This is it for SUV lovers, the piece de resistance. Bentley is working on a design and engineering project to launch a very high-end  £150,000 SUV by 2014, according to CEO Wolfgang Durheimer.

Design chief Dirk van Braeckel and engineering boss Uli Eichhorn are spearheading the project with Durheimer to get the SUV ready.

“I have great faith in the SUV market and it’s here to stay” says Durheimer, who counts the launch of the Porsche Cayenne during his tenure at Weissach as “one of my proudest achievements”.

The Bentley SUV will have hallmark styling with luxury wood and leather interior that will place it above the Range Rover in terms of quality. Bentley’s launch will coincidentally overlap with Aston Martin’s Lagonda 4×4. Bentley is unsure of what platform to use but may lean towards utilizing a version of Volkswagen Group’s new MLB setup. Interestingly, Durheimer was a key figure in the early platform enginnering of the MLB while at Porsche.

Durheimer has suggested using a diesel engine for the SUV. The company may lean towards implementing the immense Audi V12 TDi, and Durheimer has suggested that 738 lb-ft of torque is a suitable amount of power. A gasoline powered W12 will also be available for markets where diesels aren’t as popular.

The go-ahead has not been given to start production on the SUV as Bentley is still waiting to hear from the VW Board. However the British automaker is confident that the project will be given the green light.

[Source: Auto Car]

Specialty tuner Imperium prides itself on creating one-off bespoke custom vehicles for high-end clients, working closely with the vehicle’s owner to make their wildest dreams come true. Most recently Imperium decided to reveal a customer’s Bentley Continental GT in order to show off to the world what the possibilities are when you bring your vehicle to them. The end result is a completely custom Continental GT, featuring plenty of one-off parts including its body kit and wheels.

Imperium’s designers began by sketching concept art design for the client, working back and forth until this well-known UK entrepreneur was satisfied with how the end result would look. The unique one-off body kit consists of front and rear apron upgrades, carbon-exposed side skirts, a subtle trunk spoiler and a rear carbon diffuser. All of the body components were manufactured in the UK using lightweight carbon fiber and has a flawless fit and finish.

Similar to the kit, the wheels are one-off and designed specifically to cater to the wants of the client, sporting an aggressive mesh design that truly gives the Continental GT a sporty look. Imperium also increased the performance of the Continental GT by equipping it with its own sport exhaust system (you guessed it, custom built to the client’s preference) and ECU upgrade. No power numbers were mentioned however. And of course, suspension and brake modifications were also done to the Continental GT to complete the look.

As with any bespoke vehicle, the interior has been upgraded on the Continental GT to the client’s choosing, but no details were mentioned. Imperium did state that they’re willing to work with all forms of luxurious leathers, ultra-suede fabric, carbon fiber, wood trim and more to give the customer what they want. More importantly though, each interior package comes with an individually-built steering wheel. Pricing? Don’t bother asking, it wasn’t mentioned. But we’re sure there’s a serious price to pay for having something that’s uniquely yours.

GALLERY: Imperium Bentley Continental GT

Joining Bentley‘s 6.0L twin-turbo W12 powerplant in the near future is a rumored 4.0L V8 that will be more efficient with lower emissions. And now it seems that Bentley will officially unveil the new V8 to the public at next year’s Detroit Auto Show, which will be a nice followup to the refreshed GTC that is planned to be shown at Frankfurt this September.

According to Consumer Search, the lighter engine in the front bay will give the Continental GT a sportier feel while the exhaust will emit a very satisfying note.

Specific details on the new turbocharged V8 have yet to be released, but it is certain to deliver significantly fewer thrills than the twin-turbo W12 engine now in use. But paired with what is expected to be a significantly lower price, this new offering should deliver a healthy sales spike for the British brand.

GALLERY: 2011 Bentley Continental GT

[Source: Consumer Search]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Bentley Continental GT review

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has ambitious plans for the Maserati, specifically to drastically improve sales almost tenfold from last years 5,675 units sold to 50,000. Marchionne believes this is attainable through three new Maserati models, all based on systems and components from Chrysler Group.

Maserati will introduce two sedans and an SUV with technology from the American automaker. The Quattroporte flagship model will be replaced by two sedans using technology from the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Avenger(!). The Maserati SUV will be built alongisde the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the Jefferson North plant in Detroit. Maserati has stated that the new models will not be rebadged Chryslers. The Maseratis will have different bodies and interiors, however shared parts will be in very discreet areas, similar to the Bentley Continental, and its Volkswagen Phaeton stablemate.

Maserati hopes to solve the Quattroporte’s size problem. The car is too large to be a driver’s car. This issue will be solved by offering both a “baby” Quattroporte and a larger Quattroporte. Maserati hopes to combat the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class with the “baby” model. The smaller Maserati sedan,will have a traditional layout, complete with a front longitudinal engine and rear-wheel drive. The engine will be a reworked, high performance version of the Chrysler V6 Pentastar, likely a 3.0-liter motor with Fiat’s fuel saving MultiAir air management system, twin turbochargers and direct injection. The car will crank out 400-hp and deliver good fuel economy. The price will range between $78,000 to $99,000.

The larger Quattroporte will be considerably larger than the current model, rivalling the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The larger Maserati will have an overall length of 5170mm, 70mm longer than the current model and 220 longer than the “baby” vehicle. The larger Maserati will feature a revised version of the Ferrari-built 4.7-liter 475-hp V8, mated to the ZF Group’s eight-speed automatic transmission.

[Source: Automotive News]

High-end luxury cars really do inspire us. Some people take that inspiration and make other luxe products – like chairs. One such person is designer David Clark, whose new collection – the Veloce, Infiniti and Modena – takes its inspiration from a variety of luxury auto brands.

The Veloce takes its inspiration from the Alfa Romeo. Combining wood, faux leather and aluminum, the Veloce boasts detail – in fact, every aspect of this chair was sketched out and transferred to 3D Autocad design platform. It costs $973 for the frame alone, and for the completed Veloce, it will set you back $1,137.

The Modena takes its cues from Bentley’s grandeur and comfort. You can choose from side panels of natural wood or steel with artificial wooden finish. It costs $810 for the frame, and the whole seat is $973.

Porsche is the inspiration for the Infiniti, and it comes with a stainless steel frame that is super lightweight, making it ideal for the office reception or showroom floor areas. It is priced at $647 for the frame alone, and with the seat it costs $810.

[Source: Born Rich]

A Bentley SUV? How uncouth! But damn the recession, luxury SUVs are still the rage—and word from Bentley’s chief executive says a baller Bentley is all part of the package.

Being part of the Volkswagen umbrella, after all, doesn’t render this news surprising. The Bentley SUV would ride on the same platform as the Touareg, Cayenne, Q7 and future Lamborghini SUV (maybe), and would be more than just a lifted Conti GT shooting brake (as awesome as that would be).

Expect to see the Bentley ute clogging the streets of Kensington at a rate of $230,000, against the Mercedes-Benz GLK and various Range Rovers. And don’t be offended if the first ten or twenty are earmarked by the Sultan of Brunei—after all, his Bentley Dominator (shown above) is due for an update.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

It appears that Bentley will be ready to debut the new Continental GTC at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show in September. This debut will come one year after Bentley first unveiled its refreshed Continental GT, featuring a lighter body, more powerful and slightly more fuel-efficient engine.

The cabrio Conti GT will look similar to the GT’s refresh, featuring the same 6.0L twin turbo W-12 engine and six-speed transmission.

With the GTC on its way, look for a Flying Spur (sedan) or high performance Speed variant to follow with a Supersports in the distant future.

[Source: Car and Driver Blog]

Click here to read AutoGuode’s 2011 Bentley Continental GT review

It is a tradition at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to run up the hill of this famous estate. Just about every type of road and racing car make this trek, and the Bentley ice racer is no exception.

Earlier this year, Bentley set a new record of the highest speed achieved by a car on ice when it hit 205.48 with their 631-horsepower Continental Supersports convertible. The record run took place on a section of the Baltic Sea on a 10-mile track, just off the coast of Finland, and the car was driven by rallying superstar Juha Kankunnen.

The weather at Goodwood was a lot warmer and the crowd was much bigger for the run up the hill, but Kankunnen delighted the crowd with some quick runs. He said; “Driving this very special Bentley Continental in front of the packed Goodwood grandstands was a special experience for me. Driving on a frozen sea was a unique challenge and only a few Bentley engineers and my support crew were there to witness the new world record. So it was a pleasure to provide a glimpse of the capabilities of this Bentley to a huge audience of motorsport enthusiasts on a beautiful summer’s day.”

However, Kankunnen wasn’t the only celebrity on the Bentley grand stand, as five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell was also in attendance. Bell, who now works as a driving consultant for Bentley also made the run, choosing to drive the new Continental GT coupe up the hill. Bell who was part of the winning 2003 Bentley Le Mans team said; “Driving the GT at Goodwood was a lot of fun. The new car maintains all the luxury and refinement for which Bentley is renowned, but is even quicker, dynamically sharper and more powerful than its predecessor.”

Mulliner, Bentley‘s long-suffering Ministry Of Coachbuilding, has introduced a new “styling specification” for the Continental GT. Because calling it a body kit would be too crass.

But that’s what it is, essentially: a new front bumper, a rear diffuser, a little spoiler on the trunk, smaller side mirrors, and side “extension blades” with the Bentley logo carefully painted by wizened artisan craftsmen (or robots). And it goes without saying that the entire package is made from glorious, silky-smooth velour carbon fiber—high-gloss, black, laminated, and guaranteed to give your 5,115-lb. 12-cylinder luxury cruiser some much-needed performance cred.

Customers get an array of personalized options from the factory (as is expected at this lofty price range), including a selection of 21″ wheels in contrasting black and brushed silver. The Mulliner Styling Specification was designed in-house, by Bentley’s head of exterior design Raul Pires.

GALLERY: Bentley Continental GT Mulliner

Click here to Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Bentley Continental GT Review

Some people collect stamps. Others collect fine wine. But a select few can afford to collect classic cars. If you’re among those few, you’ll be excited to hear that the world’s first and oldest Bentley is up on the auction block.

The classic car once owned by Steve McQueen is going up for auction in August by Gooding & Co. of Santa Monica, California in Pebble Beach. Still in running condition, the Bentley 1921, Chassis No. 3 is reportedly to be the first car that was ever delivered to a customer. This beauty participated in various rallies in her day and still has enough juice in her to putter around.

Gooding & Co. Car specialist Paul Hageman says the first version of the car, which was an experiment, no longer exists, but the second one was preserved by the automaker. After going through a series of owners in the UK, Chassis No. 3 was once owned by Welshman Ivor Llewelyn, father of James Bond films actor Desmond Llewelyn.

If you’re looking to throw your hat in the ring, the 1921 3-liter Bentley is expected to fetch around $250,000. That’s not a bad price, considering a 1927 Bentley went for around $780,000 at recent Bentley auction.

[Source: Born Rich]

ArmorTech Motors out in Russia is adding even more luxury to Bentley‘s Mulsanne by offering a few options to extend the wheelbase and raise the roof.  Two options are available for the Mulsanne; ArmorTech is willing to lengthen the wheelbase either 20-inches or 45-inches depending on what you’d like. Those looking for more headroom can also have the roof raised 3.9-inches.

The stretched Mulsanne truly looks like a limousine after ArmorTech’s treatment on it. Along with the stretching, ArmorTech also does the requisite changes to the vehicle’s brakes, chassis and suspension to make it safe to drive.

Now that there’s more interior space, ArmorTech can also outfit your Mulsanne with a variety of in-car-electronics  or even a partition wall that’s hand-crafted.

No pricing was announced for the Mulsanne options, but we’re guessing it’s not cheap.

GALLERY: ArmorTech Motors Stretched Bentley Mulsanne

[Source: Worldcarfans]

As Bentley‘s new 2011 Continental starts to hit the streets, aftermarket companies are starting to release even more modifications for the current model in the hopes that owners will look to invest in their current car rather than buy a new one. One such tuner is Onyx, which has just announced an update to its GTO Package promising a horsepower bump to 660-hp (over the factory 550-hp) while freshening up the aesthetics to rival the 2012 Continental facelift.

The new GTO kit comes with a new front bumper, fully equipped with carbon inserts and LED daytime running lights. The lower front splitter is also constructed from high quality carbon fiber. There’s a slight widebody added with arches over the wheel wells that flow with the new side skirts. In the back is a modified rear bumper, carbon diffuser and carbon trunk spoiler.

No details were mentioned on how Onyx raised power output to 660-hp, but suspension upgrades and a set of 22-inch wheels are also part of the package. For the interior, bespoke buffalo hide leather can be found contrasting with carbon trim pieces.

GALLERY: ONYX Bentley Continental GTO

[Source: Worldcarfans]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Bentley Continental GT review

Students from London’s Royal College of Art (RCA) are striking a pose with Bentley with a series of designs inspired by the iconic British auto manufacturer.

Taking their studies in a new direction, these students created cool designs for women’s clothing that reflect the Bentley brand. The lucky 17 fashion students spent several months working with Bentley’s leading designers, to finish their assignment – design a car coat (three-quarter length travel coat); footwear (driving shoe); and a weekend overnight bag.

“As a brand, Bentley knows the importance of its female customers and the discerning influence they bring to bear,” said Christine Gaskell, Bentley board member for HR. “Our cars reflect their understanding of the best in quality materials, design technology, style and sophistication. The RCA students have captured these attributes perfectly.”

As part of their assignment, the students had to fashion their designs to reflect Bentley’s status as a luxury brand and weave elements from the new Bentley Continental GT into these items.

Making the shortlist with their designs are Rebecca Thomson (car coat); Louise van Hauen (weekend bag); and Alvaro Gonzalez (driving shoes). We can expect to see prototypes for display at the end of the summer term.

MC Customs, based out of Miami, Florida, specializes in high-end builds for celebrities, professional athletes and the layman with a thick enough wallet to satisfy their customizing tastes. Their collection of vehicles include Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, one of which is this custom widebody Continental Supersports. While its styling may not be for everybody, there’s no denying the quality and craftsmanship in the work in addition to being one of the most extreme Continental Supersports in the world.

On the outside, it’s hard to not notice the custom widened body which features a set of Savini Forged SV-31c Xtreme Concave wheels on all four corners. Clearly along with the widebody conversion came a custom body kit featuring carbon fiber accents that goes well with the carbon fiber barrels on the Savini wheels. The entire exterior transformation was completed with a custom paint job.

The interior also got some work done, though details weren’t really revealed. The vehicle was recently shot for this month’s DUB magazine and belongs to MLB pitcher Carlos Silva.

GALLERY: MC Customs / Savini Widebody Bentley Continental Supersports

[Source: GT Spirit]

At the 32nd International Motor Symposium in Vienna, Austria, Volkswagen head honco Dr. Martin Winterkorn announced that the Volkswagen Group will launch a range of plug-in hybrids starting in 2013, calling electric vehicles the “task of the century” for the auto industry.

Winterkorn didn’t specify which models would get a plug-in hybrid variant, and the move comes as slightly surprising considering how heavily invested Volkswagen is in diesels while offering comparatively little in the way of conventional hybrids. “The electric car will impact the future of individual mobility in crucial ways – and Volkswagenis spearheading this technology. Over the mid-term, the plug-in hybrid offers great potential,because it combines the best of two worlds in one vehicle,” said Winterkorn.

VW also released two diesel engines at the show, a 1.4L and 2.0L TDI engines, with the 2.0L meeting strict American emissions standards.

In case owners of the Bentley Continental Supersports convertible feel that they blend in too much, there’s a new appearance package available that transforms their cars into looking remarkably like a Porsche 911 GT3.

Who would tart up their expensive British luxury car to look like a mere Porsche? Hey, there’s a market for that: the ISR Mulliner package attempts to mimic the sticker-festooned appearance of the Ice Speed Record Bentley. Inside, carbon fiber blankets the dashboard and center console with a matching red weave, and diamond-quilted Alcantara add to increasing the value of the appearance package.

The contrasting red wheels do look snazzy, especially in white, but now that Porsche is being slowly brought into the Volkswagen mothership…consider it an homage, if anything.

Apparently a new trend has been set in China. If you’re wealthy and getting married, better whip out every supercar exotic you can get your hands on and take them out on the street. This particular wedding, in Wenzhou, featured 28 exotic supercars from Ferrari’s 458 Italia to Bentley’s Flying Spur.

At first, it was fun to watch all the supercars parade around for a wedding, but now many local Chinese are finding it a tad repulsive. As with any country experiencing an abundant of wealth, the separation from lower to middle class and middle class to upper class starts to widen. Without surprise some aren’t finding it as amusing as others back in China. As for us? We can’t wait until someone rolls out their own wedding entourage with millions of dollars worth of exotics.

Check out the video after the break.

[Source: Jalopnik]

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The rich have spoken, and their servants have voted for them: the Bentley Mulsanne is the preferred ride of ballers around the world, according to a survey in Centurion Magazine.

The magazine is published by American Express, and only available to the lauded gentry who hold the Centurion Card—the black card. Their first Reader’s Choice survey attempted to answer the pressing questions of the jet-set lifestyle: which Girard-Perregaux tourbillon to pair with your William Westmancott bespoke suit, the merits of the Gulfstream G650 vs. the Challenger 604, the important things in life—and the Bentley Mulsanne took the Best Limousine/Saloon Car category in the only award that truly matters to those that know.

The Mulanne beat out the Aston Martin Rapide, the Maserati Quattroporte, the “they still make those?” Maybach, and a gilded Victorian sedan chair carried by swarthy, oiled manservants to win the award. Readers from Europe, the Middle East, Hong Kong, and the 40/40 Club on West 35th Street chose the Mulsanne for its handcrafted interior, new yet evolved styling, discreet technological advancements, and its blunt, cow-catcher front end that makes it easy to intimidate the serfs. As Kanye West put it, “address me as your highness, high as United, 30,000 feet up and you are not invited.”

Nowadays pretty much every luxury car company has a muscle car that masquerades around as a family sedan, but back in the 1980′s, there was only one such vehicle, the Bentley Turbo R.

This iconic automobile still has a strong following and if rumors are correct, its fans will soon be celebrating the arrival of a new version, only this time, the Turbo R will be a luxury coupe.

Planned as a rival for the Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe, the new Turbo R will be based on the chassis of the current Mulsanne sedan. It will also benefit from its mechanicals, using a modified version of the same 6.75-liter, twin-turbo V8. Power is expected to be in the 600 hp range, ensuring effortless cruising.

This new model is expected to hit the showrooms in 2013, so look for concept versions of this super coupe to start appearing either later this year, or early next year.

[Source: Auto Express]

Platinum Motorsports is known for bold luxury and exotic builds, and to really put the spotlight on what they’ve done over the recent years, they’ve put together a video of epic proportions. Taking some of their finest projects and hitting several Los Angeles landmarks while armed with a video camera, Platinum Motorsports has released this video that will make any luxury and exotic lover drool.

The video mainly highlights a Lamborghini LP640 with a matte Reventon Grey paint job, along with a Mercedes-Benz SL550 with a Black Series widebody treatment sporting the same shade. In addition, their Premier 4509 widebody Bentley GT Mulliner also steals the spotlight in matte white and we see glimpses of several Range Rovers.

Obviously the point of the video is to spotlight what Platinum Motorsports specializes in, but we can’t help but wonder how awesome Transformers would be if they had these cars in the movie; or what would happen if Fast and the Furious met Gone in 60 Seconds and had a bastard child.

Check out the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

If you want a watch that will stop admirers in the tracks, try the special all-white “Ice” versions of the Bentley GT and Bentley GT Racing chronographs on for size.

A few weeks ago, Bentley and their timepiece partner, Breitling, launched the limited edition “Breitling for Bentley” Supersports Light Body watch in tribute to a new ice speed record (it was set by four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen in a Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible). These special all-white “Ice” versions are compact, which makes them suitable to wear no matter what size of wrist you have.  Both versions boast an Ice White dial, an exclusive Bentley livery color and a rubber strap. They also come with a self-winding Breitling Calibre 13B chronograph movement and a calendar displaying the day and date through a large twin aperture.

Other embellishments found on these timepieces include rimmed counters that enhance the dials of the watches, and a bezel that features a knurled motif. The Bentley GT Ice chronograph is adorned with a steel case with an all-polished finish, while the Bentley GT Racing Ice version features alternating satin-brushed upper surfaces and polished sides. On the caseback, you’ll find a medallion that’s stamped with the outline of the Bentley Continental GT.

The Bentley GT Ice and Bentley GT Racing Ice watches will set you back $7,165 each. A small price to pay to secure your status has a fashion plate, we think.

[Source: Born Rich]

Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential and successful women on Earth, and her success has lead to the kind of wealth that can give her access to anything she points her finger at.

On the occasion of her 42nd birthday, she pointed towards a black on white 1996 Bentley Azure convertible. It seems Ms. Winfrey liked her Bentley a lot, amassing 49,000-miles on it. Perhaps it was used as a daily driver, and that gives Ms. Winfrey extra brownie points in our books.

According to Mark Scarincio, owner of Boulevard Auto in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. the dealership that currently has this vehicle up for sale, Ms. Winfrey came in with her gal pal Gayle King and said she wanted something special for her birthday. The salesman who was a personal friend of Ms. Winfrey showed her the Bentley and soon she signed papers to this $335,000 land-yatch.

The car has since depreciated quite a bit. It was recently listed on ebay Motors for a “buy it now” price of $67,900 but got no takers. So, if your significant other is a huge Oprah fan, you could earn extra credits by buying it for them.

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]