Thursday, July 30, 2009

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports Front Three Quarter 2

Engineering Drive: 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

Just weeks from now, Bentley will unveil its replacement for the Arnage, a rival to the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Yet at the other end of Bentley's spectrum, the new Continental Supersports is claimed to be a rival to the Ferrari 599.

Ferrari 599? That's a bold claim. The Supersports is, after all, a derivative of the Continental GT -- an overweight four-seat GT, not a lithe supercar. Well yes, but after an "engineering drive" of a late prototype, we can confirm the Continental Supersports has come a long way from your garden-variety Continental GT.

A rework of the twin-turbo engine sees peak power rise to 621 horsepower. The torque rises seven percent to 590 pound-feet, developed on a level line from 2500 rpm to 4000. And the engine doesn't have such a hard job: vehicle weight has fallen by 242 pounds.

Spy Shots: 2010 Bentley Arnage

have been revealed--along with some pictures taken from deep within a Bentley workshop.
2010 Bentley Arnage
The new car is expected to grow in size and stature; it may in fact be pitched as a head-on competitor for the Rolls-Royce Phantom sedan, though with a more sporting character.

At the same time, Rolls-Royce is planning a smaller Ghost sedan that will directly challenge the popular Bentley Continental range of coupes and sedans.

The new “Project Kimberly” Bentley sedan is said to be based off a heavily revised version of Audi’s modular platform. The new Arnage replacement will have a unique V-8 powertrain, rear-wheel drive, and an eight-speed automatic. Supercharging or twin-turbocharging is likely, with a final power output of about 550 hp in the works.

There's some chatter that the new car will share some structures with the upcoming Bugatti Royale sedan, and its W-16 quad-turbocharged engine. There's no confirmation on any technical details; Bugatti will in fact keep its new concept car off the Frankfurt auto show stage.

We'll be on the Frankfurt show floor and at Pebble Beach to bring you the latest from Bentley, Bugatti and Audi -- stay tuned.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Bentley Arnage Review

Bentley Arnage
Bentley Arnage
2009 Bentley Arnage Final Series Sedan Shown

Like the words "ye olde" and "thou art," the Bentley Arnage is a relic from a different British time. Its basic profile is none too different from 1980s Bentleys, while the twin-turbocharged V8 is derived from an engine originally designed in the 1950s. These are the fading visages of Bentley's past: one that is irrevocably tied to Rolls-Royce, but one that has been replaced by a high-tech future courtesy of Volkswagen's new ownership. But despite the introduction of the Continental Flying Spur, the Arnage is still Bentley's grand flagship and a super luxury sedan for those who lust after old-world lavishness and prodigious power without much concern for the latest engineering innovation.

Current Bentley Arnage

The Bentley Arnage is available in three trims: the regular Arnage R, the stretched-wheelbase Arnage RL and higher-performance Arnage T. All are powered by Bentley's venerable 6.75-liter V8, twin-turbocharged to produce massive power. That power is slightly more massive in the Arnage T, with 500 horsepower and an Earth-shaking 738 pound-feet of torque. With power flowing to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, the Arnage T is capable of zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The R and RL get by with 450 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque.

As a quarter-million-dollar British luxury sedan, it should come as no surprise that the Arnage comes loaded with creature comforts and copious amounts of wood and leather. Items like reclining rear seats, tri-zone climate control, DVD navigation, Bluetooth and park assist are modern touches that make this old-school motorcar a little more 21st-century friendly. Plus, bespoke options like special colors, materials, wheels, badging and entertainment systems allow a Bentley owner to meticulously create their dream car.

While there's no denying the Bentley Arnage is a beautiful automobile, it lacks the newer engineering, driving dynamics and higher levels of posh and prestige of its Rolls-Royce and Maybach competitors. True, those sedans are even more expensive, but if you can afford an Arnage, we have a sneaking suspicion you can also pony up a few more $10,000 bills for a Phantom or Maybach 57. It's also worth checking out Bentley's own Continental Flying Spur, which rings in about $50,000 cheaper, and features newer technology and design. Of course, these are all logical arguments against buying a Bentley Arnage, and when it comes to buying one of these super luxury automobiles, logic seldom has anything to do with it.

Past Bentley Arnage models

The Bentley Arnage was introduced in 1998 and gradual changes have been made over the years to make it more powerful and up-to-date in terms of high-tech creature comforts. It most recently received power, transmission and styling changes for 2007.

When the Arnage arrived, Rolls-Royce and Bentley were still partners. Initially, it was powered by a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged V8, but when Volkswagen purchased Bentley in 1999, the bosses in Wolfsburg were loath to continue lining their Bavarian competitors' pockets (especially after BMW swiped Rolls-Royce from under VW's nose). Bentley loyalists also never warmed to the German engines, preferring Bentley's torquey old 6.75-liter turbo V8. By 2001, all Arnages were indeed powered by this engine, albeit thoroughly updated by Volkswagen's engineers.

Initially, the Bentley Arnage was available in Green Label and Red Label trim levels, whose differences mainly related to the engine. The Green Label disappeared after 2000, while the Red Label was replaced by the Arnage R for 2002. The latter featured the modern safety equipment, suspension modifications and recalibrated twin-turbo V8 of the Arnage T introduced a year earlier. The R and T differed in power outputs, however. The long-wheelbase RL arrived for 2003, while there were significant exterior styling changes made to all Arnages for 2005.

2010 Bentley Azure T

The 2010 Bentley Azure T This Bentley release is perfect for those who want a Rolls Royce luxury but want to be on the driver seat.

The Azure is an addition to the range of T variants by the car manufacturer that gave us the Arnage. The Azure T gets the same power plant under its hood, a 6.8L V8 with twin turbo coupled with a ZF six speed automatic transmission. This car can certainly blaze on the road with 500 horse power with a torque of 732 lb-ft.

The Azure T sprints from 0-60 mph in a matter of 5.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 179 mph. Comparing the Azure to the Arnage, the older car is slower than 0.4 second and has a lower output at 450hp.

The Bentley Azure T has the power to match other sports car on the road but also has the stylish look of a convertible. As expected, the car manufacturer offers a superb interior for very discerning Bentley owners. For this release, buyers have an option to choose from 8 accent woods and customize the cushy insides from 25 leathers to pick from.

The body and the suspension system is a carry over from the Azure featuring coil springs, double wish bones, and electro-hydraulic shocks. The Azure T is also fitted with brake calipers considered to be the biggest in the market today. The high tech carbon-silicon carbide system gives enough slow down and stop control over the heavy car.

The Azure T will go on sale come Fall of 2009 with a tag of at least $350,000.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Pop Art Bentley Continental GT

Pop Art Bentley

We’ve seen several designer cars over the years, some of the have worked better than others. Brazilian artist Romero Britto has decided to create a one-off piece for his “Come to my World” exhibition in Berlin, Germany. When the exhibition is over, the car will be auctioned off to raise funds for two charities.

The car itself is a static prototype built by Bentley in 2003 and donated to Romero Britto for the exhibition. The idea behind the car is to put a smile on people’s faces.

Romano was quoted as saying: “It (Bentley Continetal GT) is the most beautiful and elegant car in the world. The lines of the new design are perfect to paint as a clean canvas.”

He received a great deal of co-operation from the UK based company who donated the car to the exhibition. The Bentley can be seen at the Automobil Forum Unter den Linden from July 10 until September 6.

The car will be auctioned off in aid of the Nathalie Todenhöfer Foundation for multiple sclerosis and Best Buddies, a charity for the mentally challenged.

2010 Bentley GTC Speed talk with wind

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.
Doing anything to make the GTC a more engaging or – dare we say – a better vehicle, is like getting a letter from the man above telling you that Heaven is now 43% improved. Angels have bigger wings and more melodious songs, and the flowing milk and honey is now organic. What do you do with that? In the case of the GTC Speed, we felt it our duty to drive it as hard as possible – a job we're all too happy to tackle. But like that better heaven, the experience is difficult to relate.



No singular element of the hotted-up GTC is magical. Instead, it's about creating a comprehensively improved package. The Speed versions aren't merely badge jobs, they're the culmination of a methodical, holistic approach to advancement. And stylistically, the alterations are subtle – or as subtle as anything with a flying "B" can be. Some would say Bentley's Speed lineup doesn't distinguish itself enough from its non-Speed siblings, but a closer inspection reveals the details are obvious, assuming you know what to look for.

The grille is more upright and square, the lower intake is reshaped, and the mesh benefits from a slightly darker tint. If you absolutely need a chrome grille, it's yours as a no-cost option and the chrome bezels surrounding the headlamps tie it together. In back, you'll find a new rear spoiler that rises to attention during high-speed maneuvers, and below that are wider, twin-rifled exhaust tips and a black lower bumper valance. The only obvious indication that you optioned up your GTC to the hilt comes on the sill plates, which simply read "Speed." Otherwise, there's that delicious three-spoke steering wheel, drilled alloy pedals, and knurled chrome and leather shift lever.



Beneath the aesthetic details, the car has been reengineered. In fact, some of those aesthetic details assist the engineering: the revised front grille improves airflow by 14% to the 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12. The engine, which is under new management, spins more freely thanks to lower friction, lighter-weight components that includes a new crankcase design, camshaft chain, pistons and connecting rods, all of which are covered with a manifold finished in crackle black.

The GTC Speed also hunkers lower by 10 mm in front and 15 mm in back on a redesigned suspension. Specific settings for the springs, dampers, and anti-roll bar were reworked for around-town comfort, and the Continuous Damping Control works to minimize the rolling of that prodigious body. The power steering has been tuned for better feedback (it's still a bit too light for our Rolex-free wrists), and actual response is meant to be enhanced by stiffer rear axle bushings.

Since the point of having more is to be able to do more with it, the GTC Speed's electronic stability program intervenes progressively, and permits more wheelspin when set on Dynamic.



Beyond the standard engineering flourishes are optional touches that, naturally, are both over-the-top and over-the-top expensive. The optional carbon ceramic brakes measure in at 16.5-inches in front, 14-inches out back. The front brakes are an inch larger than those on the Bugatti Veyron, making them the largest discs you can get on a production car. Bentley will tack on another $17,840 to the bill as larger wheels and tires are required to accommodate the upgraded stoppers. Adaptive cruise control is $3,040. A satin paint finish in light or dark gray is $32,360. And the list goes on and on...

But money isn't your concern if you're shopping for a GTC Speed. Luxury is. The Speed gets the Mulliner spec with its diamond-quilted hides, and those massaging seats feel so good that cows likely stood in line to offer up their hides. Bentley's in-dash control system is slowly creeping up on modernity, with fully-integrated iPod and Bluetooth connectivity (at a cost, mind you), but it's still not something we enjoy fiddling with. The aurally concussive, 1,100-watt Naim audio system can be heard from the mesosphere, but be forewarned: Put the wrong track on at the wrong volume, and you'll discover that the volume knob is the gatekey to blown eardrums and rattle nerves.



But obviously, the GTC Speed is more than just a faultless operating theater, a few cosmetic tweaks and a rejiggered suspension. This is a 600-horsepower convertible with 553 lb-ft of torque, capable of running to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 200 mph with the roof up or 195 mph topless. It's the most powerful convertible Bentley has ever made, which is like NASA saying "This is the most powerful Space Shuttle we've ever made. And new for this year, you can have it in Aquamarine or Blue Crystal." But you wouldn't...

Bentley describes the GTC Speed's handling as "agile." And it is. But how the crew from Crewe manipulated the GTC's composure is compelling. Weighing in at 5,478 pounds, the Speed is just 200 pounds shy of a Toyota Landcruiser and just five inches shorter than ToMoCo's off-road titan. In order to create some semblance of handling, we can only assume Bentley kidnapped the muse Agility, strong-armed her into the car, put a well-oiled Walther PPK to her temple and said, "You'll give me everything you've got!" The result is a vehicle that's agile, but it overcomes every natural force in the world to do so.

Massive speed is a blink away. Massive braking, when the ceramic stoppers are cold, comes on even a bit too soon - herky jerky is on the menu until you've worked them in. Once they've had time to warm up and stretch out, the pedal loosens and the GTC delivers clean, linear decelerations.



Assault a corner – and it is an assault – and the GTC Speed responds like the finest English butler: everything is put on hold, including physics and maybe even reason, so it can fulfill your orders. It doesn't care that it's too big, too heavy or too plush to perform the desired maneuver. And frankly, it doesn't care that your requests could border on the immoral. This is what you have asked. And it will deliver... sir. Can you go too far? Of course. But the penalty is a mild case of understeer, and you do have the largest brakes in the world and a tsunami of torque to bring you back. And if you go too far for even that – and that's a terribly long way off – well, we wish you the best in the afterlife... but you probably deserved it.

The GTC Speed has been described as being made for "customers who demand a more focused, open-top driving experience." But let's put "more focus" in perspective: The GTC delivers even more power and poise, physics be damned. It's just as roomy, but its leather isn't diamond-stitched unless you pay extra. The GTC has new, low-friction dampers, but not the suite of engineering changes found on the GTC Speed. But as we said before: the GTC is already ludicrously, impossibly, bafflingly able.



The GTC is phenomenal. Yes, the GTC Speed is more phenomenal, but in the difference between the GTC and the GTC Speed, we're really talking slivers here. They just happen, however, to be slivers of heaven. Fittingly, that sliver will run you nearly $40,000 – the GTC Speed starts at $237,695 – but living a nasty, short, and brutish life in a cruel, cruel world, every little extra bit of heaven counts, no?

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Bentley Continental GTC Speed

Fresh from their assembly lines, Bentley will reveal to the auto world the newest member of the Speed range of Continental GTC during the Detroit Auto Show.

The new GTC Speed boast of a more powerful beast under its hood, a 600 horse power with 553 lb-ft torque 6.0L twin turbocharged engine. Over its older sibling, this version of GTC Speed is stronger by 48 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque.

bentley continental gtc speed

The newest member of the Speed portfolio is the most powerful Bentley convertible to date. It can zoom from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a blink of 4.5 seconds. Its top speed when its roof is retracted is 195 mph. It can blaze on the road at 200 mph when it is closed.

Bentley Continental GTC Speed, side
Red Interior Bentley Continental GTC Speed

The standard release of the new version is equipped with a better steering system that responds faster. Ride quality is also improved a lot with minimal friction design of the dampeners. The bushings of the rear axle were also made stiffer and the total ride hide made lower to further enhance performance.

2007 Bentley Continental GT tuned by LEW

Mix five parts Bentley, one part Bugatti, one part Ferrari, and stir. Then dump your $356,000 exotic down the drain.

Aftermarket replicas have officially moved upmarket. We've all seen-and infinitely mocked-Fieros that have been converted to look like Ferraris, and last week we even saw a Lincoln Town Car turned Rolls-Royce Phantom circling the Detroit Metro Airport. Yeah, pretty hot. Apparently, German tuner LEW is worried that the replica market is not reaching out to tasteless buyers with more money than they deserve. What you see here is a Bentley Continental GT featuring a Bugatti hood and horseshoe grille shoved between Audi Q7 headlights, with Ferrari-like rear end grafted on for good measure. LEW's 100-horsepower boost for the Conti's W-12 can't outrun this car's ugliness. Unveiled at the Essen motor show, the car-called Big Bang-will cost European buyers 270,000 euro, or approximately $356,000, or a little over double the price of the gorgeous Continental GT the Big Bang is based on. We're excited for LEW to get their greasy paws on a Bugatti Veyron. Maybe they could make a fighter jet body kit, strap in a jet engine, and charge a few wealthy idiots ten million euros to crash one into a tree. As long as they don't make it look like a space shuttle; that would just be tacky.

Bentleys are now Environmentally Friendly



The super luxury cars don’t have to be green (i.e., environmently friendly). Why should they? There's just too few in demand compared to the millions of vehicles for the lesser masses.


Still, some exotic car makers make the gesture. Take Bentley for example. The automaker has announced that the materials it uses to make its Continentals are 85 percent recyclable. And these cars have a recovery rate of 95 percent.

One of Bentley’s newest models, the W12 Continental Superspports, has a top speed of 204 mph and generates 621 horsepower. It is the most powerful and fastest production car Bentley has ever had. Yet it can be powered by regular gasoline or E85.

Bentley said that all of its models will be able to burn flex fuels by 2012. Finally, the company plans to develop an engine which uses 40 percent less fuel by 2012.

By the way, bet you didn’t know that 70 percent of all Bentleys ever made are still in existence. Course, they are in the hands of collectors and museums.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Buy a Home, Get a Free Bentley

Bentley

225 Liverpool Drive (Google Maps)
A Cardiff homeowner desperate to sell his house has decided to take a new approach.

"We're going to add in a bonus to the person who buys the house," said Bob Lehman. "We're going to throw in a dream car."

The dream car is a 2007 Bentley convertible with fewer than 15,000 miles on it. Lehmen said it was the first Bentley in San Diego and he paid more than $200,000 for it. Now it's free -- with the purchase of his home.

He was asking more than $2,000,000 for the home but now the asking price has gone down just under $1.8 million.

The 4,371 square foot home includes 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, an extra-large finished basement with additional full kitchen, media room, two-car garage and covered back patio. It's very modern with a view of the ocean.

There will be a public open house on Sunday August 2nd from Noon to 3 pm. It's located at 525 Liverpool Drive (take Interstate 5 to the Birmingham exit).

New Grand Bentley--the new Arnage--spy photos emerge

New Grand Bentley
Grand Bentley than the teaser photos the British carmaker has provided. The British automobile publication’s spy photog came up with at least a half dozen photographs of the giant economy size Bentley. Well, not economy-sized unless you mean the economies of several third world countries we could name.

The photos, of which we’ve provided a teaser cropping of our own, show a very large sedan, said to be 30cm (almost a foot) longer than the already, um, sizeable Arnage, which measures 212 inches stem to stern. The New Grand Bentley, according to AutoCar, will not be offered in an extended length version. Of course not. The standard length version of the New Grand Bentley is longer than the current stretch Arnage.

As we recently mentioned, the New Grand Bentley will have a 6.75-liter V-8 rated at 550 hp which AutoCar believes should be sufficient to bully the big square-rigged Bentley to 200 mph. We can only imagine the tires that would require, not to mention the shockwave that formal Bentley grille would make, wailing by at double the ton.

We’ll get a full unfettered look at the New Grand Bentley—Bentley won’t confirm a name but AutoCar is calling it the Arnage—on August 16 when the big sedan (or saloon, if you will) debuts at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance in Pebble. Watch this space. And for the AutoCar article,

Bentley may adopt engine cutoff technology

Bentley, Volkswagen AG's British luxury brand, is planning to use cylinder cutoffs in the next generation of its top-of-the-line model, the Arnage.

The cutoff technology is designed to sharply reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by closing off individual combustion chambers when they are not needed -- say, at cruising speeds.

Bentley Arnage

The next-generation Bentley Arnage will use engine cutoff technology designed to reduce fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions. A current Arnage is shown.

(Credit: Automotive News)

The next-generation Arnage will be presented at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

In addition to Bentley, others working on engines with cylinder cutoffs are Audi and AMG, the Mercedes-Benz in-house customizer. Those engines soon will go into production.

Separately, Bentley turned to an innovative forming technology that uses superheated air and high tool pressure to shape the Arnage's curvaceous bodywork.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

2011 Grand Bentley - Car News


For some time now, Bentley has been reassuring inquiring minds that its current luxury sedan, the Arnage, would soldier on in the old-money market until 2013. But now we learn that its end will come much sooner.

What the replacement steamer will be—and what it will be called—Bentley will most likely reveal at the concours d’élégance in Pebble Beach in mid-August. Meantime, the Arnage has already entered its “final series” stage, with the last 150 cruisers currently selling down, a formidable task in these times.

The Arnage sprung to life in 1998 as a sister model to the discontinued Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph. Both models were developed in the ’90s after BMW purchased the iconic British automaker.

Before VW took command of Bentley and BMW got the Rolls franchise, both marques had been made by Rolls-Royce. Soon thereafter, VW managed to transfer the old Rolls-Royce/Bentley 6.8-liter V-8 (which dates to 1959) from the Bentley Turbo R and Continental R into the Arnage. The Arnage with the BMW-sourced, turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 became the Green Label, while the big engine gave the Arnage the Red Label badging. Green Label sales slowed to a trickle, and VW eventually put it out to pasture.

What we will see at Pebble Beach is the long-awaited new flagship that will replace the big, formal Arnage. Provisionally dubbed the “Grand Bentley” (it’s also called “Project Kimberly”), the new model will stand on its own dedicated platform because stretching an existing Volks­wagen Group platform wouldn’t do.

While the concept car will arrive in California powered by the old, twin-turbo 6.8-liter unit, the powertrain will be overhauled for the production model. The 6.8-liter V-8 will be updated and heavily redesigned to conform to EU5 and EU6 emission regulations as well as North American rules—according to a source, only the turbo­chargers will carry over. Power should be in excess of 600 horses, and that should allow the Bentley to easily outrun its rival, the naturally aspirated, 453-hp V-12–powered Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The Bentley’s body and structure will be unique, but we expect the rest of the car to use more than a few components from the VW Group’s premium parts bin, including the electronic architecture and various drivetrain components.

The car’s body, with its classic upright grille crowned by a hood ornament, reveals a conservative approach. Some early proposals had a sloping, sporty grille similar to the Continental GT and Flying Spur models’. But Bentley doesn’t want to take many styling risks. The Arnage replacement will have a rather “fast” roof, however, with a sloping, aerodynamic line and a short trunklid.

The new luxury car should go on sale some time next summer. With the Arnage on its way out and the economy on the ropes, it can’t hurt to get the buzz going early.

Sliding Sales

Bentley’s sales, like those of all luxury brands, have taken a serious hit since we entered the economic stall in which we’re currently mired. The graphs below demonstrate how bad it is. But as recently as 2003, before the launch of the Continental line, Bentley was selling only about 1000 cars per year. Even at the current annual pace of nearly 4400 sales worldwide, Bentley will still sell four times as many cars as it did in 2003 and more than four times as many cars as rival Rolls-Royce. Replacing the long-in-the-tooth Arnage should allow Bentley to maintain and possibly grow its lead over the competition.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

details on next Bentley Continental

The next generation of Bentley’s volume model due to arrive in 2011 year.

Styling is once again directed by Dirk van Braeckel. Switching from a Volkswagen Phaeton to an Audi A8 front axle allows for a shorter front overhang and results in a longer wheelbase for the coupe; the track is wider as well. The larger footprint yields a roomier rear seat and trunk.

A mix of aluminum spaceframe and conventional steel helps shave some 400 pounds, dropping the curb weight of the coupe to about 4800 pounds. The big W-12 engine returns in upgraded form, now paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Expect 580 hp and 515 lb-ft of torque for the standard cars, 650 hp and 590 lb-ft for the Speed models. Later, a 4.2-liter turbo-diesel V-8 (375 hp, 590 lb-ft) could join the lineup, and a plug-in hybrid is also possible.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

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Bentley Motors will hold unique parts sale

 Bentley MotorsBentley Motors will open its doors for a unique sale of parts and accessories for Bentley and Rolls-Royce vehicles, some dating from the 1950s, at its warehouse in Crewe, England in September.

The company will offer the parts to professional traders, vehicle owners and enthusiasts on September 26 and 27, 2009. The parts include everything from V8 engine blocks and transmissions to light bulbs or handbooks.

Bentley holds over 55,000 part lines for all Bentley models from 1955 on, and for Rolls-Royce cars built in Crewe from 1955 to 2002. The sale will enable the automaker to create additional space for parts and accessories for its upcoming vehicles.

“Even Bentley employees describe our parts and accessories operation as a ‘gold mine’ and are slightly overawed by the sheer number and variety of parts and accessories we can supply,” said Steve O’Hara, director of aftersales. “However, with so many Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars enjoying far longer lives than a typical vehicle, and owners seeking to keep them in the best possible condition, we need to be able to support these customers and many more generations of owners. We take real pride in being able to provide anything from a humble speedometer cable through to replacement body panels anywhere in the world.”

During the sale, a range of Bentley’s factory-trained experts will be on-site to provide advice on identifying and sourcing the correct parts for their cars. All items will be clearly catalogued and displayed by model type. All parts available will be original and unused, backed with a manufacturer’s warranty, and with many in branded packaging. Bentley’s official logistics partner will also attend to help customers who need their parts shipped.

The Grand Bentley

 BentleyBentley has released a new teaser video confirming the Concours D’Elegance introduction of their all-new Grand Bentley. Called Project Kimberley internally, the new car will use the next generation of Bentley’s petrol-fueled 6.75-liter V8 engine, which will produce over 550 horsepower and up to 800 ft-lb of torque. This should allow the all-wheel drive limo to reach a top speed of about 200 mph (320 km/h). Eventually, the company may also release diesel and hybrid models of the vehicle.

In the 40-second video we really only get to see two shots of the car, and two shots of the mascot that will adorn the Grand Bentley’s hood. The angle used at the front-end confirms a car with a bold, square look, a hood that is raised in the middle, and light-colored mesh grille. At the back, the car appears to have a longer boot, creating a boxier shape than the Continental.

Bentley Goes All Craigslist On Us

BentleyIf you're having trouble finding the correct boot-lid badge for your Bentley--or any other part--the factory feels your pain. And they want to help.

For two days, September 26 and 27, the storied marque is having what can only be called a garage sale. Or as the Brits might say, an autojumble. Bentley itself calls it a "one-off parts and accessories sales fair," to be held at its warehouse outside Crewe.

Bentley Motors needs to make space in its 143,000-square-foot building for parts and accessories for new models, including the 2010 Arnage replacement that will debut on August 16 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California.

So the company is offering auto specialists and Bentley owners the chance to buy "anything from a V8 engine block or replacement gearbox right through to an indicator bulb or a pristine, beautifully illustrated 1950s handbook."

Bentley says it has more than 55,000 part lines for Bentleys made starting in 1955 (as well as Rolls-Royce cars built at Crewe), which represents an astounding 7 million new parts. Given the longevity of the cars, the factory takes "real pride in being able to provide anything from a humble speedometer cable through to replacement body panels anywhere in the world."

New Bentley teaser picture

Bentley teaser picture

Bentley has released a new picture of the replacement for the Arnage — and Autocar can reveal that the new flagship’s styling will feature dramatic proportions and an unusual twin-headlight arrangement.

Due to be unveiled at next month’s Pebble Beach concours in California, the new car’s striking headlamps are a dominant feature of its styling.

A pair of large circular LED headlamps are positioned high and close to the expansive chromed grille surround.

Sited lower down and towards the outer edge of the nose are a pair of driving lamps, a layout that nods towards Bentleys from the past.

Below the grille is a chromed lower air intake that echoes the new styling theme of Bentley parent VW. It runs the full width of the nose to emphasise the stance of the “Grand Bentley”, as the car is currently known.

Sticking with a 5m-plus length, the new Bentley will feature a lower roofline and softer body sections

than its main rival, the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

To maintain Bentley’s sportier brand positioning, the new Bentley’s window area is understood to be relatively shallow, which lends a rakish look to the styling.

Its rear doors hinge conventionally, unlike the coach doors of the Phantom. The bodywork is all new and understood to feature a mix of steel and alloy componentry, with expensive but unseen technology such as the wiring loom, air conditioning and switch bases sourced from the VW parts bin.

The engine will continue to be a turbocharged 6.75-litre V8, but the significant componentry is new, ousting parts that can trace their ancestry back to 1949 when Rolls-Royce/Bentley designed the engine that powers the Arnage.

What's the Arnage's new name?

To emphasise that the car is new from the ground up, Bentley will ditch the Arnage name. The new name may be lifted from the history books but, whatever its inspiration, it will have to convey a major move upmarket.

The price will increase, too. It will take the flagship Bentley closer to the Rolls Phantom, with a price will over £200,000.

Bentley Continental Supersports impresses at Goodwood

Bentley Continental Supersports

The Bentley Continental Supersports, the fastest and most powerful car in the company’s 90-year history, received the ultimate examination of its supercar handling and performance credentials when Le Mans racing legend and honorary ‘Bentley Boy’ Derek Bell spent the weekend driving the 621bhp Bentley at pace during the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The muscular two-seater, which delivers a 0-60mph sprint time of just 3.7 seconds and a maximum top speed of 204mph, produced a series of searing runs up the Goodwood Hill with Bell regularly pushing the car well-over the 100mph mark on a highly challenging course renowned for its narrow road and succession of tight corners and bends.

Designed and built at Bentley’s Crewe headquarters, the Continental Supersports combines extreme performance with the pioneering use of FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector. The 6-litre W12 twin-turbocharged engine is capable of running on either petrol, E85 biofuel or any combination of these fuel sources.

Bentley treasures to go on sale


The sales fair will let Bentley create extra space for parts and accessories for upcoming cars like the Continental Supersports.

Bentley Motors holds over 55,000 part lines for all Bentley models (1955 onwards), as well as Rolls-Royce cars built at the warehouse in Crewe (1955-2002) - equating to seven million items.

People will be able to buy anything from a replacement gearbox or V8 engine block to an indicator bulb or illustrated 1950s handbook at the sale on September 26-27.

All the parts available will be original and unused, backed with a manufacturer warranty and many provided in branded packaging.

Experts will offer visitors advice on sourcing the correct parts for their car and Bentley's logistics partner will also attend the weekend event to support any customers needing parts to be shipped.

Bentley to hold a jumble sale


The sale is of Bentley and Rolls-Royce parts and accessories, and items for sale range from engine blocks and gearboxes to indicator bulbs and handbooks, all of them original and in branded packaging with a manufacturer warranty.

Steve O’Hara, Bentley’s director of aftersales, said: "Even our employees describe our parts and accessories operation as a ‘goldmine’ and we are slightly overawed by the sheer number and variety of parts and accessories we can supply.

"It is very rare for us to be able to open the doors like this so we hope that Bentley and Rolls-Royce aficionados will make the most of the opportunity."

Bentley prepares parts sell-off

Bentley

Bentley Motors is to make its entire back catalogue of parts and accessories available for sale.

The luxury car maker keeps some 7 million Rolls-Royce and Bentley parts in a warehouse near its Crewe factory.

The sale should clear space for parts for current models, Bentley's Richard Durbin told the BBC.

Bentley has halted production in recent months in response to falling sales, but Mr Durbin said the parts sale was not related to any commercial problems.

'Open day'

Bentley image
Parts for cars made after 1955 will be included in the sale

The parts will be offered for sale to enthusiasts, owners and professional traders at a one-off event on 26 and 27 September.

"We want to create better awareness of the fact that we are in a position to look after their cars," said Mr Durbin.

As such, the sale could be seen as a "friendly open day", said Mr Durbin. "It's about 'come and see what we've got'," he said.

In addition to some 55,000 part lines for Bentleys produced since 1955, the sale will also include parts for Rolls-Royce cars produced at Crewe between 1955 and 2002.