2011 Bentley Mulsanne

Contrary to what you might expect, successfully keeping tradition alive in the automotive world isn't just about periodically mining one's stylistic back catalog or simply refusing to change altogether.

To convincingly abide by the spirit of one's history without running the risk of extinction, or worse – self-parody – requires stealthy innovation, and to do so is a decidedly tricky undertaking.

Just ask Bentley. The British automaker has a long history of artfully highlighting its considerable heritage, from the exploits of the fabulous Bentley Boys to the timeless craftsmanship employed in its interiors. And despite the upright look of its new flagship, the 2011 Mulsanne, much thought and effort has been exerted into making what is actually a very modern proposition seem... traditional. Accomplishing this in an authentic and timeless manner is particularly important for an automaker like Bentley. Given the rather lengthy model lifecycles that small-volume manufacturers are often forced to adopt, it's crucial to nail the entire package the first time. Follow the jump to see if they've managed the feat.

Bentley GTC Speed touches down

Official pictures and details on Bentley's most powerful convertible ever.

Hold onto your hats, the most powerful Bentley convertible ever has blown in! We brought you spy shots of the Bentley GTC Speed back in October, but these are the first official pictures of the 200mph drop-top.

The GTC is the third Bentley to receive the ‘Speed’ treatment, following the GT coupe and the Continental Flying Spur. They all share a pumped-up version of the 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, the most compact 12-cylinder in the world, producing 600bhp and an astonishing 750Nm of torque. Despite weighing in at a hefty two and a half tonnes 0-60mph is despatched in 4.5 seconds, while a 200mph top speed is possible with the roof in place, 195mph when it’s stowed.

Distinguishing the GTC Speed from the ‘standard’ car, besides the extra 48bhp, is a special tinted mesh in the radiator and lower air intake grille. There’s also larger 20-inch multi-spoke alloys as standard, wrapped in high-performance Pirelli PZero rubber. Lowered suspension and a subtle lip spoiler improve the Speed’s handling and aerodynamics, while wider twin-exhaust pipes help to turn up the volume.

Optional extras include fade-resistant carbon-ceramic brakes – the largest fitted to any production car in the world – and Bentley’s sophisticated Adaptive Cruise Control system.

The sumptuous interior takes its inspiration from the ‘Mulliner’ pack available on the standard GTC, and includes diamond-quilted leather on the seats and door trims, Speed-embossed scuff plates on the door frames, chrome gear lever and drilled-alloy sports pedals.

Based on the success of the other Speed models in the range, Bentley expect this upgraded version to account for over two-thirds of GTC sales worldwide – despite a substantial price tag of £146,100 when it goes on sale in the UK this spring.

Bentley Continental GTC Speed

Soft-top version of Bentley's flagship GT spotted.

The lid has been lifted on Bentley’s most powerful production cabriolet ever. This is the Continental GTC Speed – a 200mph bruiser with all the menace and performance of its hard-top sibling.

Spied here in the final stages of testing, we’ve managed to capture the GTC Speed without any disguise. Not for the self-conscious, the cabrio looks set to stand out with huge alloy wheels, vast twin exhausts and a neat boot spoiler.

Under the bonnet lies a 600bhp 6.0-litre, W12 engine, capable of propelling the GTC from 0-60 in under 4.5 seconds, and onto a 200mph top speed. In-gear pace will be incredible thanks to 750Nm of torque which is fully available from only 1,750rpm.

It will come at a premium though – expect to pay around £150,000 when it reaches showrooms early next year.

2008 Bentley Brooklands Is All-Exclusive With Only 550 Built

Since its launch at the Geneva Salon in March, the new Bentley Brooklands has captured the hearts of customers across the globe, with the first year's production of this hand-assembled, luxury coupe already sold out.

Speaking at the recent opening of a new dealership in Istanbul, Turkey, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley's Chairman and Chief Executive, said:

"The interest in Brooklands since its unveiling in Geneva has exceeded our expectations. It is surely destined to become a collectors' classic."

The lifetime production of this luxurious coupe will be strictly limited to just 550 cars, ensuring exclusivity. Deliveries to customers begin in the first quarter of 2008.

The Bentley Brooklands marks a return to Bentley's heartland. For decades powerful coupes have been icons of the Bentley brand and the Brooklands continues that proud lineage.

As a coupe, the Bentley Brooklands is unique, its remarkably spacious cabin providing the ultimate in first-class travel for four adults at any speed. The low, fast roofline with dramatically raked front and rear screens and muscular lines give the Brooklands a distinctively sleek, sporting stance. The effect is contemporary yet unmistakeably Bentley.

Brooklands' enhanced chassis provides the handling to match the awesome power of the 530bhp (395kW) twin-turbocharged 6-litre engine, the most powerful V8 that Crewe, Bentley's home for over 60 years, has ever produced. This legendary engine also develops the highest-ever torque output of any V8 automotive engine in the world, producing 1050Nm (774lb.ft).

The Bentley Brooklands -- Latest News in Brief

Supercar performance from luxury four-seater coupe:

• 0-60mph in 5.0 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.3s).
• Top speed of 184 mph (296km/h).
• 50 to 70mph in just 2.4 seconds (80-120km/h in 3.1s).

Record power output of 530bhp and 1050Nm of torque from handbuilt 6-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, including:

• New free-flowing air induction system and sports exhaust.
• Recalibrated valve timing and engine management systems

Dynamic handling combined with superb ride comfort:

• Very stiff platform and uniquely engineered chassis with specially developed 20-inch wheels and tyres as standard, that combine Arnage T handling with Arnage R comfort.

Optional carbon/silicon carbide brakes:

• The largest diameter discs of any production passenger car on sale today.
• Discs last the lifetime of the car and pad life is doubled, under normal driving conditions.
• Virtually fade-free use time after time.

Most spacious rear cabin of any coupe in the world.

Bentley is the only manufacturer to offer as standard a cabin trimmed entirely with leather hides.

Full order book for first year, with lifetime production limited to just 550 cars.

Supercar performance from Crewe's most powerful V8
Such is the robustness of the engine's architecture, the Crewe-built V8 engine has been at the heart of all large Bentley coupes for nearly 50 years.

In 2007, the Bentley 6-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 saw a step-change in performance with a comprehensive range of enhancements for both Arnage and Azure. These included a more efficient and refined valve-train, re-profiled camshafts and more responsive, low-inertia turbochargers. These were complemented by a new six-speed transmission with semi-automatic function and Bosch engine management system.

For the Arnage T, power increased to 500bhp with 1000Nm of torque. The changes also enhanced refinement, improved durability and ensured compliance with the demanding European EU IV and US LEV II emissions standards. This engine represented the starting point for the new Bentley Brooklands coupe.

For Brooklands, Bentley's engineers have introduced a new free-flowing air induction system and a sports exhaust, together with a re-calibration of the valve-timing and engine management system. The result is record power from this hand-assembled 6 ?-litre V8 engine of 530bhp (395kW) at 4000 rev/min and an astonishing 1050Nm (774lb ft) of torque at 3250 rev/min -- the highest-ever torque of any V8 automotive engine in the world.

Brian Gush, Director, Chassis and Powertrain explains the philosophy behind the record outputs:

"Our prime objective was to unlock the power potential of the amazingly flexible V8, allowing it to breathe more efficiently."

The new engine endows the Brookland's with true supercar performance, accelerating to 60mph in just 5.0 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds) on its way to a top speed of 184mph ( 296 km/h). In-gear acceleration times are also greatly enhanced, with the coupe capable of accelerating from 50 to 70mph in 2.4 seconds (80-120km/h in 3.1 seconds).

That instantaneous acceleration is recognisable from the driver's seat as the renowned Bentley "wave of torque" and is due in part to the V8 engine's new twin turbochargers which operate with far greater efficiency at lower engine speeds, significantly reducing lag.

The V8 engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with locking torque converter that provides an instantaneous response to the driver's demands. A semi-automatic function allows manual gear selection for even greater driver control and, when driven to its potential, means stronger and faster acceleration in every gear.

Dynamic handling and superb ride comfort
The Bentley Brooklands copes with the formidable power of its V8 engine thanks to a uniquely engineered chassis, developed from the Bentley Arnage, and an impressively stiff body structure. Strengthened steel in the A-pillars, door sills, rear-three quarter sections and cant-rails provide the Brooklands' body with exceptional torsional stiffness. This contributes to the Brooklands' sporting handling combined with superb levels of ride comfort that are in keeping with the large Bentley coupe tradition. Peter Guest, Head of Department, Body and Trim, elaborates.

"Brooklands' stiff platform provides a stable foundation for the sophisticated double wishbone suspension developed from the dynamic Arnage T."

The independent, front and rear, double-wishbone suspension employs coil springs, computer-controlled adaptive, electro-hydraulic dampers and automatic ride height control with auto load compensation. Together, these deliver impressive body control during cornering, braking and acceleration. The fitment as standard of 8.5Jx20-inch wheels and 255/40 ZR20 Pirelli P Zero tyres, specially developed for Brooklands, also aids handling and roadholding.

The very strong body also allows Brooklands to run with lower spring rates than the Arnage T, thereby achieving a level of ride comfort similar to that of the Arnage R. The body-hugging, lower-slung Azure-derived front seats provide a more sporting driving position, enhancing the sporting appeal of Brooklands, compared with its Arnage and Azure stablemates.

As an option, Brooklands may be specified with new carbon/silicon carbide, cross-drilled brake discs, further extending the new coupe's performance boundaries. Introduced on the limited edition Continental GT Diamond Series in 2006, the system features the largest diameter brake discs of any production passenger car on sale today. Measuring 420 x 40mm at the front and 356 x 28mm at the rear, with eight-piston callipers, the new brakes give an 8 kg reduction in rotating unsprung mass benefiting steering response, ride suppleness and acceleration.

The lightweight braking system ensures virtually fade-free use, time after time, and superb resistance to disc distortion under high thermal conditions. Under normal driving conditions the brake discs will last the lifetime of the car. Furthermore, brake pad life is doubled compared with the standard braking system.

Coach-built design inspired by Bentley's proud coupe lineage
The Bentley Brooklands' bloodline is a rich history of elegant, potent, two-door luxury coupes. For decades these have been icons of the Bentley brand and Brooklands continues that proud lineage. Bentley coupes from the fifties such as the Park Ward Continental S1 and the Continental R and T of the nineties became collectors' classics and were a major influence on the character and design of the Brooklands coupe.

The Bentley design team set out to create a car that is fast and muscular yet rakish and elegant, as Raul Pires, Head of Exterior Design, explains:

"We wanted to capture the muscularity, glamour and beauty of iconic two-door Bentleys from the past to achieve a handsome coupe with real presence."

Brooklands' sporting pedigree is unquestionable. Its low roofline with dramatically raked front and rear screens, pillar-less, elongated glass area and graceful, prominent haunches lend Brooklands a sleek, purposeful appearance. The Brooklands roof is 13mm (0.5 in) lower than the Azure and a full 47mm (1.9 in) lower than a four-door Arnage.

As the Brooklands was only ever intended for limited production volume, the design team was able to introduce features that call upon the unique coach-building techniques of Bentley's craftsmen and women. The Brooklands' fast flowing roofline is a perfect example of those skills. To create the appearance of a "floating" rear screen demanded by the design team, the rear quarter panel and roof can only be joined by hand -- impossible in mainstream production.

The exclusive character of Brooklands is further distinguished by "Le Mans" front wing vents, a jewelled fuel filler cap, brushed aluminium "Bentley Brooklands" treadplates and a dark-tinted steel Bentley matrix grille with optional Flying "B" retractable radiator mascot.

Its sporting intentions are reflected by larger diameter exhaust tailpipe finishers with rifled detailing to the inside surface. Brooklands also features unique underbonnet detailing with a brushed aluminium "6 Litre Brooklands" engine plaque. Embossed Bentley logos appear on the intercoolers. Each engine bears the signature of the team leader who oversaw its hand-built construction in the Crewe factory.

Brooklands rests on 20-inch alloy wheels -- a first for the Arnage family of cars -- in two distinctive styles. The 16-spoke two-piece Disc wheels are standard fitment with the 5-spoke, two-piece Sports wheels available as an option. Both designs, shod with Pirelli sports tyres, lend Brooklands an appearance of surefootedness, robustness and dynamism.

"First-class" luxury travel for four adults and peerless craftsmanship

The Brookland's interior offers a remarkably spacious, hand-crafted, luxury cabin to provide the ultimate in first-class travel for four adults at any speed. Robin Page, Head of Interior Design, explains the philosophy:

"The creation of Bentley interiors is more design house than car company. Brooklands' beautiful hand-finishing is no different from a bespoke suit or haute couture dress."

As in every Bentley, peerless craftsmanship and bepoke finishing are to the fore. Every item of trim, be it veneer, hide or chromed bezel, uses authentic materials. All interior brightware, for example, is made from stainless steel and is as spectacular as any Bentley of yesteryear.

The limited production volume allows the Brooklands design team to capitalise on the unique skills and techniques of Bentley's craftsmen and women. For example, the cabin headlining is made entirely from leather, making Bentley the only car manufacturer in the world to offer as standard a cabin entirely trimmed with leather hides. The entire headlining is tightened and finished by hand to achieve the desired quality of finish, a process that takes years of skilled practice to perfect.

By using the Arnage rear cabin structure, Bentley's engineers have created a vast rear seat area that is larger than any other coupe in the world. The individual, electronically reclining rear seats are set 100mm (4 inches) further back than on Azure, benefiting leg room. They are also set 25mm lower than the Arnage, resulting in a headroom of 939mm -- just 24mm less than in the large saloon.

Brooklands uses the new Azure's front seats with their integrated seat belts and side airbags. Major features include bi-level electric lumbar adjustment, a massage function, as well as tilting and extending front cushions.

Brooklands' customers will be able to specify their car in an extensive choice of "standard fit" colours which includes 42 exterior paints (including new Venusian Grey and Titan Grey), 25 hides and three veneers.

In common with all Arnage family models, the wood veneers (including new Dark Stained Vavona) are premium quality and unbleached for a more natural appearance. Three new hide colours (Anthracite grey, Newmarket Tan and Cashew) are introduced with Brooklands. Customers may also tailor their cars to their individual specification through Bentley Mulliner's bespoke colour-matching service and selection of hide colours from previous model years.

Brookland's sporting atmosphere is emphasised by the distinctive new "Sandwich" piping which sits flush with, rather than proud of, the stitching. In addition, a range of optional engine-turned aluminium and carbon fibre veneer inserts complement the Mulliner aluminium foot pedals and footrest.

Bentley to receive SIRIUS Satellite Radio exclusively

Last month, Bentley Motors Inc. announced that SIRIUS Satellite Radio, which provides more than a 130 radio channels commercial-free, will be the sole provider of such content to the automaker.

States Bentley CEO Andrew Stuart, "All vehicles equipped with SIRIUS will include a lifetime subscription to the service, which will enhance each Bentley's individual customization and give each customer a new vehicle experience.”

Bentley will offer the service as an option for all its 2007 mid-model vehicles. SIRIUS will then be offered as a standard feature for the 2008 Continental GT, Continental GTC, and Continental Flying Spur.

2007 Bentley Arnage

Bentley Motors continues the intensive development of its flagship Arnage range with the introduction of a major programme of powertrain and chassis enhancements for the 2007 Model Year.

The Arnage’s renowned 6.75-litre V8 engine now develops up to 500bhp and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission benefiting performance, driving dynamics and refinement. The powertrain changes are complemented by subtle exterior, interior and under-bonnet design cues.

Key to this performance increase is the most powerful version of Bentley’s legendary V8 engine ever built at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, England. In the performance-oriented Arnage T model, the revised twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces a staggering 500bhp and 1000Nm of torque – an 11percent increase in power and a 14 percent increase in torque over the outgoing model. Twinned with the latest six-speed ZF automatic transmission, which uses state-of-the-art computer management, performance and refinement are optimised at all speeds. In the Arnage R and RL models the new engine is boosted from 400 to 450bhp, while torque climbs from 835 to 875Nm.

“The 2007 Model Year Arnage range is clear evidence of our intent to ensure Bentley’s flagship model remains at the forefront of technology and delivers the performance, refinement and luxury that every Bentley customer demands,” explains Stuart McCullough, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing.

The 500bhp Arnage T is a true driver’s car with much higher performance and delivers an even more rewarding driving experience. The improvements to the refinement and comfort of the 450bhp Arnage R are equally striking, while the long-wheelbase RL shares the same increased power output together with major improvements to the rear passenger cabin.

“Two years ago we introduced major upgrades to the Arnage’s chassis, steering and brakes,” says Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering. “Those improvements meant the car could easily handle a significant increase in power and torque, so work began on this important powertrain programme.”

The 2007 Model Year Arnage also benefits from safety, interior and design improvements. Every Arnage now has a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, rSAP Bluetooth integrated telephone system and improved driver ergonomics as standard. Additionally, new wheel, exterior paint colour and interior trim options are available, as well as an optional retractable ‘Flying B’ bonnet mascot.

The new 2007 Model Year Bentley Arnage range will go on sale from September 2006.

Overview

• Uprated 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine in Arnage T produces 500bhp and 1000Nm torque, thanks to new low inertia turbochargers and roller tappet system.
• Arnage R and RL models uprated to 450bhp and 875Nm of torque.
• Latest six-speed ZF automatic transmission with sophisticated locking torque converter provides fast yet ultra-smooth gearshifts.
• New Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) logic system improves dynamic response and handling with less intrusive intervention when a reduction in grip is detected.
• New Tyre Pressure Monitoring System *** as standard to all Arnage models.
• Improved driver ergonomics thanks to 25mm increase in length of steering column and in vertical steering wheel adjustment.
• Exterior design styling changes includes new dark finish to Arnage T front radiator and bumper grilles, standardised bright chrome finish to R and RL grilles, and Bentley ‘B’ badges on the D-pillars.
• Underbonnet styling now features a black crackle finish to the Arnage T’s inlet manifold, embossed Bentley logo on plenum chambers and new ‘6¾ LITRE TWIN TURBO’ engine plaques.
• Interior design updates include new hide-trimmed gearlever and chrome gearlever bezel providing access to semi-automatic transmission function.
• New Thin Film Technology driver information panel displays more comprehensive and clearly accessible information.
• Arnage RL model receives additional standard specification including rear centre armrest bottle cooler, veneered rear centre cushion box, rear rSAP master telephone system, and reversing camera (US, EU, Australia and New Zealand markets only).