Autoblog

SEMA 2009: Blackout Bentley balances the bad

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Bentley

2008 Bentley Continental custom - Click above for high-res image gallery

It seems that matte black is the new black this year at SEMA, especially if you broaden if to gray and slip bare carbon fiber into the category. This particular application of said coloring resides on a sinister looking Bentley Continental GT.

Besides the satin paint, it's wearing a Premier 4509 Limited Widebody kit that, to this blogger's eyes at least, might have been a better choice for Bentley's own SuperSports. The interior has a nicely contrasting saddle and black design, with diamond-stitched suede inserts on the seats. It's a very cool looking car, but just as fun is the sign on the booth: "Nutek Wheels -- We make private label wheels... and we speak English!" Not exactly politically correct, but eye-catching to say the least.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Blackout Bentley

SEMA 2009: Blackout Bentley balances the bad originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: Mansory Vitesse Rose is anything but pretty in pink

Noah Joseph — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:39:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Bentley, Specialty, Luxury

Mansory Vitesse Rose - Click above for high-res image gallery (if you must)

Opinions in the Autoblog media room here in Frankfurt are divided once again. Some of us think the Mansory Vitesse Rose is the ugliest thing on wheels, the most heinous thing ever done to a Bentley, while Lieberman just has no taste. Either way, we had trouble keeping it down while snapping the photos. Fortunately, there was some left-over Pepto hanging around the Mansory show stand for quick touch-ups.

The matte pink paint job, which we can only hope is a reversible vinyl wrap, is offset by matte carbon fiber trim and blacked out rims, chrome and logos. But while the exterior stood out, the clashing pink and purple interior - complete with purple-tinted carbon fiber trim - bridges the gap from "you've got to be kidding" to "you've got to be The Joker". But don't take our word for it; check it out for yourself in the gallery below. We just wouldn't recommend it for the weak of stomach.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Mansory Vitesse Rose - Bentley GTC

Gallery: Mansory Bentley Vitesse Rose

Frankfurt 2009: Mansory Vitesse Rose is anything but pretty in pink originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: Bentley Continental GTC Series 51 ain't so bad under the lights

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Bentley, Luxury

Bentley Continental GTC Series 51 -- Click above for high-res image gallery

When we walked up to the Bentley Continental GTC Series 51 resting on the hardwood floor of the Bentley stand, it immediately had us thinking a familiar thought. Just to make sure, we asked our colleagues if they had been experiencing the same thing, and that turned into a spirited discussion about car design and CAD-drawn vs. hand-drawn bodywork.

That well-known thought was: it's not so garish in person. Substitute "hideous," "bad," and "ugly" for "garish" and you've recreated our experiences with a number of vehicles lately, and not just in Frankfurt. From the outside it's just a good looking Continental with a new set of wheels and Bentley's always-upright center caps. Inside, the car simply feels blue with white trim, and tastefully so, which was not the impression given in the preview photos. We still look forward to the Series 51's future offerings, but this first one is a.o.k.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Bentley Continental GTC Series 51

Frankfurt 2009: Bentley Continental GTC Series 51 ain't so bad under the lights originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: Bentley Continental Series 51

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Bentley, Luxury

Bentley Continental GT/C Series 51 -- Click above for high-res image gallery

As with Rolls-Royce and its Bespoke Collection, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Bentley will be introducing its Continental Series 51 cars for the GT and GTC. These will be a cadre of models further tailored by Crewe's designers. Each car "will feature a highly distinctive interior color palette and unique exterior design cues." The first car to show off the line wears an interior in Imperial Blue, Linen, and Newmarket Tan, with color-matched floor mats with contrasting stitching.

You can top the tri-tone interior with a two-tone paint job outside, and throw Bentley's new self-leveling wheel center caps on the 20-inchers. The Series 51 cars will be available to order from this month. You can read all about them in the press release after the jump and check the first one out in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Bentley Continental GT Series 51

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Bentley Continental Series 51

Frankfurt Preview: Bentley Continental Series 51 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scrap the Rich: Bentley Continental is 85% recyclable

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:30:00 EST

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

Bentley Recycling Certificate - Click above to enlarge

Good news for all Bentley Continental owners who plan to recycle their ultra-expensive and luxurious automobile after the GT outlives its usefulness: Bentley now guarantees that the Continental line is 85% recyclable and 95% recoverable. In recognition of this achievement, the automaker has been awarded an official certificate from the German Motor Transport Authority. According to Dr. Arno Homburg, head of Whole Vehicle Development at Bentley Motors:

"Our environment policy is based on sustainable principles and we take a holistic view of the whole process. At the design stage we consider the environmental impact of all components over the entire life of the car. This is despite the fact that over 70% of all Bentleys ever produced are still in existence - our cars tend to end up as collectors' items rather than scrap."

We'd tend to agree it's unlikely that many Bentleys will find their way to the scrap-heap, but the recycling certificate means that if the unthinkable ever happens, the various bits of metal, plastic, glass and the like can be reused in any number of industries. Who knows, your old, unwanted Bentley could come back to life as the world's finest toaster oven... or a laptop computer, or perhaps some luggage.

Continue reading Scrap the Rich: Bentley Continental is 85% recyclable

Scrap the Rich: Bentley Continental is 85% recyclable originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 May 2009 18:30:00 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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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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Bentley Continental GT/PE (Plumber's Edition)

Alex Nunez — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Bentley

New Zealand plumber Paul Vandenberg has one hell of a sense of humor (as well as presumably deep pockets). While most in his trade use vans or other practical haulers as their primary on-the-job vehicles, Paul has decided to opt for more comfort, less space and a ton of attention.

His business ride of choice? A Bentley Continental GT, complete with ad signage and roof rack to carry work materials. The idea was to garner publicity for his business, Atlas Plumbing, and as you can see, it worked like a charm. According to Vandenberg, his wife was less than thrilled with the idea (why are we not surprised?), but she's since "come around." For his part, Vandenberg says he'd like to work his magic on one of Maranello's finest next time... the mere thought of which makes many Ferraristi shudder, we're sure.

To each his own. No word on whether or not high-speed open-road blasts are included with Mr. Vandenberg's service visits, but if it was our sink getting fixed, we'd be sure to arrange for one.

[Source: Stuff.co.nz]

Bentley Continental GT/PE (Plumber's Edition) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley celebrates 60 years at Crewe

Scott Davis — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising

Crewe. Just the name stirs the emotions of any auto enthusiast. Beginning at Crewe in 1946, Bentley has been producing some of the most aspirational production vehicles ever available. To celebrate 60 years at Crewe, Bentley will showcase the Continental GT Diamond Series Coupe and the Arnage R Diamond Series on a whirlwind tour through Australia, New Zealand, and South-East Asia and also feature the Speed 8 race car. If you are lucky enough to be close enough to experience this event, be sure to take full advantage of the opportunity to see some of the most-coveted vehicles on sale today up close and in person.

[Source: GermanCarBlog]

See press releases and more pics of the Diamond Series Continental GT and Arnage R after the jump!

Continue reading Bentley celebrates 60 years at Crewe

Bentley celebrates 60 years at Crewe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley gets some Seoul, enters Korean market

John Neff — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Bentley

Recognizing the ever-increasing accumulation of wealth in South Korea, Bentley Motors has decided to enter the Korean market and hock its wares next to such nameplates as GM Daewoo and Kia. Charmzone, Co. will operate in the South East Asian country as Bentley Seoul and have dedicated sales and support services in place by the fourth quarter of 2006.

Quick note of reference: In U.S. dollars one Bentley Continental GT equals 15 Kia rios.

[Source: Bentley]

Bentley gets some Seoul, enters Korean market originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jun 2006 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Hilton offered chance to win back Bentley

Chris Paukert — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Supercars, Bentley

PartyPoker.com is offering Paris Hilton a chance to win back the Bentley Continental GT she lost in a poker game at her family's Las Vegas casino... or at least one just like it.

The online poker house appears to be taking a crack at competitor GoldenPalace.com's publicity playbook, best known for paying $28,000 for the fabled Virgin Mary cheese sandwich auctioned on eBay and tatooing their website's address on professional boxers to circumvent advertising rules. So what does the heiress and Simple Life star have to reassert her Bentley ownership? Win heads-up against World Poker Tour host Mike Sexton in an online game of Texas Hold 'Em. Those thoughtful folks are even willing to set up a face-to-face, one-on-one with the professional poker player if cyber gambling isn't her thing.

Paris has 30 days to take them up on the offer.

[Source: PRNewswire via Big-Online-Casinos.com]

Paris Hilton offered chance to win back Bentley originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Apr 2006 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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