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2012 Bentley Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition
 
Very few people in this world are held in higher regard than Queen Elizabeth II. So when Bentley introduced a special edition Mulsanne at a gala event to open their new dealership in Beijing in honor of the Queen, none of us were really all that surprised. The model is called the Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition and with the opening of the dealership coinciding with the Queen’s birthday, it only seemed appropriate for the British luxury maker to pay tribute to their beloved figurehead. The Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition will only be limited to 60 units with each vehicle presenting a year of the Queen’s reign. Likewise, each model distinguishes itself courtesy of a range of handcrafted features that include gold stitching embroidery on the headrests, veneered picnic tables in the rear cabin, and decorated with a gold overlay, a design that apparently pays tribute to the royal carriage. Lastly, the Mulsanne Jubilee Edition also comes with highly-polished, stainless steel treadplate plaques bearing a ‘Bentley Mulliner, England’ and ‘Diamond Jubilee Edition’ script as a way to distinguish the special edition model from the rest of the Mulsanne’s in the world. “This series of special cars, hand-built by our Mulliner Division, is our way of reciprocating the appreciation for British institutions, creativity and services we have been shown in China," said Richard Charlesworth, Director of Royal and VIP Relations for Bentley Motors. "And as proud holders of a Royal Warrant we also wanted to provide some memorable examples of British technology and craftsmanship.”
Bentley considering V8 and brand new V6 hybrid for the EXP 9 F SUV
 The styling of the Bentley EXP 9 F has been criticized to such an extent that the British marque confirmed it was already back to the drawing board to refine it, but that hasn’t stopped it from speculating about the engines which could be found under its hood. And all of this has been done without Bentley actually confirming that the EXP 9 F is going into production, but it seems pretty obvious now that it definitely is. Anyway, it’s almost completely certain that the EXP 9 F will be offered with Bentley’s massive 6.0-liter W12 engine which has been around for years now, and in SUV-spec, it could pump out in excess of 600HP and 590 lb-ft of torque. However, very few customers will be willing to buy an SUV with a gas-guzzling W12, so Bentley has suggested that the brand new 4.0-liter V8 engine from the new Continental is a likely contender, while a far more affordable V6 plug-in hybrid may also be developed and utilized. The V8 engine would likely remain in the same tune as it is when coupled with the Continental GT and will slash carbon emissions by 40 percent over the gargantuan W12. As for the plug-in hybrid, well very little is known about it at the moment, but it should have the capability of traveling up to 19 miles in fully- electric mode and when combined with the new six-cylinder engine, it could even launch the heavy SUV to 62 mph in less than 5 seconds. Hopefully Bentley will release more details about the V6 when it officially confirms the EXP 9 F for production in the coming months, and we’ll be sure to bring you that news straightaway. China trumps the U.S. again to become Bentley’s biggest market
 The U.S. has long been Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, and Bentley’s largest market partly due to its massive population, but mainly because Americans really love their exotic cars. However, just last year China overtook the U.S. as Lamborghini’s biggest market, and became Ferrari’s second largest market. If you want further evidence of just how popular luxurious cars are becoming in China, then take a look at the title. Yep, China has become Bentley’s largest market after a massive increase in sales in the first quarter of this year. An incredible 578 Bentley models have been sold in China thus far, while ‘only’ 450 units were sold in the U.S. However, sales in the U.S. did grow by 40% from this time last year, so that just goes to show how incredible the Chinese market currently is. It’s literally come out of the shadows in the past few years to become the focal point of dozens of automotive manufacturers. However, with China’s economy beginning to slow, Bentley’s chief operating officer, Christophe Georges believes these figures won’t be maintained stating, “The Chinese and U.S. markets are both strong. I don’t see (China’s lead) as a permanent situation.” One of the key reasons why Georges believes the U.S. will remain Bentley’s largest market in the long run is due to new showrooms being constructed in Nashville, Thousand Oaks, and Charlotte. Furthermore, Bentley is expected to launch a brand new SUV in the coming three years, and while the Chinese do indeed love their SUVs, they cannot match the love for them that Americans have. 2013 Bentley Continental GT by GMP Performance
Charlotte, North Carolina is a hotbed for NASCAR racing so it only seems fair to say that the folks over there know a thing or two about cars. That being said, we are not in the least bit surprised that one of the finest European tuners in America come from Charlotte in the form of GMP Performance. For their latest project, the boys over at GMP took the task of building a fancy program for no less than the Bentley Continental GT. Thanks to some help from Hamann and ADV.1 Wheels, GMP Performance successfully tricked out the British luxury sports coupe to pretty intense levels. The first order of business was importing the wide-body kit from Germany while also fitting in various new components, including a new front bumper, flared extensions on the fenders, new side skirts, a new rear wing, and a matte charcoal gray finish that was lifted from the Lamborgini Reventon. On top of the exterior enhancements, GMP Performance also fitted the Continental GT with a new set of 22" ADV.1 alloy wheels, which comes with brushed gunmetal centers and matte black lips & inner barrels. Rounding out the extensive tuning work done on the Continental GT is a performance upgrade that includes remapping the car’s ECU unit as well as the addition of a new stainless steel exhaust system that increases the car’s output from 552 horsepower and 479 lb/ft of torque all the way up to 620 horsepower and 600 lb/ft of torque.
2013 Bentley Continental GTC V8
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. UPDATE 02/20/12: Bentley has released a new crop of images for the Continental GTC V8, all of which you can check out in the gallery below! UPDATE 03/19/12: Bentley has unveiled a very cool promo video for their latest Continental GTC V8. Enjoy! Hit the jump to read more about the new Bentley Continental GTC V8. Full story 2012 Bentley EXP 9 F
It’s time to put an end to all of the rumors surrounding the future Bentley SUV by talking about the real deal. Bentley has unveiled the EXP 9 F at the Geneva Motor Show. This luxury Sport Utility Vehicle concept previews the company’s third model alongside the Mulsanne and the Continental ranges. The new EXP 9 F looks just how one would expect a Bentley SUV to look. The designers basically took the standard Bentley styling cues and hiked it up to an SUV level. It features Bentley’s famous matrix grille and round lamps, as well as an ultra-wide, two-part split tailgate and twin exhaust tailpipes. The engine for the EXP 9 F, however, still remains a mystery. The concept was built with a 6.0 liter, twin-turbocharged W12 engine under the hood, but the company says that, for the production version, both a 4.0 liter, twin-turbocharged V8 or a hybrid drivetrain could meet the performance requirements. UPDATE 03/06/2012: The new Bentley EXP 9 F has officially been unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, so here’s a series of live images to enjoy! UPDATE 03/15/2012: Bentley has unveiled a very cool video presenting their press conference at the Geneva Motor Show. Hit the jump to watch it! Hit the jump to read more about the Bentley EXP 9 F concept. Full story 2012 Geneva Motor Show: The Concept Cars
Concept cars have always been an integral part of any major auto show. These events give automakers an opportunity to showcase some of the most outlandish and over-the-top vehicles we’ll ever see. Now that doesn’t mean that these concepts will translate to production. Actually, very few do with most of them forgotten long after the auto show ends. At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, we saw a lot of concept cars that piqued our curiosities one way or the other. Some were fancy, some were strange, and some just completely blew us away. In the end, the concept cars at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show delivered on the promise of providing some edge and flavor to the proceedings. On the list below, we’ll show you all of the concepts that caught our eye, and if we do say so ourselves, some of those are just too awesome to not be sent to the production line. Check out the concept cars from the 2012 Geneva Motor Show after the jump. Full story 2012 Bentley Continental GT Convertible LE MANSORY II by Mansory
German tuning company, Mansory, spent a few months building an impressive list of models ready to be showcased at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and when Geneva opened its doors, Mansory blew us away once again with their Geneva offerings. One that struck our interest is their take on the luxurious Bentley Continental GT. The expressive customization on the British luxury car involves an emphatic aero and performance kit that has turned the Continental into a genuine eye-catcher. On the aesthetic front, Mansory went out and added a newly-designed front apron that includes proprietary daytime driving lights and an lightweight carbon-fiber bonnet. Even more carbon fiber was added on the front wings, while the newly designed side sill sets add 50mm at the front axle and 60mm at the rear axle, effectively widening the Continental GT’s stance. The program also has a new rear apron that not only delivers additional down thrust, but also creates enough space for the newly installed exhaust pipes. Finally, the German tuner fitted the British luxury sports car with a new set of 22" ultra light forged wheels. Inside, Mansory dressed up the Continental GT with the finest materials you can find, including leather that has been treated by master craftsmen. There’s also a newly designed airbag sports steering wheel, aluminum pedals, door entry sills, and plenty of carbon fiber trim. Going to the engine, the Continental GT already possesses a powerful 6.0-liter W12 engine that produces a stout 567 horsepower and 516 lb/ft of torque, but Mansory decided that wasn’t enough. They added a new sports exhaust system, a new sports air filter, and tweaked the ECU unit, resulting in an increased output of 672 horsepower and 575 lb/ft of torque. All that translates to a 0-62 mph time of 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 200 mph. 2012 Bentley Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification
Bentley is making its way over to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show packing a highly distinctive and sporting interpretation of their luxurious Mulsanne model. The Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification Edition receives many new features, as well as debuting two new options for the full range of Mulsannes. The Bentley Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification will be distinguished by a pair of sweeping wing vents made from cast, polished stainless steel, a black matrix grille, a new set of unique 21-inch alloy wheels, Bentley Flying ‘B’ wing vents, and Diamond Quilted leather trimmed cabin with driver-selectable, sports-tuned suspension and steering. Powering this luxurious model will be the usual 6.75 liter V8 engine delivering 505 HP, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The combination will allow the Mulsanne to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, on its way up to a top speed of 184 mph - impressive numbers for a luxury limousine. The Mulliner Driving Specification is set to be revealed next month at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned! UPDATE 03/07/2012: We have added a series of new, live images from the Bentley Mulsanne Mulliner’s official debut in Geneva. Check them out in the picture gallery! Hit the jump to read more about the new Bentley Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification. Full story 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8
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 02/22/2012: Bentley has unveiled a series of new images of the Continental GT V8. Enjoy! Full story | featured reviews:Bentley cars reviews2015 2013
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