Bentley Motors to Auction Unique Collector's Items

An array of one-off items created by artisans from the tooling, woodshop and styling teams at Bentley Motors are heading to the auction block to raise money for The Prince’s Trust, which is a youth charity that provides practical and financial support to 14 to 30-year-olds.
The graduates from Bentley Motors have handcrafted a variety of collector's items ranging from display objects such as a chess-set with pieces tooled from aluminium set on a veneered board, to an impressive table created from a polished V8 engine from the Mulsanne and a cutlery-set engraved with the Bentley emblemcommissioned by Robert Welch.
Bentley says that around twenty different pieces will go on sale, with all of them, aside from the Robert Welch cutlery set, having been designed and assembled on-site at the Bentley factory in Crewe.
Michael Straughan, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing commented: “The design brief for the auction was to create a unique and desirable item based upon the core materials, parts and processes that are used to build cars such as the Mulsanne and the Continental GT."
All items will be auctioned online at www.bentleybespokeauction.com with bidding to commence on September 1.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

bentley

bentley

bentley

bentley

bentley

bentley

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.

2013 Bentley Continental GT - Cars Road Test

By the time Bentley had finished proliferating its initial Continental line, first offered as a coupe for 2004, no fewer than eight models were on the docket, including convertible and sedan body styles with 552-hp 12-cylinder engines, 600-hp “Speed” versions of all three, and for coupe and ragtop models, lighter Supersports versions with 621 hp. Now, with the second-generation Continental GT coupe on sale around the world, the rollout of variants is set to commence, and the two-door Speed, caught here by our wily spy photographers, looks like it’s in the hole. (We have it on good authority that the regular-grade GTC will appear next, at this fall’s Frankfurt show.)

Stealth Speed

Only two places on the exterior—the pinched tailpipes and the deeper, three-section lower front fascia—give away this car’s identity as the next speedy Conti. We expect this to be true of the production model, too, as the first-gen Speeds were similarly indistinguishable from the base models. The previous Speeds also featured upsized, thin-spoke wheels (which owners often swapped out for aftermarket pieces), so don’t expect to see these five-spoke 20-inchers, which are the base wheel on the standard Continental GT, to be the production footwear. Also worth noting is that the air suspension of this prototype seems to be jacked up to its Moab setting; the last-gen Speeds rode roughly half an inch lower in their standard setting than their non-Speed counterparts, and we expect this trait to carry over.
More Speed
And so it seems that beneath the sheetmetal is where the big differences will be found. While Bentley won’t tell us much about the next Speed’s powertrain, the previous model added about nine percent more power and 15 percent more torque over the base trim’s twin-turbocharged W-12. If similar math is applied to the 2012 Continental GT’s higher-output W-12, with its 567 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, the Speed will pack around 621 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, which coincidentally is the same output as the 2010–2011 Continental Supersports (a car that’s still in production). Go figure. Also worth noting is that the base Continental GT shed some 143 pounds for 2012, and we expect the Speed to maintain that weight loss, if not shed even more. As in every Continental model, power will be routed through an all-wheel-drive system.
How might all of this translate into real-world performance? Well, since we were able to hit 60 mph in four seconds flat in the previous Continental GT Speed coupe, we will probably be able to lop off a tenth or two next time around. Terminal velocity could jump by a few ticks above the 202-mph top end of the last one, too.
Also expect about a 10-percent increase in price over the 2012 Continental GT’s $192,495 sticker when the Speed goes on sale sometime next year as a 2013 model. By then, we hope to see Speed-spec prototypes of the upcoming Continental GTC convertible and the yet-unseen, next-gen Continental Flying Spur sedan.

Source: Caranddriver.com

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 Supersports Ice Speed Record Convertible【Video】

Bentley has unveiled the limited edition 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Ice Speed Record convertible ahead of its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Bentley Continental Superspots "Ice Speed Record" Convertible sports the Flying B's most-powerful engine ever, a 631-horsepower W12 kicking out 590 pound-feet of torque and sporting flex-fuel capability. The car Kankkunen set his record in ran exclusively on bio fuel.

There will only be 100 units available worldwide, offered in just three exterior colors: Beluga, Quartzite, and Arctica White, all contrasting with a Dark Grey Metallic soft top. This special edition will be distinguished by muscular styling cues and 20” inch, 10-spoke Supersports wheels with a dark tint finish.

Driving the all-wheel drive, biofuel-powered 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible on the perilous frozen Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland, Kankkunen achieved a speed of 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) eclipsing his own ice speed record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h) set in 2007 in the Continental GT.

Inside the Supersports ISR gets diamond-quilted Alcantara on the doors, quarter panels and seat facings and soft-grip leather on the steering wheel. There’s a high-gloss carbon-fibre dash, centre console and roof panel which feature a red weave. There’s also red piping on the seats and doors and red contrast stitching on the seats, door casings, steering wheel and gearshift paddles (red’s obviously not as passe on the inside).




Press Release

BENTLEY SUPERSPORTS ‘ICE SPEED RECORD' CONVERTIBLE DEBUTS AT GENEVA SHOW

Celebration of Bentley's world ice speed record- breaking Supersports convertible driven by rally champion, Juha Kankkunen

(Geneva, 28 February 2011) Bentley announces today its most potent and radically styled convertible ever - the 202mph (325km/h) Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record' convertible. This new model, limited to just 100 cars worldwide, is a celebration of the Company's world ice speed record set two weeks ago by Finland's four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen in a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible.

Driving the all-wheel drive, biofuel-powered 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible on the perilous frozen Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland, Kankkunen achieved a speed of 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) eclipsing his own ice speed record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h) set in 2007 in the Continental GT.

Both the new Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record' convertible and Juha's record-breaking Supersports will be on display on the Bentley stand at the Geneva Show from 1st March.

Wolfgang Duerheimer, Bentley's new Chairman and Chief Executive, said:

"Juha Kankkunen's drive was a remarkable achievement and worthy of a very special car. The Continental Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record' is a true driver's car that captures that unique Bentley spirit. It offers extreme performance, agility and an extrovert personality, while retaining the refinement, handcrafted luxury and comfort our customers expect."

Bentley's most powerful 6 litre W12 engine with FlexFuel technology

The 6-litre, twin turbo-charged W12 engine, produces 640 PS (631 bhp / 471 kW) - the most powerful Bentley ever - and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque. Paired with a Quickshift six-speed automatic transmission, it launches the convertible ‘Ice Speed Record' model from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.0s) and reaches 100mph from a standing start in only 9.5 seconds (0-160 km/h in 9.4s).

The additional engine power of the new convertible is the result of fine tuning of the engine to optimise the benefits of the new free-breathing air intake ducts, intercooler system and the exhaust system.

And true to the Bentley tradition of delivering instantly available and exhilarating performance in real world driving conditions, the ‘Ice Speed Record' convertible will sprint from 50-75mph (80-120 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds.

In common with its Continental stable mates, the new Supersports model runs on both petrol (gasoline) or E85 bio-ethanol or any combination of the two. Pioneered in the Supersports coupe, this FlexFuel technology offers a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a well-to-wheel basis, a measure of a fuel's net contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions. The on-board fuel supply system monitors the content of the fuel tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel.

The all-wheel drive system provides outstanding traction in all weather conditions. The drive is transferred between the front and rear axles automatically via a Torsen centre differential. The standard 40 front/60 rear torque split provides optimum traction and modulation of line and attitude by 'throttle steering' for more enthusiastic drivers.

The new exhaust system with reduced back pressure benefits gas flow while delivering a sporty baritone note under hard acceleration. On light throttle cruising, the new Supersports model remains impressively refined.

Large diameter (420 mm front, 356 mm rear), carbon ceramic brake discs, with eight-piston calipers at the front provide fade-resistant stopping power. This lightweight system also reduces unsprung and rotating mass, benefiting steering response and handling. As with all Supersports models the ‘Ice Speed Record' is fitted as standard with Pirelli 275/35ZR20 ultra high performance tyres.

Dramatically extrovert styling

Just 100 examples of this dramatically styled new model will be built at Bentley's Crewe factory. The Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record' is distinguished by its vibrant and muscular styling cues that reinforce the uncompromising performance credentials of this extreme Bentley convertible.

Bentley's designers have selected three ‘stand-out' exterior paint colours for the new convertible: Beluga, Quartzite and, fittingly, Arctica White. These colours are complemented by a Dark Grey Metallic soft top with Bentley's refined three-ply composite construction.

The unique appearance of the soft top is created in the outer layer by a 'grey' acrylic fibre with a semi-transparent 'metallic look' in a twill weave construction. The car's potent performance is further accentuated by 20" inch, 10-spoke Supersports wheels with a dark tint finish.

Contemporary luxury craftsmanship and advanced technology

The dramatic character of the four-seat Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record' continues in the cockpit in which traditional Bentley craftsmanship and fine detailing are given an even more extrovert interpretation.

Traditional leather hides sit alongside a range of contemporary materials for a distinctly sporting style. This includes diamond-quilted Alcantara to doors, quarter panels and seat facings, and ‘soft-grip' leather on the steering wheel and gear lever.

Unique to the ‘Ice Speed Record' model, the high-gloss carbon fibre on the dashboard, centre console and roof panel, features a unique red weave. The theme continues with Pillar Box red piping to seats and doors, and Pillar Box Red contrast stitching to seats, door casings, steering wheel and gearshift paddles.

The front seats and floor mats also feature embroidered ‘Supersports' legends while the signature Breitling dashboard clock also has a red accent.

The Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record', despite its ice racing pedigree, is clearly no ‘stripped out' racer. Its highly specified interior has the highly-advanced touchscreen infotainment system from the new Continental GT that provides rich map imagery and a 30GB on-board hard drive.

An 8-inch screen displays the car's audio system, telephone, ride and comfort settings as well as the very latest navigation system, which uses both an in-car hard-disc drive and a DVD player to access route data. It also utilises dynamic navigation to avoid heavy traffic spots, locates destinations using geo-tagged photos from an SD memory card and is Google Maps-compatible for most markets.

The infotainment system, with 7-digit postcode entry, combines touchscreen controls and classic Bentley knurled rotary switches to offer instant usability. It is complemented by a new driver information panel (DIP) located in the main instrument cluster. The new wide-screen DIP employs TFT technology and enhanced graphics provide the driver with clear and easily accessible information about a wide range of car systems.

The Bentley GTZ Zagato Concept

Bentley GTZ Zagato

Bentley GTZ Zagato

Bentley GTZ Zagato

Bentley GTZ Zagato

Bentley GTZ Zagato

Bentley GTZ Zagato

Bentley Continental Supersports sets world speed record on ice

The Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible breaks the world speed record on ice. And we never even knew there was a world speed record on ice.

The Continental Supersports convertible with all-wheel-drive, 6-liter, 12-cylinder Bentley was Finland's four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen. The world's fastest all-wheel-drive soft-top convertible allowed Kankkunen to shatter his own 2007 world ice speed record of 321.6kph (199.83mph), which he set in a Continental GT at the same location.

Last time in 2007, he missed the 200 mph mark, and achieved a speed record of 199.83 mph in the Continental GT at the same location.

A limited edition of this most extreme Bentley will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Production will be limited to just 100 examples!





Press Release

BENTLEY SUPERSPORTS SHATTERS WORLD SPEED RECORD ON SHEET ICE

Rally champion, Juha Kankkunen achieves 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) in extreme Bentley convertible

(Oulu, Finland. 15 February 2011) Finland's four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen drove a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible on the hazardous frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland, at a breathtaking 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) to set a new world speed record on ice.

Kankkunen was in irresistible form with his all-wheel drive, 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible which, in line with the Company's CO2 strategy, ran on biofuel. The world's fastest soft top enabled Juha to shatter his own 2007 world ice speed record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h) set in the Continental GT at the same location.

With the help of his own experienced team and Bentley engineers, Kankkunen overcame the challenges of temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees, sudden snow blizzards and potentially dangerous crosswinds on the 16.5km track on a 70cm-thick layer of sea ice. The record attempt was driven on a 1000m long measured distance with the speed certified by officials from the Finland Traffic Police. His new world record was based on the average of two runs in opposite directions with measured speeds ratified by a representative of The Guinness Book of Records.

"The last time, I narrowly missed the magical 200 mph mark in a Continental GT. When I heard about the Supersports I was determined to go record breaking again with the Bentley Boys. This time, with over 600bhp under the bonnet, a Quickshift transmission and the security of the all-wheel drive system, the Supersports convertible was the perfect car to go for the record. " Kankkunen said.

"200mph came up after 5km on sheet ice. Then it was just a question of getting everything right in the timing zone and hoping the snow kept away. There's nothing to beat driving a Bentley at these speeds; the conditions may be perilous but the car responds so well to the slightest adjustment which gives you the confidence to push even harder."

As with the previous record-breaking drive in the Continental GT the Anglo-Finnish team used a car with minimum modification. A fully-welded, heavy-duty safety roll-cage, along with Pirelli winter tyres (Pirelli SottoZero II 275/40R20) and a rear bumper-mounted parachute provided reassurance in case of an emergency. Front and rear spoilers provided optimum high speed stability on the treacherous surface.

To highlight Bentley's environmental commitment to sustainable fuel sources, Kankkunen's Supersports Convertible was fuelled with E85 bioethanol rather than petrol (gasoline). All models in the Continental range are capable of running on petrol (gasoline), E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley's new Chairman and Chief Executive, said:

"The ice speed record is an amazing feat by Juha Kankkunen, whose skill and courage in extreme conditions truly make him one of the modern-day Bentley Boys. We will be celebrating this achievement with a very special ‘extreme' Bentley, which will be the most powerful model ever to bear the famed Winged B emblem."

A limited edition of just 100 examples of this most extreme Bentley will be made and the car will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 1st March.