Vorsteiner’s package for the new Bentley Continental GT has been revealed in full.

The dignifies and classy kit includes a chunky front spoiler lip, sporty side skirts, a neat rear diffuser, and a subtle carbon boot-lid spoiler. This body kit makes the car sit 40mm lower to the ground than the standard Continental GT.

The looks are then perfected by a set of 22-inch 5-spoke Forged Aluminum Monoblock, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Tires. The wheels are of course optional and you can chose whatever design and size you like.

The paint job is also bespoke to customer. Vorsteiner can paint the car in any color that takes your fancy.

Here’s a video of the BR-10 Bentley showing its details:

American tuner Vorsteiner announced their upcoming styling kit for the new 2012 Bentley Continental GT.

They just released these teaser images with not much details. But you can clearly see the ingredients of the package in them.

So the new Conti gets a neat carbon fiber front spoiler, some nicely designed side skirts, boot-lid spoiler, and a carbon rear diffuser. That’s the thing about most of Vorsteiner’s kits. They always manage to create the best visual effect with the least modifications. These new add-on parts are so discrete you may not notice them, but they do have a profound effect on improving the car’s looks.

The finished product, according to the classic tuning recipe, also comes with a set of lightweight, oversized wheels, and lowered suspension. Full details are yet to be released.

Mansory doesn’t create hideous kits for luxury cars just to drive car lovers insane. It’s just business. These cars sell. The nouveau riche loves how such cars make them the center of attention. So they keep making them.

This is what Mansory has come up with for the new Bentley Continental GT. It seems like an evolution of the old kit, and like that it features a carbon fiber bonnet and lacked-out grille, but there’s a few new details as well.

The new side skirts for instance, which Mansory says reduce the flow of air between both axle. The front wings are also made of carbon fiber and have their own venting system. Revised bumpers features LEDs at front and a rear diffuser at the back, while carbon fiber rear spoilers and blacked-out tailpipes and smoked lights do their part to give the car a mean and aggressive style.

A set of 10.0J x 22-inch wheels finished in black with 295/25ZR22 tires complete the look.

Mansory engineers have also been fiddling with the engine, fitting it with a revised ECU, new high performance air filters and exhausts systems. So the power has gone up to 672 hp and 780 Nm of torque.

Finally, the interior. Here Mansory applies the old recipe of two-tone leather upholstery and carbon fiber trimming to create a luxurious and sporty cabin. Aluminium pedals and illuminated door sill plates are also provided.

Earlier today we had the first details on the new V8 version of the Bentley Continental GT and here’s the first video footage of the car. The looks of the V8 GT is not that different over the W12 model, just some new grilles and air intakes and new tailpipes. The main highlight is that fuel efficient twin-turbo V8 which makes 500 bhp (507 PS/373 kW) and 660 Nm (487 lb ft) of torque. Bentley says it does 800 km on one tank which, considering the power and everything, is just brilliant.

At 2012 Detroit Motor Show next January Bentley will unveil new versions of Continental GT and GTC powered by a brand-new V8 engine.

There is only one reason why the big Conti should get a V8 and that’s strict rules about fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Bentley tried to stick to the W12 for as long as possible, but time has moved on and they have to cope.

Good news is this 4.0 liter twin turbocharged V8 is a good one. Let’s review its figures for a kick off: It delivers maximum power of 500 bhp (507 PS/373 kW) at 6000 rpm and an extraordinary peak torque of 660 Nm (487 lb ft) available from just 1700 rpm. It is paired with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission.

The result of this combination in terms of performance is a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint of under 5 seconds. But the top speed is only 290 km/h (180 mph) which is pretty fast, but not as fast as the W12, understandably.

As for the fuel economy, while official facts and figures are yet to be confirmed, Bentley says it will be capable of travelling over 500 miles (800 km) on a single tank of fuel. That is simply astonishing for a car of this class and this size. You know, if it turns out to be true of course. You can’t really trust such numbers unless they are verified by an independent source.

Apart from the engine the rest of the car is the same as before, expect for a few distinguishing details.  The V8 comes with a black gloss matrix grille with chrome frame and centre bar, a red enamel Bentley ‘B’ badge, and a black matrix three-segment lower front bumper divided by distinctive body-coloured strakes. At the rear, unique chromed ‘figure eight’ exhaust tailpipes, a dark lower valance and red enamel ‘B’ bootlid badge emphasise the sporty, contemporary identity of the new V8s.

So there you go, a V8-powered Bentley for green people!

Bentley just released some nice, deep, rumbling noise dubbed “The new Sound of Bentley.”

Now, we have heard the noise that the W12 Continental makes, and this isn’t it. So it’s got to be the sound of the new V8-powered Conti that goes on sale next year.

Bentley gets kinda poetic about it: “Welcome to the new sound of Bentley. Stirring and thunderous, it is the prelude to a potent new Bentley driving experience that begins in 2012.” We’re wondering what they mean by new driving experience. The V8 is going to be slower than the W12, so… You know that’s not really something to boast!

Actually, we just thought of something. New VW V8s are massively powerful and since the V8 is also lighter than the W12, it’s actually going to be faster. Sorry Bentley. You’re right. It’s going to be potent.

Imperium Automotive, Bentley specialist based in Edinburgh, is back with a new kit for the new generation Continental GT.

Imperium styling kits are not your average body kit designed with look0at0me factor in mind. They are superbly elegant and add an air of exclusivity to the ultra0lux GT. The new one is called ‘Audentia’ a direct Latin translation for ‘boldness and courage’.

The package is limited to just 59 units, and includes a newly designed front bumper with grille, air vents and visually lowering sport side skirts.   The new rear apron design features a new boot lip spoiler, subtle rear diffuser and newly designed sports exhaust tips.

We think it looks great, except for the rear diffuser, which could have been designed better. The car would also look spectacular with a set of ADV1 wheels under it.

Being a bespoke and exclusive styling package, Imperium Bentley Continental GT Audentia kit costs £25,000.

Edinburgh-based IMPERIUM Automotive is mainly a tuner of high-end luxury cars. But this one-off Bentley Continental GT they’ve made for a UK entrepreneur, is way more than just a tuning job.

This bespoke car based on the previous generation Conti G, has been designed to meet the exact specifications the wealthy owner requested. And it seems the guy has a great taste in cars, because the end result looks as if it’s a coachbuilt work of Zagato or other giants in this business.

On the outside the Imperium GT gets uniquely designed front and rear apron upgrades, aggressive carbon exposed side skirts, subtle boot lip spoiler and rear carbon fibre diffuser. Needless to say these bits are all made from the finest kind of carbon fiber for a perfect surface finish and fit.

The new wheels are also one-off designed and manufactured for this car, but… I don’t’ know, somehow they don’t match the classy style of this one-off Bentley. The owner must have liked them though, so it’s alright! The car is also tuned with an optimised braking system, lowered sport suspension and ECU upgrade. It even gets a special exhaust system that makes the exact noise desired by the client.

Of course with a car like this, interior design is just as important as the way it looks. So the tuner applied the client’s individual choice of specially hand selected luxurious leathers, tailor made carbon fibre, refined wood trim, ultra suede or classic black piano finishes. It also gets a bespoke ergonomically-designed steering wheel.

They haven’t revealed the cost of this one-off Bentley. And we don’t really want to know to be honest, because it sure is very scary!

Finally, it seems the V8-powered Bentley Continental GT is about to land as it’s set for debut at the next Detroit Motor Show.

So Bentley too is going down the downsizing path. They are not going to kill off the W12 though, like what Mercedes did with the SL-Class. The V8 will be an option for those who doesn’t need all that power in their life.

Different versions of this twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 make between 552 to 620 hp in the Speed models. It is an awesome engine and makes this heavy old hector pretty brisk. But you will be struggling to get anything better than 12/19 mpg city/highway. The 4.0 liter V8 will boost economy, but don’t expect anything incredible because Bentley is not going to sacrifice power and speed for the sake of more mpg.

It’s wrong to think of the GT V8 as an eco-minded Continental. This car has greater marketing goals than environmental ones. The V8 GT will be competing with cars like Mercedes CL and Jaguar XK. It will probably be more expensive than its rivals, but those who buy luxury coupes like the Mercs and Jags usually don’t mind spending a bit more, especially when that little bit more can get them a Bentley.

via: Straightline

Bentley introduced the new Mulliner Styling Specification for the latest Continental GT, adding more flair to the already brilliant car.

The Mulliner Classic Pack offers a range of stylish features for the exterior, including a unique front bumper splitter, strakes integrated into the front intake grilles, side extension blades (each extension blade features a discreet ‘Winged B’ motif) and a rear diffuser, all made from high-gloss, black carbon-fibre, plus a range of individual design options, comprising black, carbon-fibre rear spoiler and door mirror cowls as well as distinctive, black-painted 21-inch ‘Elegant’ alloy wheels and dark mesh front wing vents with black carbon-fibre bezels.

So it’s much more than just a body kit! This styling package really changes the looks of the GT for the better. The all black components work much better if the base car is white. They make a great contrast.

The Mulliner Styling Specification package is only available for fitment by factory-trained technicians at authorised Bentley dealers to ensure Bentley’s high level of quality and finish is applied. All the parts are also rigorously tested for best quality and optimum performance.

The Classic Pack is available to order from June 2011 onwards and the optional design features can be ordered from authorised Bentley dealers from Autumn 2011.

Autocar released a new 90-second no-nonsense video review, this time featuring the revised and refreshed Bentley Continental GT. In this footage you learn what you need to know about this ca, but if you are planning on buying one, you should also study the rivals first. Cars like Aston Martin DB9 or Mercedes CL65 AMG. We quite like the looks of this new Conti, but this particular car with red exterior and red interior is a bit too look-at-me! The GT looks fantastic in white.

Amari Design is the tuning arm of Amari Supercars UK, a company in supercar business. Their latest program is a handsome body kit for the Bentley Continental GT.

The design of the kit is rather simple and yet imposing. The front bumper which appears to be designed by a ruler features a carbon fiber spoiler lip that expands at both sides forming a massive chin that gives the GT an even bolder presence. Then there is the smoked lights, neat side gills and side skirts, a big and manly rear diffuser and a pronounced rear spoiler.

The Continental has been around for many years now and there’s no shortage of good body kits for it, but Amari’s manage to stand out by being simple and elegant.

The car also benefits from AD1 (ADV1?) wheels in deep concave form which are absolutely magnificent. They offer the wheels in different finishes to satisfy customer’s every need. For the interior Amari provides Nappa leather and Alcantara upholstery as well as carbon fiber parts in place of the wood veneer.

For that little extra something, Amari also decided to tune the engine. They might have overdone it a bit because they’ve arrived at a massive 750hp!

via: WCF

As the new generation 2011 Bentley Continental GT is preparing to take the stage at the Paris Motor Show, the Crewe-based company confirmed its official MSRP and announced that the order books open from next month. The 2011 GT which features a subtle but very nice upgrade in design and an enhanced W12 engine capable of 575 PS / 567 bhp / 423 kW and torque 700 Nm / 516 lb ft, starts from £135,760. That’s a lot, but then it is a lot of car.

“Paris was the perfect stage for Bentley to show the first Continental GT concept in 2002. The public reaction to this bold, original design statement inspired us to bring the GT to life. It is exciting and fitting to begin this new chapter in the Continental story in the city that launched the first car in such style,” comments Alasdair Stewart, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing.

Since that first, high-impact Paris debut in 2002 over 46,000 Continentals (of which nearly half have been the GT coupe) have been built by Bentley’s craftsmen and women at the Crewe factory in Cheshire, England. The GT quickly established a reputation for stirring high performance, handcrafted luxury and everyday practicality and usability.

2011 CONTINENTAL GT – PRICING

POUNDS STERLING	£135,760
US DOLLAR	$189,900 MSRP
EURO	€154, 600
RENMINBI	¥3,500,000
YEN	¥24,150,000

Even though this version of the Bentley Continental GT is old news now, but Wald international Black Bison body kits makes it interesting enough for a second look. As always, the Bison kit is very straight forward. It might look quite busy and kinda vulgar, but it has a simple recipe. There’s revised bumpers with spoiler at front, rear diffuser, side skirts, boot spoiler, new tailpipes, and new wheels. We don’t like the boy racer sort of tuning, but Wald’s Black Bison kits always get us! We like this one too.

Bentley knows that already a lot of people are eager to order the new facelifted Continental GT, so they wasted no time updating the online configurator for it. In this Bentley Visualizer you can choose from a large number of colors for exterior and interior, and choose the wheel design as well. The 2011 Continental features some subtle changes, but they add up to make it way more charming and desirable than the old one. It is elegantly sleek!

Almost forgot! Here’s the link to the Bentley Visualizer.

We’ve already brought to you the first pictures and details of the Bentley Continental GT Facelift for 2011, but now the company released official data of the car and you should check this too as well. The most important thing about this new Bentley is the availability of a V8 engine as option for the first time, which as it’s now confirmed, will have very high power output and yet 40 percent better efficiency than the W12. It won’t come around until 2011 though.

Go thorough the press release after the jump for more info, there are new pictures as well.

“The new Continental GT is an automotive work of art, with superb craftsmanship and elegant, contemporary design. It drives like a supercar, but without the usual sacrifices in ride or practicality. It is a car that you can enjoy every moment of every day.”

Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive

THE NEW CONTINENTAL GT COUPE – AT A GLANCE

Sculptured exterior design

• Advanced production techniques such as aluminium Super Forming (front wings and boot lid) allow for a more sculpted body and sharp ‘power lines’
• Unique jewelled headlamps with LED daytime-running lights
• More upright matrix radiator grille and new ‘double horseshoe’ rear profile first shown on the flagship Bentley Mulsanne

Contemporary, hand-crafted cabin

• New interior with a bold, sweeping dashboard and instrument panel finished in premium, soft-touch leather hides
• Distinctive ‘cobra’-design seats for added comfort and enhanced rear cabin space
• A new touchscreen, 30GB infotainment system introduces advanced satellite navigation with dynamic route guidance, seven-digit postcode entry and Google Map compatibility (market specific)
• Audio systems feature the latest wide frequency Balance Mode Radiator speakers as standard
• Revolutionary Dirac Dimensions™ DSP for exceptional sound reproduction (Naim for Bentley premium audio).

More powerful W12 and new high-efficiency V8 FlexFuel engines

• 6-litre W12 engine twin-turbocharged engine produces 575PS(567bhp/423kW) and 700Nm (516lb ft) of torque.
• 0 – 60mph in 4.4 seconds (0 – 100km/h in 4.6 seconds)
• 0 – 100mph in 10.2 seconds (0 – 160km/h in 10.2 seconds)
• Top speed of 198mph (318km/h)
• Overall weight saving of 65kg (143lb) versus predecessor
• New high-output, high-efficiency V8 engine due for release in late 2011.

Dynamic Bentley driving experience

• ZF 6HP28 transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by 50% and enables double downshifts
• New 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer when powering out of bends and provides for better modulation of line and attitude by ‘throttle steering’
• Increased front and rear track improves grip and stability
• Advanced ESC system fully exploits the potential of the more powerful W12 engine and improved chassis
• 20” and (optional) 21” wheels

SCULPTURED EXTERIOR EXUDES QUALITY AND DESIGN INTEGRITY

Inspired by the iconic Bentleys of the past, Bentley’s design team under the leadership of Director of Design, Dirk van Braeckel, has created a thoroughly modern, sculptured body, built with advanced production technologies to ensure the highest standards of quality and body integrity.

Aluminium Super Forming technology is employed to create the front wings and the boot lid. This process heats the aluminium panels to nearly 500 degrees Celsius before shaping them by air pressure. By using a single sheet of aluminium, no seams or welding are required.

The latest body construction techniques deliver crisp, highly defined feature lines and form to every area of the exterior design. The familiar power lines and rear haunches – echoes of the original 1950s R-Type Continental – now have even sharper radii to create highly distinct surfaces, bringing the feel of a truly coachbuilt car to the new coupe.

The GT coupe’s new look is bolder than ever. The classic Bentley matrix radiator grille is more upright, while the new headlamp design, in traditional four-lamp format, has exquisite jewel-like detailing including eye-catching, LED daylight-running lamps.

At the rear, Bentley signature ‘floating’ LED lamps extend around the corners of the wings, emphasising the new coupe’s width and purposeful stance. The track is wider by41mm at the front and 48mm at the rear than the previous model. The bootlid design has a powerful ‘double horse-shoe’ motif, reminiscent of the new Bentley Mulsanne, while flared elliptical exhaust tailpipes reinforce the new GT’s sporting credentials.

The shape of the new GT coupe’s body is also more aerodynamic following extensive wind tunnel analysis. In conjunction with a range of extensive underbody refinements (including wheel arch and exhaust aerodynamic aids) the GT’s coefficient of drag has been reduced to 0.33Cd and the lift at the front and rear axles has also been reduced to create greater stability at higher speeds.

The new GT is specified with 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, with, for the first time on the Continental family, the option to upgrade to 21-inch designs. Three styles of wheel are offered – a 20-inch five-spoke version and two 21-inch Elegant and split-rim Sports variations, which come in a variety of chromed and painted finishes.

“The new GT coupe has an even stronger sporting character than ever before. It is an exceptionally refined and comfortable 2+2 Grand Tourer but with the heart, soul and looks of a supercar.”

Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design

CONTEMPORARY, HAND-CRAFTED CABIN WITH BENTLEY’S RENOWNED REFINEMENT

With an entirely hand-crafted interior, the Continental GT’s cabin sets new standards in refinement and luxury to create a stylish space in which up to four people can relax in total comfort.

The instrument panel and dashboard subtly echo the flying wings of the Bentley motif and are fashioned from the highest quality soft-touch leathers. New touchscreen technology and chrome-bezelled dials are housed within this dynamic cockpit area, which rises from the centre console in the form of dramatically surfaced ’wing’ buttresses.

The striking and unique ‘Cobra’ design seats are supremely comfortable thanks to the introduction of the latest body-supporting materials which use complex foams to provide softness at first touch but with excellent support over longer journeys.

The seats can be specified with front-seat ventilation as well as a state-of-the-art massage system with 10 individual massage cells and individual side airbags are provided as standard for all passengers. Front seatbelts feature a new electrically-operated automatic presenter, making buckling-up effortless. Driver knee airbags are standard fitment.

The new Continental GT offers superb everyday usability. The new slim-line front seats with scalloped backs also provide a further 46mm of legroom for back-seat passengers and easy access to the rear cabin.

No other Grand Tourer offers such impressive levels of refinement thanks to the advanced noise-suppression technology that includes acoustic glazing, under-floor shields and hidden anti-vibration panels throughout the interior.

The cabin is trimmed with soft-touch leathers, a full range of wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets – all hand-crafted in Bentley’s unrivalled workshops at the factory in Crewe, England. The attention to detail even extends to applying a UV stabilizer to the wood veneers to protect from bleaching, thus ensuring they can be enjoyed as new for decades to come.

Every leather hide is still sewn under the watchful eye of Bentley’s highly skilled craftsmen and women. By incorporating ingenious, angled ‘ramps’ behind the leather, the interior designers have created sharp, well-defined styling lines, while maintaining a soft-touch.

Other simple yet practical functions include a powered boot as standard, Electronic Park Brake with Move Off Assist and newly designed, leather-lined door stowage bins with an integrated bottle holder.

Perhaps the most stylish new storage device in the new Continental GT is the exquisitely designed, folding, removable case designed to hold items such as keys and pens and which can also be slipped into a pocket or bag. Crafted from veneers to match those of the coupe’s interior, the case (available as a cost option) is finished with inlaid Bentley wings, satin-chromed and leather-lined, and is secured in a recess above the twin drinks holders in the centre console.

“The new GT coupe interior combines form, practicality and innovation. Our task was to translate the original design sketches for the car’s cabin – which were quite extreme, almost revolutionary for a Bentley – into the final design. The result is a cockpit that moves the Continental GT on to the next generation.”

Darren Day, Senior Designer

CLASS-LEADING INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS

Complementing its contemporary cabin, the new Continental GT also features advanced new touchscreen technology with rich map imagery and a 30GB on board hard drive.

The 8-inch screen displays the car’s audio system, telephone, ride and comfort settings and the very latest navigation system, which uses both an in-car hard-disc drive and a DVD player to access route data. It also employs dynamic navigation to guide you around areas of heavy traffic, finds destinations using geo-tagged photos from an SD memory card and is Google Maps-compatible (market specific).

The infotainment system, with 7 digit postcode entry, uses a combination of touchscreen controls and classic knurled rotary switches to offer instant usability and crystal-clear feedback. The graphic interface of the screen is engineered in-house to ensure its visuals are completely in keeping with the style of the interior. Look closely and you will see that the knurled switches on the screen are ‘virtual’ echoes of the knurled switches below.

The Continental GT’s new infotainment system also provides the ultimate in in-car audio entertainment. An eight-speaker sound system is offered as standard employing the latest Balanced Mode Radiator technology. These unique compact, flat-panel speakers provide exceptional clarity with a very wide frequency range.

An 11-speaker Naim for Bentley system – created exclusively for the Continental GT by British audiophiles Naim – employs revolutionary Dirac Dimensions ™ digital signal processing.  This industry-first technology creates a virtual ‘sound field’ independent of speaker layout to deliver concert hall-quality sound reproduction for every occupant wherever they may be sitting.

The GT coupe also benefits from telephone and music player connectivity, digital television (where available) and DVD movie playback. Music can be played and controlled directly from an iPod®as well as from a six-disc CD changer, SD card reader or directly from the car’s hard-disc drive, which can store up to 15GB of music.

MORE POWERFUL W12 AND NEW HIGH-OUTPUT, HIGH-EFFICIENCY V8

The Continental GT is set to have a choice of two very distinctive high-performance engines. In addition to the new 575PS version of Crewe’s renowned 6.0 litre W12 powertrain, a new high-output 4.0-litre V8 engine option will be introduced in late 2011.

The new 4.0-litre V8 engine honours Bentley’s environmental commitment to deliver a powertrain that achieves a 40 percent improvement in CO₂ emissions.  The new V8 is being designed specifically by Bentley’s engineers to deliver all the exhilarating power and torque synonymous with the marque. The new Crewe-built engine will also offer a class-leadingCO₂ emissions-to-power ratio.

At launch, the new Continental GT coupe is powered by the latest evolution of Bentley’s acclaimed 12-cylinder, 6-litre twin-turbocharged engine, now calibrated to provide even greater performance, thanks to increases in power, torque and fuel efficiency.

Designed in a unique ‘W’ configuration, it is the most compact and technologically advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world. Four camshafts and 48 valves allow the engine to breathe effortlessly and help to generate the distinctive Bentley wave of torque. It is also capable of running on petrol (gasoline), E85 bioethanol or any mix of the two – all from a single tank.

In 2008, Bentley announced a far-reaching environmental programme that included a 15 percent improvement in powertrain efficiency and the adoption across the Bentley model range of FlexFuel technology by 2012. Bentley’s FlexFuel models are capable of delivering potential CO₂ reductions of up to 70 percent on a ‘well-to-wheel’ basis – the measurement of CO₂ released by a fuel from its production (well) through to its combustion or deployment (wheel).

To ensure that the power and torque generated remain constant (whatever the fuel) an advanced Fuel Quality Sensor continuously monitors the ratio of the fuels used. It then guides the Engine Control Unit to adjust the engine’s timing. This provides the seamless power delivery for which Bentley engines are renowned, and ensures there is no compromise on performance when using  fuels that create lower CO₂ emissions.

Further revisions to the new GT coupe’s engine include low friction, lightweight components which allow the W12-format engine to rev even more freely, while the latest engine management system and twin, low-inertia turbochargers are optimised to ensure minimal turbo lag.

Overall, the GT coupe is 65kg lighter than its predecessor thanks to reductions in all areas of the car from engine components through to new seats. With its power output raised by 15PS and torque by 50 Nm – to 575PS (567bhp/423kW) and 700Nm (516lb ft) – the result is a 6 percent improvement in the new GT’s power-to weight-ratio, making it capable of accelerating from zero to 60mph in just 4.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds) with a top speed of 198mph (318km/h).

The increased power and torque are transmitted to the all-wheel drive system via an uprated six-speed Quickshift transmission, which halves shift times (to just 200 milliseconds). The revised gearbox also has the ability to deliver double downshifts (sixth to fourth gear, for example) and improves acceleration across the entire gear range. To cope with the additional power and torque, the planetary gear set of the six-speed ZF transmission is also strengthened.

Positive torque during downshifts is achieved through engine and gearbox electronic controller interaction for extra throttle and fuel injection during the overrun, replicating manual throttle ‘blips’ for precise rev matching . During transmission upshifts, fuel and ignition are cut momentarily to give faster mechanical shift times through torque reduction, also improving shift quality and durability.

“The W12’s extra power and torque and Quickshift transmission endow the new GT with instantly accessible supercar performance across the complete rev range. At the same time, Bentley’s pioneering use of FlexFuel technology underlines our ongoing environmental commitment.”

Brian Gush, Director, Chassis and Powertrain, Engineering

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE FOR OPTIMISED RIDE AND HANDLING

Both engines are coupled with a state-of-the-art, all-wheel drive system employing an advanced Torsen differential. This ensures safe yet dynamic sports car handling in all road conditions and all weathers.

In the new coupe, the power split has a 40:60 rear bias for a significantly more sporting feel in terms of handling and mid-corner acceleration. However, it can adjust instantaneously the power split between the front and rear wheels depending on the available grip. In addition, an uprated Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system provides additional security and grip whatever your driving style.

The new GT’s chassis delivers the optimum ride and handling balance. The wide front and rear track benefits agility and handling, while solid aluminium cast-forged, high-stiffness front suspension uprights and aluminium gravity die castings at the rear work in conjunction with a redesigned front anti-roll bar and retuned spring and damper settings. The result is improved response and stability at all speeds.

Continuous Damping Control (CDC) constantly monitors the car’s attitude and poise. By adjusting the suspension settings hundreds of times a second it can provide a remarkably supple ride at low speeds and increased control as speeds climb. It can also lower the car in ‘V-Max’ mode for enhanced stability at the highest speeds.

SUMMARY

Throughout Bentley’s history, iconic grand tourers have forged the marque’s reputation. In the 1950s the beautiful R-Type Continental set new standards of performance and style. In 2003, Continental GT revolutionised the luxury coupe market, combining supercar performance and dynamism with remarkable everyday practicality.

Now, the new Continental GT coupe sets even higher standards in every area of design, craftsmanship and engineering.

“We’ve distilled nearly 90 years of engineering excellence into the new Continental GT coupe. It represents everything Bentley stands for: breathtaking performance, beautiful design and unparalleled quality, comfort and luxury.”

Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering

The new-look Bentley Continental GT will be officially unveiled on the Internet in a couple of hours, but no need to wait, here’s the official images of the car! For uninterested eyes, the new Conti is literally the same as before, but those with a bit more Bentley passion quickly notice that there’s a facelift, even though very subtle. It looks fresh and the whole design is still good for another couple of years. Some say the British firm is going to treat this design like Porsche does with the 911 and maintain it for a long long time!

The 2011 Bentley Continental Facelift comes with new fancier headlights, wider chunkier grille, and a revised bumper at front. From the side it is pretty much unchanged, but then at the back, you get new sleeker taillights along with a more pronounced trunk lid that acts as spoiler, and new rear valance and new-shape tailpipes.

If anything, the changes make the Continental more lovable.

As for the power, it still comes from that magnificent 6.0 liter W12 VW-engineered engine but it’s revised, again, to generate even more horsepower. It started life with 552 hp, then got 560, and now in 2011 it can offer 575 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque. Of course this engine is capable of way more than that as we’ve seen with the GT Speed and SuperSport.

The word is that in a year or so, the Continental will become available with a V8 option. It’s not confirmed yet, but it’ll probably be an Audi-sourced 4.0 liter with the same sort of power output as the W12 (Bentley says it won’t be an entry-level after all) but with 40 percent cleaner. That helps the company to bring its overall CO2 emissions lower.

Official details and specs of the car should emerge in a few hours, meanwhile check out some pictures…

UPDATE! Click Here for official details of the car

via: automobilemag

So after being produced for nearly a decade with more or less the same exact shape as the first prototype, Bentley Continental GT is about to get a makeover fro 2011 and we’ll be able to see the results at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. They’ve even launched a microsite for the new model and released this video as a sort of teaser. But, don’t expect a whole new model. It’s actually more of a nice facelift which makes the car more sleek and nicer to look at. The car’s face will get a bit like the goofy face of the Mulsanne.

As it turns out Bentley thinks the Continental’s shape is still good for another couple of years and it’s not going to be replaced any time son.

Vorsteiner has unveiled a new body kit for the Bentley Continental which can be had on GT,GTC and Speed models, and turn the car’s appearance into something like the Bentley Supersports model at the front! The tuner has done its best to make sure the kit is as classy as the car itself and therefore it’s quit discrete and cool. You get a 5-piece body kit plus new wheels, but there is no performance upgrade included in the package.

Vorsteiner’s Bentley GT comes with new bumpers at front and rear, which are enhanced aerodynamically by using a spoiler lip at front and an air diffuser at the back. These new parts are all larger than the standard units, so they make the car to look lower and wider. You also get sporty side skirts and a nice decklid spoiler.

The choice of wheels and tires was also very clever for this car, you get V-101 22-inch Monoblock lightweight rims wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Tires.

via: Cartuningcentral

German tuner ASMA is widely famous as a Mercedes tuner and of course for their crazy jobs! We’ve already brought to you some samples of their insanity, remember the SLR Perfectus and CL Phantasma both done for Abu Dhabi royalties?! Anyhow, this time they’ve picked a Bentley Continental and went berserk with it. Apparently they couldn’t resist this job offer from a rich Saudi politician! Welcome everyone to ASMA Venustus…

Before we cut to the chase, we have to say that as you notice from the pictures of the cabin, the car is not fully finished! The seats are yet to be changed and so is the steering wheel, otherwise beige leather with red trimming would make absolutely no sense!

The body and engine however, are fully done! ASMA has literally facelifted the Continental. It wears a wide body kit with redesigned bumpers and flaps and everything, all finished in glossy piano black. And with the blacked-out grille and 22-inch black wheels, the Venustus is a showcase of ASMA’s dark side! The new aero parts like the spoiler lips or the rear diffuser are made of carbon fiber.

As for the engine, well there is enough power in there to start a sand storm in the desert! 644 hp and 780 nm of torque is at the disposal of Sheikh’s right foot which let him accelerate non-stop right up to the exciting horizons of 325 km/h!

There is no mention of the price, but it is certainly quit high!

via: AutoBild