Video: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne rolls into Jay Leno’s Garage

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Bentley, Celebrities, Luxury

Jay Leno and the Bentley Mulsanne

Jay Leno examines the Bentley Mulsanne – Click above to watch video after the jump

Do you have a “Bentley Section” in your garage? You probably have an “Oil Stain Wing” and possibly a “Random Pile of Parts Vestibule” but we’re willing to bet the majority of you don’t have a whole portion of your garage dedicated to one specific marque. Among many things, that’s what separates Jay Leno from the rest of us peons and he’s also utilizing his Bentley Section to play host to a new member from the First Family of Crewe: the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne.

Leno looks the luxosedan over in the confines of his Big Dog Garage before hitting the surrounding Southern California streets, and the video is waiting for you just past the jump.

[Source: Jay Leno’s Garage]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne rolls into Jay Leno’s Garage

Video: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne rolls into Jay Leno’s Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Porsche to collaborate with Bentley?

Filed under: Etc., Bentley, Porsche, Rumormill

Porsche Bentley mash-up logo

Porsche and Bentley are related under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, and a new rumor suggests that the two might become kissing cousins. Autocar had a chance to speak with Porsche CEO Matthias Müller, and the head honcho of the German sports car vehicle brand says that a collaboration with Bentley could help push future Panamera variants foward. Per Müller,

“I think we have to discuss with Bentley whether we can put together our performance, our engineers. It should be possible.”

He goes on to state that sticking to just a four-door sports car is boring. The Panamera should be revised into a handful of iterations, and Müller uses terms like “van”, “combi” and “longer.” If you are a Porsche loyalist, we’ll give you a minute to restart your heart.

One variant we hope the Brits and the Germans can breathe life into? A Porsche 928. There have been rumors and speculation for years now, so perhaps this inter-brand teamwork is just what the doctor (would have) ordered.
[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Porsche to collaborate with Bentley? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental GT

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Bentley, First Drive, Middle East, Luxury

The Velvet Saber Gets a Comprehensive Sharpening

2011 Bentley Continental GT

2011 Bentley Continental GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

When tasked with creating the 2011 Continental GT, Bentley officials sought the assistance of those who knew the outgoing car best – its owners. Upon querying current and past Continental GT buyers about what they’d like to see in the new model, a surprisingly unified voice came back loud and clear: “Don’t screw up my car, but fix the sat-nav.” As far as owner surveys go, this type of response speaks volumes. Most apparent is that it speaks to the universal inadequacy of the outgoing car’s wayfinding electronics, but more importantly, it serves to underscore just how much of a bull’s-eye Bentley hit with the original model back in 2003. After all, who among us can’t think of a laundry list of improvements for our daily driver? This also goes some way toward explaining how the GT has been on the market for eight years while still selling in respectable numbers.

Of course, given ever-toughening emissions and crash standards to contend with, Bentley couldn’t simply shove a new infotainment system in the Conti’s dashboard and amble off to the pub job-done, so they set about improving the car in a million little ways so that it’s at once clearly new and fresh to the faithful, yet endearingly familiar. Surprisingly, much the same can be said for the Sultanate of Oman where Bentley hosted our first drive…

Continue reading…

Gallery: 2011 Bentley Continental GT: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental GT

First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Axl Rose sued by Bentley for leased car damage, exceeding allowance by 42,000 miles

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Government/Legal, Bentley, Celebrities, Luxury

2006 Bentley Flying Spur

2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur – Click above to for high-res image gallery

Axl Rose, front man for hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, has an appetite for destruction and his latest target is reportedly a 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur. According to celeb dish outlet TMZ.com, Rose is being sued by Bentley over a vehicle he leased. The car was given back several months after its scheduled date of return. That is just icing on a sweet cake of disregard however, as the car was allegedly returned with a cracked windshield, two damaged wheels, a broken taillight, a missing key, dents on the doors and damage to the bumper. Axl or his compadres also racked up serious seat time by going 42,000 miles over the lease limit.

The boys from Crewe have little Patience *ahem* for someone mistreating their property like this, and Bentley is suing Mr. Rose for nearly $74,000.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Photos Copyright (C)2010 John Neff / AOL

[Source: TMZ]

Axl Rose sued by Bentley for leased car damage, exceeding allowance by 42,000 miles originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anderson Germany tunes the Bentley Continental Supersports

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Bentley, Luxury

Bentley Continental Supersports by Anderson Germany – Click above for high-res image gallery

Considering that Bentley’s enormous engines would put many a freight train to shame, unveiling the Continental Supersports as the most powerful in the company’s history is saying quite a bit. But that doesn’t mean it’s lacking room for improvement. Leave it to Anderson Germany, then to find that extra bit of oomph.

The Deutsche tuning house that recently gave us the 590-horsepower tuned Balboni edition Lamborghini Gallardo has now turned its attention to the Supersports, cranking up the muscle from 621 horsepower to 685. The power boost comes courtesy of a remapped ECU, a new air filter and a variable exhaust that also has the benefit of dropping 38 pounds off the Supersport’s already-reduced curb weight.

The example you see here, decked out in matte silver with 22-inch modular alloys and a refitted interior, has also been fitted with Anderson’s new body kit. Only 300 sets will be produced, capable of fitting the standard GT, GTC and Speed models as well. After that, we don’t doubt Anderson will start work on modifying the next-gen Continental. Have a closer look in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Bentley Continental Supersports by Anderson Germany

[Source: Anderson Germany via World Car Fans]

Anderson Germany tunes the Bentley Continental Supersports originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More speculation on Bentley and Audi sharing next-gen V8

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Bentley, Luxury

2011 Bentley Continental GT

2011 Bentley Continental GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

Bentley hasn’t let much slip about the V8 that will be available in the 2011 Bentley Continental GT. However, each article that appears about Audi’s use of the engine has one more little bit of information on it. According to what has been written we can piece together that it will be a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 550 horsepower. Bentley, though, hasn’t given any indication of power output yet, though the 550 number was mooted in reference to next year’s RS7 Sportback. If that were true for a V8 Continental GT, it could be uncomfortably close to the base V12 output.

Regardless, the latest news has the V8 will reduce CO2 emissions by 40 percent compared to the W12, listed as 396 g/km. Bentley said during the release of the second-gen Continental that the V8 would have “a class-leading CO2 emissions-to-power ratio,” but even with that in mind, 40 percent is still a huge jump. Unless they’re talking about simply piling on a huge amount of emissions equipment, there figures to be a serious rise in the Conti’s EPA mileage rating, currently at 13 miles per gallon. It still wouldn’t break 20 mpg, but it would be close closer, and not inconsequential.

Gallery: 2011 Bentley Continental GT

[Source: What Car?]

More speculation on Bentley and Audi sharing next-gen V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: MT compares the Bentley Mulsanne to… the Hyundai Equus?!

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Bentley, Hyundai, Luxury

Motor Trend compares the Bentley Mulsanne to the Hyundai Equus

Bentley Mulsane versus… Hyundai Equus? – Click above to watch video after the jump

With the launch of the all-new Equus, Hyundai has taken another step towards the deep end of the luxury car segment. However, Bentley has a touch more experience in this arena and its new Mulsanne is decadence on wheels. The two companies sit on opposite ends of the automotive spectrum, but Motor Trend seems to think they warrant a comparison. We suspect Bentley will not be pleased…

Two of MT’s scribes hop into the back of both the Equus and the Mulsanne for a chat about the two luxury sedans, and one of them is none other than Autoblog alum Jonny Lieberman, decked out in his fancy new buff-book duds (the other is MT stalwart Ed Loh). Both vehicles pack a fair amount of amenities, but the difference between $70,000 and $330,000 (with $42k in options) is patently obvious. Just check out the cupholders. So, grab some pâté and a jar of Grey Poupon and check out the video after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Equus: First Drive

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne

Gallery photos by Damon Lavrinc and Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Video: MT compares the Bentley Mulsanne to… the Hyundai Equus?!

Video: MT compares the Bentley Mulsanne to… the Hyundai Equus?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: 2011 Bentley Continental GT, live and in the flesh

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Bentley, Luxury

2011 Bentley Continental GT live debut – Click above for high-res image gallery

Here is your first glimpse at the redesigned 2011 Bentley Continental GT as it makes its world debut at the Paris Motor Show. Earlier, we mentioned that it will receive a nearly four percent price hike over the previous model, which is nothing compared to the overall improvements the new car has received.

Like any car, it has good and bad angles (obviously, the exception to this rule is the Maserati GranTurisumo which looks beautiful from every angle…) – we’ll hold off final judgment until we can see it outside in natural light, not surrounded by a mob of flash bulbs and clamoring journalists. See for yourself in our high-res gallery of live images below.

Gallery: 2011 Bentley Continental GT Live Images

2011 Bentley Continental front 3/42011 Bentley Continental rear 3/42011 Bentley Continental front 3/42011 Bentley Continental profile2011 Bentley Continental profile

Gallery: 2011 Bentley Continental GT

Live photos by Zach Bowman/Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Paris 2010: 2011 Bentley Continental GT, live and in the flesh originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Bentley Continental GT price increased to nearly $190k

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Bentley, Luxury

2011 Bentley Continental GT

2011 Bentley Continental GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

Bentley recently pulled the digital wraps off of its redesigned 2011 Continental GT to get your heart pumping a bit. Today the British automaker wants to get your wallet pumping. Pricing has just been announced for the new Conti and the MSRP rises by just under four percent – an increase from $182,800 (2010 Continental GT MSRP) to $189,900.

What does that four percent rate hike get you? A lot actually. The W12 engine produces more power to the tune of 567 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque; an increase of nearly three and eight percent respectively. The interior has been upgraded and features a welcome-to-the-modern-era-finally navigation system as well as an increase of 46 mm of rear seat legroom. This is good news for any Continental GT owners looking to date taller supermodels.

What can’t be measured by facts and figures is the updated appearance of this handsome car from Crewe. The new lines on the 2011 Continental GT look downright Muscle Beach without detracting from the overall elegance. The fenders arc and crease beautifully, grabbing the lines started by the nose, flowing into the shoulder and then back out into the tail.

The 2011 Bentley Continental GT may be getting a four percent price increase over the outgoing model, but that $7,100 buys you a whole new ultra-luxe touring experience. Check out all the details in the press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Bentley Continental GT

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading 2011 Bentley Continental GT price increased to nearly $190k

2011 Bentley Continental GT price increased to nearly $190k originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Say It Ain’t So: Bentley issues recall over retractable hood ornament rust

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Bentley, Luxury

Bentley Arnage Flying B Hood ornament

Bentley Flying B – Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the brutal truths of the mechanical world is that rust fears no machine. Even the priciest of metal is susceptible to the ill effects of iron-oxide, and it looks like Bentley has found that out firsthand. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has just issued a recall for Arnage, Azure and Brooklands models manufactured between 2007 and 2009. The problem? The retractable ‘Flying B’ on the hood may corrode to the point that it doesn’t retract in the event of a crash. NHTSA says that this could be dangerous for pedestrians for obvious reasons.

Still, if you have to go, it could be worse than getting kabobbed on a Bentley, right?

A total of 596 units are affected by the recall (the retractable Flying B is an optional accessory) and Bentley says that it will replace the faulty mechanism free of charge. The work is set to commence on or around September 27, and owners can call Bentley directly for more information. Hit the jump for a look at the press release.

Gallery: Bentley Arnage Final Series

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Say It Ain’t So: Bentley issues recall over retractable hood ornament rust originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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