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Something about the Mulsanne gives me the distinct impression that Bentley is trying to build a better Rolls-Royce.
(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)
The 2011 Bentley Mulsanne was officially announced at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, but the luxury automaker was keeping quiet with the details regarding its newest land-yacht's power train and tech. However, with the 2009 Frankfurt auto show, the veil has been pulled back and we're finally able to share the goods.
Let's just get this out of the way: 752 pound-feet of torque--that's how much twist is generated by the Mulsanne's 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine. There's also 505-horsepower being generated, but we can't get past that number: 752.
The engine isn't the only generator of huge numbers. Try "2,200-watt Naim for Bentley premium audio system with eight DSP modes and 20 speakers" on for size. Feeding that audiophile quality audio system is a 40GB hard-drive-based audio system that features navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and multimedia connectivity options.
Bentley's PR guys and gals probably won't admit it, but much of the Mulsanne's tech appears to be repackaged Audi technology, which makes sense as both automakers are mostly owned by the Volkswagen Group. For example, the infotainment system appears to be a reskinning of Audi's MMI system and features a leather-lined MP3-player drawer in the center of the dash that houses what appears to be Audi's Music Interface. A Drive Select system with four vehicle dynamic modes (including a user customizable mode) is remarkably similar to the system that we're starting to see on, you guessed it, Audis. This technology sharing is fine by us; after all, the Rolls-Royce Phantom shares more than a little tech with its distant BMW relatives.
Each 6.75-liter V-8 features a numbered plaque, just in case you want to track down the bloke who hand assembled your motor.
(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)However, Mulsanne represents a level of extreme luxury that can't be found in any Audi we've ever seen. Plush carpet, fine leather, and high-quality wood and metal finishes can all be customized in any way that the customer likes. There are over 114 paint colors available, 24 leather colors, and dozens of wood veneers available, and that's before we get into custom bespoke options. Each Mulsanne is handmade in Crewe, England and carries a plaque on the body and a numbered plaque on the engine declaring its handmade bona fides.
Check out our Bentley Mulsanne photo gallery for a closer look and more details, and stay tuned to our continuing coverage of the 2009 Frankfurt auto show.
Andrew Frankel, an Autocar reviewer, attempts the mind-numbing feat of driving 200 mph in a Bentley GTC--with top down. Watch the action unfold in this video from the Nardo Technical Center in Italy.
MUNICH -- Bentley, Volkswagen AG's British luxury brand, is planning to use cylinder cutoffs in the next generation of its top-of-the-line model, the Arnage.
The cutoff technology is designed to sharply reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by closing off individual combustion chambers when they are not needed -- say, at cruising speeds.
The next-generation Bentley Arnage will use engine cutoff technology designed to reduce fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions. A current Arnage is shown.
(Credit: Automotive News)The next-generation Arnage will be presented at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
In addition to Bentley, others working on engines with cylinder cutoffs are Audi and AMG, the Mercedes-Benz in-house customizer. Those engines soon will go into production.
Separately, Bentley turned to an innovative forming technology that uses superheated air and high tool pressure to shape the Arnage's curvaceous bodywork.
(Source: Automotive News)
Bentley teases a new car today, the Grand Bentley, set to debut this summer. Details are few, with a short video showing the bonnet and ornament. But judging from the name, which we assume isn't the actual model designation, and the visuals, it looks like Bentley will encroach on Rolls-Royce territory. Both brands sit at the top of British automotive luxury (even if both are owned by German companies), but Bentley has focused on speed where Rolls-Royce embodies stately elegance. Cars from Bentley, such as the Continental and Flying Spur, show sporting cues in their body work, with an aerodynamic curve from hood to grille, but the Grand Bentley hood shows a sharper drop-off, suggesting a more prominent grille. All we can really surmise is that it will get the Naim audio system Bentley began offering last year.
The summer debut is interesting, as it coincides with the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance celebration of Bentley's 90th anniversary. Could Pebble Beach be the setting for the Grand Bentley's unveiling?
This Bentley competed in the very first Le Mans race, setting the inaugural lap record and finishing fourth overall.
(Credit: Peter and Robin Briggs)Any true James Bond fan will want to be at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 16, as four Birkin Blowers go on display amongst an amazing collection of vintage Bentleys. Although Bond became associated with Aston Martin in the movies, Ian Fleming specified a 1930 4.5-liter Bentley with a Villiers supercharger for the Commander. Sir Henry Birkin added a supercharger to the 4.5-liter Bentley for his racing exploits, and the idea was picked up for a run of 50 supercharged Bentleys from the factory in 1930. The four Birkin Blowers slated for Pebble Beach are the race cars built by Birkin.
This production Blower Bentley is the same model James Bond drove.
(Credit: Wikimedia Commons)Even more historic than the Blowers, three original Bentley Speed Sixes will show at Pebble Beach. These cars set records in the first Le Mans races starting in 1923.
The Concours d'Elegance will feature four classes of Bentleys this year, celebrating the 90th anniversary of the marque. Two classes will show Bentleys built from 1921 to 1931, broken up into 6.5-liter and 8-liter cars. Another class will show Bentleys built in the 1930s when Rolls-Royce owned the marque.
Girls love a guy in a truck, because it says you can help them move furniture, said Patti Stanger, CEO of matchmaking service Millionaire Club 123.
(Credit: Land Rover)From hairstyles to hypnosis, Patti Stanger, CEO of matchmaking service Millionaire Club 123, knows exactly what it takes to make a match.
I caught up with Stanger who also stars in the reality series "The Millionaire Matchmaker" while she was promoting her book "Become Your Own Matchmaker" for advice on the best cars for attracting girls.
Hands down, Stanger recommends a Bentley Continental GT. "It says, I have money and will shower you with gifts and attention," says Stanger. On top of it, it says classy.
Other top contenders include the Mercedes Maybach, which is even more expensive and impressive than the Bentley. "It says Gazillionaire," explains Stanger.
If you're going for the "hip, cool guy" look, consider the Aston Martin DB9 (watch this CNET TV video of the Aston Martin DB9 Volante). It's two steps above the Porsche, said to Stanger, which is typically driven by the 55-year old going through a midlife crisis.
However, she said she's not a fan of Ferraris of any sort--the typical go-to sports car--which screams "little dick" to Stanger.
"If you want to be off-the-beaten-path with a real sports car, you get a Viper," says Stanger.
However, the regular viewers of her show know that the same American muscle appeal doesn't work with yellow Corvettes, which Stanger says are "uglier than ugg."
... Read moreI'd imagine that quite a few readers out there spent this last weekend checking out the 2009 NFL Draft, hoping for the best for each of your favorite NFL teams. So it seemed like a neat idea to dedicate this week's set of blogs to the fabulously tricked-out rides of NFL stars.
This vid was produced by the NFL network, checking out the bad-ass rides of a few NFL players. To say these cars have been customized is a severe understatement. Big Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings shows off his flashy Range Rover as modified by Automotive Concepts featuring a sick big screen in the back and sweet suede seats, and Rudi Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals pimps his custom Mercedes S550 that boasts shiny rims and not one but TWO sunroofs. And then we have Nick Barnett of the Green Bay Packers showing off two rides - one being a supercharged Dodge Charger with an impressive 7.2 liter engine, and a plush Bentley GTC convertible. Must be nice to be afford all these toys. Well, if this video is any indication, this week should be a lot of fun viewing. See you tomorrow.
What could be better than driving topless through California's Napa Valley wine country? How about diving the 2010 Bentley Continental GTC Speed model, topless.
A reviewer from ARtv Live takes the powerful convertible on a glorious backcountry ride.
Check out the latest edition of this legendary car.
Rolls-Royce cars now sport Lexicon sound systems.
(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)I went to the New York International Auto Show to listen. Weird yes, but I'm the audio guy, and nowadays high-end cars all have high-end audio systems. These cars go for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and I was hoping to hear some decent sound. That didn't happen.
Naim's car audio system for Bentley didn't wow us.
(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)The nice folks at the Bentley Motors display put me in a spectacular Flying Spur Speed ($252,000). The car has a 6-liter W-12 engine with twin turbochargers, 6-speed automatic transmission, and a claimed top speed of 200 mph. The interior was lavish beyond belief, with truly gorgeous wood and leather that puts your average Mercedes to shame. Rock stars and sports heroes know how to live!
The sound? I'm sure the engine sounds fabulous, but they wouldn't allow me the honor of blipping the throttle. Ah, there was a Naim audio system in the car, and I'm a fan of Nain's home gear, but the Bentley's sound system was nothing to get jazzed about.
The $6,900 Naim audio system sports 15 speakers, including dual subwoofers. Just don't kid yourself, it's not remotely on par with a credible home system. I thought the in-dash display was sort of tacky. Naim would never put such a thing in its home systems.
The Mini Cooper sound system was one of the best per dollar, that's for sure.
(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)Next, Rolls-Royce cars, like this awesome Phantom Coupe pictured at the top of this blog ($437,000), now have Lexicon audio systems. Too bad I didn't get to hear it. (Maybe the Bentley guys told them about me, just kidding.)
The Mini Cooper people were a lot friendlier, so I checked out the sound in their 10 speaker MINI Hi-Fi Sound System. Considering it adds just $500 to the car's bottom line, it was pretty good.
... Read more
