Using the new downsized engine, the models deliver maximum power of 500 bhp (507 PS / 373 Kw) at 6000 rev/min and an extraordinary peak torque of 660 Nm (487 lb ft) which is available across virtually the entire rev range from 1700 to 5000 rev/min, providing exhilarating performance and effortless power delivery in the Bentley tradition. Combined with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, this translates into a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.6 seconds for the GT coupe (0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds) and a top speed of 188 mph (303 km/h).

At the same time, the new V8 Continental models achieve outstanding levels of fuel efficiency and CO₂emissions for the luxury performance sector and are capable of travelling over 500 miles (800 km) on a single tank of fuel.

The arrival of the new V8 Continental means that Bentley can proudly boast a 40 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO₂emissions.

Both the coupe and convertible models are specified with 20-inch alloy wheels as standard with an optional 21‑inch six-spoke design which is available in dramatic Diamond Black (exclusive to the Continental V8) or Diamond Silver finishes.

Inside the cabin, an Eliade cloth headlining, new contemporary Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneers, optional two-tone leather colour split and short centre console continue the fresh, sporting design theme.

The two new Continental models will be offered beneath the flagship 6.0 litre, 12‑cylinder engined Continental GT and GTC, which continue to excite customers with their delivery of an astonishing 631 bhp (640 PS).

Since the launch of the original GT in 2003, the W12-engined Continental range has gone from strength to strength with over 50,000 sales worldwide, making Bentley’s factory in Crewe, England, the largest producer of 12 cylinder engines in the world. The W12 story continues to unfold and remains the ultimate expression of Bentley’s engineering strength.

Commenting on the launch of the new V8 Continental models, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors said: “With the new 4.0 litre V8 engine we are widening the appeal of the latest generation of Continentals, introducing a completely new driving experience. The new engine will have all the exhilarating power, drama and performance you would expect from a V8 engine sporting the famous Bentley wings, effortlessly delivered with our characteristic ‘wave of torque’. This is complemented by innovative powertrain technology that delivers exceptional fuel efficiency and emissions.”

Prices start from £123,850.

The Mulliner classic pack features unique front bumper splitter, strakes integrated into the front intake grilles, side extension blades and a rear diffuser-all made from high gloss, black carbon-fibre. These are complemented by a range of individual design options, comprising black, carbon-fibre rear spoiler and door mirror cowls as well as distinctive, black-painted 21-inch ‘Elegant’ alloy wheels and dark mesh front wing vents with black carbon-fibre bezels.

Styled by Raul Pires, Bentley’s head of exterior design who, under the leadership of Design Director Dirk van Braeckel, was the creative force behind the lithe shape of the Continental GT, the Mulliner Styling Specification underlines the iconic form of Bentley’s new GT. 

In addition to the core features of the Classic Pack, customers have the opportunity to personalise their cars still further with four additional optional features. The GT’s stylish rear spoiler, which automatically deploys at higher road speeds, may be specified in carbon –fibre, while Pires’s renowned eye for detail is reflected in the optional carbon-fibre door mirror cowls.

To complement the carbon-fibre features of the Mulliner Styling Specification, customers may also specify the option of 21-inch 7-spoke Elegant alloy wheels in a dramatic black-painted finish with contrasting bright machined detailing. 

Customers may also opt for eye-catching, curved wing vents. Positioned just behind the front wheel arches, the dark chrome mesh vents (framed by a carbon-fibre bezel) offer improved heat diffusion as well as forcefully underlining the Continental GT’s high-performance credentials.

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To ensure that Bentley standards of build quality are maintained, the Mulliner Styling Specification package is only available for fitment by factory-trained technicians at authorised Bentley dealers. Steve O’Hara, Aftersales Director, explains the Bentley philosophy: “To ensure complete peace of mind for our customers, the Mulliner Styling Specification is underpinned by the Company’s exhaustive aerodynamic and durability testing programme and is backed by a full Bentley warranty.”

The Classic Pack is available to order from June 2011 onwards and the optional design features can be ordered from authorised Bentley dealers from Autumn 2011.

The 500 limited edition copies are available for pre-order from today, Tuesday 26 April 2011, exactly a month before publication date. Huge worldwide demand is anticipated for this new special edition after Bentley’s collaborative bespoke book for the previous Bond novel, Devil May Care, by Sebastian Faulks, sold out within days.

Ian Fleming always admired the stately beauty of the Bentley and, as a result, James Bond owned three Bentleys over the course of the 14 original Bond novels. In Carte Blanche, award-winning thriller writer Jeffery Deaver reunites Bond with this classic marque. In this contemporary adventure, the agent will be behind the wheel of the beautifully sculpted and sophisticated new Bentley Continental GT.

The design team at Bentley worked closely with Hodder & Stoughton to capture the spirit of Bond and Bentley.  A team of seven designers submitted proposals for the edition and the final design came from Bentley Senior Designer Brett Boydell. He comments: “As a designer it doesn’t get much better than a brief of ‘Carte Blanche’! The design features radical concepts that we feel reflect the name of the book, the ideas inherent in the Bond legacy, and the design principles we are passionate about.”

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This special edition links the legendary hero with the iconic automobile in the most spectacular way. Each copy of the special edition is custom-produced to Bentley’s exacting standards and arrives inside a stunning metal case. The result is a striking and unique collector’s item. The special edition is strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide at a price of £1,000 each. They will be available to pre-order worldwide through www.007carteblanchebentley.com. The editions will be delivered after publication date.

More than 1,000 private customer previews of Mulsanne have been held at the company’s factory in Crewe, England as well as a series of preview events held at dealerships across the UK, Continental Europe and the United States. Production of the new super luxurious vehicle will begin in the Spring of 2010 with the first deliveries expected in the Summer. Bentley is already reporting that early interest in the model is exceeding production forecasts for 2010.

To be priced at £220,000 in the United Kingdom, the Mulsanne has been designed and engineered by Bentley’s skilled craftsmen and engineers to combine refined performance and unparalleled levels of luxury with the coach building elegance for which the marque has long been renowned.

Stuart McCullough, Member of the Board for Sales & Marketing for Bentley Motors, comments: “Even at this very 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 across the globe 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.”

Production of the Mulsanne will commence at Bentley’s Crewe (England) headquarters in the second quarter of 2010. A newly constructed body production facility, dedicated to Mulsanne, is being completed where leading-edge body assembly technology, such as superforming of the aluminium front wings for superb surface definition, will complement traditional, highly skilled metalworking including hand-brazing of steel joints for a ‘hewn from solid’ appearance.

Bentley’s Mulsanne will arrive in the UK in the Summer of 2010 and will offer customers a world of plenty of choice when commissioning their cars. The luxury Bentley flagship offers a palette of 114 paint colours, 21 carpet colours, nine wood veneers and 24 interior leather hides, all of which will be tanned using a decades-old process to ensure this future classic never loses its scent. In addition, through Bentley’s bespoke service, unique colours can exactly match a customer’s vision and taste. With more standard leather and wood veneer than any other Bentley in the modern era, the Mulsanne will take nine weeks to build.

Bentley’s legendary hand-assembled V8 engine pays homage to its predecessors but for the new Mulsanne is comprehensively re-engineered employing advanced technologies to deliver unstressed refined performance. The new Bentley V8 engine is lighter and features cylinder de-activation and variable cam phasing, contributing to a significant reduction in both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Advanced technology is exquisitely packaged within the Mulsanne’s opulent cabin. Behind its heritage-inspired dials and new glass-effect switches are leading edge features including iPod and mp3 connectivity, Bluetooth and a SIM card reader, as well as a 3G MMI system. Those opting for NAIM’s premium audio system will be treated to the world’s most powerful system fitted to a production vehicle – a 20-channel 2,200-watt sound experience.

Bentley Motors will announce further pricing news for international markets in the near future as well as further information about the extensive range of additional options with which the Mulsanne can be specified.

Founder W.O. Bentley had a vision of building “a good car, a fast car, the best in its class.” 90 years later, Bentley’s new flagship Mulsanne will be positioned at the pinnacle of the premium segment.

Car supermarket Motorhouse 2000 are stepping slighty outside of their usual market as a purveyor of affordable cars for ordinary families to selling a rather swish and luxurious 2009  model Bentley Continental GTC convertible.

With delivery mileage only, 6.0 litre Petrol engine, Automatic gearbox, Bentley Oynx Black, 2 doors. For the price of a small house, you may need to take out a new mortgage at a staggering £ 124,999! Not cheap on fuel either with fuel economy  standing at a pathetic 16.5 mpg (combined). Technical Specs include 552bhp, 650NM (480 lb/f) ,1600 rpm and 0-62 mph in 4.8 secs, so driving it will certainlybe a thrilling if pocket-emptying experience!

For more information on Motorhouse and all car supermarkets in the UK, visit CarSupermarkets.co.uk.

If you fancy a Bentley visit SaveMoneyOnCars.co.uk for the best deals.

To lease a Bentley model visit ContractHireAndLeasing.com.

For the Continental Supersports, Bentley engineers have created the most powerful engine in the company’s 90-year history.

Bentley’s renowned 6-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 now develops 630PS (621 bhp/463 kW) at 6000 rev/min, an increase of 3.5 per cent compared with the Continental GT Speed. Maximum torque of 800 Nm (590 lb ft), up by 6.7 per cent, is achieved from 1700 rev/min across virtually the entire rev range for effortless power delivery.

The extra power and torque resulting from the increased turbocharger boost necessitated a 10 per cent increase in air flow to the intercoolers and radiators following an extensive programme of Computational Fluid Dynamics.
Dramatically-styled front air intakes feed the intercoolers behind, while twin bonnet vents ensure positive extraction of hot air above the engine.

These changes also help to increase downforce at the front, balanced by the addition of a re-profiled spoiler on the rear aerofoil with a raised rear edge.

The new ‘Quickshift’ version of the six-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic transmission is engineered exclusively for the Continental Supersports. Shift time has been cut by 50 per cent and the revised transmission also helps double downshifts (e.g. 6th down to 4th)

During upshifts, fuel and ignition are cut momentarily to give faster mechanical shift times through torque reduction, also improving shift quality and durability. Positive torque during downshifts is achieved through engine and gearbox electronic controller interaction for extra throttle and fuel injection during the overrun. This replicates manual throttle ‘blips’ for precise rev matching and helps double downshifts for enhanced response.

Acceleration times are improved, response times throughout the whole gear range are enhanced and engine braking can be better exploited during enthusiastic driving. The result is a driving experience with a sportier feel and sound.
To cope with the additional power and torque, the planetary gear set of the ZF transmission is also strengthened.
The increased power and torque, ‘Quickshift’ transmission and a 110 kg reduction in weight endow the Supersports with a top speed of 204 mph (329 km/h) and a 0-60 mph sprint time of just 3.7 seconds (0‑100 km/h in 3.9 seconds). It also accelerates from 0-100 mph (0-160 km/h) in just 8.9 seconds.

Engineering Bentley’s first ‘FlexFuel’ engine

At the 2008 Geneva Auto Salon, Bentley announced a far-reaching environmental programme to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy across its model range.

An important element of this strategy is by 2012 to make the entire Bentley fleet capable of running on renewable fuel through the introduction of FlexFuel technology, where engines are capable of running seamlessly on bioethanol, petrol or any mix of the two.

At the same time Bentley declared that this would be achieved without sacrificing its well-known performance and luxury.

This statement of intent has taken shape in the Continental Supersports – a car that balances extreme potency with the pioneering use of biofuel technology in the luxury sector.

The result is a net CO2 reduction of up to 70 per cent on a well-to-wheel-basis, the measurement of CO2 release of a fuel from its production (well) to its combustion or deployment (wheel).

Bioethanol can be derived responsibly from crops such as corn, soybeans, sugarcane and switchgrass. Second generation bioethanol uses the non-food fibres of the plant (biomass), as well as agricultural waste and forestry residues. These are collected and refined into cellulose ethanol.

CO2 is absorbed by plants as part of the photosynthesis process, and cars using biofuel then release that CO2 back into the atmosphere, thus creating an unbroken energy cycle. In addition, biofuels are not derived from fossil fuels, making them a renewable resource ensuring a secure supply into the future.

Bioethanol is often blended with petrol in a variety of percentages ranging from E10 (10% bioethanol) to the most widely known, E85, blended to a ratio of 85 per cent bioethanol to 15 per cent petrol to ensure cold-start capability.
Bioethanol presents unique engineering challenges compared with petrol, due to its chemical composition and characteristics. E85 biofuel has a very high octane rating of 105 but a lower energy content that requires a 30 per cent increase in the engine fuel flow rate.

This necessitated a complete review of the fuel system to identify, and if required replace, components deemed to be insufficiently resistant to the corrosive properties of ethanol.

For the fuel system all O-rings, seals, gaskets and pipes are new. In addition, increased fuel flow is achieved through a returnless fuel system and twin variable flow fuel pumps for the engine. The use of bioethanol also requires new valve coatings and hardened valve seat material for additional lubrication, a new closed‑loop fuel rail design with pressure sensor for higher fuel flow rates and new spark plugs with a wider heat range for slower combustion.

The W12 6-litre power unit has the technology to run on petrol, E85 or any mix of these two fuels.

A new Fuel Quality Sensor in the fuel supply circuit detects the current mix of petrol and bioethanol in real time. The engine control unit instantly initiates the correct engine mapping to ensure all performance parameters remain balanced and consistent. Power and torque remain constant whatever the ratio of petrol to bioethanol.
Brian Gush, Director, Chassis and Powertrain Engineering:

“The W12 has been re-engineered to run on petrol or a mix of petrol and bioethanol. A sophisticated fuel sensing system ensures that power and torque remain constant irrespective of the fuel ratio to deliver seamless power delivery in the Bentley tradition.”

A highly focused driving experience

The Supersports’ high performance is complemented by an array of chassis enhancements and weight reductions to deliver a highly focused driving experience with the emphasis on grip, agility and response.

The complex, four-link front suspension features not only high stiffness aluminium uprights, but now lightweight aluminium forward levers (saving 4 kg/8.8 lb). New double-stiffened bushes are fitted at the inboard mounting point to improve steering response and feedback.

A new hydraulic bush for the trailing link is 33 per cent stiffer to improve response and has a revised damping peak for better control of fore-aft wheel movement.

The anti-roll bar geometry is retuned for improved roll stiffness, while the Servotronic speed-sensitive steering system is tuned for sharper turn-in, improved feel and linearity.

The front and rear suspensions benefit from changes to the electronic control strategy of the Continous Damping Control (CDC) system that improve body control.

In common with the GT Speed, the Supersports’ suspension is lowered by 10 mm (0.4 inches) at the front and 15 mm (0.6 inches) at the rear for optimal handling. Agility is further sharpened by a revision to the continuous all-wheel drive system, which provides exceptional traction in all weathers. As before, the drive is transferred between the front and rear axles automatically via a highly sensitive Torsen centre differential which automatically sends more power to the wheels with greater grip.

For the Supersports, the standard 50/50 front/rear torque split is replaced by 40/60 split with a rear-bias. This provides for better modulation of line and attitude by ‘throttle steering’ as well as neutral acceleration out of bends.
The Supersports is fitted with unique, lightweight 9.5J x 20-inch forged alloy wheels, offering a total weight saving of 10 kg (22 lb) per car. These reduce both unsprung and rotating mass while the open 10-spoke design offers superior brake cooling. The rear wheels have a 25 mm (I inch) greater offset resulting in a 50 mm (2 inches) increase in the rear track, further benefiting handling and stability.

The new wheels are fitted with 275/35 ZR20 Pirelli Ultra-High Performance tyres, shared with the Continental GT Speed and provide excellent steering response. The wider rear track further enhances the already high level of grip.
To ensure optimum aerodynamic balance at speeds of up to 204 mph (329 km/h) the Supersports is fitted with a re-profiled automatic spoiler which deploys at 50 mph (80 km/h).

The Supersports is fitted with Bentley’s carbon-ceramic brakes as standard – the largest and most powerful ever fitted to a production car. The large diameter (420 mm front, 356 mm rear), lightweight discs and eight-piston callipers offer fade-resistant braking performance with minimal disc distortion under high thermal conditions. A 20 kg (44 lb) weight saving reduces unsprung and rotating mass, benefiting steering response and handling. Pedal feel is also improved with shorter travel, high effectiveness and a precise pressure point.

The standard-fit tyre-pressure monitoring system allows drivers to select tyre type and speed range parameters. As well as monitoring pressures, the system warns drivers if their speed is too high for the tyre pressures or if tyre speed ratings are exceeded on winter tyres.

The Supersports features an advanced electronic stability programme (ESP) that exploits the potential of the more powerful engine and enhanced chassis, improving driver interaction and control. The new ESP also provides faster reinstatement of engine torque after intervention for improved agility. The target slip is increased at greater than 90 per cent throttle to utilise all available longitudinal grip. Corner exit agility is thereby enhanced for increased driver involvement.

Brian Gush, Director of Chassis and Powertrain Engineering comments:

“The Supersports is an immensely capable real-world supercar with agility and traction in all driving situations. The new rear-bias all-wheel drive and retuned ESP systems allow the driver to fully exploit the potential of the W12 engine and optimised chassis.”

Muscular styling: form follows function

The Bentley Continental Supersports was not born of market research. It started out as a kind of ‘under the radar’ project with a team of four engineers investigating the additional performance potential of a lighter weight Continental GT.

Driven by this small, highly-motivated group of Bentley engineers the project gathered momentum. The team sought to create a rear-bias for the power delivery and also raise that power to create the fastest and most powerful Bentley ever. The design team was then briefed to make the new car ‘extreme’.

The evolution of the Supersports’ design was a clear case of form following function, the purposeful sculptural forms signalling the engineering revisions beneath the skin.

At the front, Supersports has a simple ‘letter box’ centre air intake flanked by two vertical grilles which give the car dramatic differentiation, making it seem wider (and therefore lower) while feeding a larger volume of cooling air to the intercoolers. Two new bonnet vents extract hot air from the engine bay.

At the rear, the subtly curved wheel arches are extended by 25 mm (I inch) each side, necessitating newly tooled panels, to accommodate the increased track of the uprated chassis. They provide the Supersports with a truly muscular stance, complemented by the new lightweight, 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels. The very open design allows a clear view of the carbon ceramic brake discs and callipers.

A new bumper with a black finish to the lower valance, houses larger (+ 40 mm/1.6 inches), unique elliptical exhaust pipes with a discreet vertical divider.

The Supersports is further distinguished by a unique dark-smoked steel finish to all exterior ‘brightware’, including front grilles, lamp bezels, window surrounds and wheels. A complex ‘Physical Vapour Deposition’ process is applied to all stainless steel components to give a lustrous and highly durable finish. A car industry first, this process is normally used as a decorative coating on watches and machine tools.

Four new exterior colours are available exclusively for the Supersports – pearlescent Ice and Quartzite and a first for Bentley, two matt finish colours, Light Grey Satin and Dark Grey Satin. Supersports customers will also have a choice of the 17 ‘standard’ paint colours.

The new Continental Supersports will feature subtle external model badges incorporated in the smoked steel trim strip behind each wheel on the lower front wings.

Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering:

“The Supersports was driven by the passion and enthusiasm of a small group of designers and engineers. Their aim was simple: to create a performance car exuding adrenaline and potency, where form follows function.”

A unique driver-focused cabin

Fully embracing the extreme spirit of Supersports, Bentley’s designers have created a unique ambience for the interior of this most ‘driver focused’ of Bentley cars. They have crafted a dedicated two-seat cabin that blends traditional leather hide with three new materials for Bentley – carbon fibre, AlcantaraTM and ‘Soft‑Touch’ leather. Traditional Bentley craftsmanship and fine detailing is retained but given a very different interpretation.

Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design and Styling explains:

“Our challenge was to create a driver-focused cabin that complements the extreme character of the exterior, using non-traditional materials whilst maintaining Bentley’s high standards of quality and craftsmanship.”

Light weight carbon fibre replaces wood veneer on the fascia and centre console, while the new lightweight front sports seats also feature a carbon fibre clamshell back. The rear seats are replaced by a stowage deck area with a carbon fibre luggage retaining beam.

A visible weave in all the carbon fibre components has a ‘Bentley-specific’ density and all the parts are finished at the company’s Crewe wood shop.

The all-new lightweight sports seat frames are manufactured to a Bentley specification and assembled and trimmed at Crewe. The cushion angle is fixed but the seat can be raised/lowered by 40 mm (1.6 inches) by the dealer who will tailor each car to its owner’s stature. The new seats have regular fore/aft movement, backrest recline adjustment and a heated cushion and backrest which tips forwards to provide access to the rear compartment. The new seat makes a significant contribution to the weight reduction target by saving a total of 45 kg (99 lb) versus the Continental GT Speed.

As the new sports seats do not have integrated belts, the top seatbelt anchorage was moved to the B-post. The Continental GT’s twin centre armrests were replaced by a wider, single armrest above an enlarged centre console storage unit.

The headlining, rear compartment and the seat centre panels are finished in AlcantaraTM, a high quality suede-like material.

The AlcantaraTM applied to the rear compartment and seat facings is quilted and in the Supersports marks the return of the much smaller ‘diamond’ upholstery pattern from Bentleys of old.

To further highlight the car’s sporty nature, the steering wheel and gear lever are trimmed in a new ‘Soft‑Touch’ leather with extra grip for a racing car feel.

The predominant interior colour is black with Beluga secondary hide and Anthracite AlcantaraTM. Customers however can personalise their interior by choosing between Single and Duo Tone themes.

Single Tone interiors feature primary and secondary hides in Beluga (black) and can be tailored to customer preference with a choice of contrasting stitching and piping (defining the seat edges) in seven colours – Newmarket Tan, Hotspur, Saffron, Linen, Portland, Porpoise or Beluga.

Duo Tone interiors offer a choice of three colour combinations with the primary hide in Newmarket Tan, Porpoise (grey) or Hotspur (red), the secondary hide in Beluga and the rear compartment and seats faces trimmed in Anthracite AlcantaraTM – as they are in the Single Tone cars.

These innovations are complemented by drilled alloy foot-pedals and ‘Supersports’ logos to the polished treadplates.

Conclusion

Commenting on the most extreme Bentley, Stuart McCullough, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing said:

“The Supersports will appeal not only to existing Bentley customers but will extend the brand’s appeal to enthusiasts who value extreme performance and distinctive styling in a luxury car that is fuelled for the future.”

Now, the introduction of the new GTC range builds on this success with a subtle evolution of its distinctive style and a range of technical and feature enhancements benefiting comfort and customer choice. The appeal of the GTC is further strengthened by the addition of the new 600bhp (610PS) GTC Speed model. It is Bentley’s most powerful convertible ever and inspired by Bentley’s legendary ‘Speed Models’ from the 1920s.

The new GTC models share a fresh frontal appearance. The radiator grille is more upright with a more pronounced square edge, accentuating the Bentley profile, and bolder lower air intake. These latest models are further distinguished by chrome headlamp bezels, the availability of two new exterior paints and a new colour hide.

For the standard GTC, new low-friction dampers provide improved ride comfort. In addition, two significant new options may be specified on both GTC models: lightweight, fade-resistant, carbon-ceramic brakes, the largest production passenger car brakes in the world, and a sophisticated follow-to-stop Adaptive Cruise Control system with long-range radar sensor that monitors traffic ahead and manages throttle and brakes to maintain a driver-selected time gap.

The GTC’s chassis and exceptionally rigid steel body have proved more than capable of coping with the power of the 552bhp (560PS) 6-litre W12 engine. For the new Continental GTC Speed, Bentley’s twin-turbocharged W12 now develops 600bhp (610PS) that delivers true 200 mph (322 km/h) performance, with the roof up, with exhilarating, effortless acceleration. Even with the roof down the GTC Speed can reach 195 mph (312 km/h).

The Continental GTC Speed is visually distinguished by subtle design enhancements which emphasise its higher performance credentials.  At the front, the radiator and lower air intake grilles feature a dark tinted matrix as standard. Larger diameter 9.5J x 20-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels with Bentley-bespoke Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance (UHP) tyres, lowered and uprated suspension, wider twin-rifled exhaust tail pipes and a new boot-mounted lip spoiler that enhances high speed aerodynamics, reinforce the sporting character of the Speed model.
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The GTC Speed’s 600bhp (610PS) W12 engine develops 9 per cent more power than the standard GTC. However, it is the 15 per cent increase in torque that really distinguishes the Speed model, which now develops an impressive output of 750 Nm (553lb ft). This is achieved across virtually the complete rev range, from just 1700 to 5600 rev/min, delivering that characteristic Bentley wave of torque.

The 0-60 mph sprint is despatched in a mere 4.5 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds) and 0-100 mph in 10.6 seconds (0-160 km/h in 10.5 seconds).

The GT Speed coupe, which debuted in 2007, has become the top selling GT model across the globe. This was followed in summer 2008 by the 4-door Continental Flying Spur Speed. Now, the Speed family is completed with the introduction of the GTC Speed, which is expected to account for up to two-thirds of GTC sales worldwide in its first year of production.

Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen explains the rationale behind the GTC Speed:

“The Continental GTC is an elegant Grand Touring convertible in the Bentley tradition, exciting the emotions with its distinctive blend of performance, luxury, craftsmanship and modernity. The GTC Speed completes the family of Continental Speed models and broadens the appeal of the GTC to customers who demand a more focused, open-top driving experience.”

RoadTestReports.co.uk gives the Bentley Continental GTC four and a half stars. Have you driven one? Let us know what you think by submitting your review here.

Search SaveMoneyOnCars.co.uk for offers on the Continental GTC.

In a bid to reserve the future value of their vehicles and maintain their image of exclusivity, car manufacturers are reluctant to advertise big discounts available through their franchise dealerships.
Luxury names such as Porsche, Bentley and Rolls Royce have seen a rise in cancelled orders as economic downturn hits the UK.

The newspaper reports that according their source a specialist dealership in South Derbyshire, a Porsche 997 Turbo Cabriolet that sold last year for £130,000 can now be had for £90,000. Even better, a Bentley Brooklands coupe that sold for £247,000 when launched this year can be bought for £147,000. A cool £100,000 saving.

Equally, the newspaper rumours that £13,000 is being knocked of the price of a new Range Rover.

Bentley road tests and car reviews
Bentley Continental GT full road test report
Bentley Continental Flying Spur full road test report
Bentley Continental GTC full road test report

Harnessing the power of 560 horses on a surface of pure ice. It may seem like a contradiction in terms, but in actual fact these two elements form the basis of a truly unique driving experience. The British luxury car manufacturer Bentley is offering its customers and any other interested parties the trip of a lifetime in the far north of Europe. And not for nothing has it dubbed the event ‘Power on Ice’.

The Bentleys awaiting the participants in this driving extravaganza will be 560-610 hp cars from the Continental series. After receiving a briefing from accomplished instructors the drivers will take to the road across a frozen lake in the centre of Finland. Temperatures as low as -30 degrees are no rarity in the region, yet they also help ensure that the ice presents a perfect surface on which to drive. The motoring conditions at this location a mere 60 km from the Arctic Circle are no less unique than the programme itself.

Bentley will be using the skills of the team around Finnish rally star Juha Kankkunen. Kankkunen has notched up countless wins in his rally-driving career, among them four world titles. In March 2007 he also set a new world speed record for driving on ice – using a Bentley Continental GT on a frozen bay off the coast of Finland. In his native Finland Kankkunen enjoys a status akin to that of a national hero and there can be few others who can claim better knowledge of the demands placed on ice-road drivers at this site.

Quite apart from the thrilling hours spent at the wheel of a Bentley guests can expect first-class service in specially designed accommodation. In the small town on Ruka, approx. 800 km north of Helsinki, Bentley is creating its own private holiday village consisting of a small boutique hotel and a number of exclusive chalets. Guests will enjoy all modern conveniences, with staff on hand around the clock. Food will be prepared by renowned Finnish chef Jarmi Pitkänen. The programme also features guided snowmobile trips and a dog-sledding excursion, with guests free to try their hand at driving a team themselves.

Places on Bentley’s ‘Power on Ice’ programme are limited as the three-day trips will be for small, tightly-knit groups only. The latest Power on Ice programme is the fourth of its kind and follows successful events held in the winters of 2006, 2007 and 2008. The dates for the upcoming programme fall between 16.2 and 10.3.2009.

The price of this all-inclusive package lies between 7,590 and 8,990 euros. Detailed travel and booking information is available on www.bentleydriving.com/poweronice or from your nearest Bentley partner.