AutoExpress breaks the cover off a trio of new Bentleys
Feb 17, 2011 | 08:59 AM
#1
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 31,554
From: Zoo York
AutoExpress breaks the cover off a trio of new Bentleys 
Brits plan new family, based on models from sister brand Porsche, five-door coupé to be joined by crossover, baby GT
The Bentley empire is spreading! Bosses are hard at work plotting models with bodystyles new to the marque – but it won’t be the usual VW technology underneath.
The cars will be underpinned by Porsche architecture – a fact confirmed to us by the new CEO of Bentley, Wolfgang Dürheimer, who is also outgoing head of R&D at Porsche.
First on the agenda, as we reported in Issue 1,136, will be a £150,000 five-door coupé version of the Continental GT. It was originally thought that Bentley would base this car on a version of the VW Group’s modular longitudinal platform that underpins the Audi A7 and the upcoming A9. But in light of the new boss’s revelation, it’s almost certain the next-generation Panamera will be the donor.
Petrol engine choices are expected to include a reworked version of the current W12 – with upwards of 600bhp – as well as the new turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, set to debut early next year in the Continental GT. An oil-burner shouldn’t be ruled out, either, after VW Group chairman, Dr Ferdinand Piech, told us recently: “You will see diesel at Bentley.”
A crossover is also under consideration, based on the Cayenne, although this Bentley 4x4 will have an even more luxurious interior and use the same engine range as the five-door coupé. The Cross Continental badge has been touted, along with a price of around £120,000.
Last, but certainly not least, is a £90,000 coupé to slot into the range below the Continental GT. This would be aimed squarely at the likes of the Maserati GranTurismo and Mercedes SL63 AMG. It should be a volume seller for Bentley, and could push annual registrations way beyond the 10,000 peak recorded in 2007.
Don’t expect to see this new family of models until the next Panamera arrives in 2015. In the meantime, the second-generation Continental GT will spawn new versions of the GTC drop-top and Flying Spur saloon, with similar styling and mechanical tweaks.
The Bentley empire is spreading! Bosses are hard at work plotting models with bodystyles new to the marque – but it won’t be the usual VW technology underneath.
The cars will be underpinned by Porsche architecture – a fact confirmed to us by the new CEO of Bentley, Wolfgang Dürheimer, who is also outgoing head of R&D at Porsche.
First on the agenda, as we reported in Issue 1,136, will be a £150,000 five-door coupé version of the Continental GT. It was originally thought that Bentley would base this car on a version of the VW Group’s modular longitudinal platform that underpins the Audi A7 and the upcoming A9. But in light of the new boss’s revelation, it’s almost certain the next-generation Panamera will be the donor.
Petrol engine choices are expected to include a reworked version of the current W12 – with upwards of 600bhp – as well as the new turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, set to debut early next year in the Continental GT. An oil-burner shouldn’t be ruled out, either, after VW Group chairman, Dr Ferdinand Piech, told us recently: “You will see diesel at Bentley.”
A crossover is also under consideration, based on the Cayenne, although this Bentley 4x4 will have an even more luxurious interior and use the same engine range as the five-door coupé. The Cross Continental badge has been touted, along with a price of around £120,000.
Last, but certainly not least, is a £90,000 coupé to slot into the range below the Continental GT. This would be aimed squarely at the likes of the Maserati GranTurismo and Mercedes SL63 AMG. It should be a volume seller for Bentley, and could push annual registrations way beyond the 10,000 peak recorded in 2007.
Don’t expect to see this new family of models until the next Panamera arrives in 2015. In the meantime, the second-generation Continental GT will spawn new versions of the GTC drop-top and Flying Spur saloon, with similar styling and mechanical tweaks.
Source Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...#ixzz1EDz1C9zs
Feb 17, 2011 | 09:05 AM
#2
AMGFanatic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,965
From: MonteCarlo
Say bye bye to the once known Luxury Bentley and hello to the Bentley marque of the masses. I dont like how they are making a model for every segment of the market. They are being like Cadillac now, they just need to make a pickup truck.
Feb 17, 2011 | 09:48 AM
#4
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,976
From: Minnesota
No! What's with all of these manufacturers throwing away their heritage and moving down market with hideous platform-based cars? While I'm sure they could do it well, Bentley has no business building an SUV/Crossover or a Panamera wannabe. Same goes for a bottom tier coupe. That's what the Bentley Continental GT is for. I mean, I understand why they'd do it but it just seems like they're selling out the brand.
Feb 17, 2011 | 10:25 AM
#5
TS Official Automotive Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,533
As for now I think of all this as of another hype to atract some attention to the mag. Of course some of the projects could be upon consideration, but its so ealy to speak about them as incoming cars. Bentley supercar was considered also few years ago, but we still have no news.
Feb 17, 2011 | 03:30 PM
#6
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 779
From: Washington State
No! What's with all of these manufacturers throwing away their heritage and moving down market with hideous platform-based cars? While I'm sure they could do it well, Bentley has no business building an SUV/Crossover or a Panamera wannabe. Same goes for a bottom tier coupe. That's what the Bentley Continental GT is for. I mean, I understand why they'd do it but it just seems like they're selling out the brand.
Feb 17, 2011 | 05:44 PM
#8
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,539
No! What's with all of these manufacturers throwing away their heritage and moving down market with hideous platform-based cars? While I'm sure they could do it well, Bentley has no business building an SUV/Crossover or a Panamera wannabe. Same goes for a bottom tier coupe. That's what the Bentley Continental GT is for. I mean, I understand why they'd do it but it just seems like they're selling out the brand.
On the other hand, I do like the 4 door.
Feb 21, 2011 | 06:20 PM
#10
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,143
From: The Library, NY
That SUV is a absolute joke.
Your loyal base will only follow you so far. Wait until the rapper/athlete crowd gets starts throwin duece-dueces on the new Bentley SUV. The guys who buy these don't compromise and will just walk over to RR.
Your loyal base will only follow you so far. Wait until the rapper/athlete crowd gets starts throwin duece-dueces on the new Bentley SUV. The guys who buy these don't compromise and will just walk over to RR.