Volkswagen Shows Off SUV Concept for Bentley

GENEVA—Volkswagen AG is showcasing what could be the world's most expensive sport-utility vehicle when its Bentley brand lifts the veil on a new concept car at the Geneva International Motor Show this week as part of the auto maker's drive to expand the appeal of its super-luxury marque.
"We're absolutely convinced of the [market] potential for a luxurious high-performance SUV," Bentley Chief Executive Wolfgang Dürheimer said Monday.

Final approval for the SUV, currently called the EXP 9F, from Bentley's German parent is still pending. But initial feedback from Volkswagen Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn has been encouraging, Mr. Dürheimer said. Annual sales volume is expected to be roughly between 3,500 and 5,000 vehicles.
The concept car features a large 12-cylinder engine, which delivers 610 horsepower, and a high-seating position similar to Tata Motors Co.'s luxury Range Rover brand, which would be one of the Bentley vehicle's main potential rivals. The Bentley SUV would sell for a higher price than any other SUV currently available, Mr. Dürheimer said.
Demand for luxury SUVs is booming world-wide, defying concerns that rising fuel prices and environmental concerns would crimp demand in a lucrative segment for top manufacturers.

Mr. Dürheimer said that adding the SUV to the brand's lineup would also help to balance Bentley's financial performance as the product life cycles of its Continental and Mulsanne models largely overlap.

Bentley's concept for a sport-utility vehicle, pictured in Geneva Monday, would have a 12-cylinder engine.

The car would be based on technology Volkswagen uses for other luxury SUVs such as the Audi Q7 and the Cayenne of VW affiliate Porsche Automobil Holding SE.

Volkswagen, Europe's biggest auto manufacturer and the world's No. 2 after General Motors Co., bought Bentley in 1998 from Vickers PLC after a complex bidding war with BMW AG. Bentley was spun off from Rolls-Royce Motors, with the Rolls-Royce automotive brand ending up part of BMW.

Bentley Continental GTC Tested on Ignition Episode 3 on Motor Trend’s YouTube Channel

Motor Trend associate editor Michael Febbo puts the 5500-lb Bentley Continental GTC through its paces at the track, and goes halfway across the globe to do some grand touring on the country roads of Croatia, the latest destination of choice for Europe’s jet-set and yacht cruisers.

In this third episode of “Ignition,” Febbo praises the big Bentley’s agility, performance and braking, especially considering its substantial, nearly three-ton mass. But as he notes, how many Bentley owners are actually going to hustle their cars around a racetrack? Not many. A far more fitting, although more subjective test, is some proper grand touring.

The newly-hip European getaway of Croatia was chosen as the locale to let the topless grand touring coupe stretch its legs. The sunny Mediterranean climate allowed for top-down motoring to better hear the mellifluous turbocharged W12.

The nearly $250,000 price tag of the Bentley makes it about as much as a very nice house in most parts of the country (or a lawn shed in Southern California). But can you really put a price on the experience?
Watch “Ignition” every Monday on the Motor Trend YouTube channel.

2013 Bentley Continental GT V8 - Review, Specs & Photos

by Benjamin Greene - duPontREGISTRY.com

The Continental GT will gain a new lower-cost submodel to broaden the appeal of Bentley’s best-selling car. Called the Continental GT V-8, a new 4.0-liter V-8 engine producing 500 hp will bolster it in the marketplace, combining with an eight-speed automatic transmission to hit 60 mph from a stop in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 188 mph. The 40:60 rear-biased all-wheel-drive system is retained.  

The engine comes about because of a commitment Bentley made to lowering C02 emissions and improving fuel economy in 2008. Its commitment was based around an initiative to implement E85 compatibility across its engine range and adding a new powertrain requiring 40 percent less fuel without sacrificing performance. The new engine is shared with the new Audi S8, which makes 512 hp and averages 23 mpg.

Although official figures have yet to be released, Bentley says the new V-8 will go up to 530 miles on a single tank of fuel. In the U.S., the Continental GT with the W-12 has a massive 24-gallon tank. If the Continental GT V-8 acquires the same tank, it would equate to an average (most likely highway) fuel consumption of 22 mpg, a large improvement compared to the 12 mpg city and 19 mpg highway offered by the W-12-powered coupe. The decrease in fuel consumption comes courtesy of a cylinder deactivation system, which utilizes a V-4 mode under light-load conditions; the eight-speed automatic also plays a role.

 
Setting the Continental GT V-8 apart from the front is a gloss black grille with chrome frame and center bar, a red Bentley “B” badge, and a new lower front bumper with gloss black mesh. At the rear, the V-8 features unique exhaust tips, a dark lower valance, and a red “B” on the trunk lid. Twenty-inch alloy wheels come standard; twenty-one-inch six-spoke wheels in Diamond Black (exclusive to the Continental V-8) or Diamond Silver finishes is optionally available.

Inside the cabin, a Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneer and short center console will be unique to the V-8 model.

The Continental GT V-8 will also come in topless GTC form, but Bentley did not mention a Flying Spur edition. 

Bentley begins work on all-new SUV

Bentley has confirmed reports that it has started working on the development of a new SUV model, which is expected to be released in 2014.

The company will focus on major innovations for the brand, new diesel and hybrid powertrains and return to racing besides developing a new four wheel drive SUV model.  Durheimer has said that the company is capable of maintaining it exclusivity even by selling up to 30,000 cars a year.

The Bentley SUV will be based on the architecture of the next generation Audi Q7, Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. The model will most likely feature 6.0-litre 621bhp W12 petrol engine from the Continental Supersports and a version of the 6.0-litre V12 diesel engine from the Audi Q7.

The VW board is yet to approve the new SUV model, but experts believe that it will get a green light soon. Durheimer told a publication that his company is “deeply involved” with the design and engineering of the future SUV. “I have great faith in the SUV market and it’s here to stay” Durheimer said.

'Mulsanne On Main' - Bentley Mulsanne Launch Event

Bentley Tampa Bay was thrilled to host hundreds in the heart of Downtown Sarasota.  We closed down the intersection of Palm Avenue and Main Street as we unveiled the all-new flagship Bentley Mulsanne.  Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment were just a small part of the evening.  We also held a silent auction for our charity 'Taking Back Lives', which was also very successful.

 

Bentley Tampa Bay White Party 2010

Bentley Tampa Bay was pleased to officially unveil the ALL-NEW 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible. We kicked off the summer season by showcasing this beautiful and powerful new automobile. Hundreds of guests enjoyed live entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, a beautiful ice scuplture/drink bar and good company.