After releasing a video showing off the sound of Bentley’s new V8 engine, the company has officially announced details on the new Continental GT V8 before its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9, 2012. The new 4.0 liter, twin turbocharged V8 engine will be offered for both the CT coupe and GTC convertible models and will go on sale in the summer of 2012.
The new V8 engine delivers 500 HP at 6000 rpm and 487 lb-ft of torque available between 1700 to 5000 rpm. The models equipped with this new engine will be offered with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission and will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, while top speed will go up to 180 mph. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions have been improved significantly, but official figures will be released in early 2012. Bentley has promised that when equipped with the new V8 engine, the Continental models will be capable of traveling over 500 miles (800km) on a single tank of fuel.
"With the new 4.0 liter 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," said Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors.
UPDATE 12/20/2011: A leaked pricing reveals is offering us the European prices for the new Continental GT models. The coupe version is priced at 161,840 euro (about $211,600 at the current exchange rates) and the convertible version at 178,024 euro ($232,700).
UPDATE 01/12/2012: Bentley has unveiled a new video presenting the new Continental GT V8 in action. Enjoy!
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Bentley put a hold on developing any new models in order to work on a new 4.0 liter, twin turbocharged V8 engine that we already expected to see in the Continental GT V8 at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Details for the Coupe model were already revealed to that effect, but now that the auto show has opened its doors, the new Continental GTC V8 was there, welcoming the auto industry with open arms with its new engine and a total of 500 HP and 487 lb ft of torque. In Europe, the GTC V8 is priced at €149,600 - or about $191,000 at the current exchange rates. Prices for the North American market will be announced at a later date.
"With the new 4.0 liter 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," said Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors.
Hit the jump to read more about the new Bentley Continental GTC V8.
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Ultra luxury brands beware, another one of your comrades is falling down the shame spiral and building a - gasp - SUV!
Sure that’s a little dramatic, but so are all of the people that are scoffing at the fact that Bentley has now confirmed a new SUV scheduled to hit their lineup sometime in 2015. If everyone remembers correctly, these are the same people that were horrified that Porsche decided to build the Cayenne and look how well that turned out for them. Now, with a 37% increase of sales in 2011 (to 7,003 vehicles sold), Bentley is looking to double this number by the time this new SUV comes out by making it "the world’s most luxurious 4x4" SUV and targeting growing SUV markets like the US and China. The "luxurious" title will also match the price; Bentley is stating that the starting price for their future SUV will be $140,000, making the $48,200 starting price of the Porsche Cayenne look like it belongs on a Kia Sportage.
So what constitutes the jumbo price tag? Other than the supposedly tremendous amount of luxury built into the future SUV, it has also been stated that it will be powered by the next generation W12 engine delivering up to 600 HP. For markets like Europe, Bentley will also offer a 6.0-liter V12 TDI engine with an output of about 500 HP.
Bentley is taking a big step with its improving sales by giving an SUV a chance to flourish. Does the world need a strong competitor for the Porsche Cayenne? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that high-end customers with deep pockets won’t be writing out checks for a chance to wallow in the luxurious nature promised by Bentley.
Following the updates offered for the Continental GT and the Continental GTC models, Bentley will also offer the same upgrade treatment for its Flying Spur model. Just like with the other models, the Flying Spur will receive both exterior and interior changes. However, the question of the day is whether or not the company’s new V8 engine will also be made available for this version.
Just like with the other two Continental models, the Flying Spur will receive a tricked out exterior with a more aggressive front fascia, a vented hood, and new headlights. For the rear, the luxury full size vehicle will get a new trunk-mounted spoiler, slimmer taillights, and a revised exhaust system. The interior will add even more luxury thanks to the addition of better quality materials and improved technologies.
Under the hood, the Continental Flying Spur will get the tried and true 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 engine rated at 575 HP and 516 lb/ft of torque. The engine will be mated to a new QuickShift transmission.
Expect to see the new Flying Spur launched by the end of 2012.
Tuner extraordinaire Vorsteiner revealed some teaser images of their new ’BR-10’ program for the 2012 Bentley Continental GT Coupe just before the holidays came last month.
Well, it didn’t take them long to unveil the whole details of their new tuning program.
As to be expected from these guys, the crux of their program involves a comprehensive aerodynamic package featuring a plethora of carbon fiber elements that add sporty touches to Bentley’s resident high-end luxury sports coupe. As part of the program, Vorsteiner fitted the Continental GT with a two-piece front spoiler with central splitter, sill skirts with an integrated lower section in lacquered carbon, a subtle gurney deck lid spoiler, an aggressive diffuser that has been attached to the car’s standard bumper, and a plethora of wheel options that can be customized according to the tastes of their customers. Among them, and a set that we’re dying to get our hands on, is Vorsteiner’s very own 22" VS-120 series forged aluminum mono block wheels. Wrap that in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 rubber tires and you have a set-up that’s right around the wheelhouse of what Vorsteiner is capable of building.
As far as technical upgrades are concerned, Vorsteiner has been mum on any performance upgrades. But that won’t stop us from speculating that there’s one under that hood, especially when you consider that the Continental GT Coupe’s 6.0-liter W12 powertrain comes with a total of 567 horsepower that is just begging to be tuned to high heaven.
