Sunday, December 27, 2009

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

200 mph Bentley: Big , Fast, Luxurious

The 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports is the fastest and most luxurious Bentley to date.

It is a car that can be used every day as a luxury sport cruiser. This Bentley weighs just below 5000 pounds and has 621 horsepower but can still do the note to sixty in just 3.7 seconds.

The car is finished with black on black and black wheels which gives it a seriously stealth look.

Leno is a huge Bentley Enthusiast with many of them in his collection. Here is Jay Leno's take on the car in the video below.

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

200 mph Bentley: Big , Fast, Luxurious

The 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports is the fastest and most luxurious Bentley to date.

It is a car that can be used every day as a luxury sport cruiser. This Bentley weighs just below 5000 pounds and has 621 horsepower but can still do the note to sixty in just 3.7 seconds.

The car is finished with black on black and black wheels which gives it a seriously stealth look.

Leno is a huge Bentley Enthusiast with many of them in his collection. Here is Jay Leno's take on the car in the video below.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

2011 Bentley Mulsanne

2011 Bentley Mulsanne
2011 Bentley Mulsanne

When it comes to Bentleys, new models are a big deal, simply because the automaker's portfolio is so exclusive. The aging Arnage has been with us for quite some time now, and now the new Grand Bentley, the 2011 Mulsanne, has been revealed. The official debut took place at this past weekend's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, but the full details of the Mulsanne will not be released until next month's Frankfurt Motor Show.

As of this writing, we know that the Mulsanne will be powered by some sort of V-8 engine when it goes on sale in mid-2010. Bentley says that this car is "neither an evolution of revision" of the Arnage, and that it was inspired by the original eight-liter Bentley of 1930-31, which at the time, was conceived as the world's largest and most luxurious automobile.

We're sure that the Mulsanne will be nothing short of elegant, in true Bentley fashion, and we'll have the full details from next month's Frankfurt show. In the meantime, click through the post to read all of the details that Bentley has released at this time.

Monday, December 21, 2009

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports Review

2010 Bentley Continental SupersportsThe Continental Supersports was delivered by my good friend Brad and it looked sensational and yet unobtrusive. Whereas a Rolls –Royce would have looked completely out of place the Bentley was just fine among the Porsches, Jaguars and its elder sister a 1993 Bentley owned by our neighbors. It was no great surprise that seconds after I’d parked my phone was ringing.

Can we take it for a spin please asked the owner of the “other” Bentley. Well, I didn’t need too much persuading. One slight problem rose immediately. We live in a 25 mph zone with nice but strict policemen patrolling day and night.

So off we went to an airport where son Nicholas joined us. I know it wasn’t quite the same as the Nurburgring but at least we could all do some acceleration and brake tests without getting huge tickets. And while there wasn’t quite enough room to hit the magic 200 miles per hour the Bentley is capable of, we did see the needle on a steady 170, fast enough ,I think ,for most of us.

The Supersports is aimed at Aston’s stunningly beautiful V12 DBS and Ferrari’s legendary 599 GTB. I am fortunate to have driven all three and luckily –or unluckily-my finances stop me from having to make the choice. For sheer beauty the convertible Aston DBS cannot be beaten. It also has that special ingredient, the James Bond connection. The Ferrari 599 GTB is the top of the Ferrari tree and trees don’t come much taller than that . Whether some people would find the engine sound too much on a long run depends on how much you enjoy listening to it. With the 599 Ferrari can justly claim that a certain Michael Schumacher had a hand in sorting out the handling . On a scale of 1-10 he is a 15.

As for the Bentley, well, there is no doubt that it is very much in contention for top awards. The minute you open the –very heavy-doors you are reminded of Ferrari’s Enzo. The beautifully trimmed two-tone leather and Alcantara seats complete with side bolsters are seriously inviting.

Bentley have removed the rear seats to save some weight and for the same reason they’ve also removed the electric seat-adjusting mechanism. No big deal, you pull a lever, adjust the seat and that’s that.

As for the engine, just press the button and you know you are in supercar country. Burble, burble and ready to go. You can just pop it into D for drive which will see off most other cars or into S for Sport in which case you won’t see anyone other than the cop waiting some way ahead with one of those unfriendly carpets across the road full of nails having been alerted by the whirly bird, just about the only thing that can keep up with you.

The obligatory paddle shifts are totally misplaced. These are not on the steering wheel and therefore pretty useless except on a straight road.

Handling is terrific especially in an automobile weighing 4,850 pounds. The ceramic discs are the size of the biggest pizza you’ve ever seen and the stopping power is nothing short of amazing. The four-wheel drive has a 40-60 rear wheel bias which again works just fine.

Ulrich Eichhorn, Bentley’s Head of Engineering is an accomplished racing driver so the result is an extremely fast and rare car. When I tested it there were only 4 in the United States.

Is it worth 300 thousand dollars? That really does depend on just how selfish you are. You cannot even take your children for a spin because there are no back seats just lots and lots of luggage room. More than in the 599 and the Aston put together.

Oh, by the way, as the seats don’t adjust upwards-unless it was just me who couldn’t figure it out- you have to put a cushion under your wife if she is only 5 foot three like my good lady. She couldn’t see a thing. Not a great selling point at 300 big ones. Is it an overkill? Is it an engineering tour de force? Probably. If you would like to buy one I would suggest the somewhat less exotic version, namely the Bentley Continental. Just as beautiful, a lot more comfortable, vastly more practical and as you are cruising from Sun Valley to San Francisco you can have two smiling little Johnnies in the back. Talk about brownie points!

Bentley Continental Supersports Technical Specs
ENGINEEngine Capacity5998ccMax. Power621bhp / 630 PS / 463kW @ 6000rpmMax.Torque800Nm, 590 lb-ft @ 2000-4500rpmCompression Ratio9.0:1Emission LevelEU4 / LEV2Fuel98 (95) RON
DRIVELINE AND TRANSMISSION
Continuous all-wheel drive
40/60 front/rear torque split
zf 6-speed automatic transmission
Quickshift
PERFORMANCE
Max. Speed 204mph / 329km/h
Acceleration 0 - 60mph 3.7 seconds
Acceleration 0 - 100km/h 3.9 seconds
* Power rating based on 98 RON fuel
FUEL CONSUMPTION
EU DRIVE CYCLE
Urban 11.3mpg 25.0 litres/100km
Extra-Urban 24.8mpg 11.4 litres/100km
Combined 17.3mpg 16.3 litres/100km
Co2 emissions (combined) 388g/km
EPA DRIVE CYCLE
City Driving 13 USmpg
Highway Driving 23.8 USmpg
WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES
Kerbweight 2240kg 4940lb
Gross Vehicle Weight 2750kg 6060 lb
Front Axle Weight 1433kg 3160 lb
Rear Axle Weight 1317kg 2900 lb
Boot Volume 370L 0.37m3 (13.1cu-ft)
Fuel tank capacity 90L 19.8 Gallons / 23.8 US Gallons

Friday, December 18, 2009

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

2010 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS Car Wallpapers
The 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports, which will roar into the 2009 Geneva Auto Show next week, sounds like the ultimate automotive oxymoron. It's the fastest and most powerful Bentley ever, but it also gives a nod to the green movement, since it can run on gasoline or E85 — or any combination of the two.

The Continental Supersports is equipped with a 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbocharged engine that produces 621 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Bentley said the car sprints from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 204 mph. Engineers were able to achieve a weight reduction of 243 pounds versus the Continental GT Speed. Bentley said that the car's standard carbon-ceramic brakes are the "largest and most powerful brakes ever fitted to a production car."

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley Continental Supersports
2010 Bentley Continental Supersports
2010 Bentley Continental Supersports


The Bentley Continental Supersports is the fastest car Bentley makes.

The 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports may be the most extreme example of sport luxury available today, putting mere BMWs to shame, but its navigation system is terrible. The maps are very low resolution and, stored on a DVD, are slow to refresh and calculate routes. This navigation system lacks all but the most basic features, with no external data feeds or text to speech. It really doesn't belong in this car.

Let that rest as our main criticism so we can get to the good stuff, which is just about everything else.

Bentley has offered several variations of its Continental coupe since its introduction in 2003, but the Supersports model exhibits the purest level of performance. Bentley tweaked the already massive engine for more power, fitted wheels with big carbon ceramic brakes, and shed 243 pounds of weight, most notably by removing the rear seat.

And you really don't want a rear seat in this car, as you would resent any passengers back there for being a drag on performance, while they would unfriend you on Facebook for being relegated to such cramped quarters.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Bentley Continental Supersports with E85 biofuel

Bentley Continental Supersports
Bentley Continental Supersports



The new Continental Supersports, the first Bentley to use FlexFuel technology which enables it to run on E85 biofuel, gasoline or any combination of these two fuels, has further underlined its green credentials by meeting the 85% recyclability standard (95% for recoverability) demanded of all the Bentley Continental range.

In May 2009 Bentley received the official recycling pre-certification (in accordance with the EU Directive 2005/64/EG) from the German Motor Transport Authority (KBA) - thereby becoming one of the first luxury car manufacturers to attain this standard.

Type approval then followed from TÜV, the independent testing and certification service supplier, and now, with the addition of the Continental Supersports to this certification, the entire Bentley Continental range meets this exacting standard. The certificate, which is only awarded after detailed independent scrutiny of the car, assures the fact that virtually all the Continental's materials can be reused or reprocessed by other industries.

The Crewe-built Supercar, which is now arriving in Bentley showrooms, is the most extreme production car in the company's 90-year history. Capable of reaching 204 mph (329km/h), it is also the lightest road-going Bentley having shed some 110kg through a broad programme of weight reduction involving the innovative use of new materials such as carbon ceramics and carbon fibre.

The achievement of this certification is testament to the endeavours of the Bentley engineering team as Dr. Arno Homburg, Head of Whole vehicle Development at Bentley Motors said:

"Producing the fastest Bentley was a challenge in itself. However, we were equally determined not to sacrifice any environmental aspect in pursuit of this goal. The result is the paradox that the most extreme Bentley ever, is also the greenest".

The Supersports is the first iteration of the environmental strategy Bentley launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008. Powered by gasoline, E85 biofuel or any combination of these two fuels, the Supersports can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70% on a well-to-wheel basis.

It is one element of a broader Bentley strategy which will see by 2012 the company's average fleet CO2 emissions reduced by 15% and the introduction of a new powertrain that will by itself deliver a 40% reduction in fuel consumption. This programme is also supported at the Bentley factory where the use of gas, electricity and water have all been reduced significantly despite Bentley achieving record levels of production in recent years.

A genuine two-seater, the Supersports takes Bentley into new market sectors. It has received an overwhelmingly positive media reaction and is now attracting keen customer interest. Its Flexfuel capability ensures that is fuelled for the future and, with this latest recyclability certification, customers can be assured that every effort has been taken to consider the environmental impact of all components over the entire life of the car. As Dr Homburg adds:

"It is part of our responsibility as a car maker to contribute to environmental improvements and with Supersports you can see an evolution of this thinking. Even though Bentleys last a very long time - nearly 70% of all cars ever made are still on the road or in collections - we have still sought to ensure any environmental impact is minimised. The wide use of natural materials such as wood and leather and the craftsmanship inherent in their use naturally favours us here."






Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Mulsanne to be new Bentley flagship sedan in 2010; Starting price in the US will be $285,000

Mulsanne to be new Bentley flagship sedan in 2010; Starting price in the US will be $285,000
After a successful debut at Pebble Beach past August in the USA, and at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, Bentley has released that its new flagship sedan, the Mulsanne, will begin with deliveries to the UK this coming summer and the USA in the fall of 2010.

Pricing, just released by Bentley, shows the Mulsanne carrying a price tag of $285,000, not including taxes and delivery fees.

That kind of cash brings the cache to customize to one’s tastes. Mulsanne is offered in: 114 paint colors, 21 carpet colors, 9 wood veneers, and 24 leather interior hide selections. Mulsanne carries more standard leather and wood than any other modern Bentley and takes 9 weeks to build.

Mulsanne_motion

Mulsannegrille

Power is derived from the hand-built, 505 horsepower, V-8 that generates a whopping 572 lb-ft of torque for this rear-drive cabin cruiser. Power is channeled by an 8-speed automatic transmission that’s fitted with paddle shift levers behind the steering wheel as well. The new mill also features cylinder de-activation and variable cam phasing, helping reduce CO2 emissions and fuel.

In a press release, Stuart McCullough, Member of the Board for Sales & Marketing said,

” Even at this early stage, the expression of interest we’ve received easily exceeds our 2010 production targets. Mulsanne’s credentials are a pure expression of Bentley design and craftsmanship, and that’s struck a chord with Bentley enthusiasts as well as many of the potential customers we have welcomed for tours in Crewe this year. We’ve been encouraged by the positive commentary, notably from our American customers as the Mulsanne was privately previewed in seven metro markets across the country.”

mulsannePBfront

mulsannePB

Mulsanne will include such modern amenities as an iPod and MP3 connection, Bluetooth and SIM card reader. Automotive audiophiles will enjoy NAIM’s premium audio system – billed as the world’s most powerful audio system in a production vehicle – with 2,200 watts and 20 channels.

An all-new, dedicated facility will build Mulsanne at Bentley’s Crewe HQ, commencing in the second quarter of 2010.

SPECS

Engine

Engine capacity 6750cc

Max. Power 512PS / 505bhp / 377kW

Max. Torque 1020Nm / 752 lb ft

Driveline and Transmission

Rear wheel drive. 8-speed zf automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle-shift

Weights and Volumes

Fuel tank capacity 96L 21.12 Gallons / 25.36 US Gallons

Dimensions

Overall length: 219in

Width with mirrors folded: 75.9in

Height: 60in

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Bentley Mulsanne Priced at $285,000

Bentley Mulsanne
The 2011 Bentley Mulsanne was displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance in California.

There’s no stinkin’ recession. At least in the eyes of Bentley Motors, people are still willing to drop hard cash on luxury cars. Its new luxury liner, the Mulsanne, which goes into production in the second quarter of next year, will carry a hefty price tag of $285,000. And that’s not including taxes or delivery charges.

“Even at this very early stage, the expression of interest we’ve received easily exceeds our 2010 production targets,” said Stuart McCullough, member of the board for sales and marketing for Bentley. “We’ve been encouraged by the positive commentary, notably from our American customers as the Mulsanne was privately previewed in seven metro markets across the country.”

So what do you get for $285,000? For starters, plenty of decisions. There are 114 paint colors to choose from, 21 carpet colors, 9 wood veneers and 24 leather hides. Naturally, custom colors are also available at a premium. Each Mulsanne will take nine weeks to build.

Bentley emphasizes the amount of hands-on craftsmanship that’s involved in the building of the Mulsanne. According to a news release that accompanied the car’s appearance at the Frankfurt auto show, “All spot welds are performed by hand during the Mulsanne’s construction and all panel joints are hand-brazed. These further enhance that ‘hewn from solid’ appearance and result in an extremely stiff body.” Construction will take place in a new plant at the Bentley factory in Crewe, England.

2011 Bentley Mulsanne Priced From $285,000

2011 Bentley Muslanne
With a starting price of $285,000, Bentley's newest flagship model won't come cheap. Nor should it, with its 505-horsepower, 725 lb-ft, gasoline-fed 6.75-liter V8 engine sitting behind the automaker's trademark mesh grille and four round lights.

Also included in that price will be a paddle-shifted eight-speed automatic transmission, 16.54-inch front and 15.5-inch rear carbon ceramic brakes and 20-inch wheels. Don't forget the 2,200-watt stereo system and the the new Driver Dynamics Control system, which comes with "Bentley," "Sport," "Comfort" and user-definable "Custom" modes.

Want one? Production is slated to begin at the Crewe factory in England in the second quarter of 2010 and the first deliveries will make it to America later than year in the fall. Get yours in one of 114 available paint colors, 21 carpet colors, nine wood veneers and 24 interior leather hides, but get your order in fast – Bentley reports that early customer interest has exceeded 2010 production targets. Click past the break for the official press release.

The New 2011 Bentley Mulsanne

2011 bentley mulsanne

This is a car that literaly made my eyes swirl! The new Bentley Mulsanne is simply regal!
The Mulsanne comes in a smooth, suave shape that tempts you to caress it!
The new Bentley Mulsanne is a monster under a sexy shell; 505 horsepower and a gasoline-fed 6.75 liter V8 engine.
It's also monstrous in size; with 5.57 meters in length and 1.92 meters in width.

Production of the Mulsanne is slated to begin at the Crewe factory in England in the second quarter of 2010 and it seems the company are expecting more orders than the 2010 production targets!

What makes this car excuisite, is the hand work on the wood veneers and leather hides on the interior.

So, you could guess that this baby doesn't come cheap!
The starting price is $285,000 ... including eight-speed automatic transmission, front and rear carbon ceramic brakes and 20-inch wheels. And if you want more luxurious features, you'll have to write a bigger check!