Autoblog

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Bentley, First Drives, Luxury

Loses its Head, Keeps its Bespoke Cool

This is the 10th anniversary of the Bentley Continental GT, the 5,500-pound shim that pried open the market for bespoke luxury at $150K. We're into the second generation of the supercoupe that is still - and we think unfairly - derided as a grossly exaggerated Volkswagen, which to us is like saying the Hulk is just Bruce Banner in a tizzy. There are credible grounds for both statements, but in neither case do they accurately convey the chasm between the alpha and the omega.

Nevertheless, checking off the list of updated models brings us to the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible, the moderately augmented version of the non-Speed GTC. Back to the notion of unfairness, it's probably just that to say the GT Speed Convertible is only "moderately" changed. It did, after all, take Bentley three years to engineer the changes that separate your 'basic' Bentley from the Speed variant, and although they might be imperceptible, they are numerous.

We were invited to drive the world's latest and fastest four-seater convertible for two days from Las Vegas to San Francisco. In a twist we never would have expected, it turned into a desperate hunt for thrills.

Continue reading 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Zach Bowman — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Bentley, First Drives, UK, Luxury

Meeting Bentley's 205-MPH Prince On The Autobahn

I'm travelling at the approximate speed of privilege. With the aluminum accelerator of the 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed buried to its neck in the high-pile carpet of the floorboard, the 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 underhood is at full boast. The 616 furious British horses pumping under that long, proud prow set the German countryside to frappé with breathless ease, and with the sprawling sheetmetal of the coupe settled comfortably onto its haunches in eager anticipation of ever more thrust, it's clear this machine is content to consume endless kilometers of Autobahn in wide-mouthed gulps. There's an open lane of unrestricted tarmac unraveling before me, and I'm keen to oblige every thread of temptation singing in my chest. The speedometer has just clicked past 165 mph.

At this clip, the new crown jewel of the Bentley war chest is covering land at the rate of nearly one football field per second. The white lines on the road are beginning to fade into a solid stream, and I'm suddenly aware of the increasingly rapid heartbeat whispering the truth of my mortality in my ears. There's no looking anywhere other than as far to the horizon as possible, but even with my eyes set to long-range scan, it's clear that if something goes wrong at this velocity, they'll be burying an empty box in the hills of Tennessee. That little bit of trivia makes it all the more disconcerting when an ambling Volkswagen Jetta strays into my lane for no other reason than to take in the glorious sight of me manufacturing a stack of bricks in the quilted-leather driver's seat of someone else's $228,600 supercar.

Continue reading 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley Continental GT Speed spotted testing

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Bentley

Bentley Continental GT Speed out testing - Click above for high-res image gallery

Bentley has released its latest Continental GT to the world, and the facelifted luxury coupe has garnered positive reviews. We know what's coming though, and we're eager to see what the Bentley boys (and girls) have in store for the hotted-up versions of the Conti.

Spy photographers managed to capture a pair of two-doors out testing in the rain, and the twosome appears to be wearing clothes fit for the upcoming Continental GT Speed. An aggressive lower fascia and new exhaust outlets hint at the potential power buried under the long hood. The previous Bentley Continental GT Speed produced 600 horsepower, so we expect the next-generation car to up the ante a tick.

Bentley Continental GT Speed spotted testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All Bentley Continental models going flex-fuel in June

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:55:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Bentley, Luxury

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports - Click above for high-res image gallery

It may not be the most interesting news you read all week, but we now have a date at which all Bentley Continentals will be able to gulp down whiskey with the best of 'em: June.( Well, not exactly whiskey, but ethanol's pretty close.) Bentley had made the announcement (sans date) at the Geneva Motor Show when it showed off the Continental Supersports Convertible.

This move as a big first step toward reaching Bentley's stated goal of offering an entirely biofuel-capable lineup by 2012. In its latest form, as seen in the Continental Supersports, Bentley's twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 offers up 621 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. That's sufficient to push the Conti to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds and onto to a top speed of 202 mph.

As the Continental family is easily Bentley's most popular offering, this means that over half of all cars the brand sells this year will be flex-fuel-compatible. For those keeping track, the Brooklands coupe (which will soon be discontinued), Azure convertible and the soon-to-be-released Mulsanne sedan (the replacement for the long-running Arnage) are still not yet biofuel capable. According to Automotive News, however, the Mulsanne will be E85-capable shortly after its launch later this year.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

All Bentley Continental models going flex-fuel in June originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera to launch Bentley Continental shooting brake in Geneva

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Bentley, Specialty, Luxury

Earlier this month, we heard rumors that coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera planned to introduce a new bespoke version of the Bentley Continental GT. Now we've got confirmation that the firm will indeed introduce an shooting brake based on the GT at the Geneva Motor Show early next month.

Only 20 three-door estates are planned, and they'll reportedly be built atop the buyer's choice of a regular Continental GT or an uplevel Continental GT Speed. This will be the company's first product based on a vehicle from Bentley, though past models included the likes of Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.

We don't have many details other than the teaser sketch above and that the GT will have two rear seats that fold independently, making for what we can only assume will be the World's Most Luxurious Six-Foot Luggage Parcel. An electrically operated folding tailgate is also on the menu.

[Source: Classic Driver]

Coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera to launch Bentley Continental shooting brake in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Bentley prepares for market recovery by advancing new Continental debut

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Bentley, UK

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.

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Hamann introduces Bentley Continental GT Speed-based Imperator

Drew Phillips — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedan, Bentley

Hamann Imperator - Click above for a high-res gallery

A few months ago, Hamann Motorsport previewed its tuning program for the Bentley Continental GT and GT Speed, and now they have released full details and photos.

Dubbed "Imperator" (sorry, Isdera) Hamann's version of Bentley's coupe features an aggressive aero kit including a new front and rear fascia, side skirts, extensions over both sets of wheels and a rear wing. From there, customers can choose a variety of sizes of forged wheels, lowering options, a stainless steel exhaust system, and an upgraded engine management system that boosts the bi-turbo W12 to well over 600 horsepower.

The interior gets the full treatment as well, with a new 3-spoke steering wheel and carbon fiber, leather, and ultra-suede accents. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Hamann Imperator

[Source: Hamann Motorsport]

Continue reading Hamann introduces Bentley Continental GT Speed-based Imperator

Hamann introduces Bentley Continental GT Speed-based Imperator originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No diesels for Bentley

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Green, Supercars, Bentley

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.

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Review: Bentley Continental GT Speed

John Neff — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Coupe, Supercars, Bentley

Bentley Continental GT Speed - Click above for high-res image gallery

When we reviewed the Bentley Continental Flying Spur a couple of years ago, we showed you just how many other forms of transportation could be bought with the car's $183,825 out-the-door asking price. For this review of Bentley's new super coupe, the Continental GT Speed, we thought we'd list just a few of the cars that produce the same or less horsepower than the fastest Flying B ever made. The complete list is rather long considering that the GT Speed is powered by a twin-turbo, twelve-cylinder engine producing 600 horsepower, but here are just a few.

Dodge Viper - 600 horsepower
Lamborghini Murcielago - 571 horsepower
Ford GT - 550 horsepower
Porsche 911 GT2 - 530 horsepower
Corvette Z06 - 505 horsepower
Ferrari F430 Scuderia - 503 horsepower
1999 Oldsmobile Alero Coupe - 150 horsepower

While it's true that cars with 600+ horsepower are becoming common in the supercar segment, the GT Speed's 48-horsepower bump over the standard Continental GT drives it into some truly rarified air. Read on to find out how it fared in the Autoblog Garage.

Gallery: Review: Bentley Continental GT Speed

Continue reading Review: Bentley Continental GT Speed

Review: Bentley Continental GT Speed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: Bentley Continental GT Speed... yes, please

John Neff — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Europe, Supercars, Bentley

click above image to view more high-res pics of the Bentley Continental GT Speed

Here at Autoblog we've had the fortune of reviewing not one, but two Bentleys - the Continental Flying Spur and the Continental GTC (still being written, but will be published soon). Perhaps if we only write glowing praise about Bentley from here on out they'll let us drive the new Continental GT Speed, the most powerful Bentley ever made. The twin-turbo W12 mill from standard Continental GT breathes better thanks to a redesigned and more upright grille, and its ECU has also been hacked resulting in a nice round 600bhp, a 48bhp bump. 20-inch wheels wrapped in ultra low-profile rubber, a new steering wheel not shared with VW, and optional carbon ceramic brakes round out the hardware upgrades. All told, 60 MPH should arrive in 4.2 seconds and the Continental GT Speed's 202 MPH top speed officially makes it the fastest Bentley ever made, as well.

The Bentley Continental GT Speed is one of the most photogenic cars at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, so check out all the live high-res pics in our gallery below, and click here to read the official press release from our original post.

Gallery: 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Frankfurt 2007: Bentley Continental GT Speed... yes, please originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mortgage your future: Bentley releases pricing for future lineup

John Neff — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Bentley

click above image for gallery of 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Bentley released pricing today for its entire 2008 model lineup, which includes the recently announced Continental GT Speed, the most powerful Bentley ever produced and at $199,990, the most expensive model in the Continental line of cars. Prices appear to have gone up across the board save for a few Arnage models that will remain as expensive as they were last year. The company from Crewe also revealed that its upcoming Brooklands Coupe will be a 2009 model, and at $340,990 is the most expensive item on Bentley's menu. Price does not seem to be a deterrent for Bentley customers, however, as the first year's worth of Brooklands Coupe models has already sold out.

Check out the pricing data below and after the jump, as well as galleries of Bentley's two newest models, the Brooklands Coupe and Continental GT Speed.

Continental Flying Spur
2007: $169,990
2008: $170,990

Continental GT
2007: $169,990
2008: $175,990

Continental GTC
2007: $189,990
2008: $193,990

Continental GT Speed
2008: $199,990

Brooklands Coupe
$340,990

Bentley Continental GT badged as a Hyundai
priceless

Gallery: 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Gallery: Bentley Brooklands

Continue reading Mortgage your future: Bentley releases pricing for future lineup

Mortgage your future: Bentley releases pricing for future lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley unveils most powerful model ever: The Continental GT Speed

John Neff — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Bentley

click above image to view the largest high-res gallery of the GT Speed anywhere

The Bentley Continental GT Speed is the most serious piece of hardware ever built by the boys and girls from Crewe, England. 600bhp. 202mph top speed (the first Bentley to pass 200mph). 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds. The numbers speak for themselves. Based on the 2008 Continental GT, which itself received upgrades for the new model year, the Continental GT Speed boasts subtle tweaks to its exterior including a wider, more aggressive front air intake and a grille that's more upright to force additional cubic feet of atmosphere into the twin-turbo W12 engine. Lighter weight engine components and a revised computer also help account for the 9% bump in power over the standard GT's 552bhp. The GT Speed also rides lower than the "standard" Continental GT and rests atop a set of barely there 20-inch wheels that offer an unencumbered view of the optional carbon ceramic brakes. The interior is typical Bentley posh, and we also noticed a new steering wheel that replaces the old one borrowed from VW. There's really not much else to say except we want one really, really bad.

Check out the Bentley Continental GT Speed gallery below full of 24 gorgeous, high-res pics that would look right at home as your desktop wallpaper. The official details from Bentley can also be found after the jump.

[Source: Bentley]

Gallery: 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Continue reading Bentley unveils most powerful model ever: The Continental GT Speed

Bentley unveils most powerful model ever: The Continental GT Speed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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