BENTLY

Bentley Defies Crisis with a 20% Increase in Global Sales 

 

Crisis? What crisis? For you and me, perhaps, but not for Bentley buyers. The VW-owned British luxury carmaker announced today a 20% increase in global sales for the first half of 2011 with 2,978 cars delivered to customers, the best start for the company since 2008. The luxury marque attributes this surge in sales to the high demand for the new Continental GT as well as the increasing popularity in (least we forget, communist…) China, where Bentley sales have risen by 57% compared to the same period last year, to 680 cars. Thus, it has become the manufacturer’s second best market, behind only the US (George Orwell's "Animal Farm", anyone?).
Not to be outdone by China, the capitalist West has contributed its fair, albeit smaller, share to Bentley’s rise. In Europe, sales have increased by 25% (494 cars) and in the USA by 23% (907 cars). Only in Japan, due to the recent catastrophic natural disasters, and the Middle East, where political unrest rules, have sales declined.
So, well done Bentley - and well done to all the fat cats out there, be they…capitalists or…communists, who are rapidly increasing in numbers each day.

2012 Bentley Continental GTC Speed Scooped in the Alps 

Back in May, we saw Bentley trying out the drop-top version of its subtly evolved 2011 Continental GT, the GTC, at the Nurburgring racetrack. Now, our spies have spotted Bentley’s people working on the more athletic GTC Speed in the Alps. Like the standard Continental GTC, the Speed shares the sharper styling cues of the coupe model launched last year adding a more aggressively designed front bumper with new openings, hood air vents and a discreet boot lid spoiler along with larger alloy wheels to the mix.
The GTC Speed will benefit from the revisions we saw on the coupe and which include a redesigned dashboard with an updated instrument panel and a new touch-screen interface plus new seats and trim materials.
Under the bonnet, you’ll find a tweaked version of Bentley’s twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 lump delivering a little over 600-horses, paired to an all-wheel drive system.
The Continental GTC and its Speed sibling are likely to debut towards the end of 2011, with sales beginning early next year. 

Bentley Launches Mulliner Styling Pack for Continental GT 

Bentley’s new Continental GT is, without question, a coupe with imposing road presence. But the British firm wishes to offer its customers the opportunity to make their cars even more unique by launching a range of styling options named Mulliner Styling Specification Classic Pack. This styling package consists of a front splitter, strakes integrated in the front intake grilles, side extension blades and a rear diffuser, all made from glossy black carbon-fibre.
If you think these are not enough, Bentley also offers more options such as a carbon-fibre rear spoiler and mirror covers, as well as dark mesh front wing vents and black 21-inch 7-spoke alloy wheels.
According to Bentley’s head of exterior design, Raul Pires, the Mulliner Styling Specification Classic Pack “with its sharper lines and darker, lower appearance underlines the iconic form of Bentley’s new GT, underscores its extrovert, flamboyant nature and delivers a more personalized, sportive interpretation of a luxurious and refined GT”.
The Classic Pack is already available to order, while the optional features will be available from the following autumn. 

Investigators Uncover Multi-Million Pound Tax Scam in India; European Exotics, Foreign Diplomats and Bollywood Actors Involved 

In what sounds more like the plot of a The Fast and the Furious movie than real life, investigators at India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence office (a.k.a. India’s IRS) have uncovered a massive exotic car smuggling operation in the nation’s capital of New Dehli. It all has to do with India’s notorious 100% import tax on new luxury vehicles. It began with one New Dehli luxury car dealer, Sumit Walia, importing brand new luxury cars on forged invoices. These invoices listed the cars as second-hand, which saved Walia – and his customers – some 40% on import tax. Some of the cars – which included Porsches, Bentleys and Aston Martins – were found to have been stolen from the streets of Britain, France, Singapore and Japan.
A month later, another scam – involving a London-based British-Indian car dealer and diplomats from New Delhi’s North Korean and Vietnamese embassies was uncovered. The diplomats would act as middle-men for rich buyers; buying the exotics under their names and therefore getting them tax-free. An official Directorate of Revenue Intelligence office had this to say about the investigation:
“Our investigators suspect around 300 to 400 luxury cars have been imported on fake papers and sold in all major cities across India using the same modus-operandi. The cars have been sold to politicians, celebrities, cricketers, Bollywood actors and many businessmen in the last four to five years.”
Some 40 cars have been impounded, including several Porsche Panameras and Aston Martin Rapides valued at £250,000 and £290,000 per unit. A £350,000 Bentley Continental Supersport was also among those vehicles recovered. Other vehicles have simply been abandoned by their owners on the streets of New Dehli. Investigators found that most of these vehicles were either illegally registered or displayed temporary plates.

Take that Goodwood: Vilner’s Mini Cooper S Inspired by Bentley 

The BMW Group’s decision to launch a new posh version of the Mini hatch called “Mini Inspired by Goodwood” motivated Bulgarian design studio Vilner to develop its own luxed-up variant of the British supermini. However, while the Goodwood model received the Rolls Royce touch, Vilner’s proposal tries to emulate a Bentley – at least in the interior. Even though Vilner has baptized the car “The Italian Job” as homage to the famous movie, for obvious reasons, a more appropriate name would have been “Mini Inspired by Crewe”. The Bulgarian company has dressed the Mini hatchback’s interior with fine materials such as brown Nappa leather and Alcantara, with parts of the seats, door panels, dashboard and roof lining featuring a diamond shape theme. In addition, the doors have gained elements of black leather while the original plastic was re-sprayed in a sparkling gray finish.
Vilner also took care of the Mini Cooper S’ exterior which sports a grey matte foil-wrap with contrasting black racing stripes and a matching color roof along with new 18-inch alloy wheels.

China Becomes Bentley's No. 2 Market after Record Breaking Q1 Sales 

Bentley Motors sold 396 cars in Mainland China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) in the first four months of 2011, an all-time record result for the Asian market. With this number, Bentley broke its previous record set just last year, by an amazing 66 percent increase in sales. In 2010, Bentley delivered fewer than 1,000 cars in China, almost double than in 2009, with China becoming the third most important market for the luxury carmaker. But the results so far in 2011 mean China has outsold the United Kingdom for the first time in history, making the Asian country Bentley's second most important market after the United States. In fact, one in four Bentleys sold globally goes to China.
The sales record has largely been achieved before the arrival in China of the new Continental GT and Mulsanne, which means there is a lot of room for Bentley to improve its sales. Around 50 of the 396 cars sold in China were spoken for during the Shanghai auto show, with 25 of those being Continental GT models.
“Our Chinese customers, like the rest of the world, value Bentley’s history and our emphasis on the finest luxury, craftsmanship and automotive excellence. Although China has traditionally been a market for four-door cars such as the Mulsanne and the Continental Flying Spur, there is growing interest in the excitement, adrenalin and sheer fun of driving high performance sports car,” said Alasdair Stewart, Bentley's board member for sales and marketing.
To acknowledge China's importance to Bentley, the company is hosting its Worldwide Dealer Conference in Beijing, the first time that Bentley has held such an important event in Asia.

2012 Bentley Continental GTC Convertible Facelift Spotted Testing at the Nurburgring 

We knew that Bentley was working on a revised version of its Continental GTC drop-top model after the introduction of the facelifted Continental GT coupe, and these fresh-from-the-Nurburgring spy shots are here to prove it. Following the example of its coupe sibling that was unveiled in facelifted form at last year’s Paris Motor Show, the 2012 Conti convertible receives a styling makeover. The changes include newly shaped body panels all around and a more prominent front end with Mulsanne-inspired quad headlamps featuring inner lamps powered by xenon on low beam and LED on high beam.
The rear has also been revised and now sports squared off headlamps (don’t be fooled by the tape masking the lights on the prototype model) along with a resculptured boot and a new bumper design with oval tail pipes on either side.
Being that the prototype was caught running around the Nurburgring racetrack, our photographers couldn’t capture the interior, but we can safely say that the Continental GTC will feature the same styling changes as the GT coupe. These will most likely include a redesigned dashboard with an updated instrument panel and a new touch-screen interface for the audio and navigation systems, along with increased legroom thanks to the new seats.
In a similar fashion, the GTC will benefit from a series of chassis enhancements and the updates to the engine range, which include an uprated version of the British firm's 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 delivering 575-horsepower and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of peak torque, and possibly the yet-to-be-revealed 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 that is being co-developed with Audi.
Expect to see the refreshed Bentley Continental GTC making its first public outing at the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Amari Design Crafts Supercharged Bentley Continental GT with 760-Horsepower 

 

A new company in the tuning scene called Amari Design has presented its take on the Bentley Continental GT through the release of two teaser photos. The UK-based firm’s upgrade package includes a body kit, interior revisions and a variety of modifications under the hood. By adding a supercharger, a sports exhaust system and a new ECU, Amani Design says output is lifted to 750-horsepower. The car also rides on beefier alloy wheels and tires, though the tuner has not yet released specific details.
Exterior modifications include a new bodykit with a front bumper, lip spoiler, hood, fenders, side skirts, quarter panel extensions, rear bumper with a carbon fiber diffuser and a fixed boot spoiler. Inside, the interior is said to be upgraded with carbon fiber trims and upholstered seats in a combination of Napa leather and Alcantara.
More details on the tune are to be released at a later date. 

Bentley Celebrates Ice Speed Record with New Special Edition Supersports Convertible 

 

To celebrate the 205.5mph (330.7km/h) world ice-speed record that was set two weeks ago by Finland’s four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen in a Continental Supersports convertible, Bentley has unveiled a new special edition version of its drop-top model that will be built in a limited run of 100 units. To be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1, the new Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ will be available in a choice of three bespoke paint colours - Beluga, Quartzite and Arctica White. Whatever color you choose, the soft-top is finished in a dark grey 'metallic look'. The special edition also gets new 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels with a dark tint finish that are wrapped in Pirelli 275/35ZR20 ultra high performance tires.
Inside, unique features to the ‘Ice Speed Record’ model include the high-gloss carbon fibre in a red weave finish on the dashboard, centre console and roof panel. The same theme continues with the red piping on the seats and doors, and Pillar Box Red contrast stitching to seats, door casings, steering wheel and gearshift paddles.
Furthermore, the front seats and floor mats feature embroidered ‘Supersports’ legends while the signature Breitling dashboard clock also has a red accent.
The new Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ special comes fitted with Bentley's 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged bio-fuel W12 engine that runs on both petrol (gasoline) or E85 bio-ethanol or any combination of the two. It produces 640-horses and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque. Paired with a Quickshift six-speed automatic transmission, it launches the all-wheel drive convertible from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.0s) and reaches 100mph from a standing start in only 9.5 seconds (0-160 km/h in 9.4s).

VeilSide 4509 GTR is a Toyota Supra IV with an Identity Crisis 

Japanese tuners sure love breaking the mold and shocking people with their creations. Revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the 4509 GTR is the product of VeilSide, a Japan-based tuning firm established in 1990 by Yokomaku Hironao. It is based on a fourth generation Toyota Supra Turbo from 1993 and has received a complete makeover with the exterior design borrowing styling elements from the Bentley Continental with a hint of an Audi R8 here and there. The body parts are made out of carbon fiber and fiberglass, while the look is completed by the new black wheels sized 20-inches up front and 22-inches at the back. The alloys are wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza rubber, 255/30R20 at the front and 295/25R22 at the rear.
Inside, VeilSide's tune sees the addition of new sports seats upholstered in leather and diamond quilted alcantara, a sports steering wheel, modified instrument panel and more.
The 4509 GTR also benefits from a plethora of performance upgrades for the powertrain as well as the chassis. The Toyota Supra's twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine gets an HKS turbo kit complete with an intercooler and a variety of other mods, which help boost output to an impressive 680-horses at 6,250 rpm and 745 Nm or 594.5 lb-ft of peak torque. A new racing clutch, custom sports exhaust system, braking system and sports suspension round off the package. 

A Chrysler Sebring-Based Bentley Replica that could Actually Pass for its Inspiration 

Here’s a scary admission for you: I actually don’t mind the first generation Chrysler Sebring. It was sort of “Mustang-lite” in the styling department and is still a lot better looking than the latest incarnation of America’s middle-age spread, the almost universally despised third generation Sebring. And, as you no doubt know by now, here at Carscoop we love us some eBay-found Euro reskins of fifteen plus year old American cars. Today’s entrant is this, dare I say it, rather convincing replica of a 2009 Bentley Continental GT convertible or GTC based on a ’96 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Fashioned in ghetto / Saudi Arabian sheik white with the typical, so-not-a-Bentley blinger rims that’d make even Lil’ Jon a lil ill, our wanna-B (you see what I did there?) comes complete with 175,000 miles on the clock and a full fibreglass body.
Before it leaves the seller’s hands, he or she claims to be fitting new carpet, a new windscreen, new door mirrors and a custom dual exhaust with genuine Bentley tips. All the buyer needs to do, we are told, is reupholster the seats, install a Bentley dash and centre console and fit a new convertible top, a new sound system and a sat nav system. And et voilà, your very own Bentley - sort of.
You have to admit, US$21,100 (€16,302) isn’t half bad for something that looks this good. You could get a ’96 Sebring for a lot less, but who wants one of those? You certainly can’t pick up a second-hand Bentley for this sort of money, that’s for sure. So, what’s the verdict? Would you or wouldn’t you? Let us know in the comments.

Anderson Germany's Bentley GT Speed Elegance Edition 

Leaving no stone unturned, Anderson Germany has presented a new tuning take on the Bentley Continental GT Speed. Called the Elegance Edition, the package enhances the British grand tourer with number of performance and styling goodies.Exterior dress-up pieces include a carbon fiber bonnet with additional air intakes and a new boot lid made from the same lightweight material. Carbon fiber can also be found on the new front and rear bumpers, with the LED daytime running lights, side skirts and new chrome grilles up front completing the body kit which is limited to 150 pieces worldwide.
In the interior, the cabin has been decked out in carbon fiber trim while the seats are now finished in black leather with contrasting white stitching.
The Continental GT Speed leaves Bentley's factory in Crewe with a 610HP W12. Thanks to a series of modifications including software optimization, a new air filter and a sport exhaust system with additional Rennkats, output is lifted to 695-horsepower. A remote-controlled valve adjusting the exhaust that allows the driver to choose from three different noise levels is also part of the package.
Anderson Germany did not release pricing for the Elegance Edition.

New Bespoke Bentley Continental Flying Spur and Speed Series 51 Models 

First seen on the Continental GT and GTC, Bentley now offers the Series 51 design options – 14 in total – on the Continental Flying Spur and Speed. These range from duo-tone exterior paint options to new interior color and trim combinations. Also, all Continental Flying Spur and Supersports models are specified as standard with a "state-of-the-art" 30GB touchscreen infotainment system.Duo-tone means that, beside the main color applied to the body, there's also an accent color that runs from the bonnet to the boot lid..
Bentley says that the paint range "encompasses cool and crisp hues through to rich and fiery shades and everything in between", based on which additional three interior colors are selected to create a visual equilibrium between the exterior and the cabin.
Every Series 51 model also gets unique nine-spoke 19-inch alloys, finished in a cool graphite tone, complemented by Series 51 wing badges, positioned behind the front wheel arches. If that's still not enough, customers can specify their cars with blue brake calipers and black or chrome wing vents as well.
For the interior, Bentley's styling team operates on a "rule of three" principle; meaning that color and trim specialists begin with a main color, typically a darker shade, and then select a second, insert color. This is to provide an eye-catching contrast. Third is the accent color, which goes on the stitching and piping.
Series 51 interiors are made even more exclusive by specially chosen wood veneers and aluminum panels.
If a client doesn't find a suitable choice among the 14 available options of the Series 51, Bentley will be more than happy to create a new, bespoke one, as Melinda June-Jenkins explains:
"One of the most exciting aspects of the Series 51 designs is the feedback from Bentley customers and their desire to explore further what we can offer. Series 51 provides just a starting point and now we are creating designs which make an even stronger and more personal statement".
Last but not least, all Bentley Continental Flying Spur and Supersports coupe and convertible models are equipped with a new touchscreen infotainment system, with 30GB of capacity.
Audio system, telephone, ride and comfort settings are displayed on an 8-inch display, alongside navigation information. The GPS uses "dynamic navigation" to avoid heavy traffic spots and can locate destinations by using geo-tagged photos from an SD card.
Besides the six-disc CD changer, music can be played directly from an iPod, SD card and the hard drive, which can store up to 15GB of music.
Customers also benefit from telephone connectivity, digital television (where available) and DVD movie playback.

Bentley Releases New Photo Gallery of 2011 Continental GT Facelift 

 

We first saw the refreshed and re-powered 2011 Bentley Continental GT at last month's Paris International Motor Show, but today, the British automaker released a new batch of images. Judging by the Continental GT's license plates and the surroundings, the photo shoot appears to have taken place somewhere in the Middle East.In the Continental GT's most comprehensive facelift since its introduction in 2003, the luxury sports coupe has received a cosmetic makeover, heavily inspired by the new Mulsanne flagship. While signature styling cues remain, the 2011MY features a crispier design throughout, most noticeably at the front with the new grille and gemstone headlights.
Inside, the facelift brought a reshaped dashboard with a updated instrument panel and a new touch-screen interface for the audio and navigation systems.
The new Continental GT also benefits from changes under the hood, including a more potent version of the firm's 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 delivering 575-horsepower and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of peak torque. More importantly, in late 2011, Bentley will enhance the Continental GT's range with an all-new 8-cylinder engine, details of which will be released closer to the launch date.

Bentley Silver Wings Design Study for a Bugatti Veyron Rival 

At the 1999 Geneva Motorshow, Volkswagen Group-owned British carmaker Bentley showed a W16 powered supercar concept called the Hunaudières. It was a sleek, cab-forward design finished in British Racing Green and with more chrome than Ludacris' Escalade.Like so many concept cars, the Hunaudières never made it past being a one-off and Bentley consigned itself once more to making cars for wealthy Brits and Paris Hilton.
Now, two industrial design students from China's Tainjin Academy of Fine Arts, Shawn Wood and Guohua Cheng, have resurrected the Hunaudières in the form of a design study called the Bentley Silver [Filver in one pic, but we guess that was a mistake] Wings.
It's the usual hodgepodge of design elements from Aston Martin, Zonda, Saleen and Bentley of course, but it still has a certain charm about it.
I especially like the Eurofighter-esque foreplanes where the wing mirrors should be and the wheel arches / side profile that emulates the Bentley Speed 8 Le Mans car. It's not a hideous design by any means, just...more of the same.
Mr. Wood and Mr. Cheng have recently graduated and are looking for work; Subaru: you may want to take note.

Anderson Germany Introduces its Take on the Bentley Continental GT Supersports 

 

Tuning house Anderson Germany has the solution to anyone looking to upgrade their... dreadfully plain Bentley GT Supersports. Starting with the performance enhancements, the chief modification to the Bentley's inner works is the application of a tuning kit, which fits a reprogrammed ECU, sports air filters and a lighter valve controlled sports exhaust system with free-flow catalysts.The additions are good enough for an extra 65-ponies lifting the twin-turbocharged W12 engine's total output from 630HP to 695-horsepower.
Anderson Germany also developed a more aggressive looking body kit that includes, new front and rear aprons, side skirts, a boot lid spoiler and a rear diffuser. Production of the body kit is limited to 300 units. The kit is complemented by a new set of 22-inch alloy wheels coated in black and 285/30-22 high performance tires.
Interior touches include a mix of Alcantara and leather upholstery for the seats, door panels and steering wheel, plus heaps of decorative carbon fiber trim.

Bentley Releases Pricing for 2011 Continental GT before Paris Debut 

If you're interested in the redesigned 2011 Continental GT, you'll be happy to know that Bentley released pricing today and has confirmed that customer deliveries of the twin-turbocharged W12 model will start in the first quarter of 2011.Technical specs and pricing of the newly added base model, which is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 engine and will be available later in 2011, have not yet been announced.
Excluding delivery charges, for those of you living in the USA, the revised Conti' Coupe W12 will cost you $189,900 if you don't tick any option boxes. In Europe, the base pre-tax price is set at €154,600, while in the UK, pricing starts at £135,760 (including VAT).
Along with the refreshed exterior and interior styling, the 2011 Continental GT also benefits from a revised version of the firm's 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 delivering 575-horsepower and 700Nm or 516 lb-ft of peak torque allowing the coupe to burst from 0 to 60mph (96km/h) in 4.4 seconds reach a top speed of 198 mph or 318 km/h.
The Continental GT will its official public debut at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris tomorrow. For more details on the facelift, click here to read our previous post.

2011 CONTINENTAL GT – PRICING

POUNDS STERLING---£135,760
US DOLLAR-----------$189,900 MSRP
EURO------------------€154, 600
RENMINBI-------------¥3,500,000
YEN--------------------¥24,150,000
All prices are exclusive of delivery charges

• Pounds sterling pricing is inclusive of 20 % VAT (1 January, 2011)
• Euro prices do not include individual market taxation rates
• US Dollar pricing is exclusive of individual state taxes
• Additional market-specific pricing information will be released by Bentley Motors during October, 2010.