Bentley introduces flex-fuel super sports convertible

The Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible (which we originally told you about here) offers the same 621bhp, twin-turbocharged W12 engine as the coupe version that was introduced in 2009 and is the fastest and most powerful drop-top the company has ever produced. Yet, remarkably, it can run on either petrol and E85 bioethanol, or even a combination of both.

Bentley has made an ongoing commitment to make its vehicles biofuel capable by 2012. E85 biofuel has a high octane rating of 105 but a lower energy content compared to petrol and requires a 30 per cent increase in the engine fuel flow rate. This meant that a complete review of the fuel system was required to identify, and replace as appropriate, any components deemed unsuitable.

A fuel quality sensor is used to detect the blend ratio of the fuel in real time and send a signal to the engine control unit. This keeps performance parameters consistent and with the flexfuel technology in full use, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions can be reduced by as much as 70 per cent.

All of these environmental improvements do not mean there has been a sacrifice in performance, however. The six litre W12 engine produces 621bhp at 6,000rpm and 800Nm of torque at 2,000-4,500rpm. The Continental Supersports Convertible can race from 0-60mph in just 3.9seconds, and boasts an impressive top speed of 202mph making it the fastest four-seat convertible in the world.

Bentley breaks world record

Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible.

Owners of convertibles will never view their cars in the same way again - Bentley's new Continental Supersports will make sure of that.

The Continental Supersports Convertible is the fastest, most potent drop top that Bentley has ever built. Capable of 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 325km/h, it is also the fastest four-seat convertible in the world.

This muscular vehicle is unmistakably Bentley in design and craftsmanship but its cabin is a dramatic re-interpretation of the marque’s definition of luxury. Satin-finished carbon fibre, Alcantara and 'soft grip' leather all combine in a very contemporary manner.

Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible

Bentley Continental Supersports

The new Continental Supersports Convertible is not only Bentley’s fastest open-top car ever (0-60mph in 3.9 seconds; top speed of 202mph), it’s also the fastest four-seat convertible in the world.
It is powered by the same 621bhp twin-turbocharged W12 that lurks under the bonnet of the Continental Supersports Coupé, launched in 2009, and – as with all models in the Continental range – can run on both petrol and E85 bioethanol. Or any combination of the two.

The styling is described by Bentley as ‘muscular’, with an interior that re-interprets Bentley luxury using satin-finished carbonfibre, Alcantara™ and ‘Soft Grip’ leather. Overall, the engineers have managed a weight saving of 90kg against the GTC Speed.



Prices have not yet been announced but Bentley has released many technical and design details in advance of the Geneva unveiling:

* Revised ZF 6HP26 transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by 50% and enables double downshifts
* New 40/60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer when powering out of bends and provides for better modulation of line and attitude by ‘throttle steering’
* Retuned Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system, stiffer suspension bushes and uprated rear anti-roll bar benefit body control, steering response, turn-in and balance
* Increased 50mm rear track improves grip and stability
* Lightweight, 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels offer 10kg weight saving per car, reducing unsprung and rotating mass and improving brake cooling
* 275/35 ZR20 Pirelli Ultra High Performance tyres
* Advanced ESP system
* Standard-fit carbon-ceramic brakes provide fade-free braking and contribute a 20kg reduction in rotating and unsprung mass from the front axle
* Distinctive centre air-intake and vertical grilles feed larger volume of air (+ 10%) to turbocharger intercoolers while bonnet vents extract hot air from engine bay
* Subtly curved rear wheelarches with newly tooled side panels accommodate increased rear track of the uprated chassis and provide muscular stance
* Distinctive ‘smoked steel finish’ to all exterior ‘brightware’, including the first automotive application of ‘Physical Vapour Deposition’ to stainless steel
* Larger, twin elliptical exhaust tailpipes and rear valance with discreet vertical divider

1925 Bentley Supersports

1925 Bentley Supersports

2010 Bentley Arnage

Autocar reports that the Bentley Arnage will be replaced with a new model for the 2010 model year. Amid speculation that the Veyron-engined Arnage built recently and described by Bentley as a “prototype” is an indication of the next-generation Arnage’s powerplant – almost 1000 hp – the word is that the 2010 Arnage will have an aluminum spaceframe chassis produced by Audi, an aluminum body, and possibly a hybrid version of the current 6.75 liter V-8 using the transmission developed for the Audi Q7 hybrid or the hybrid transmission currently under development for the next Audi Quattro.

Bentley Continental Supersports

In the past days Bentley Continental Supersports was tested by Jay Leno, if you wonder who he is, Jay Leno is the host of a very popular TV show. Bentley Continental Supersports can achieve an amazing speed of 204 mph and that makes this Bentley the fastest car ever build by the well known British brand.

Bentley of 2020

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David Seesing's vision (top) and Mikka Heikkinen's design. Photos / Supplied

Some of the world's best young designers from London's Royal College of Art (RCA) have created a series of remarkable 'Bentleys of the Future' designs in a unique partnership with the famous British company.


Eighteen Vehicle Design Course Masters students have spent the last few months studying the work of Bentley's leading designers, including Head of Exterior Design Raul Pires who played a key role designing the company's new Mulsanne flagship. Drawing on Bentley's proud design heritage. they have sought to develop a range of striking and futuristic car designs.

Now four of the RCA students have been shortlisted to refine their designs with Pires and his colleagues with a winner and runner-up both being invited to join the Crewe-based company for a six month secondment in the Bentley design studio. Professor Dale Harrow, Head of Vehicle Design at the RCA explained:

"Working with Bentley has inspired these young designers to create a coupe for the 21st Century that embraces the latest aerodynamics technology. The Vehicle Design Course attracts postgraduate students from across the world and it has been fascinating to see them make a connection with a British marque that has such a distinguished heritage."

A key part of the project has been the ability to combine strong visual design with the latest automotive software. Each car design has undergone extensive testing in a virtual wind tunnel to assess and enhance its aerodynamic capabilities. Professor Harrow added:

"We've had invaluable support from Exa and their PowerFLOW software which was used to create cars like the Bentley Continental Supersports. The students realise the importance of optimising the aerodynamic qualities of their designs and Exa's technology allows each car to evolve constantly. Crucially, our young team has been working with top designers like Raul, learning how to combine great creativity with sound engineering solutions."

Raul Pires said the overall standard was extremely high and this convinced Bentley to add an extra place to the shortlist. Pires said:

"The RCA has an eviable reputation for attracting some of the best young design talent, with many of their graduates going on to work for the world's leading car manufacturers. The outstanding quality of work meant we have offered an extra place.

2010 Bentley Mulsanne ultimate luxury

When Bentley parted ways with Rolls-Royce in 1998, it still had some co-developed models in its line-up. The last of those, the Arnage sedan, has finally been replaced with a new flagship sedan, the Mulsanne, representing Bentley's new beginning under Volkswagen ownership.

Designed for absolute luxury, the Mulsanne gets a cabin filled with detailed coachwork, a powerful and sophisticated power train, Volkswagen's latest navigation system, and an outstanding audio system from Naim.

We spent some time looking over the Muslanne's details at the 2010 Detroit auto show and found a cabin that is covered in impeccable materials. The few plastics used for buttons are wrapped in metal enclosures, while the shifter is a big, wooden spindle topped by metal brightwork. Its wood details have matching grains from side to side. At this level of luxury, customers can opt for a wide variety of cabin materials and colors, or go completely bespoke.

2010 Bentley GTC Speed

2010 Bentley Continental GTC Speed
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.

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

Teaser shots for Bentley's new 2010 Continental Supersports have been making their way round the internet for the past couple of weeks, but today Bentley was finally ready to unleash exhaustive details on their new E85-capable 621 horsepower Continental Supersports 2 seat supercar.

The Continental Supersports shares most body pieces and drivetrain architecture with the Continental GT Speed, though both interior and exterior have been beefed up to handle all that extra power. New are larger standard 20 inch wheels with what Bentley boasts are the largest and strongest brakes on any production car.

The Continental Supersports also gets a trick automatically deploying rear spoiler that is completely hidden in the sublime bodywork. Wider track relative to Continental GT Speed models necessitates new flared fenders, and enlargened inlets feed air through the twin-turbocharged air intake system.

E85 ethanol, while clean-burning and mostly eco-friendly, is more corrosive than conventional gasoline. Thus, Bentley has replaced most of the engine internals in its turbocharged W12 powerplant. All the rings, seals and gaskets are unique to the Continental Supersports, meaning a greater focus on extreme performance is possible with this engine.

The Continental Supersports gets a modified version of the AWD system found in lesser Continental models. In this application, the AWD system distributes 40 percent torque to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear by default. Through the use of electronic locking differentials torque can be reapplied as the situation requires, naturally.

The 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports currently has a release date this Spring, though Bentley says US models are still waiting on regulators' approval to run on the E85 spewing out of North American pumps. The car is adequately engineered, and the British motor company expects full ethanol certification by August.