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Bentley rolls out updates across Continental range [w/videos]

Hard as it may be to believe, it's been a dozen years now since Bentley first introduced the Continental GT. After a proliferation of engine variants and body styles, a substantially updated range was launched in 2011, but even that was four years ago. Little wonder, then, that the British automaker has announced a raft of updates for its most successful model line. For the 2016 model year, first of all, the Continental range benefits from some updated styling. There's a revised front bumper and grille, reprofiled fenders with a metallic B vent, a character line running towards the rear fender, a more sculpted trunk lid, a new rear diffuser for the performance-oriented V8 S and GT Speed models, and an array of new 20- and 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Continental has been fitted with new seats – straight-fluted on standard models, diamond-quilted on Mulliner and GT Speed models – as well as new controls and trim. The crew from Crewe has also revised the marque's signature 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12, increasing output from 567 horsepower to 582 and from 516 pound-feet to 531. Bentley's not saying what performance advantage the enhanced twelve-cylinder engine will net, but it doesn't come at the expense of fuel economy: in fact, with a new cylinder deactivation feature, fuel consumption is cut by five percent despite the power boost. Finally the four-door Flying Spur gets some new equipment including wheels, steering wheel, instruments and trim, with the W12 engine (shared with the GT Speed) benefiting from the same cylinder deactivation system to improve its environmental credentials. Look for the updated 2016 model range to be presented at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, now just weeks away. The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. NEW STYLE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR LUXURY GRAND TOURING - A suite of design upgrades and features for Continental GT family - Continental GT W12 increases to 590 PS and 720 Nm, improving performance and efficiency - Flying Spur offers even more bespoke four door luxury (Crewe, 17th February 2015) Bentley Motors is building on the global demand for the Continental GT family with a suite of contemporary design updates and new exquisite features for its most successful model.

Bentley poised to join four-door coupe game?

Bentley may be all hot and bothered with plans for its finally approved ultra-lux SUV, but the marque's attentions may not solely be limited to a two-box range expansion. That's according to AutoExpress, which quotes company CEO Wolfgang Schreiber as being interested in launching a 'four-door coupe' variant of its popular Continental range (pictured). According to Schrieber, "I definitely wouldn't say no to the idea... with the new Flying Spur, we have a model that supports the Mulsanne, and a coupe with four doors could sit below that."
The more rakish sedan isn't tipped to launch before 2016 - the brand will be too busy launching the Flying Spur and furthering work on the as-yet-unnamed SUV to pull ahead the project. The plan would appear to make a lot of sense, as the additional bodystyle on the back of the Continental platform would likely command more money than the rest of the line (see also: Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe) while basically just being a new top hat on an existing architecture. This isn't the first time AutoExpress has promulgated this Bentley 4DC idea, however. Back in 2010, it offered a similar report, but at that point, it anticipated the model would be cheaper than the Continental, suggesting it would be based on a platform shared with the Audi A7.
AutoExpress notes the additional model would help Bentley achieve its ambitious sales targets to drive from last year's 8,510 units sold to 15,000 by 2018, though most of that volume still figures to come from the new utility vehicle.

Bentley designer hints at even faster Continental GT3-R

Does Bentley have room in its Continental GT lineup for an even more extreme version than the new GT3-R? Luc Donckerwolke seems to think so. Speaking with Autocar, the Bentley design chief suggested that an even more performance-focused Continental GT could be in the works, potentially ditching the heavy all-wheel drive system in an effort to further reduce weight, improve handling and drop even more ticks off the 0-60 time that's already down to a best-yet 3.6 seconds in the GT3-R.
To borrow a page from the same playbook used not only by sister-companies Audi and Porsche but also by Renault and Jaguar (to name just a few), we'll tentatively call it the Continental GT3-RS. Whatever the name, though, power would likely come from an even more potent version of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 co-developed with sister-company Audi. Considering that engine already produces 500 horsepower in the Continental GT V8, 521 hp in the V8 S and 572 hp in the GT3-R, we could be looking at as much as 600 horses to make it the most powerful V8 model to date. With that much juice, it would even eclipse some of the W12 models that start at 567 hp in the core Continental GT and range up to the 616 hp in the Speed, which currently ranks not only as the most powerful Conti yet, but also the fastest road car Bentley has ever made.
Donckerwolke says that Bentley has already sold the entire production run for the Continental GT3-R and that customers are already clamoring for something more focused. Younger buyers are likely to be even further drawn to the brand by the ne-plus-ultra Conti, especially if the racing team advanced from its current fifth place in the Blancpain Endurance Series standings.