- Filed under: Sports/GTs, Japan, Bentley, Chevrolet, GM, Special/Limited Editions

Click above image for a gallery of the Corvette S-Limited
In celebration of GM's 100th Anniversary, GM Asia-Pacific has unveiled the Corvette S-Limited, a 30-car special for the Japanese market. priced at ¥7,980,000. The allotment is split evenly by color -- 15 in Arctic White and 15 in Black. All the cars get the full leather-wrapped interior package; a rear spoiler, mesh grillework , and screened inserts for the side coves and the plate between the exhaust outlets. 'Vettes in Japan are probably scarce enough that they still draw plenty of attention. Hey, in the land where the best-selling car's engine displaces 660cc's, a thundering, 430-horsepower American pushrod that displaces 6.2 liters is always gonna make people look. Appropriately, the Corvette S-Limited officially goes on sale on the Fourth of July.
[Source: GMAP]
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- Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Bentley, Rendered Speculation
The next Bentley Arnage is due in 2010, and thank heavens it won't be a biggie-sized clone of the Continental Flying Spur. That means we don't expect it to look so much like the rendering above, which is 75-percent Flying Spur with a GT tail. A bit long-in-the-tooth by modern replacement standards, the Arnage still sells about 600 - 800 units per year, which is not far behind the much newer Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The next Arnage will take advantage of Audi's spaceframe technology, which will ultimately be utilized by every car in the range. With a 150-kg-plus drop in the car's weight, your gas mileage should improve to a number you still won't care about if you can afford a Bentley.
Engine choices will remain in the all-gasoline family. Bentley says that there simply isn't demand for a diesel in one of its cars, and it's not going to put one out there to try and stimulate it. It might -- and we stress, might -- however, be looking for something to do with the quad-turbo W16 from the Veyron, and that could make for a very interesting Bentley indeed.
[Source: Autocar]
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- Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Bentley, UK, Special/Limited Editions

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed
Bentley has chosen to update its Continental Flying Spur super sedan for 2009 with the same model upgrades given to the Continental GT coupe last year, which means the sedan receives a more upright grille, larger lower air intakes, a new rear bumper, more sound deadening material, a new Naim for Bentley premium audio system, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a host of new hides and color choices for the interior. But wait, there's more. So much more. While power for the standard Flying Spur stays put at 552bhp and 479 pound-feet of torque, a new model will kick things up a notch to 600bhp and 553 pound-feet. That's right, just as the powerful and extremely fast Continental GT Speed coupe was born last year, so follows in its wide tire tracks the 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed, which will officially hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds (that's probably conservative) and crest 200 mph. The Flying Spur Speed also gets a 10mm chopped off its ride height, new 20-inch multispoke wheels with available carbon ceramic disc brakes, and returned steering and suspension systems. It's outwardly different thanks to dark-tinted chrome matrix grilles, wider exhaust pipes, sill plates emblazoned with the word "Speed" on all four doors, a three-spoke steering wheel and unique interior trim. With this new Speed model, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur should have no trouble holding onto its title of World's Best-Selling 12-Cylinder Sedan. Follow the jump for the official word from Crewe.
[Source: Bentley]Continue reading Officially Official: 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Bentley

click above for high-res gallery of LWB Bentley Arnage spy shots
While Bentley continues to achieve sales success with its Continental line of cars that includes the GT, Flying Spur, GTC and new GT Speed, the upper-level Arnage line has been left to get by on its old world charm and bespoke everything hand-built construction. We showed you some spy shots of the next-gen Arnage back in April that suggests Bentley may position the next-gen Arnage as a direct competitor to the Rolls-Royce Phantom, and whether that's the case or not, the next Arnage will most certainly continue catering to the wealthiest 1% of the world. A super extra long version of the Arnage was recently spotted by KGP photographers with an extra 18 inches of wheelbase, and while Bentley already offers the LWB Arnage RL model, this particular car eclipses that and then some to firmly land in limousine territory. In other words, it's not a car drive, it's a car in which you're driven. Whether this mule is based on the current model or actually hiding some hardware for the next-gen model isn't known, but either way it shows just how interested Bentley has become in attracting the chauffeur-driven crowd.
[Source: KGP Photography]
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- Filed under: Tuners, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Bentley

Click above for high-res gallery of the ASI Tetsu GTR
Most Bentley Continental GTs leaving the Crewe factory in England are bound for lives of leisure in the climate-controlled garages of the fiscally fortunate. Sure, a few end up in music videos or the movies, but we're certain none ever expect to be bastardized the way this one was. Created by Japanese tuner ASI, the Tetsu GTR takes one Bentley Continental GT and adds a new front and rear apron; exposed carbon fiber hood, trunk and spoiler; a set of oversized wheels and a custom paint job that plasters said carbon fiber hood with... flowers. The flower bed on the hood was reportedly painted by Japanese artist Nakamura Tetsui, but that doesn't make it any more palatable. There seems to be some method to the Tetsu GTR's madness, as the front turn signals appear inspired by the Porsche 911 and the rear has an unmistakable Audi R8 flavor. The car has been upgraded with unspecified mechanical components that boost the twin-turbo W12 up to 800 horsepower, which just makes driving away from all those confused stares in public a faster affair. We hope you join us in pouring a 40 out on the sidewalk for this particular Bentley Continental GT, because it's so hard to say goodbye.
[Source: Carscoop]
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- Filed under: Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Bentley

Click above for high-res gallery of RENNTECH's handiwork
You may remember my little hissy fit last week over RENNTECH using our photos of a Bentley Continental Flying Spur taken when the Flying B was in the Autoblog Garage two years ago. We and the graphic designer over at RENNTECH have since patched things up, aided in no small part by his flattery of my photos and me being a sucker for compliments. Taking our advice, the RENNTECH folk quit shopping in the Google Images section of the store, parked a tastefully tuned Flying Spur next to their building and proceeded to shoot away, the results of which ain't too shabby. Their Bentley is lowered with a dark window tint and some deep dish rims as opposed to the stock one we photographed, and theirs is no doubt sporting the tuner's new ECU module for Bentley automobiles that boosts the twin-turbo W12 to 625 horsepower. You can check out RENNTECH's new pics in the gallery below, as well as all of the Bentleys that have been in the Autoblog Garage after the jump. We think it's about time for another one.
[Source: RENNTECH]Continue reading RENNTECH takes its own Bentley pictures, doesn't do too bad
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- Filed under: Recalls/TSBs, Safety, Bentley

The fact that there's 13,000 Bentley Continentals out there takes us a little by surprise. The last time Bentley issued a recall, fewer than 600 cars were involved. We know the Continental has been hugely popular for Bentley, but with those types of numbers, it must be one of the most popular Bentley vehicles ever. Unfortunately, owners of 2004-2008 Continental GT, GT Speed, Flying Spur, and GTC should pay the dealer a visit for a recall campaign. Road salt can potentially eat through the fuel filter housing, allowing fuel spray, and potentially leading to fire. Fail to heed the warnings, and you should at least consider packing the glovebox with marshmallows to roast once the inferno breaks out. Thanks for the tip, Rick
[Source: usrecallnews]
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- Filed under: Etc., Bentley, Lifestyle

Click above for photo gallery
Devil May Care, the new James Bond novel set back during the Cold War in 1967, arrives on bookstore shelves May 28th. The book's author, Sebastian Faulkes, has written the story in the style of the late Ian Fleming to celebrate the 007 creator's centenary. As we first reported last September, MI6's greatest secret agent also returns to his Bentley-driving roots in Devil May Care. The car is the same one he drives in Fleming's Thunderball and On Her Majesty's Secret Service: a custom 2-seat Bentley R type Continental convertible with the 4½-liter engine from a Mk VI stuffed underhood. To celebrate Bond's return to Bentley, Penguin Books asked the automaker to design a very limited Special Series Edition -- just 300 copies will be made. (Anyone want to place bets on the aftermarket value of book #007?)
Under the supervision of chief designer Dirk Van Braeckel (the man responsible for the current Continental GT's lines), Bentley has delivered a leather-bound, heirloom-quality piece. The 'Flying B' hood ornament is featured on the cover and spine, and the outer leather is stitched in the same diamond pattern you'll find on the seating surfaces of a modern Bentley road car. The inside cover is also finished off in leather, but is styled in tune with cars of the era in which the story is set. The typeface used is the same one you'll find in a Bentley owner's manual, and each individually-numbered book comes with a matching-number pewter die-cast R type model and a similarly-snazzy book block. The numbering on each book, by the way, is featured on a metal plate supplied by the same firm who does the engine plates for the cars. Finally, all books come with a plexiglass slipcase.
As you might expect, this mega-exclusive book is also mega-expensive. £750 will put one on the bookshelf, where it would surely look nice next to the divorce papers you'll be handed shortly after its arrival. If you're a Bond completist, recent lottery winner, or a Bentley fanatic, you can order the super special edition via Penguin007.com, where they've got all manner of Bond info, a countdown clock ticking off the seconds to the book's release and a link to the Special Series Edition minisite. You regular folk (we know you're out there) can meet us at Amazon, where the pricing's a bit more in tune with blogger pay.
[Sources: Bentley, Penguin Books]
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- Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Bentley

Click above for gallery of the Bentley Continental DC
We can't imagine being an apprentice at Bentley leaves you a lot of spare time, what with your full class load on how to stitch the perfect steering wheel, match wood grains and build twin-turbo V8s with your bare hands. A team of nine apprentices comprising the Bentley Greenpower Team, however, have found the time over the past ten months to build an exceptional little electrical vehicle for the Greenpower Corporate Challenge that kicked off at the Goodwood race circuit yesterday.
Their car, dubbed the Continental DC, was developed using the same CAD software that Bentley uses for its own cars, and is powered by two 12-volt batteries and a 24-volt motor that's required by competition rules. The body is also based on Bentley's 2004 Goodwood soap box racer and is basically invisible to wind resistance. The use of carbon fiber to keep weight down is extensive, to say the least. The body, chassis, wheels and even a specially designed suspension with carbon fiber beams under tension are all made from the exotic weave. Despite being green as can be, the Continental DC still sports some flare from Crewe thanks to a single leather Bentley seat with a four-point harness, a custom Bentley-inspired steering wheel and Bentley "dashboard".
[Source: Bentley]Continue reading Bentley goes green with Continental DC
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- Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Government/Legal, Bentley

Click above to view the Bentley State Limousine in hi-res
After the previous owners at Vickers prepared the Arnage sedan just in time for Volkswagen to take ownership, it took Bentley another five years to come out with the Continental GT. But before the new generation of Bentley Continentals made their debuts, Crewe created a special vehicle called the Bentley State Limousine. But before you run out to your local Bentley dealership in pursuit of what no one else at the country club will have, consider that Bentley made only two examples, exclusively for HM Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. Believe it or not, however, this was the first time in all its nearly ninety-year history as one of Britain's most prominent luxury automakers that Bentley was asked to make a limousine for the crown, as previous limos had been created by Daimler and Rolls-Royce. The distinction allowed Bentley to utilize the distinguished "By appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" label with the Queen's coat of arms, which the company flashes proudly in Rolls-Royce's big chrome face.
The State Limousine took two years to develop and is based on the Arnage, but fitted with unique bodywork styled by Bentley and crafted in-house at its Mulliner coachbuilding division. The exterior is visually distinct and more old-fashion than the Arnage, and features an enlarged greenhouse, with opaque rear window panels that can be installed for privacy or stowed in the trunk for parade visibility. The State Limousine also features suicide rear doors and measures some three-feet longer, ten-inches taller and six-inches wider than the Arnage, and is equipped with armored bodywork and windows, plus a blast-proof floor and an airtight cabin. All that means an 8,818-pound curb weight, pulled around by the same 400hp 6.75-liter V8 as used in the long-wheelbase Arnage RL. Stylistically, the State Limousine looks something like a cross between the Hongqi HQE and a London taxi - you can decide for yourself in the gallery below, where you'll notice the vehicle's deceptive dimensions and the obviation of the license plate frame for the Queen's own motor-carriage. Somehow we don't think she'll be pulled over.
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Bentley
Having launched the Continental GT in 2003, the four-door Continental Flying Spur in 2005, the Azure in 2006, the Continental GT Convertible in 2006 and the Brooklands earlier this year, Bentley is now turning its attention to its flagship sedan: the Arnage. Although the vehicle has been on the road since 1998, that's still nothing compared to its predecessor, which was introduced in 1980 before being replaced by the Arnage. No matter which way you cut it, though, the Arnage has just turned ten years old, and that's a long product cycle. Reports and spy shots suggest, however, that a new version is expected for 2010.
There's no telling to what degree the new Arnage will be a completely new model, however sources suggest that, thanks in part to a lengthened wheelbase, Bentley will target the Rolls-Royce Phantom with its new limousine. However, previous reports have discounted the possibility of a diesel engine or Bugatti's quad-turbo W16 finding its way into the engine bay. We can, however, still hold out hope. Not that Bentley's storied 6.75L twin-turbo V8 is a disappointment mind you. Believe us, we've sampled it.
[Source: Auto Express]
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- Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Green, Bentley

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Bentley Brooklands
British racing green could take on a whole new meaning if Bentley is able to achieve its goal of reducing CO2 emissions by two-thirds to just 120 grams per kilometer by 2012. Currently, all of its vehicles emit more than 400 g/km, no doubt including the 2009 Bentley Brooklands we drove last week, so the company from Crewe has a long way to go. While we'd expect to see some sort of diesel offering, Bentley remains mum on any real details regarding its future powerplants. We do know, however, that the British manufacturer of ridiculously luxurious transportation is holding out hope for biofuels, which post high well-to-wheel CO2 measurements. When just the tailpipe emissions are taken into consideration, biofuels offer just a little benefit as compared to dino-juice, but when the entire carbon footprint of the fuel is considered, biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel can post significant CO2 improvements.
[Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req'd]
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Bentley

Click above to view the Continental GTZ in hi-res
In partnership with Bentley, Milanese design house Zagato has decided to offer a limited run of the Continental GTZ it showed us this year at the Geneva Motor Show. Nine discerning customers for whom the "standard" Bentley Continental GT Speed is not enough will have the opportunity to upgrade their coupes for a nominal fee of just €550,000. (For reference, consider that the Zagato's custom LED tail-lights cost €50,000 alone.) That's on top of the cost of the donor car, which comes in just shy of $200k. The first vehicle has already been delivered for an all-in grand total of €800,000.. .that's over one and a quarter million dollars.
The six-figure conversion overhauls the exterior styling with Zagato's own custom bodywork identical to that seen on the Geneva show car. The interior is likewise treated to a sumptuous bespoke leather re-upholstery job, while the mechanics of the car remain untouched, allowing Bentley to certify the process and retain the factory warranty. Considering that the Continental GT Speed packs a 600-hp twin-turbo W12 capable of propelling the behemoth to sixty in 4.2 seconds and topping out over 200 mph, the stock drivetrain shouldn't be an issue. And of course, like other Zagato designs, the GTZ's exclusivity will all but completely assure that the owner won't be pulling up next to an identical car at a red light, though it sure would be fun to see it happen.
[Source: Corriere della Sera Motori]
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- Filed under: Coupes, Bentley, First Drive

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Bentley Brooklands
As the youngest of three brothers, I'm used to hand-me-downs. Hand-me down toys, hand-me-down clothes, and yes, even hand-me-down cars. Perhaps this explains when a vehicle arrives in the Autoblog Garage with over 8,000 journalist-driven miles on its odometer (as most do), I don't mind. Though the scars of past judgments are often plain to see, we're happy enough to be reviewing these vehicles at all.
Last Wednesday I stepped off a plane at Newark Liberty International Airport and into a 2009 Bentley Brooklands. My mission was to drive it some 550 miles to Cleveland, OH where it would be picked up and driven back to Bentley's North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI. When I got in, the odometer read 285 miles... total. I realized then that this was no hand-me-down review vehicle. Having been parked in Bentley's display at the 2008 New York Auto Show for the past three weeks, this Brooklands was taking its maiden voyage on U.S. soil with me at the helm.
Photos Copyright (C)2008 John Neff / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Very First Drive: 2009 Bentley Brooklands
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Car Buying, Tuners, Sports/GTs, Bentley

Click above for more high-res pics of the Premier4509 Bentley Conti GT
If you are keeping yourself up at night worrying that your Bentley Continental GT isn't exclusive enough... lose the insomnia by making a quick call to Premier4509. The performance-oriented Japanese-based company specializes in "automotive fashions" (we didn't make that up), and they have just announced a Limited Edition wide-body aero kit for the twin-turbo twelve-cylinder Bentley coupe.
The hand-made kit, constructed primarily of a carbon fiber/FRP mix, includes front and rear bumpers, side skirts, fenders and quarter panels. Once installed, your beloved Bentley will have increased its width by four full inches -- perfect to hide those new forged billet aluminum wheels with the deep lips. Of course, you'll be offered a choice of two rear wings, and a new set of exhaust tips to match. Premier4509 seems to have addressed all of the high-end aero body kit concerns, except for one: How do you get that front spoiler into a driveway?
Gallery: Premier4509 Bentley Continental GT


[Source: Premier4509]
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Archive for the 'BENTLEY' Category
Monday, May 8th, 2006

Details info: Alternative names:
Eight/ Mulsane/ Turbo/ Brooklands
(1980 - 1999)
Sales Company:
Available version:
Previous version:
Variation:
Rolls-Royce (United Kingdom) Silver Spirit/ Silver Spur/ Flying Spur
Jankel (United Kingdom) Rolls Royce & Bentley Conversion
Info: Eight, Mulsane, Mulsane S, Turbo R, Turbo S, Brooklands,
Donors:
Rolls-Royce - Silver Spirit/ Silver Spur/ Flying Spur
Posted in BENTLEY | No Comments »
Monday, May 8th, 2006

Details info: Alternative names:
Bentley Continental Coupé 2d
Sales Company:
Available version:
Personal Commission T - 6.75 V8 Turbo aut.
R - 6.75 V8 Turbo aut.
T - 6.75 V8 Turbo aut.
Previous version:
Continental
(1991 - 2003)
Variation:
Info:
Although for many years the actual power of a Bentley engine was never declared as anything but “adequate”, we now realise that the T model develops around 420-450bhp, depending on application (greater power in the saloon), which affords it a top speed in the region of 170mph. The Continental is a beautiful design that shocks with its phenomenal turn of speed.
Donors:
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Monday, May 8th, 2006

Details info: Alternative names:
Bentley Azure Cabrio 2d
Azure
(1995 - 2003)
Sales Company:
Available version:
6.75 V8 Turbo aut.
Previous version:
6.75 V8 TwinTurbo aut.
Variation:
Info:
Based on the fractionally smaller platform of the Arnage, the Azure is the ultimate means of travel in places such as Monaco and, unsurprisingly, the Cote d’Azur.
Donors:
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Sunday, May 7th, 2006

Details info: Alternative names:
Bentley Arnage L - LWB
Arnage
(1998 - 2004)
Sales Company:
Available version:
RL - 6.75 V8 Turbo aut.
Previous version:
Variation:
VG (United States of America) Shooting Brake
Info:
Fractionally smaller than its predecessor, the Arnage was designed initially to use the same BMW 4.4-litre V8 engine and gearbox as the BMW M5. The V12 BMW engine was reserved for the smoother and less fussy Rolls-Royce model. However, VW invested in bringing the former 6.75-litre V8 up to a standard, where it could pass exhaust emissions legislation. Therefore, it is now the base engine in three states of tune.
Donors:
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Sunday, May 7th, 2006

Details info: Alternative names:
Limousine 4d
(by Mulliner - LWB)
(2002 - )
Sales Company:
Available version:
T - 6.75 V8 TwinTurbo aut.
Previous version:
Variation:
VG (United States of America) Shooting Brake
Info:
Fractionally smaller than its predecessor, the Arnage was designed initially to use the same BMW 4.4-litre V8 engine and gearbox as the BMW M5. The V12 BMW engine was reserved for the smoother and less fussy Rolls-Royce model. However, VW invested in bringing the former 6.75-litre V8 up to a standard, where it could pass exhaust emissions legislation. Therefore, it is now the base engine in three states of tune.
Donors:
Posted in BENTLEY | No Comments »