2012 Bentley Continental GT with a little fresh bodywork

One of the neatest little features of the 2012 Bentley Continental GT is a sunglass case that fits over the top of the cupholders in the center console, which helps disguise their presence.
Like the Supersports models, the all-wheel-drive Continental GT has a 40/60 front/rear torque bias and more positive gear changes, thanks to the torque-converter 6-speed automatic having programming taken directly from the sporty Supersports’ Speedshift gearbox.

The Bentley Continental GT returns in 2012 with slightly refreshed bodywork, more dynamic handling, improved comfort, more rear-seat legroom and up-to-date electronics. Like an aging Hollywood star, the 2012 Bentley Continental GT has "had a little work done."

The four-passenger 2012 Bentley Continental GT comes in one very well-appointed trim level. Standard features include 20-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, LED running lights, heated outside mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, a power trunk lid, heated 10-way power front seats with memory functions and four-way lumbar adjustment, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, wood veneer trim and Bluetooth. The Mulliner Driving Specification package includes special 21-inch wheels and unique leather and interior trim.

Initially, the 2012 Bentley Continental GT will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine that produces 567 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque -- an increase of 15 hp and 37 lb-ft over the previous model. The GT's updated all-wheel-drive system features a 40:60 rear-torque bias to the rear wheels for performance-minded drivers. The 2012 Bentley Continental GT comes standard with stability control, traction control, antilock brakes with brake assist, side airbags for all seats and driver knee airbags.

There's also a three-spoke steering wheel to replace the predecessor's four-spoke item. From supple leathers to rich wood veneers, the interior lives up to the GT's rather exorbitant price tag. Front seat comfort is excellent, but the rear seats may draw criticism from adult-sized passengers.

All of that thrust, however, is tempered by the 2012 Bentley Continental GT's portly 5,000-pound curb weight. The 2012 Bentley Continental GT's forte is in those last two letters.
Redesigned for 2012, the all-wheel drive Bentley Continental GT coupe's styling updates include a more upright matrix radiator grille, a "double horseshoe" rear profile, unique jewelled headlamps with LED daytime-running lights, 20-inch aluminum wheels, and an all-new handcrafted interior. 21-inch aluminum wheels are available in chrome and painted finishes.
An 11-speaker Naim for Bentley system, created exclusively for the Continental GT by British specialists Naim, employs Dirac Dimensions digital signal processing.

2011 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

The standard Bentley Continental Flying Spur features a more upright grille and bolder lower air intake, while the new rear bumper delivers a more aggressive and sleek appearance.

The double-glazed windows, a standard feature since launch, now feature a sophisticated acoustic laminate inner layer for all side and rear windows. High-performance 'Speed' edition
Like its GT coupe counterpart, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur can now be ordered in Speed guise. Inspired by Bentley's legendary Speed models that first appeared in 1923, the Flying Spur Speed offers a range of headline performance figures including a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph.

Added grip comes from the 9.5Jx20 multi-spoke alloy wheels with bespoke Pirelli P-Zero UHP performance tires.

The Bentley Flying Spur Speed is distinguished by subtle design cues which emphasize its performance credentials, including dark-tinted radiator and air intake grilles, wider rifled exhaust tail pipes and unique 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

Background
The Flying Spur was introduced for the 2006 model year. Bentley also decided to update the Flying Spur's electronic stability program and offer optional carbon ceramic brakes should owners try and test that 195 mph top speed. The standard Spur's engine offers 552 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. Standard equipment on the Spur includes twin HID headlights with washer jets, 19-inch alloy wheels, a tire pressure monitoring system, cruise control, keyless entry and ignition, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a choice of 16 colors. The front seats feature lumbar massage, memory and heat settings. The rear seat's outer occupants enjoy lumbar massage and heating settings as well.

Awaiting its 2012 model-year update, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur is back for 2011 and in showrooms, largely carried over from 2010.

The Flying Spur still looks contemporary, if more sedate than the Conti GT that shares its architecture. Inside, the Flying Spur's dual-binnacle dash is dressed in walnut or chestnut veneers, all precisely hand-cut and matched to create a mirror-image grain symmetry. A twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 engine channels 552 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque in the Spur. The Bentley Continental Flying Spur exudes refinement and sophistication in its driving experience. Strong, silent, and fast, the Spur quietly glides over road imperfections and is unruffled at 100-mph-plus speeds. The steering's without much sensation, but the Spur is incredibly stable at speed.

Like the Continental GT coupe, the Continental Flying Spur has all-wheel drive.

New for 2011
A Series 51 model allows customers to customize exterior and interior colors and features.

Exterior
Though a sedan, the Continental Flying Spur closely matches the appearance of the Continental GT coupe. Exterior features include:
Upright chrome grille
Large lower air intakes
19-inch wheels
Interior features include:
Available Naim 1,100-watt amplifier
Available backseat DVD system
Twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 engine produces 552 hp and 479 pounds-feet of torque
Adjustable air suspension

Safety
Standard safety equipment includes:
Eight airbags, including full-length side curtain airbags and side-impact airbags for both front and rear occupants
Electronic stability system
Continental Flying Spur Speed
Introduced in 2009, this package gives the Flying Spur a boost in power and an upgrade in ride and handling, along with a few exterior features.
Ride height lowered 10 millimeters versus standard Continental Flying Spur
20-inch multispoke alloy wheels

2011 Bentley Continental Supersports

2011 Bentley Continental Supersports gains a new convertible stablemate (reviewed separately) but the coupe returns unchanged.

The 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports seems trapped between two disparate worlds. Furthermore, it's fairly likely that the next Continental Supersports will adopt many of the 2012 Continental GT's improvements.

The 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports is a two-seat high-performance version of the Continental GT coupe that is offered in a single well-appointed trim level.

There are fewer options available on the lightweight, performance-oriented Supersports compared to the regular GT.

The 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports is powered by a 6.0-liter W12 that produces a whopping 621 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission are standard. In Edmunds performance testing, the Supersports hit 60 mph from a standstill in 3.8 seconds on its way to its stated top speed of 204 mph. Standard safety features for the Continental Supersports include antilock carbon-ceramic disc brakes, stability and traction control, and side curtain airbags.

Seat issues aside, the Supersports' interior is as beautifully made as any other Bentley.
Tipping the scales at approximately 5,000 pounds, the 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports is no featherweight.

The trouble with the 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is that it doesn't look like an exotic high-performance car.

"The idea of a Bentley is not either-or," says Franz-Joseph Paefgen, Bentley's chairman and CEO. The zero to 60 miles an hour acceleration time is 3.9 seconds, according to Bentley's tests, and the top speed is 202 miles an hour. Twin turbochargers force-feed cubic acres of air into the cylinders to produce the engine's 590 pounds-feet of torque.

The rear-biased all-wheel drive is automatic and unobtrusive. The convertible top is multilayered fabric, which avoids a trend among some other luxury cars whose convertibles have folding metal tops. But the Bentley people say their customers prefer soft tops because it demonstrates conclusively that they can afford both a convertible and a hard top coupe. The company’s research shows that, on average, Bentley buyers keep their cars only about 18 months.

With its exotic engineering, the Bentley Supersports has only a few negatives in addition to its hefty price tag. With the introduction of the Supersports convertible, Bentley now has a full sports-car house. There are three hard tops and three convertibles in GT, GT Speed and Supersports versions.

The Supersports is the extreme Bentley convertible, offering a highly focussed, pure Bentley driving experience. The Continental Supersports Convertible further strengthens Bentley’s supercar range, following the introduction of the Continental Supersports Coupé in 2009. The new Supersports Convertible, with the same 630PS (621bhp/463kW) twin-turbocharged W12 engine, is the fastest, most potent drop top Bentley has ever built, offering the ultimate Bentley driving experience in the world’s most dramatic convertible.

“The new Supersports Convertible blends thrilling performance and dramatic styling with luxury and practicality in the Bentley open-top tradition. Extreme power combines with pioneering FlexFuel technology, now shared with all Continental models, reflecting Bentley’s ongoing commitment to more environmental motoring.”

The new Continental Supersports Convertible is a car that must be driven to be fully understood. A highly focussed, pure Bentley driving experience

2011 Bentley's Continental GTC

2011 Bentley's Continental GTC is the convertible version of the automaker's Continental GT coupe. A performance model, called GTC Speed, debuted in 2009. Exterior features include:

Interior
The GTC can seat up to four people on front and rear bucket seats, though the rear seats would likely only be comfortable for children.

Continental GTC Speed
The twin-turbo W-12 can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a maximum
More substantively, the 2011 Conti gets a boost in horsepower from its 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine, hitting 567 horsepower and 516 pound-feet. To keep that power in the right place, the rear track is wider, front-to-rear bias of the all-wheel-drive system is now 40/60 front-to-rear, and the coefficient of drag has been reduced to 0.33. 0-60 mph? Top speed? 198 mph.

Joining that are a sleeker dash, climate-controlled "Cobra" seats sculpted to provide more rear legroom, and leather-lined door pouches with water bottle holders. It's everything the current Continental GT is.

When the last-generation Continental GT debuted in 2003, it proved surprisingly popular—not because the grand touring coupe wasn’t exceptional, but because it wasn’t cheap.

The Continental GT is not only a modern icon, it’s also largely responsible for changing the image of the brand from stodgy to sporting. (A small percentage of the population knows that Bentley won Le Mans in 2003, a much larger percentage knows about Bentley because of its top seller.)

The message behind these changes has carried over into the car’s performance, which has improved due to three key factors: more engine, less weight, more refinement.

While the twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine of the original model was powerful (406 kW; 649 Nm), the new version is even more so (423 kW; 700 Nm). A quick blast along the desert roads of Oman proved that the new Continental GT represents a marked improvement. The revised 6-speed automatic transmission shifts gears in half the time, giving the Bentley a distinctly racier feeling compared to the original (although it’s still no dual-clutch speedster.)

The top speed claim could not be verified—at 210 km/h, a message on the instrument panel warned that the tires weren’t properly inflated for such speeds. It turns out that the technicians had prepared the coupe for comfortable touring not edge-of-your-seat drag racing.

The all-wheel drive system now features a basic 40/60 torque split (front/rear), which has carried over from the outgoing, high-performance Continental Supersports model. Of course, the traction control system varies the torque distribution if it detects wheel slippage at the back. As an everyday driver, the Continental GT is definitely more than a little intimidating: It’s big, it’s fast and it’s expensive. The Continental GT is a true 2+2 coupe, meaning that the back seat is suitable only for small children.

The front seats were also made lighter, in part by moving the seat-belt mechanism to the car’s B-pillar. The seats are sporty and supportive.

All things considered, the Continental GT is a more mature, higher-performing and more engaging version of its predecessor.

The New Bentley Bontinental GTC 2011

The New Continental GT 2011 is one of Bentley's sexiest machines ever, and the brand's best-selling model. Granted, the nearly two-inch-wider track (65.51 inches front/65.15 inches rear) and standard 20-inch, five-spoke wheels (21-inch optional) also add to the effect. (The logo's wings are a longstanding Conti design flourish, stemming from the 1950 R-Type Continental.) Also shaped in Mulsanne fashion are the car's skinny, elliptical chrome exhaust tips, which expel the fumes created by the twin-turbocharged, 567-horsepower 6.0-liter W-12.

No other car in the premium sports car segment offers such a dichotomy of luxury and performance.

Power lines streak from front to back, accentuating the body like a finely pressed suit. Aluminum Super Forming heats body panels to 500° Celsius, eliminating the need for spot welding on the front wing panels and trunk lid. Flared elliptical tailpipes are chromed while the rear Bentley signature “floating” LED lamps extend around the corner accentuating size and stance.
At its core, Bentley has designed a sports coupe of the highest magnitude. Power stems from a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine. Steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters allow for rapid transition between gears. Mated to a 6-speed ZF Quickshift automatic transmission, it takes only 4.4 seconds to reach 60 mph. Additional performance figures indicate passing times of 1.7 seconds from 30-50 mph and 2.9 seconds from 50-75 mph. Top speed is set at 198 mph.
Speed is not the only factor propelling the new Bentley Continental GT to the top of its class. Continuous damping aids performance; the ride is supple yet tight with very little lean or body roll even at high speeds.

Standard wheel sizes are 20-inch 5-spoke aluminum alloys with two 21-inch Elegant and split-rim Sports variations optional. Large 405 mm (16-in.) front and 335 mm (13.2-in.) rear ventilated disc brakes bring the new Continental GT to a rapid and controlled stop. Optional 420 mm (16.5-in.) front and 356 mm (14-in.) rear cross-drilled carbon ceramic brakes supply the best stopping power.

Soft-touch leather is placed throughout the hand-crafted cabin. Rear seats are surprisingly comfortable, even for those over six-feet tall and a center armrest offers storage and rear ventilation adjustment. The 2011 Bentley Continental GT will offer the 6.0 W12 engine as its only source of power at launch. Worldwide sales for the original Bentley Continental topped 45,000 units since its introduction in 2003. A lofty achievement in the premium sports coupe segment, the 2011 Bentley Continental GT seems poised and capable to take the lead once more.

The 2011 Bentley Continental GT is just the second generation of the blockbuster coupe that rumbled ashore eight years ago. 0-60 mph? Top speed? 198 mph.

It's everything the current Continental GT is. For Crewe's design and engineering teams, the new Continental GT coupe is an opportunity to set a bold and exciting direction for one of Bentley's most revered names – the Continental.

Now the new Continental GT 4-seat coupe builds on the success of its iconic predecessor, capturing that GT spirit but with even higher standards of design, engineering, luxury, craftsmanship, dynamic performance, everyday practicality and refinement. The contemporary interior offers new levels of cabin design, comfort and hand-crafted luxury. This advanced power unit will deliver a 40 percent reduction in emissions compared with the W12 engine and will offer a class-leading CO2 emissions-to-power ratio with Bentley levels of performance and refinement.

Both engines are coupled to an all-wheel drive system with a sporty 40:60 rear-torque bias (compared with the 50:50 bias of the original Continental GT), minimising understeer during hard cornering and allowing the experienced driver to control the car's line and balance via precise throttle control. - Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive

"The new GT coupe interior combines form, practicality and innovation. 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. An 11-speaker Naim for Bentley system – created exclusively for the Continental GT by British audiophiles Naim – employs revolutionary Dirac Dimensions ™ digital signal processing. 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.

Bentley Mulsanne, 2011

Bentley Mulsanne, 2011

 

  

 

While paying homage to past Bentley greats, the brief for the new Bentley Mulsanne design and engineering teams was to create a Bentley that represents the pinnacle of British luxury motoring.
The new Bentley Mulsanne, designed and engineered at Crewe from the ground-up, reaffirms the marque's intent to create a new flagship Bentley with refined performance, unparalleled levels of interior luxury and coach building skills to the fore.

The return of the Mulsanne name underlines Bentley's sporting heritage and passion for power and speed. Nothing reflects that prowess better than the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, a race that Bentley has won on six occasions, where its powerful and reliable race cars thundered down the long Le Mans straight into the famous Mulsanne corner, from which the new model takes its name.

A pure expression of Bentley design
The design of the new Bentley Mulsanne is a unique fusion of sportiness, coachbuilt elegance and solidity. Echoing the Bentley S-Type of the 1950s, the Mulsanne features a bold frontal design dominated by the traditional Bentley matrix grille and highly prominent, classic round inner headlamps with chrome surrounds, flanked by two, smaller outboard lamp clusters, all featuring the latest in lighting technology. The iconic 'Flying B' retractable radiator mascot is available as an option.

The long bonnet, short front overhang and long rear overhang help to convey a sense of power and movement, reinforced by muscular haunches and sharply sculptured lines which flow gracefully from the front wings to the rear. Uniquely designed 20-inch wheels (and optional 21-inch) reinforce the Bentley Mulsanne's powerful, sporting stance.

Design Director Dirk van Braeckel explains the inspiration behind the Bentley Mulsanne's distinctive appearance: "The opportunity to design a new flagship Bentley is something afforded to very few designers. The team set out to create a sculpted form that blended classic Bentley heritage cues with modern lines that allow the marque to stride confidently into the 21st century."

The body is produced in a new manufacturing facility at Bentley's headquarters in Crewe where traditional metalworking skills, developed over six decades, are still used extensively during the nine-week build process. It is the very opposite of volume-production car-building… but the very epitome of Bentley.

The rear screen, for example is fully enveloped by the coachwork. This provides a flowing, flawless line to the rear of the car, complementing the exquisitely formed D-pillars - whose complex curves can only be created by skilled coach-builders. All spot welds are performed by hand during the Bentley Mulsanne's construction and all panel joints are hand-brazed. These further enhance that 'hewn from solid' appearance and result in an extremely stiff body.

The complex form of the aluminium front wings, impossible to achieve with normal pressing techniques, is created using superforming, a technology usually reserved for the aerospace industry. This also makes the wings both lighter, stiffer and provides superb surface definition. Other lightweight materials, such as the composite bootlid, are used to remove mass wherever possible without compromising quality.

New construction techniques meant the designers could also incorporate details such as the 'floating' elliptical LED tail lights, which uniquely echo the shape of the exhaust tailpipes.

To accentuate the beauty of the bodywork, the Bentley Mulsanne features 'brightware' exclusively in polished stainless steel, including sill treadplates and matrix grilles. Bentley is the only manufacturer in the world to do this. The stainless steel door handles also incorporate the traditional Bentley 'knurling' to their inboard surface for enhanced grip, reflecting the company's typical attention to detail.

The sporting character of the Bentley Mulsanne is reinforced by front wing vents and large diameter tailpipe finishers.

Sumptuous interior meets advanced technology
The latest in-car technologies are discreetly placed within the Bentley Mulsanne's sumptuous interior. A multimedia system with 40 GB hard disc drives satellite navigation, audio/video, personal data, telephone and Bluetooth® connectivity. The upper dashboard houses an 8-inch multimedia screen, positioned unobtrusively behind an electrically operated veneered door, while below sits a stylish, leather-lined MP3-player stowage drawer.

A state-of-the-art 14-speaker audio system with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and 6-CD autochanger is provided as standard while the Naim for Bentley premium audio system may be specified as an option. This forging of two British luxury brands provides customers with the world's most powerful 2200 Watt in-car amplifier, eight dedicated DSP modes and 20 custom-made speakers, delivering an unparalleled sound quality.

A personalised keyless entry system allows multiple pre-programmed configurations and automatically sets radio stations, phone book, seat (including ventilation and massage modes, both front and rear), steering column and seatbelt settings and even the electrically operated rear-seat blinds for side and rear windows. As a world-first, the keyless system operates with the stainless steel door handles which incorporate touch points to initiate communication with the key for verification and entry. The Bentley Mulsanne also features keyless start, having a stop/start button on the centre console.

The Bentley interior design team has continued to develop and evolve the luxurious interiors for which their cars are renowned, based on a large-scale, research programme to identify the classic signature features that have defined Bentleys from the 1920s to the present day.

Armed with this invaluable resource, the Bentley Mulsanne's design team set itself highly challenging targets for key interior characteristics such as material design, smell, colour harmony and handcrafting. Similar targets were set for the operational refinement and robustness of all control mechanisms. The result is a hand crafted interior that fully reflects traditional Bentley values, executed to the highest possible standards, where customers may tailor their cars to their individual specification.

As Head of Interior Design, Robin Page says: "Over 170 hours - almost half the entire build process - goes into crafting the interior of the new Bentley Mulsanne. At Crewe, Bentley's way of working is the opposite of mass production - we start where others stop."

The use of wood and leather hides has increased significantly to create an even more refined and luxurious cabin. While classic design features such as bulls-eye air vents (now also fitted in the rear compartment), high-quality mirror-matched wood veneers, leather hides and hand-finished stainless steel are retained, they are mixed with new touches such as beautiful glass switches.

The entire cabin is encased within a 'ring of wood' waistrail with an unbroken panel of wood gracing the Bentley Mulsanne's dashboard. Inverted dial needles within the instrument cluster are evocative of early Bentleys while the entire dashboard and console design is a subtle reminder of the Bentley wings motif.

The Bentley powertrain engineers were set three objectives for the Bentley Mulsanne:
   1. To produce the effortless torque from extremely low revs that customers expect of a grand Bentley
   2. To maintain the highest levels of refinement
   3. To satisfy strict current and future environmental standards through improved engine efficiency

Bentley Mulsanne, 2011

Bentley Mulsanne, 2011

 

  

 

While paying homage to past Bentley greats, the brief for the new Bentley Mulsanne design and engineering teams was to create a Bentley that represents the pinnacle of British luxury motoring.
The new Bentley Mulsanne, designed and engineered at Crewe from the ground-up, reaffirms the marque's intent to create a new flagship Bentley with refined performance, unparalleled levels of interior luxury and coach building skills to the fore.

The return of the Mulsanne name underlines Bentley's sporting heritage and passion for power and speed. Nothing reflects that prowess better than the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, a race that Bentley has won on six occasions, where its powerful and reliable race cars thundered down the long Le Mans straight into the famous Mulsanne corner, from which the new model takes its name.

A pure expression of Bentley design
The design of the new Bentley Mulsanne is a unique fusion of sportiness, coachbuilt elegance and solidity. Echoing the Bentley S-Type of the 1950s, the Mulsanne features a bold frontal design dominated by the traditional Bentley matrix grille and highly prominent, classic round inner headlamps with chrome surrounds, flanked by two, smaller outboard lamp clusters, all featuring the latest in lighting technology. The iconic 'Flying B' retractable radiator mascot is available as an option.

The long bonnet, short front overhang and long rear overhang help to convey a sense of power and movement, reinforced by muscular haunches and sharply sculptured lines which flow gracefully from the front wings to the rear. Uniquely designed 20-inch wheels (and optional 21-inch) reinforce the Bentley Mulsanne's powerful, sporting stance.

Design Director Dirk van Braeckel explains the inspiration behind the Bentley Mulsanne's distinctive appearance: "The opportunity to design a new flagship Bentley is something afforded to very few designers. The team set out to create a sculpted form that blended classic Bentley heritage cues with modern lines that allow the marque to stride confidently into the 21st century."

The body is produced in a new manufacturing facility at Bentley's headquarters in Crewe where traditional metalworking skills, developed over six decades, are still used extensively during the nine-week build process. It is the very opposite of volume-production car-building… but the very epitome of Bentley.

The rear screen, for example is fully enveloped by the coachwork. This provides a flowing, flawless line to the rear of the car, complementing the exquisitely formed D-pillars - whose complex curves can only be created by skilled coach-builders. All spot welds are performed by hand during the Bentley Mulsanne's construction and all panel joints are hand-brazed. These further enhance that 'hewn from solid' appearance and result in an extremely stiff body.

The complex form of the aluminium front wings, impossible to achieve with normal pressing techniques, is created using superforming, a technology usually reserved for the aerospace industry. This also makes the wings both lighter, stiffer and provides superb surface definition. Other lightweight materials, such as the composite bootlid, are used to remove mass wherever possible without compromising quality.

New construction techniques meant the designers could also incorporate details such as the 'floating' elliptical LED tail lights, which uniquely echo the shape of the exhaust tailpipes.

To accentuate the beauty of the bodywork, the Bentley Mulsanne features 'brightware' exclusively in polished stainless steel, including sill treadplates and matrix grilles. Bentley is the only manufacturer in the world to do this. The stainless steel door handles also incorporate the traditional Bentley 'knurling' to their inboard surface for enhanced grip, reflecting the company's typical attention to detail.

The sporting character of the Bentley Mulsanne is reinforced by front wing vents and large diameter tailpipe finishers.

Sumptuous interior meets advanced technology
The latest in-car technologies are discreetly placed within the Bentley Mulsanne's sumptuous interior. A multimedia system with 40 GB hard disc drives satellite navigation, audio/video, personal data, telephone and Bluetooth® connectivity. The upper dashboard houses an 8-inch multimedia screen, positioned unobtrusively behind an electrically operated veneered door, while below sits a stylish, leather-lined MP3-player stowage drawer.

A state-of-the-art 14-speaker audio system with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and 6-CD autochanger is provided as standard while the Naim for Bentley premium audio system may be specified as an option. This forging of two British luxury brands provides customers with the world's most powerful 2200 Watt in-car amplifier, eight dedicated DSP modes and 20 custom-made speakers, delivering an unparalleled sound quality.

A personalised keyless entry system allows multiple pre-programmed configurations and automatically sets radio stations, phone book, seat (including ventilation and massage modes, both front and rear), steering column and seatbelt settings and even the electrically operated rear-seat blinds for side and rear windows. As a world-first, the keyless system operates with the stainless steel door handles which incorporate touch points to initiate communication with the key for verification and entry. The Bentley Mulsanne also features keyless start, having a stop/start button on the centre console.

The Bentley interior design team has continued to develop and evolve the luxurious interiors for which their cars are renowned, based on a large-scale, research programme to identify the classic signature features that have defined Bentleys from the 1920s to the present day.

Armed with this invaluable resource, the Bentley Mulsanne's design team set itself highly challenging targets for key interior characteristics such as material design, smell, colour harmony and handcrafting. Similar targets were set for the operational refinement and robustness of all control mechanisms. The result is a hand crafted interior that fully reflects traditional Bentley values, executed to the highest possible standards, where customers may tailor their cars to their individual specification.

As Head of Interior Design, Robin Page says: "Over 170 hours - almost half the entire build process - goes into crafting the interior of the new Bentley Mulsanne. At Crewe, Bentley's way of working is the opposite of mass production - we start where others stop."

The use of wood and leather hides has increased significantly to create an even more refined and luxurious cabin. While classic design features such as bulls-eye air vents (now also fitted in the rear compartment), high-quality mirror-matched wood veneers, leather hides and hand-finished stainless steel are retained, they are mixed with new touches such as beautiful glass switches.

The entire cabin is encased within a 'ring of wood' waistrail with an unbroken panel of wood gracing the Bentley Mulsanne's dashboard. Inverted dial needles within the instrument cluster are evocative of early Bentleys while the entire dashboard and console design is a subtle reminder of the Bentley wings motif.

The Bentley powertrain engineers were set three objectives for the Bentley Mulsanne:
   1. To produce the effortless torque from extremely low revs that customers expect of a grand Bentley
   2. To maintain the highest levels of refinement
   3. To satisfy strict current and future environmental standards through improved engine efficiency

2011 Bentley Mulsanne Reviews

2011 Bentley Mulsanne.
Bentley describes the Mulsanne’s design as a “unique fusion of sportiness, coachbuilt elegance, and solidity.” Six inches longer than the Arnage but similar in height and width, the Mulsanne is indeed flagship-sized. The base wheels are 20 inches in diameter, and two 21-inch variants are optional, the latter wrapped in 265/40 series Pirelli P Zeros like the ones found on Bentley’s Speed variants.

Arguably the most important part of any luxury car is its interior, and the Mulsanne’s is both loaded with modern technology and lined in traditional luxury. A Naim for Bentley premium audio system is available as an option, complete with 20 speakers, eight DSP modes, and—get this—a 2200-watt in-car amplifier. “It will be priced at the pinnacle of the ultra-luxury segment,” said a Bentley insider.

It harnesses near-absolute power in the form of a big, low-revving V-8 engine, swaths of wood and leather and real chrome, and elegant proportions, staking its claim as one of the finest four-doors on the planet.

According to Bentley executives, the 2011 Mulsanne is "a big, heavy car, and unashamedly so." The engine is a 6.75-liter V-8 engine, which drives the rear wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. When pushed, the engine noise is a muted roar, and the Mulsanne gathers speed swiftly but almost discreetly. Details matter inside the Mulsanne.

TheCarConnection focuses on reviewing mass-market vehicles. Our sister site MotorAuthority covers the world of luxury and performance vehicles--and they've filed this first drive of the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne.

The 2011 Bentley Mulsanne is the best car for you if you desire the latest in automotive luxury and status – and are only peripherally concerned about what it costs.

The 2011 Bentley Mulsanne is the magnificent new flagship from the marque second only to Rolls-Royce as Britain’s best-known purveyor of sumptuous motorcars. Should you wait for the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne or redecorate the cottage on Martha’s Vineyard?

The 2011 Bentley Mulsanne styling builds on the tradition of classic Bentleys and manages to look both extravagant and tasteful. Present is the upright Bentley crosshatch grille, long bonnet (hood to us Yanks), and sweeping rear overhang. Bentley employs aerospace technology called superforming to shape the complex aluminum front fenders. Dimensionally, the Mulsanne is assertive. An entire Mini Cooper would just about fit within the Mulsanne’s 128.6-inch wheelbase.

The "2011 Mulsanne" symbolizes a sort of closure to a confusing Bentley odyssey. It’s the first car designed and built purely as a Bentley since the 1930s. Volkswagen took over Bentley in 1998, and the smaller, highly successful Bentley Continental series launched in 2004 was based on VW’s Phaeton sedan. Bentley acknowledges VW’s financial backing in the creation of the Mulsanne. The origins of Mulsanne’s 6.8-liter V-8 can be traced to classic Bentley V-8s of that displacement. Torque is the force that does the heavy lifting during acceleration and the Bentley ideal is seemingly effortless torque. Unlike the all-wheel-drive Continental series, the 2011 Mulsanne is strictly rear-wheel drive to preserve styling objectives and a certain Bentley driving feel. Standard wheels are fulsome 20-inch alloys; 21s are optional.

The 2011 Bentley Mulsanne features story is one of opulence and opportunity. “Our customers are individualists,” Bentley sales and marketing chief Stuart McCullough says. A 40 GB hard disc drives the navigation functions and the standard 14-speaker audio system, which includes USB iPod interface and Bluetooth connectivity.

Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2011

Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2011

 

 

 

The Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible further strengthens Bentley's supercar range, following the introduction of the Bentley Continental Supersports Coupé in 2009. The new Supersports Convertible, with the same 630PS (621bhp/463kW) twin-turbocharged W12 engine, is the fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley has ever built, offering the ultimate Bentley driving experience in the world's most dramatic convertible.

A highly focussed, pure Bentley driving experience
With 630PS (621bhp) and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque from its pioneering FlexFuel engine and new 'Quickshift' transmission, the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is the fastest drop-top Bentley has ever built. It accelerates from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds) and, conditions permitting, can continue onto a top speed of 202mph (325km/h).

The increased power and torque are transmitted to the all-wheel drive system via an uprated and rapid six-speed Quickshift transmission, which more than halves shift times (to just 93 milliseconds) and maximises the new Convertible's enormous potential. 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 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. During transmission upshifts, fuel and ignition are cut momentarily to give faster mechanical shift times through torque reduction, also improving shift quality and durability.

Designing the 'extreme' Bentley convertible- where form follows function
The evolution of the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible's design is very much a case of form following function, with new purposeful sculptural forms signalling the engineering changes beneath the skin. Key engineering-led design changes to the Supersports include:
    * Revised front air intakes and new bonnet vents to improve airflow and cooling
    * Flared rear wings to accommodate wider rear track
    * Discreet bootlid spoiler benefitting aerodynamic balance at high speeds

The increased power and torque of the W12 engine necessitated an additional 10 per cent airflow to the twin turbocharger intercoolers and cooling system. With extensive use of Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques, Bentley's designers responded with a purposeful and dramatic style, featuring large vertical intake apertures. Twin bonnet vents were added to ensure positive air extraction.

From the front, the radiator, lower grille and dual bonnet vents are finished in a striking Smoked Steel finish. Derived from an innovative technology normally used to apply a coating to luxury watches and specialised industrial tools, Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) is a complex and time-consuming process that involves vaporised metal being deposited onto the surface of, in this case, stainless steel.

Giving a darker, more solid appearance, it is the first use of a PVD finish on stainless steel in the car industry. In addition to the Smoked Steel finishes, a gloss black finish to the headlamp casings and rear lamp clusters gives the Bentley Continental Supersports convertible's distinctive face and muscular rear additional visual impact.

Restyled - and more aerodynamic - door mirrors match the exterior paint choice and the window and door surrounds replace polished stainless steel with a Smoked Steel finish to match the front grille. Eye-catching, black gloss Bentley-branded brake calipers act on the carbon ceramic brakes. Surrounding the brakes are the unique 20-inch, forged alloy wheels with Smoked Steel-finish which are exclusive to Supersports models. Large diameter tailpipe trims round out the car's purposeful stance when viewed from the rear. Beneath the bonnet Supersports badges grace the cover of the 630PS (621bhp) W12 engine.

The Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible has an electrically operated, three-layer fabric hood with advanced acoustic insulation to provide superb levels of refinement and comfort when raised. A choice of eight hood colours are available, including a new Dark Grey Metallic option, which is achieved by weaving a 'grey' acrylic fibre with a semi-transparent 'metallic effect' fibre in a twill weave construction to create a directional colour effect.

Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2011

Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2011

 

 

 

The Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible further strengthens Bentley's supercar range, following the introduction of the Bentley Continental Supersports Coupé in 2009. The new Supersports Convertible, with the same 630PS (621bhp/463kW) twin-turbocharged W12 engine, is the fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley has ever built, offering the ultimate Bentley driving experience in the world's most dramatic convertible.

A highly focussed, pure Bentley driving experience
With 630PS (621bhp) and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque from its pioneering FlexFuel engine and new 'Quickshift' transmission, the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is the fastest drop-top Bentley has ever built. It accelerates from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds) and, conditions permitting, can continue onto a top speed of 202mph (325km/h).

The increased power and torque are transmitted to the all-wheel drive system via an uprated and rapid six-speed Quickshift transmission, which more than halves shift times (to just 93 milliseconds) and maximises the new Convertible's enormous potential. 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 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. During transmission upshifts, fuel and ignition are cut momentarily to give faster mechanical shift times through torque reduction, also improving shift quality and durability.

Designing the 'extreme' Bentley convertible- where form follows function
The evolution of the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible's design is very much a case of form following function, with new purposeful sculptural forms signalling the engineering changes beneath the skin. Key engineering-led design changes to the Supersports include:
    * Revised front air intakes and new bonnet vents to improve airflow and cooling
    * Flared rear wings to accommodate wider rear track
    * Discreet bootlid spoiler benefitting aerodynamic balance at high speeds

The increased power and torque of the W12 engine necessitated an additional 10 per cent airflow to the twin turbocharger intercoolers and cooling system. With extensive use of Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques, Bentley's designers responded with a purposeful and dramatic style, featuring large vertical intake apertures. Twin bonnet vents were added to ensure positive air extraction.

From the front, the radiator, lower grille and dual bonnet vents are finished in a striking Smoked Steel finish. Derived from an innovative technology normally used to apply a coating to luxury watches and specialised industrial tools, Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) is a complex and time-consuming process that involves vaporised metal being deposited onto the surface of, in this case, stainless steel.

Giving a darker, more solid appearance, it is the first use of a PVD finish on stainless steel in the car industry. In addition to the Smoked Steel finishes, a gloss black finish to the headlamp casings and rear lamp clusters gives the Bentley Continental Supersports convertible's distinctive face and muscular rear additional visual impact.

Restyled - and more aerodynamic - door mirrors match the exterior paint choice and the window and door surrounds replace polished stainless steel with a Smoked Steel finish to match the front grille. Eye-catching, black gloss Bentley-branded brake calipers act on the carbon ceramic brakes. Surrounding the brakes are the unique 20-inch, forged alloy wheels with Smoked Steel-finish which are exclusive to Supersports models. Large diameter tailpipe trims round out the car's purposeful stance when viewed from the rear. Beneath the bonnet Supersports badges grace the cover of the 630PS (621bhp) W12 engine.

The Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible has an electrically operated, three-layer fabric hood with advanced acoustic insulation to provide superb levels of refinement and comfort when raised. A choice of eight hood colours are available, including a new Dark Grey Metallic option, which is achieved by weaving a 'grey' acrylic fibre with a semi-transparent 'metallic effect' fibre in a twill weave construction to create a directional colour effect.

Bentley Continental Supersports, 2010

Bentley Continental Supersports, 2010

 

 

The Bentley Continental Supersports is the fastest and most powerful Bentley ever. It is the extreme Bentley, a muscular two-seater that delivers supercar performance and a highly focused driving experience. The Bentley Continental Supersports is also the first Bentley capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and biofuel, pioneering the use of FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector. This represents stage one of the company's commitment to make its complete model range compatible with renewable fuels by 2012. Available worldwide from autumn 2009, the Bentley Continental Supersports will be FlexFuel compatible in the majority of markets from launch with North American cars offering the capability by summer 2010, following regulatory approval.

The Bentley Continental Supersports began as an 'under the radar' project exploring the possibilities of weight reduction on the Bentley Continental GT but with more power and torque. A largely experimental process crystallised over a period of 24 months into an official new car programme, driven by the passion and enthusiasm of a small group of Bentley engineers and designers. The results are dramatic. With 630PS (621 bhp) and new 'Quickshift' transmission that halves shift times, the Bentley Continental Supersports sets new performance benchmarks for Bentley. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds) with a top speed of 204 mph (329 km/h).

The supercar performance is complemented by an array of chassis enhancements including retuned steering and suspension, utilising lighter weight components, retuned dampers and anti-roll bars. Agility is further sharpened by the 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system, a wider rear track, bespoke lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels and a unique electronic stability programme. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard fitment, benefiting steering response, grip and ride comfort, while saving weight. Overall, the engineering team have achieved a weight reduction of 110 kg (243 lb) compared with the Bentley Continental GT Speed.

The evolution of the Bentley Continental Supersports' design is very much a case of 'form following function' with new purposeful sculptural forms signalling the engineering changes beneath the skin. For example, the increased power and torque of the W12 engine necessitated additional airflow to the twin turbocharger intercoolers and cooling system. Bentley's designers responded with a purposeful and dramatic style that features large vertical intake apertures and twin bonnet vents. Similarly, new flared rear wings that accommodate the 50 mm (2 inches) wider rear track are designed to emphasise the powerful stance of this ultra-high performance coupe. The resultant Supersports style combines the looks of the iconic Continental GT with a new and distinctive appearance that reflects its more extreme character.

The Bentley Continental Supersports is further distinguished from its Continental coupe stable mates by a unique dark-smoked steel finish to all exterior 'brightware', including front grilles, lamp bezels, window surrounds and wheels. A complex 'Physical Vapour Deposition' process is applied to all stainless steel components to give a lustrous and highly durable finish. A car industry first, this process is normally used as a coating on industrial tools, watches and even hip replacement joints.

Fully embracing the extreme spirit of the Supersports, Bentley's interior designers have created a unique ambience. The cockpit represents a dramatic reinterpretation of Bentley interior design in which carbon fibre and Alcantara not only convey a sporting and contemporary style but also reduce weight. The Bentley Continental Supersports is a strict two-seater featuring all-new lightweight sports seats with carbon fibre clamshell rear panels. In the rear compartment, the seats are replaced by a stowage deck with a carbon fibre luggage retaining beam. The new interior also provides a showcase for the skills of Bentley's craftsmen and women at the company's factory in Crewe, England. Signature premium grade leather and brightware are complemented by carbon fibre panels, replacing traditional wood veneers.

The Bentley Continental Supersports is capable of running on either petrol and E85 biofuel or any combination of the two. E85 biofuel can offer a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a 'well-to-wheel' basis. Well-to-wheel is a measurement of a fuel's net CO2 contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions. It is a way of quantifying how much CO2 a fuel emits from its growth or extraction (well) to its combustion or deployment (wheel). It includes refinement, distillation and transport of the fuel. The fuel supply system detects the blending ratio of the fuel in the tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel. The result is seamless power delivery in the Bentley tradition.

The 'Supersports' name is inspired by the original two-seater 3-litre Supersports model introduced in 1925, itself an evolution of the 3-litre Speed. The lightweight, 85 bhp Supersports was the first production Bentley to reach 100 mph and was also renowned for the application of Le Mans-winning race technology.

Bentley Continental Supersports, 2010

Bentley Continental Supersports, 2010

 

 

The Bentley Continental Supersports is the fastest and most powerful Bentley ever. It is the extreme Bentley, a muscular two-seater that delivers supercar performance and a highly focused driving experience. The Bentley Continental Supersports is also the first Bentley capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and biofuel, pioneering the use of FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector. This represents stage one of the company's commitment to make its complete model range compatible with renewable fuels by 2012. Available worldwide from autumn 2009, the Bentley Continental Supersports will be FlexFuel compatible in the majority of markets from launch with North American cars offering the capability by summer 2010, following regulatory approval.

The Bentley Continental Supersports began as an 'under the radar' project exploring the possibilities of weight reduction on the Bentley Continental GT but with more power and torque. A largely experimental process crystallised over a period of 24 months into an official new car programme, driven by the passion and enthusiasm of a small group of Bentley engineers and designers. The results are dramatic. With 630PS (621 bhp) and new 'Quickshift' transmission that halves shift times, the Bentley Continental Supersports sets new performance benchmarks for Bentley. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds) with a top speed of 204 mph (329 km/h).

The supercar performance is complemented by an array of chassis enhancements including retuned steering and suspension, utilising lighter weight components, retuned dampers and anti-roll bars. Agility is further sharpened by the 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system, a wider rear track, bespoke lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels and a unique electronic stability programme. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard fitment, benefiting steering response, grip and ride comfort, while saving weight. Overall, the engineering team have achieved a weight reduction of 110 kg (243 lb) compared with the Bentley Continental GT Speed.

The evolution of the Bentley Continental Supersports' design is very much a case of 'form following function' with new purposeful sculptural forms signalling the engineering changes beneath the skin. For example, the increased power and torque of the W12 engine necessitated additional airflow to the twin turbocharger intercoolers and cooling system. Bentley's designers responded with a purposeful and dramatic style that features large vertical intake apertures and twin bonnet vents. Similarly, new flared rear wings that accommodate the 50 mm (2 inches) wider rear track are designed to emphasise the powerful stance of this ultra-high performance coupe. The resultant Supersports style combines the looks of the iconic Continental GT with a new and distinctive appearance that reflects its more extreme character.

The Bentley Continental Supersports is further distinguished from its Continental coupe stable mates by a unique dark-smoked steel finish to all exterior 'brightware', including front grilles, lamp bezels, window surrounds and wheels. A complex 'Physical Vapour Deposition' process is applied to all stainless steel components to give a lustrous and highly durable finish. A car industry first, this process is normally used as a coating on industrial tools, watches and even hip replacement joints.

Fully embracing the extreme spirit of the Supersports, Bentley's interior designers have created a unique ambience. The cockpit represents a dramatic reinterpretation of Bentley interior design in which carbon fibre and Alcantara not only convey a sporting and contemporary style but also reduce weight. The Bentley Continental Supersports is a strict two-seater featuring all-new lightweight sports seats with carbon fibre clamshell rear panels. In the rear compartment, the seats are replaced by a stowage deck with a carbon fibre luggage retaining beam. The new interior also provides a showcase for the skills of Bentley's craftsmen and women at the company's factory in Crewe, England. Signature premium grade leather and brightware are complemented by carbon fibre panels, replacing traditional wood veneers.

The Bentley Continental Supersports is capable of running on either petrol and E85 biofuel or any combination of the two. E85 biofuel can offer a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a 'well-to-wheel' basis. Well-to-wheel is a measurement of a fuel's net CO2 contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions. It is a way of quantifying how much CO2 a fuel emits from its growth or extraction (well) to its combustion or deployment (wheel). It includes refinement, distillation and transport of the fuel. The fuel supply system detects the blending ratio of the fuel in the tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel. The result is seamless power delivery in the Bentley tradition.

The 'Supersports' name is inspired by the original two-seater 3-litre Supersports model introduced in 1925, itself an evolution of the 3-litre Speed. The lightweight, 85 bhp Supersports was the first production Bentley to reach 100 mph and was also renowned for the application of Le Mans-winning race technology.

Bentley Continental Flying Star, 2010

Bentley Continental Flying Star, 2010

 

Flying Star in 2010 - the Bentley challenge
The Bentley Continental GT range set innovative and high standards for a new generation of very sophisticated Grand Tourers. As such, this model triggered the imagination of automotive designers and coach builders elsewhere. The GTC convertible, featuring a very rigid platform, proved to be a fully congruent basis to Touring Superleggera's plans for the new Bentley Continental Flying Star.

The new project required the modification of a number of external dimensions starting from the car's A-pillar backwards: extended roof line, a wider section including the doors, new aluminium door skins and a new all-aluminium, electrically operated tailgate. It also includes a completely new rear compartment with two foldable rear seats and a variable loading space.

This long list of modifications and transformations had to be paired with, and to remain fully compatible to the basic car's technical layout and components. Given the sophistication of the basic car, a new challenge was laid out for Touring's craftsmen and engineers. The final result proves that special coach building can live on well into the 21st. century working with respect to the original manufacturers.

Touring Superleggera is particularly proud of the fact that the complete productive cycle of the special coach building process was realized in their workshop near Milano. Modern body engineering went hand in hand with traditional handicraft skills, maintaining the highest quality directives for the final product.

Project Engineering
The body engineering processes at Carrozzeria Touring are aimed at safeguarding key parameters for quality, safety and feasibility, within the perspectives of low-volume automotive production. The project went through 1:4 and 1:1 modelling, based on the CAD and CATIA data from the basic vehicle. This digital basis resulted in a milled 1:1 master model and a number of 1:1 moulds for the manufacturing of the new external skin, and for important new body components. The rear bodywork was reinforced with an integrated structure between the rear suspension domes, functioning both as roll bar, and as support for the new, extended roofline.

Design
'Variations on a theme' not rarely implicate a larger design challenge, than starting-off with a white sheet of paper. The basic mission was to create a body incorporating the essence of Touring elegance and harmony, while clearly recognizable as a Bentley. This task was challenging because a fully new volume had to be added to the GTC basis. The proportions were totally new, but the overall design had to be kept consistent. That is why only the section in front of the car's A-pillar, including the windshield has been maintained.

Viewed from the rear, the new tailgate dives between the wide rear wings. The oval rear light chrome bezels are a reference to Bentley fastback cars of the '50. The side view features a low roof, prominent quarter panel shoulders and wide wheel arches, suggesting perfectly mastered energy.

The Touring Superleggera designers were challenged by the target to give the new interior equal elegance, whether the back of the rear seats are folded or not. The solution was to design an "S" shaped trim of the rear quarter panels linking the passenger area to the rear luggage area. The beige and dark green leather contrast also adds to this visual unity.

First time ever in this class and size, the twin individual rear seats fold completely to create a flat loading surface more than 2m long with 1200lt capacity. This is instrumental to fulfill the functional mission profile, which requires loading in full comfort a wide array of leisure equipment, including 4 full golfing bags with the rear seats up. An example of bespoke finish is the woven leather boot carpet offering superior endurance and coordinated with the special luggage set.

Manufacturing
When digital technologies are blended with traditional manufacturing skills, a fascinating process emerges that is typical for Touring Superleggera. A discriminating factor for traditional coach building was and is the vast amount of handwork that is involved in the creation of a new body. In this process, multiple practical solutions are also found for a wide variety of minor technical issues. This includes quick, practical solutions based on years-long experience, common sense and an expert eye.

Performance
The Bentley Continental Flying Star by Touring inherits the chassis of the Continental GTC. The 6-liter, W12 engine is available either in the 560HP version which delivers 650NM of torque at 1600rpm or the GTC Speed variant which delivers a massive 750Nm from 610HP. The car exhibited at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show featured the GTC Speed specifications.

Performance braking, cornering and traction functions mesh together to provide precise and immediate driving control under extreme or difficult conditions.
Self-adjusting air springs and electronic dampers operate independently for each wheel. Allwheel drive promotes advanced traction.

Homologation
The model is CEE homologated according to the new low-volume production directive. For the first time since its introduction, the type approval was awarded without destructive test, using simulation and FEM-analysis.