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Bentley Continental GTC Speed getting worked out in the Alps

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:29:00 EST

Spy Shots: Bentley Continental GTC Speed - Click above for high-res image gallery

While racers were busy blasting up Pikes Peak this past weekend, Bentley engineers decided to make a more civilized mountain run. Spy photographers have captured the next-generation Continental GTC Speed undergoing testing in the Alps. The convertible is not yet Bentley polished, as it's lacking camo, but it provides a great glimpse at the upcoming production GTC Speed.

The aggressive lower fascia, hood fents, wheels and exhaust provide a good hint that this Conti is hiding a more powerful derivative of the W12 under its hood. Expect a horsepower rating well above 600, and a torque figure to make one-ton pickups jealous. Click through the gallery below to check out the photos.

Bentley Continental GTC Speed getting worked out in the Alps originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is a belated holiday treat

Chris Paukert — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Bentley, UK, Luxury

2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

Although Christmas was many months ago, we're guessing that the fine folks at Bentley specified the paint on their Bentley Continental Sports Convertible show car some months ago. How else to explain the scrumptious eggnog metallic finish and interior piping? Perhaps it was the droptop's yuletide bounty of power (621 brake horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque) from its force-fed W12 engine that inspired them. Or the fact that at over 200 mph, this would make for one hell of a sleigh.

Either way, we believe that this flex-fuel droptop will finally complete the automaker's already expansive Continental lineup (we expect to see the next-generation model very soon), but admittedly, we've figured that Bentley's volume car didn't have any more derivatives left in it before, and here we are.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Bentley Supersports Convertible

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is a belated holiday treat

Geneva 2010: Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is a belated holiday treat originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Bentley GTC Speed is like Heaven. Only better.

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Bentley, New Car Reviews, Luxury

2010 Bentley Continental GTC Speed - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Bentley Continental GT has been lauded and derided for being too much: too powerful, too fast, too easy, too big, too ubiquitous, and yes, too good. The convertible version, the Continental GTC, dismissed its roof but retained the excess. Now, Bentley has worked its "Speed" hocus-pocus in order to create a new variant of everyone's favorite over-the-top drop-top and Crewe's mad scientists have taken a vehicle that's already cranked to eleven and turned it up a notch or two... or three. Gloriously excessive excess awaits after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Bentley GTC Speed

Continue reading Review: 2010 Bentley GTC Speed is like Heaven. Only better.

Review: 2010 Bentley GTC Speed is like Heaven. Only better. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:56:00 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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Detroit Preview: Bentley GTC Speed is last, but not least

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Bentley

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Bentley GTC Speed

The Bentley GTC has only been out for two years and a bit, but you might not know that; the car is so popular in some parts that it has become something like Ugg Boots for the monied-up automotive fashionista. Like its other Continental stablemates, Bentley has finally taken the drophead into their Speed garage for the transformation from really fast to "Egads!" fast.

It emerges from said garage with its twin-turbo W12 producing 553 lb-ft. of torque and 600 horsepower - 100 ponies more than the Azure T, making it the most powerful convertible Bentley has ever made. The Speed treatment alters the front end, with a more upright, dark-tinted matrix grille flanked by chrome bezels around the headlights, and the face is framed by firmer lines sweeping up from the lower air dam.

While it is still not - and isn't mean to be - a sports car, the handling ante is upped by a lowered ride height, low-friction dampers, stiffer rear axle bushings, wider tires, and retuned steering. When it's time to stop, newly available carbon-ceramic brakes, at 16.5 inches up front and 14 inches in back, are the largest factory-fitted brakes on a passenger car today.

When it's time to get on it, you'll reach 60 in 4.5 seconds, and with the top up you'll find terminal velocity is 200 miles-per-hour with the lid up. Should you not wish to go easy on your follicles, the GTC will still reach 195 mph with the top down - just make sure to lather up your 'do with plenty of product.

There are two new official exterior paint choices from the factory: Aquamarine and Blue Crystal, and you can get the interior done in Aquamarine as well. However, since Bentley's bespoke department will make your GTC any color you want, that's probably of little concern to most buyers. Even so, we must ask: who's been requesting an Aquamarine interior? Check out the full GTC Speed press release after the jump, and the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Bentley Continental GTC Speed

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Detroit Preview: Bentley GTC Speed is last, but not least

Detroit Preview: Bentley GTC Speed is last, but not least originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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