Bentley: Continental Gt Gtc on 2040-cars

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Bentley considering smaller coupe

Only halfway through the year, Bentley reports that it's on track to post record sales. Thanks in no small part to the introduction of its new V8 engine in the Continental family, sales are up nearly a quarter over last year. And they only stand to increase even more with the introduction of new models currently in the pipeline. The upcoming SUV will surely form a large part of that, but it won't be the end of the story for the storied marque.
Car and Driver reports that, after the SUV, Bentley plans to introduce a new coupe line below the Continental to square off against the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Details are few and far between at this point, but considering how much Bentley manages to do with the relatively heft Continental GT, a lighter and more nimble sports car sounds promising.
In related news, rumors are gathering pace that Bentley is planning to introduce a new Mulsanne Speed at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, its Jurassic-era 6.75-liter V8 massaged from 505 horsepower - already the most that engine has produced in its half-century history - up to around 550.

Bentley has built more than 20,000 Bentaygas in four years

It might not feel like it, but Bentley has been building an SUV for four years now. The Bentayga was introduced in 2015 and entered production at the beginning of 2016. Since then, the model's lineup has expanded to a range of six variants and numerous powertrain options. In total, Bentley has built more than 20,000 examples of the Bentayga, and demand does not appear to be dropping.  Like Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin, Bentley turned to the crossover and SUV market for a bump in sales, and the Bentayga has been a brand MVP ever since. Buyers have the choice between the Bentayga, Bentayga V8, Bentayga V8 Design Series, Bentayga Speed, Bentayga Diesel, and Bentayga Hybrid, as to ensure there's something for every type of buyer.  The launch powertrain in the Bentayga was a twin-turbocharged W12. It made a claimed 599 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. At full blast, it is capable of running 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds and tops out at 187 mph. Bentley topped those impressive numbers with the release of the Bentayga Speed. It too used a twin-turbocharged W12, but on those models, it made 623 horsepower. With a top speed of 190 mph, Bentley claims the Speed is the fastest SUV in the world.  Downgrading in engine size and power, the Bentayga V8 was unveiled in 2018 with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter eight-cylinder engine. It makes 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, and with the foot to the ground, it can do the 0-60-mph scoot in 4.4 seconds. Top speed is capped at 180 mph. Bentley offers a Bentayga V8 Design Series for those searching for a more specialized look.  The other two options are the hybrid model or the diesel model. The diesel, which is not available in the U.S., has a triple-charged 4.0-liter V8 that produces 429 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. The plug-in hybrid, Bentley's first foray into brand electrification, combines a 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, an electric motor, and a V6 engine. Together, the system makes a claimed 443 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.   If those versions of the Bentayga were too bland, Bentley has also offered several special-editions of the questionably designed luxury off-roader. There was the Pikes Peak edition that commemorated the Bentley setting the Pikes Peak SUV record. There was a Stetson edition with Texas flair. And we can't forget our personal favorite: the Bentley Bentayga Falconry by Mulliner. Related Video:

2017 Bentley Bentayga officially revealed

The Bentayga is not only Bentley's first production SUV, but the fastest and most powerful one in the business. It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here. The Bentayga is not only Bentley's first production SUV, but the fastest and most powerful one in the business. Set to make its grand debut at the fast-approaching Frankfurt Motor Show, the all-new Bentley Bentayga is the redesigned successor to the EXP 9 F concept that debuted to lukewarm reception back at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The design bears all of Bentley's hallmarks, albeit applied to a taller form that shouldn't be unfamiliar to Range Rover owners. It certainly looks better than the original concept, but we'll reserve final judgment until we see it in person next week. Up front we find four round LED headlamps, the outer set taking an outline not unlike those we saw on the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept. Bentley says that rear haunch panel represents the largest single-piece aluminum pressing in the industry – said another way, it allows the Bentayga to be 520 pounds lighter than a non-aluminum construction. Glass panels account for nearly 60 percent of the roof's surface, and a hands-free tailgate gives access not only to a large cargo bay, but a folding seat for enjoying the view wherever the ultra-luxe sport-ute takes you. The Bentayga will get you there in a hurry, too, thanks to a powerful W12 engine. It's got both direct and indirect injection, cylinder deactivation, and a stop/start system with coasting mode. The net result is an output quoted at 600 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, this engine will rocket the Bentayga to 60 miles per hour in four seconds flat and on to a top speed of 187 miles per hour. It's the fastest production SUV in the world. Bentley intends to launch a seven-seat version, a higher performance Speed model, and more efficient diesel and hybrid variants. The Bentayga also features a four-mode adjustable air suspension, electronic active roll control, and electric power-assisted variable steering. It's also got predictive, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, rear crossing traffic warning, hill descent control, around-view monitor, and available park assist, electronic night vision, and head-up display systems. The driver controls everything via a large dial in the center console, which also handles drive modes and traction management.