Bentley SUV

Posted on 02.5.2013 14:00 by Simona

Ultra-luxury brands beware, another one of your comrades is falling down the shame spiral and building a - gasp - SUV!

Sure that’s a little dramatic, but so are all of the people that are scoffing at the fact that Bentley has now confirmed a new SUV scheduled to hit their lineup sometime in 2015. If everyone remembers correctly, these are the same people that were horrified that Porsche decided to build the Cayenne and look how well that turned out for them.

Now, with a 37-percent increase in sales in 2011 (to 7,003 vehicles sold), Bentley is looking to double this number by the time this new SUV comes out by making it "the world's most luxurious 4x4" SUV and targeting growing SUV markets like the U.S. and China. The "luxurious" title will also match the price; rumors point to the starting price for this future SUV coming in at $271,000, making the $48,200 starting price of the Porsche Cayenne look like it belongs on a Kia Sportage.

So, what constitutes the jumbo price tag? Other than the supposedly tremendous amount of luxury built into the future SUV, rumors are swirling that a V-8 twin-turbocharged engine would be the standard powerplant and a W-12 engine is a possible option.

Bentley is taking a big step with its improving sales by giving an SUV a chance to flourish. Does the world need a strong competitor for the Porsche Cayenne? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that high-end customers with deep pockets won’t be writing out checks for a chance to wallow in the luxurious nature promised by Bentley.

UPDATE 02/03/2013: Volkswagen Group has finally given the green light to the EXP 9 F super-luxury SUV unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The production version is internally known as the "Falcon" and is expected to be unveiled in the upcoming three years. The good news is that reports are pointing toward that the production version likely dropping the controversial design of the EXP 9F concept and will adopt a more conventional Bentley look. When put on sale in will be priced at about 200,000 euro - about $271,000 at the current exchange rates. Additionally, Bentley plans to sell about 5,000 units of its new SUV per year. (Automotive News)

Bentley SUV originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 5 February 2013 14:00 EST.

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Report: Bentley Sales Rise 22 Percent in 2012

Despite the bleak economic situation still facing many countries around the globe, high-end performance cars have managed to increase in popularity with Bentley just announcing an increase of 22 per cent in 2012 sales compared to the previous year.

Last year, the British marque managed to sell 8,510 units, up from just 7,003 vehicles in 2011. Unsurprisingly, the U.S. managed to maintain its position as the company's largest individual market, with 2,457 Bentley's being purchased in 2012, which also signifies a 22 per cent increase from the 2,021 units sold in 2011.

Following just behind the U.S. was China, where Bentley delivered 2,253 cars at an increase of 23 per cent from the 1,839 cars of the previous year. European sales also increased by 12 per cent to 1,333 cars, while by far the largest percentage increase in sales took place in Japan with growth of 73 per cent where 190 units were sold, up from 110 in 2011.

This greater demand can largely be attributed to the new Continental GT V8 which accounted for one out of every five Bentley's sold.

Despite these impressive figures, 2012 sales were still down from the company's record 2008 year where 10,014 cars were sold.

[Via Motor Authority]

Bentley Continental GT Speed 2013 Review

For this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed that could take place around June Twenty eight and Very first of June in the UK, Bentley presented a few pics ahead of time showing a new version of the Continental GT which will make that it is debut around this year's circumstance. Dubbed your Bentley Continental GT Speed 2013, the new potential revealed brand lives as many as its name and the brand name of the party as well.In the Speed's hood betters a tuned-up release of the electric motor found in the 2012 Bentley Continental GT and even Continental GTC introduced earlier this year. The modified 5 liter W12, lesser sibling turbocharged engine having 48 valves at present delivers 616 horse power at 6000 RPM and 589 lb-ft of twisting. Combined with a new 8-speed ZF gearbox competent to deliver quick and imperceptible gear shifts with the help of flexible control computer software, Bentley's upcoming brand can go through 0-60 mph in only 4 seconds and has top-notch speed of First theres 205 mph (329 km/h). Though the power has risen considerably, the latest gearbox is able to increase energy resource efficiency and lower CO2 emissions as well.Evidently in order to keep so much power down the GT Speed at the same time benefits from a chassis tune-up which includes a new headgear system, the lowered journey height as well uprated steering. The fresh model is located on a pair of 21-inch Speed wheels mated with the help of 275/35R21 Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance automobile for extra traction, improved dealing with and speed.Standard products also includes everlasting all-wheel drive program and a Torsen differential which improves security even further.Concerning aesthetics all the Speed hardly distinguish itself on the Continental GT, just some design details such as the dark-tinted matrix reduce air content in the front bumpers, plus the front grille and the "rifted" complete to the exhaust tailpipes help at your residence difference between all the models.Over the interior the particular soon to be uncovered sports car cannot make compromise as well as delivers the exact level of processing and comfort needless to say from a Bentley, utilizing craft presented with cabin additionally, the finest pure materials used in order to meet this standards of the most demanding consumer.Expect to see typically the Bentley Continental GT Speed The year 2013 between 28th June and also 1st for July throughout the uk if you've invested in tickets in the event, level of which enjoy ! to learn more about the new mode's price as well as availability.