Bentley

Let’s take a closer look at the Bentley Continental GT Speed convertible

Bentley are known for their sleek design and luxurious style, but they are now showing us they can become real contenders in the speed stakes too.

What is it?

Subtle tweaks to the Bentley Continental GT Speed convertible mirror those made to its fixed-head sibling, with some mild styling changes and fractionally more power teased out of the mighty W12 engine under the bonnet.

Just as the previous revision to the Continental GT Speed convertible featured incremental increases in power, torque and top speed, this new variant nudges the performance game forward once more.

The 6.0-litre W12 powerplant, augmented via electronic management and turbo pressure fettling, now produces 626bhp and 607lb ft, increases of 10bhp and 17lb ft respectively over its predecessor.

Although the GT Speed convertible offers the hair-ruffling exhilaration and posing potential of luxury roof-down motoring, it does narrowly lose out to the hardtop version in terms of performance, even if the differences are miniscule.

Replacing the coupé’s steel roof with a seven-bow, three-layer fabric hood, and the accompanying operating mechanism and additional body reinforcement, has plumped the GT Speed convertible’s kerb weight by 175kg compared to its sibling, to 2495kg.

Yet it is just one-tenth of a second slower than the GT Speed to 60mph, at 4.1sec, and loses a scant 3mph at the uppermost echelons, with the maximum speed pegging at 203mph according to Bentley’s official figures.

It’s unlikely that any but the most inquisitive owners would seek to take their GT Speed Convertible past the double ton, but the top-end figures mean plenty when there’s bragging rights at stake in the private members’ bar or at the golf club.

What is it like?

It’d be easy to assume that a vehicle weighing close to 2.5 tonnes and lacking the structural rigidity provided by a fixed roof might struggle to keep its considerable mass under the kind of consummate control that Bentley likes its cars to display.

But the Continental GT Speed Convertible is remarkably composed over most road surfaces. Occasionally you feel imperfections that perhaps wouldn’t trouble the coupé, but for the most part the Bentley feels exceptionally well managed.

Body control is surprisingly composed, particularly through fast flowing corners. Ambitiously attacked slower, tighter bends offer an occasional reminder of this car’s size and weight.

Considerably slower than the car itself is its fabric roof, which can be lowered or raised in 25sec at speeds of up to 20mph, so you’d better hope the weather turns at the exact moment you’re stuck in slow-moving traffic or idling at a junction.

Roof down, it’s only natural that a good deal more of the W12’s gruff burble is noticeable than in the coupé. Engage Sport mode and the exhaust note is considerably more aggressive and, after a while, can be quite jarring.

Better to leave it in standard Drive mode. The control of wind noise intrusion into the cabin is very impressive, with occupants able to maintain a measured conversational tone at all time, enhancing the chilled-out grace with which the Continental GT Speed Convertible goes about its business

Should I buy one?

The price differential between the fixed-head Continental GT Speed and this drop-top is £15,700, and that’s before you’ve started piling on options; our test car weighed in with £30,380 of cost extras, taking the overall price to £202,780.

But it’s what the Bentley can do, rather than what it costs, that makes it stands out here. The price tag is unlikely to be the major consideration for those who can realistically consider buying a Continental GT Speed Convertible. Indeed, Bentley reckons the sales split between coupé and drop-top is roughly 50:50.

The Bentley’s sheer heft and blunt-force power delivery means those seeking a rapier-sharp driving experience should look elsewhere. It doesn’t prevent the convertible from offering enormous giggles when the mood occasionally takes you, although luxurious cruising remains its main asset.

Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible


Price £172,400; 0-60mph 4.1sec; Top speed 203mph; Economy 19.0mpg; CO2 347g/km; Kerb weight 2495kg; Engine type, cc W12, 5998cc, twin-turbo petrol; Installation front, longitudinal, 4WD; Power 626bhp at 6000rpm; Torque 607lb ft at 2000rpm; Gearbox 8-spd automatic

Source http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bentley/continental-gt-speed/first-drives/2014-bentley-continental-gt-speed-convertible-f

Bentley set to have a record breaking year

Yet again, we are seeing record breaking sales in luxury cars across the board. Today we bring the facts and figures for Bentley’s first half of 2014.

Luxury car marker Bentley is set to break more sales records in 2014 after global deliveries increased by almost a quarter in the first six months of the year. There has been particularly strong growth for the group in China and the Middle East, although UK sales have also risen.

Bentley, which reported its best ever performance in 2013, said deliveries increased by 23 per cent to 5,254 cars in the six months to 30 June 2014.

This is compared with 4,279 cars in the first six months of 2013.

Americans remained the group’s biggest region with an 8 per cent rise in sales during the six months.

But China is a growing country for Bentley after deliveries soared by 61 per cent to 1,388 cars, boosted by the success of the Flying Spur and Flying Spur V8.

In the Asia Pacific region the figure was up by 46 per cent while in the Middle East there was a 27 per cent rise in deliveries.

Meanwhile, in Europe sales were up 11 per cent boosted by a strong performance in Germany.

UK deliveries rose by 2 per cent to 713 cars.

Bentley has also announced a foray into the telecommunications market through a partnership with luxury smartphone maker Vertu.

Under a five-year deal, five Bentley smartphones are to be released featuring design elements of the brand as well as lifestyle services.

A Bentley app will also be included on each phone.

Kevin Rose, Bentley’s board member for sales, marketing and aftersales, said: “There is simply no-one in the luxury automotive sector that can match these results. We continue to prove we are the world’s most sought after luxury car brand. It’s vital to continuously develop in our exclusive market, as our customers are the most discerning.

“There is no question that some markets will remain tough but we are confident of a good 2014.”

The interim performance follows a record 2013 with the group reporting its highest delivery, turnover and profit figures in its 95-year history.

Source http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/north-west/118677-bentley-record-2014/

Bentley and Rolls-Royce in record profits

Luxury car manufacturers are reporting high profits for last year and this year already. With Bentley and Rolls Royce up there too, it’s nice to see some British car royalty sharing a large piece of the pie.

Britain’s leading luxury car manufacturers Bentley and Rolls-Royce both achieved record profits last year as demand for classic car marques continues to grow.

 

Bentley, which accounts for one in every four luxury cars sold around the world, saw sales jump a fifth to £1.4 billion to the year ending December 31, 2013. Profits rocketed from £108 million to £181 million as it sold a record 10,120 cars.

 

It is a remarkable performance for the company, which recorded a pre-tax loss of £293 million on a £591 million turnover just three years ago.

 

Since buying Bentley in 1998, owner Volkswagen has invested more than £1 billion in improving production at its manufacturing plant in Crewe, Cheshire.

 

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, owned by Germany’s BMW, sold a record 3,630 cars last year, all handmade to order at Goodwood, West Sussex. A spokesman said: ‘There is an appetite around the world for quality, luxury and Britishness.’

Source http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2644739/Luxury-car-manufacturers-Bentley-Rolls-Royce-rev-record-profits.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

 

Hybrid-powered luxury car unveiled by Bentley at the Beijing motor show

Bentley have used the Beijing motor show to unveil the first hybrid concept car the manufacturer has made.  As well as showing the importance of creating Eco Friendly cars, the luxury car maker has Signalled the importance of the Chinese market by using their show to unveil the car, as well  as debuting three other models.

Based on Bentley’s £225,000 flagship Mulsanne model, the hybrid system uses   both petrol and electric power and can be plugged into the mains to recharge   it. The manufacturer claims the system increases the car’s power output by a   quarter and cuts emissions by 70pc, as well as allowing the vehicle to drive   30 miles entirely on electric power.

The conventionally powered Mulsanne has a 6.75 litre twin-turbo V8 engine   delivering 505hp that can take the car to 184mph, but consumes fuel at a   rate of 16.8mpg and pumps out 393 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

Bentley also used the show to announce that it will introduce a hybrid-powered   sports utility vehicle (SUV) in 2017 and that by the end of the decade 90pc   of the company’s vehicles will be available as plug-in hybrids.

Three other Bentley cars made their Chinese debut at the show: the Flying Spur   V8 sedan, the 206mph Continental GT Speed – the fastest production Bentley   so far – and the Continental GT V8 S.

Ricky Tay, Bentley’s China managing director, said: “China has always been a   key market for Bentley and, after a remarkable year in 2013, we have seen an   impressive start to 2014 with a 19pc increase in sales in the first quarter.   Our customer base is growing and we are expanding our dealer network to   offer our ultra luxury products and a unique brand experience throughout the   region.”

China’s growing middle classes mean the country is vital market to global car   companies. Last year, car sales in the country rose 16pc to 18m, making it   the world’s biggest market.

Also highlighting their commitment to China at the show were other automotive   industry heavyweights such as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The company, owned by   India’s Tata, will begin making SUVs in China by the end of the year, said   JLR China president Bob Grace, adding that local production would reduce   prices by about 15pc.

Volvo Cars, which is owned by Hangzhou-based Geely, said it expects China to  overtake the US to become its biggest market this year, while Volkswagen   said it expects Chinese sales to accelerate by 10pc or more this year to   more than 3.5m.

Rick Ross’ Gets Red Forgiato Wheels For His Ferrari 458 Italia

The Ferrari 458 Italia is a beautiful car, but some people still feel the need to make it stand out in the crowd even more.

Rick Ross certainly isn’t a man to go unnoticed. Thanks to his large frame, heavily tattooed body and most importantly to us, his impressive exotic car collection, you can always be assured that Ross will make a big appearance wherever he goes. And thanks to a new set of bright red wheels on his Ferrari 458 Italia, he’ll stand out from the crowd even more.

These new wheels come courtesy of Forgiato and while they certainly aren’t to everyone’s taste, there is no doubt  they catch your eye!

Priyanka Chopra to buy a Rolls Royce

Bollywood stars are famous for their lavish lifestyles and propensities to spend huge sums of money on various things, one of them being cars.

Most popular stars in Bollywood, especially actors, are known for purchasing luxury models from firms like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Bentley and Ferrari. One car brand that is loved by a number of top stars is Rolls-Royce, which is known throughout the globe for manufacturing ultra-luxury vehicles.Now, according to reports, the latest celebrity to join this bandwagon is actress Priyanka Chopra, who looks set to purchase a Rolls-Royce car. Although nothing has been confirmed by Chopra herself, sources suggest that she is getting the car customised.

Priyanka Chopra set to purchase a Rolls-Royce Priyanka Chopra set to purchase a Rolls-Royce

 

 

It is being said that the actress had booked this car a few months back and was scheduled to get the model soon. However, Priyanka Chopra, reportedly, wanted to get some customisation done to this car, which would suit her style. Since the star is paying a hefty amount, she is making sure that everything is in place. Sources claim that the price of this Rolls-Royce car is in excess of Rs. 2 crore, which is quite a huge amount. Notably, Priyanka Chopra is going to be charged extra for whatever customisation she gets done in this model. Reportedly, the former Miss World will be ensuring that her new car comes with a superb music system. Industry experts feel that this purchase of depicts the kind of economic power and statuses Bollywood actresses possess in today’s times.

Many actors in Bollywood are known for their love for Rolls-Royce cars. Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Sanjay Dutt are among other stars who own a model from the coveted luxury car brand. These facts and figures show the popularity of the company in the Indian market. Industry experts feel that possessing a Rolls-Royce elevates the social status of a person drastically, considering the exclusivity of its cars. A few months back, the legendary British car maker launched the Wraith model in India. Officials from the company spoke about how they thought that the demand for this car was inelastic and is unlikely to get affected by market conditions. Also, reports in the recent past have suggested that the scope of luxury cars in India is getting better with time.

Known to a lover of automobiles, Priyanka Chopra already has a number of other cars. Currently, she is the owner of Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Porsche Cayenne and BMW 7 Series. In recent times, the National Film Award winner has gained a lot of popularity in the international circuit due to her singing prowess. Her song Exotic, which features rapper Pitbull as well, has become a hit throughout the globe. Chopra’s most recent film, Krrish 3, was a blockbuster, breaking all sorts of box office records. The Barfi! star was also seen in an item number in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s saga Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela. Upcoming projects of the actor include Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh starrer Gunday and a biopic on famous boxer Mary Kom.