2012 Bentley Continental Gt 2dr Conv on 2040-cars

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Question of the Day: What's the greatest British car ever?

The British automotive industry has produced everything from high-production econo-commuters to staggeringly luxurious oligarch-wagons, along the way winning plenty of races and building plenty of beautiful machines. The original Mini led directly to the past half-century of transverse-engine, front-wheel-drive cars built everywhere, the MGB put the sporty little convertible into everyone's reach, and the Morris Oxford became the most beloved motor vehicle in India. So many to choose from, but we want you to pick one. What will it be? Related Video:

A faster Bentley Bentayga Speed is coming

With 600 horsepower on tap, the Bentley Bentayga already claims the mantle as the fastest, most powerful SUV on the market. The latest reports indicate that there's an even faster, more powerful version in the works. After speaking with Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer at the Beijing Motor Show this week, Auto Express reports that a Bentayga Speed is on the way. "If you're asking whether there would be Speed versions of the Bentayga eventually," said Durheimer, "then yes, you might expect that." Details, as you might have expected, remain unconfirmed at this point. However the latest Continental GT Speed packs 633 horsepower from its 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 – 66 horses more than the standard twelve-cylinder Continental GT. And the Mulsanne's 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 505 hp in standard trim and 530 in Speed spec for a difference of 25 hp. If the Bentayga Speed follows a similar formula, we can expect a solid 650 hp or so. That ought to help push the SUV past 60 in less than its current 4.0 seconds, and on past its stated 187-mph top speed. The Speed version isn't the only variant of the Bentayga said to be in the works. We're also anticipating a diesel version as well as a hybrid. We wouldn't be surprised to see a lighter V8 model, too, as we have on the Continental. And a fastback model in the mold of the BMW X6 and company is also reportedly under consideration. Beyond the Bentayga, Bentley is said to be closely evaluating what to develop next. The choice is between the EXP 10 Speed 6 sports coupe concept on the one hand, and a smaller crossover on the other. The answer could depend heavily on how the Bentayga performs in the Chinese market. Related Video:

2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible

There are few things in this world I enjoy more than an enthusiastic drive down tree-lined backroads on a warm summer evening. If you're familiar with the geographic location of Detroit, you won't be shocked to learn that we don't have the sort of very-involving roads found all throughout California and other gorgeous parts of the country, but we still have some stretches of pavement that can be pretty darn fun when driven in the right car. The vast majority of our scenic roads, however, are of a more relaxed nature. And that's why, despite my tendency to prefer high-strung hot hatches above all, I will never say no to a big, fast convertible during the warm season.
As far as said big, fast convertibles go, perhaps none is more exquisite than the 2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible, pictured here in the striking shade of St. James Red. Not long after returning from my trip across the pond to drive Bentley's V8-powered Flying Spur sedan, I was given the chance to sample another one of its eight-cylinder wares, this one carrying less heft, offering a smidge more power, and, oh yeah, a roof that neatly stows behind the rear seats.
As luck would have it, the weather for my Conti weekend was the absolute definition of perfection. And so I took to those sweeping, tree-lined roads way outside of Detroit to see how this Bentley's "S" badge improves upon the lovely GT V8 Convertible I drove last year. Hard work, but somebody's gotta do it.