Category: Bentley (Page 14 of 14)

• New Continental GT Speed makes N. American debut
• EXP 9 F luxury SUV displayed on Concept lawn
• Highly prized classic and vintage Bentleys to be auctioned

(Pebble Beach, 16 August 2012). As California’s Monterey Peninsula is primed for a week of displays and events involving some of the world’s most coveted, historic automobiles, Bentley Motors prepares to share a glimpse into the future with the North American debut of two new models – the Continental GT Speed and the EXP 9 F luxury SUV concept.

“Pebble Beach and the spectacular scenery of the Monterey Peninsula provide the perfect venue for automotive connoisseurs and enthusiasts from around the world to display and celebrate the very best of motoring,” said Christophe Georges, president & COO of Bentley Motors, Inc. “It also serves as an ideal backdrop for Bentley to showcase not only its latest production model, the Continental GT Speed, but also, with the EXP 9 F SUV concept, to provide a glimpse into Bentley’s future.”

Bentley’s fastest ever production model, the 616hp Continental GT Speed, will make its North American debut on the Pebble Beach concept lawn.  The Continental GT Speed, Bentley’s performance flagship, is set to enter the market in October, and until then, Pebble Beach spectators will have to imagine its 4.0-second 0-60mph sprint and its 205-mph top speed during the static display.

The muscular, elegantly sculpted coachwork of the Continental coupe is enhanced with subtle design touches that reaffirm its sporting character. Most notable are the dark-tinted matrix front grille and lower air intakes, ‘rifled’ finish to the exhaust tailpipes and unique 21-inch alloy wheels.

For those looking even further into Bentley’s future, EXP 9 F SUV concept makes its North American premiere on the concept lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. EXP 9 F highlights the marque’s desire to build the fastest and most luxurious SUV in the world, and the concept car combines a stunning interior at the pinnacle of craftsmanship and technology with a dramatic and purposeful exterior. With an exciting range of drivetrain options under consideration, any Bentley SUV would offer the thunderous performance for which the marque is renowned.

Pebble Beach is also renowned for its auctions of highly-prized classic and vintage automobiles.  Featuring this year at the Pebble Beach auctions is an array of evocative Bentleys, among the most significant in the company’s history as outlined below:

Gooding and Company will auction three Bentleys between Saturday, August 18^th and Sunday, August 19^th –

• 1931 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre SC “Blower” Sports 2/3 Seater Boattail (presale estimate: $8-10 million).  More information available here.
• 1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Vanden Plas Le Mans Sports “Bobtail” (presale estimate: $5.5-7.5 million).  More information available here.
• 1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Drop Head Coupe (presale estimate $150,000 – $250,000).  More information available here.

RM Auctions will auction one Bentley on Saturday, August 18^th

• 2001 Bentley Speed 8 Le Mans Prototype Racing Car (presale estimate $1,900,000 and $2,500,000).  More information available here.

• Largest ever Bentley presence at show
• International debut of new model
• Two UK show debuts
• Joined by Bentley Boys Juha Kankkunen, Derek Bell and Guy Smith
• Modern-day and classic Le Mans racers set for Hill runs

(Crewe, England. 12th June 2012) An exciting new Bentley is set to make its international debut at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed¹. Combining stunning performance with exquisite luxury in the Bentley tradition, the new car appears both as part of the Supercar Run up the iconic Goodwood Hill and on the Bentley Motors stand. With a mix of contemporary and classic models, Bentley has its largest ever presence at the world-famous event, running from Friday 29^th June to Sunday 1^st July.

A vision of the company’s future, the EXP 9 F SUV concept, makes its UK premiere at the Festival. EXP 9 F highlights the marque’s desire to build the fastest and most luxurious SUV in the world, and the concept car combines a stunning interior at the pinnacle of craftsmanship and technology with a clean, muscular exterior. With an exciting range of drivetrain options under consideration, any Bentley SUV would offer the thunderous performance for which the marque is renowned.

Supporting these debutants is the Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification (MDS) – a new driver-focussed edition of the Bentley flagship that reaffirms its sporting credentials. Featuring sports-tuned suspension and steering settings, unique 21” alloy wheels, and a Diamond Quilted interior, the MDS provides an even greater degree of driving enjoyment without compromising the Mulsanne’s legendary comfort and refinement.

The new Continental GT V8 also appears both on the Bentley stand and on the Goodwood Hill. With an all-new 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 engine, this remarkable Continental combines classic Bentley power and torque with an exceptional power-to-emissions ratio in the high luxury sports car sector.

With 507 PS and 660 Nm of torque, the GT V8 sprints from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds (0‑100 km/h in 4.8 seconds) and on to a top speed of 188 mph (303 km/h). Meanwhile, fuel efficiency systems and pioneering cylinder deactivation technology results in outstanding fuel economy and CO₂ performance together with a range of over 500 miles on a single tank.

Joining the modern Bentley models on the Hill are two cars from the Company’s Le Mans heritage. The Bentley Speed 8, victorious at the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours, makes two runs per day, as will the 4½-litre supercharged “Birkin Blower”. Fresh from completing the Mille Miglia for the third time, the car was raced extensively by renowned Le Mans winner and Bentley Boy Tim Birkin of the 1920s.

Driving duties for the past and present Bentley models will be shared by three modern-day Bentley Boys. Le Mans legend Derek Bell MBE will be joined by four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen together with Guy Smith, who drove the winning Speed 8 across the finish line at Le Mans in 2003. All three star drivers will be on-hand throughout the Festival to meet visitors.

Legendary marque heads investment opportunities at Historics sale

For those looking to classic cars for investment, Historics at Brooklands believes the most British of marques could offer the best bang for your buck, as it brings no fewer than a dozen Bentleys to Brooklands for its forthcoming auction on Saturday 26^th May.

With top Bentley models continuing to drive up prices of other exclusive examples, Historics presents a number of cars that could prove the ideal vehicles for decent returns, as Dave Selby, senior analyst with independent research organisation The Historic Automobile Group International (HAGI), comments:

“Among post-war Bentleys, it’s the more exclusive coach-built models that have been leading the way in market terms.  The HJ Mulliner R-type Fastback Continental, which is a constituent of the HAGI Top Index (www.historicautogroup.com), has been performing strongly and this is likely to invigorate interest in other limited production coachbuilt models which currently remain more attainable.

“In the case of pre-war models, history and provenance are key to differentiation in the market place, while late-era models of the 1980s and 1990s can offer phenomenal punch per pound if bought well, with good examples available at a fraction of their price when new,” he concluded.

Bearing a striking resemblance to the R-Type Continental, Historics’ sale will feature a 1954 Bentley R-Type Coupé by Abbott of Farnham.  Designed by Peter Woodgate, chassis ‘B329SP’ was supplied with a shallower radiator, lower steering column and higher-than-standard axle ratio, all designed to make optimum use of the Abbott body’s reduced weight and enhanced aerodynamics.

Following a period in the United States of America, the car returned to the UK where a no-expense-spared, seven year restoration totalling £150,000, was undertaken at Wilkinson’s of Derby.

The alluring R-Type is finished in metallic grey with contrasting red leather interior, and is expected to attract offers in the region of £95,000 – £120,000 at auction.

Equally elegant and no less sporting on account of its aluminium body, is a 1960 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur ‘six light’ by H J Mulliner.  Originally owned by Sir Maxwell Joseph, Chairman of the Grand Metropolitan portfolio of properties in Paris, the car spent much of the 1960’s on the continent and still bears a French identity plate under the bonnet as well as French language switches on the dashboard.

The subsequent owner’s sporting interest reflected the status of such a car, with the S2 Flying Spur often seen parked in the west car park at Twickenham during rugby internationals.

Latterly the car has undergone a sympathetic £20,000 re-commission by marque specialists RR & B in Bromsgrove, and is estimated to fetch bids of between £63,000 – £73,000 on 26^th May.

Pick of the pre-war Bentley’s presented by Historics, is a 1933 4¼ litre Open Tourer in the Vanden Plas style.

The chassis was originally laid and plated in 1933 as 4-B-IV and used by Bentley Motors as an experimental car.  During this time, the chassis was tested with a number of different body styles, initially a Park Ward open touring design which later changed to a sporting saloon body, with the 3½ litre engine modified to accept larger inlet valves and a 6.9:1 compression ratio.  It was in this version that it lapped Brooklands at an impressive 90.4mph according to Alec Harvey-Bailey’s book, ‘The Derby Bentleys’.

It was subsequently fitted with a new 4¼ litre engine to replace the 3½ litre unit and sold, in 1936, with a four seat, four light sports saloon body configuration by Vanvooren.

The next chassis registered was done so by Mr. Woolf Barnato, chairman of Bentley Motors, before it was latterly altered to the style of a Vanden Plas Open Tourer.

Having resided in the Midland Motor Museum between 1988 and 1996, the car has been used in numerous Bentley Drivers Club events and is superbly presented, reflecting a robust estimate of £100,000 to £140,000.

The Woolf Barnato connections continue as an early first series 3½ litre Derby Bentley owned by the Bentley Motors Chairman – prior to the 4¼ litre – is offered at No Reserve.  With history and provenance key to maximising potential returns, Historics expects significant interest in the piece of ‘Bentley Boys’ history, despite the demanding nature of the restoration needed.

If instant value for money is of greater interest, more modern Bentley’s provide the ultimate in luxury driving for figures that belie their original asking price.

A 50,000 mile 2001 Red Label Arnage – benefitting from expanded leg room in the cabin, stiffer body shell, larger wheels and brakes and powered by Bentley’s own traditional V8 engine – is anticipated to attract offers in the region of £18,000 – £24,000, just a fraction of the original lofty £150,000 price tag.

For more information on all Bentley’s consigned as well as details on the full catalogue, and to attend the Historics at Brooklands auction on the afternoon of Saturday May 26^th, call 0800 988 3838, e-mail: auctions@historics.co.uk, or see the website, www.historics.co.uk.  Entry by catalogue only, available prior to, or on the day of the auction.

Crewe, 3rd January 2012: Bentley bounced back to pre-recession levels of demand during 2011, with strong growth in all major markets. Globally, sales were up 37% to 7003 for the calendar year with sales accelerating as the year progressed. December sales were 1059 (up 69%on the same month in 2010), the best month since Bentley’s pre-recession record of 2007 and the second best month ever.

The US continues to be Bentley’s number one market with 2021 cars sold in 2011, an increase of 32%. For the first time ever, however, China took second spot with sales for the region virtually doubling to 1839 and surpassing the previous year’s record before the end of July. This achievement is even more remarkable considering Bentley has been present in Mainland China for less than ten years.

Other regions have also performed very well. Continental European sales rebounded to 1187 (an increase of 53%) led by strong demand in Germany where sales have increased by a remarkable 88%. The UK proved to be extremely challenging over the past months, but still saw an increase of over five per cent with 1031 cars sold. Indeed, all major markets are up including the Middle East despite the political instability that has beset certain markets.

Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Wolfgang Dürheimer, said:

“It has been a tremendously good year for Bentley. The dramatic sales growth reflects a global strength to the Brand and a recognition of the quality, craftsmanship and engineering excellence of our cars. It is also testament to the work of the entire Bentley Team whose passion and daily commitment has delivered this outstanding result. It has been particularly pleasing to see renewed interest in Bentley in established as well as and new and emerging markets, all of which is contributing to a positive financial result for 2011.

“We want that success to continue and, with a new Continental V8 set to attract new customers in 2012, have ambitious but realistic plans which reflect global economic conditions as much as our new product line up.”

The strong performance was the result of strong demand across the range, with the new Continental GT unsurprisingly proving the most popular Bentley with 2404 GTs delivered – over a third of Bentley’s total sales volume. Sales were boosted significantly in December with the first deliveries of the new soft-top Continental GTC, a new model which has received fantastic reviews from media and customers alike. Together with the Bentley Mulsanne, which continues to maintain a healthy order bank constantly replenished as more customers get to drive the flagship Bentley, sales growth is expected to continue unabated during 2012.