips, and smooth as glass paint will be littered with fingerprints once the show opens to the public July 23rd at the ExCel London. Pardon us while we scour the intertubes for cheap airfare. Press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed


[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Bentley to release Continential Flying Spur Speed at British Int'l Motor Show

Bentley to release Continential Flying Spur Speed at British Int'l Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentley continentalbentley continental flying spur speedBentleyContinentalBentleyContinentalFlyingSpurSpeedbritish international motor showbritish motor showBritishInternationalMotorShowBritishMotorShowcontiental flying spur speedContientalFlyingSpurSpeedcontinental flying spurContinentalFlyingSpurflying spurflying spur speedFlyingSpurFlyingSpurSpeedTue, 08 Jul 2008 17:02:00 EST<![CDATA[High rollers snatching up Phantoms as fast as Goodwood can make them]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/high-rollers-snatching-up-phantoms-as-fast-as-goodwood-can-make/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/high-rollers-snatching-up-phantoms-as-fast-as-goodwood-can-make/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/high-rollers-snatching-up-phantoms-as-fast-as-goodwood-can-make/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


click above image for more truly awesome shots of the 2007 Rolls-Royce Phantom

A quick snapshot of the world's richest people shows that the wealthy are padding their pockets at a blistering pace. With all that extra cash at the top of the food chain, cars with big price tags are flying off the shelves. Aston Martin has gone from making only a handfull of cars to producing over 7,000 per year, and Bentley has been riding the wave with its Continental and Flying Spur. The once financially challenged Rolls-Royce is also getting in on the game, enjoying a 22% increase in sales that's driving its Goodwood factory to the brink. Extra shifts and longer work hours are the result for rank and file, but we're sure most of them don't mind the extra coin. With the introduction of a Phantom coupe based off of the 110EX concept from Geneva coming in the next few weeks, the chaps from south England may need to break new ground just to fulfill demand.

It seems the ultra-luxury automaker isn't concerned with overpopulating the world with Rolls Royce luxury, either. The company is preparing a new lineup for 2010 that will expand Goodwood's offerings while also increasing the number workers employed. We may yet get a Rolls for more than a week, but then again, maybe not.

[Source: Motoring News]

High rollers snatching up Phantoms as fast as Goodwood can make them originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ContinentalFlying SpurFlyingSpurGoodwoodPhantomRolls RoyceRollsRoyceTue, 09 Oct 2007 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Bentley shoots for the 10k mark with updated Conti]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/bentley-shoots-for-the-10k-mark-with-updated-conti/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/bentley-shoots-for-the-10k-mark-with-updated-conti/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/02/bentley-shoots-for-the-10k-mark-with-updated-conti/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

"Don't mess with success" seems to be the motto over at Bentley, as the premium automaker prepares some mild revisions to the Continental range, the GT version of which has been on the market unchanged for three years running.

As we reported earlier, the revisions to the Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur will be minimal. Updated bumpers front and rear will join new wheels as the chief exterior tweaks, and although no spy shots have surfaced as of yet, the interior is reported to be refreshed, too.

Dealers can't seem to keep the Continental in the showrooms long enough, and Crewe hopes to hit the magic 10,000 figure for annual sales, growing from 9200 last year. In any other segment, we couldn't picture owners trading in for a new model differentiated by so little, but when you're selling to big spenders, anything is possible.

Related posts:

[Source: Car magazine]

Bentley shoots for the 10k mark with updated Conti originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2007 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleycontinentalfaceliftflying spurFlyingSpurgtgtcreviseupdateWed, 02 May 2007 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[In the Autoblog Garage: 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/30/in-the-autoblog-garage-2006-bentley-continental-flying-spur/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/30/in-the-autoblog-garage-2006-bentley-continental-flying-spur/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/30/in-the-autoblog-garage-2006-bentley-continental-flying-spur/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

In case you haven't noticed, we're a blog. You know, one of those Web sites run by people who don't shower and refuse to change out of their pajamas? That's us in a nutshell. So imagine our shock when Bentley not only responded to our e-mail, but told us it would be granting our request to review the 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Man, we're still trying to get a Yaris from Toyota to review and Bentley just gave us the green light? The universe has gone nuts, but fortunately, today we find ourselves in its favor.

The Bentley Continental Flying Spur is a sedan that makes other super saloons like the BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and even its own very distant cousin, the Audi A8, seem practical in comparison. At an out-the-door asking price of $183,825 (including destination charges and a hefty $3,700 gas guzzler tax), the Continental Flying Spur costs more than ...
All of the above are perfectly acceptable forms of transportation, some even exceptional. After a few days with the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, however, each is but a distant memory from a different tax bracket.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur


Photos Copyright (C)2008 John Neff / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

In the Autoblog Garage: 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Aug 2006 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Autoblog GarageAutoblogGarageContinental Flying SpurContinentalFlyingSpurFlying SpurFlyingSpurWed, 30 Aug 2006 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Bentley to don tartan for sake of high fashion?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/30/bentley-to-don-tartan-for-sake-of-high-fashion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/30/bentley-to-don-tartan-for-sake-of-high-fashion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/30/bentley-to-don-tartan-for-sake-of-high-fashion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Bentley has long been known for its highly fashionable posing. The Scots? Well... not so much.

Which is likely why authorities at the first-ever Scottish Fashion Awards sought out the high-end automaker-- credibility. Yes, the notion of haute couture in aland best known for its shortbread and bagpipes may strike as a bit erm... off-kilter, but it's hard to argue with the visual appeal of an assemblage of Continental Arnages, Continental GTs and Flying Spurs parked outside a castle, no? To that end, the Bentley Boys have signed on as the event's official automotive sponsor.

The Awards will be held at Stirling Castle on May 7.

[Sources: Easier UK; Undiscovered Scotland; Opentopia]

Bentley to don tartan for sake of high fashion? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Apr 2006 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArnageBentleyContinentalFashionFlying SpurFlyingSpurHaute CoutureHauteCouturehigh fashionHighFashionKiltScotlandScottishshortbreadStirling CastleStirlingCastleSun, 30 Apr 2006 13:06:00 EST