As the English philosopher Francis Bacon once said, "Nothing is pleasant that is not spiced with variety." Most car manufacturers, after efforts like the 2012 Bentley Continental GT, would have been happier to call it a day. However, Bentley looked at this automotive Adonis and decided "everything can be improved." This style of constant tweaking has resulted in multiple versions of the GT Continental. The first of these "tweaks" for the 2012 Bentley Continental GT is the new GT Speed.
This Adonis in an Armani suit will be given a shot in the arm. The previous GT Speed had 9% more power and 15% more torque than the base GT Continental. If this same increase applies to the new GT Speed, the W-12 will be pump out around 621 horses and 590 ft/lbs of torque. This would install the GT Speed as a next door neighbor to the top of the line Continental Supersports.
Full story after the jump.
Full story
There is always at least one person out there who is not satisfied with the tuning packages provided to the masses. In fact, there is typically many more than one, but only a few have the financial means to walk right into an exclusive tuning firm and request a one-off model to be made. This is what one UK man did when he called up Scotland tuning firm - Imperium - and asked to get a one-off bespoke Bentley Continental GT tailored to his exact specifications.
This special Continental GT features uniquely designed front and rear apron upgrades, aggressive carbon exposed side skirts, a subtle boot lip spoiler, and a rear carbon fiber diffuser. The special Imperium Continental GT will also receive one-off designed and manufactured ultra light fully forged alloy wheels. They will get a special design, color, and finish as directed by the client himself.
Next to the exterior updates, the model will also receive an optimized braking system, a lowered sport suspension, and an ECU upgrade. The exhaust system has been individually tailored to the exact level of exhaust noise and depth of sound desired by the client. The tuner hasn’t revealed how these changes will improve the 6.0 liter W12 engine’s performance, but expect a bit more than the car’s current 567 HP.
This highly detailed client also provided details as to how the interior was to be made over, choosing specially hand selected luxurious leathers, tailor made carbon fiber, refined wood trim, ultra suede, classic black piano finishes, and a beautiful individually built and designed ergonomic sports steering wheel.
Just the fact that this guy had a hand in just about every aspect of the transformation of the vehicle is enough for us to drool incessantly. The added - and truly tremendous - bonus is that he gets to take it home.
Bentley has currently postponed plans for launching any new model or updates for their current models. Instead, the company is moving forward in the development of a new turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that will be used for the future models starting next year. Coincidentally, the same engine will be used for the new Audi S6 and RS6.
The new V8 engine will be offered in two different versions: a single-turbo unit with around 415 HP - used for the entry level models - and a twin-turbo version with close to 555 HP for the speedier versions (like the RS6). The new engine will be combined with a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
Bentley will unveil the new GTC at the Frankfurt Motor Show where Audi will also bring the S6, but the new V8 engine won’t be revealed until next year, most likely at the Geneva Motor Show.
It’s been about six months since Bentley’s debut of their facelifted Continental GT luxury coupe so it seems only natural that the company would now be hard at work testing the Speed version of the vehicle. Another seemingly natural fact would be that spy photographers were on hand to catch the speedier GT before its world debut later this year, most likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The prototype caught testing features a redesigned front bumper that makes it look sportier and even more aggressive. There also seems to be some changes in the exhaust system that clearly indicate a greater output. The current GT Speed model is powered by a twin-turbocharged W12 that develops 600 HP, so expect to see at least the same output - if not more - in the new model.
Along with some additional power, the 2012 Continental GT Speed will also benefit from a lighter body to boost fuel efficiency and a few interior upgrades including new seats and a new navigation system situated in the updated dash.
Stay tuned for more details on the 2012 Continental GT Speed!
In the past, Onyx Cars has typically stayed glued to the SUV lineup of a number of brands, but last year, something funny happened; the luxury tuner revealed a tuning package for the Bentley Continental. Now back to prove that that package was not a mere fluke, Onyx Cars has developed yet another tuning package for the luxury coupe, working off of the previous package they created. The new package includes exterior and interior updates, as well as a 20 HP boost over the original.
The exterior was spruced up with a modified front bumper with carbon fiber inserts and a lower front splitter. Brightening up the front of the car are new LED daytime running lights. Moving to the side of the Bentley, Onyx added some new side skirts and then widened the wheel arches a bit. The back of the car received a revised bumper, a rear carbon diffuser, and a carbon fiber boot lid spoiler. Finishing off the package is a new set of 22-inch black forged wheels.
The interior wasn’t exactly the focus of the tuning firm so all they added was their typical bespoke buffalo leather and carbon fiber paneling.
As for the engine updates, Onyx Cars took the Bentley Continental GT’s standard 6.0 liter W12 and bumped it up from the standard 567 HP all the way to 660 HP. That final outcome is 20 HP up from their last tuning project for the same car.
