2007 Bentley Continental Gt Gtc Convertible Automatic 2-door Convertible on 2040-cars

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Bentley plotting Mulsanne performance model for Paris debut

Between three distinct body styles and numerous engine specifications, Bentley has made more versions of the Continental over the years than we would care to count. But one thing it has, by and (very) large left alone is the Mulsanne. Sure, it's done some special editions and some extra equipment packages - it's even toyed with the idea of a two-door convertible version - but at the end of the day, the Mulsanne soldiers on as a four-door sedan with one engine and one engine alone. That may be about to change, however.
Fueled by ambiguous pronouncements from Bentley's returning chief Wolfgang Dürheimer, rumors from the UK suggest that the Flying B marque is preparing a more performance-focused version of the Mulsanne to debut at the Paris Motor Show this October.
Details are few and far between, but we'd expect the Mulsanne's long-serving 6.75-liter V8 engine to be further tuned beyond its current specification of 505 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque, accompanied by a stiffer suspension, bigger brakes and other upgrades. Historically Bentley would turbocharge the Mulsanne's predecessors (to turn the 90s-era Brooklands, for instance, into the Turbo R), but the Mulsanne's engine is already spooled up, so the British automaker will likely have to massage the extra muscle out another way.

VW adding particulate filters to gas engines

Volkswagen is working hard to overcome the PR disaster that is its diesel emissions scandal, and part of its efforts is focusing, weirdly, on petrol engines. Starting in June 2017, the embattled German automaker will add particulate filters to the gas-powered Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi A5. The change will eventually impact nearly every direct-injected gas engine the VW Group makes. Audi? Particulate filter. Seat? Particulate filter. Even Bentley is going to get the tech, all in a bid to reduce soot emissions by 90 percent. In fact, by 2022 VAG expects 7 million of its vehicles to boast the emissions-cleaning tech, which has long been a fixture on diesel engines. "Following increases in efficiency and lower CO2 output, we are now bringing about a sustained reduction in the emission levels of our modern petrol engines by fitting particulate filters as standard," Volkswagen Group research and design boss Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn said in a statement. "In the future, all models will be equipped with the latest and most efficient SCR catalytic converter technology." VW's initial rollout focuses on the 1.4-liter, turbocharged Tiguan and the 2.0-liter, turbocharged A5. Considering the popularity of the 2.0-liter across the VW range, we'd expect it's only a matter of time before VW expands its particulate filters tech to additional gas-powered vehicles. Related Video:

Bentley introduces tweed interior trim option for all models

Attention Bentley shoppers: Tweed is now on the menu. The woolen fabric can now be specced in any of its models (Bentayga, Flying Spur or Continental GT) as interior door trim as a replacement for whatever wood, metals or stone(!) you would have there normally. It’s so delightfully British in the best possible way. You can pick between four different tweed patterns. HereÂ’s how Bentley describes them: “Cheltenham, with its countryside greens, offers a more traditional choice for customers whereas Glen Plaid–Tolsta Beach, named after the shores of the rugged Outer Hebrides, makes a confident statement with its bold check pattern. Providing a more subtle, contemporary choice, the Charcoal and Sand Herringbone tweeds complement dark and light interiors respectively on the two-door and four-door Grand Tourers.” The Glen Plaid-Tolsta Beach is our favorite with Cheltenham coming in at a close second. Both Herringbone trims are still cool, but the checked pattern really pops. It feels right at home in such an elegant and luxurious interior. Bentley says itÂ’s sourcing the tweed from a Scottish distributor named Lovat Mill. ItÂ’s made using sustainable processes, furthering BentleyÂ’s goals of minimizing its carbon footprint. If you want tweed in your new Bentley, youÂ’ll need to order it through Mulliner, BentleyÂ’s bespoke commissioning division. ItÂ’ll be expensive, but what else did you expect? This isnÂ’t the first time weÂ’ve seen tweed featured in Bentley products before. The stunning Mulliner Bacalar used tweed extensively throughout its interior, going so far as to use it on the instrument panel, seats and bespoke luggage set. You canÂ’t get that much tweed in the rest of BentleyÂ’s range, but itÂ’s a lovely touch nonetheless. Related Video: