Like the standard Continental GTC, the Speed shares the sharper styling cues of the coupe model launched last year adding a more aggressively designed front bumper with new openings, hood air vents and a discreet boot lid spoiler along with larger alloy wheels to the mix.
The GTC Speed will benefit from the revisions we saw on the coupe and which include a redesigned dashboard with an updated instrument panel and a new touch-screen interface plus new seats and trim materials.
Read more »Source URL: https://sparesomeribs.blogspot.com/search/label/Bentley%20Continental
This styling package consists of a front splitter, strakes integrated in the front intake grilles, side extension blades and a rear diffuser, all made from glossy black carbon-fibre.
Read more »Source URL: https://sparesomeribs.blogspot.com/search/label/Bentley%20Continental
Even though the Continental GTC has only been around since 2006, Bentley thought that it was time to perform a light facelift to its luxury four-seater convertible. While they were at it, the Brits also added a range-topping Speed model bringing the GTC in line with its GT coupe sibling. The Continental GTC Speed benefits from a twin-turbocharged W12 engine producing 600-horspeower (610PS) and 750 Nm (553lb ft) of torque, and it's matted to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
This endows the GTC Speed with a top speed of 200mph (322 km/h) with the roof-up or 195 mph (312 km/h) with the top down, and a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.8''). It also accelerates from 0-100 mph in just 10.6 seconds (0-160 km/h in 10.5'').
The GTC Speed model also gets a lowered suspension by 10 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear with revised spring, anti-roll bar and damper settings for improved handling, a 'Dynamic' mode for the ESP system with progressive intervention and wider 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels wrapped around in chunky 275/35 ZR20 Pirelli PZero tires.
On the outside, the GTC Speed is visually distinguished by subtle design enhancements like blacked out radiator and lower air intake grilles feature a dark tinted matrix as standard. Larger diameter 9.5J x 20-inch, bespoke alloy wheels, wider twin-rifled exhaust tail pipes and a new boot-mounted lip spoiler.
Inside, the Speed model features diamond quilted hide seats with embroidered Bentley emblems, a knurled chrome and hide gearlever and a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with brushed aluminum switch surround. These are complemented by drilled alloy foot-pedals and 'Speed' logos to the polished treadplates.
As for the standard car, the 2009 Continental GTC benefits from a few minor exterior enhancements that include the more upright radiator grille, the chrome headlamp bezels, a new lower bumper design with a widened air intake, the availability of two new exterior paints and a new color hide. Under-the-hood-upgrades concern the retuned Servotronic power steering, retuned suspension with new low-friction dampers for improved ride comfort and the availability of a new radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system.
We don’t want to seem offensive or anything, but even though the hand painted bodywork on this Bentley Continental GT based Tetsu GTR from ASI is original Japanese artwork by Nakamura Tetsuei, we do find it kinda weird to dress you car’s hood with flowers. Especially if someone finds out that you paid something north of $800,000 or €520,000 which is the starting price for every one of the 29 Tetsu GTRs that the Japanese tuning firm will produce. Artwork aside, ASI’s Tetsu GTR features an aggressively styled wide-bodykit (+1,800 mm) that includes dry carbon bonnet, trunk and rear wing spoiler along with several mechanical upgrades the most important being the modified 6.0L W12 engine that now produces 800 Hp. –More pics after the jump
Bentley has joined forces with British publishing house “Penguin Books” to produce a luxury, limited edition of the new James Bond book “Devil May Care”. Written by Sebastian Faulks at the invitation of Ian Fleming Publications to celebrate the Ian Fleming centenary, the book is due to be published on May 28.The collector’s edition of Devil May Care takes its inspiration from hard-covers of the original 1950s and 1960s Bond books combined with the retro Bentley owner’s manuals and handbooks of the time. Inside the book is a specially designed die-cast scale model Bentley, described in detail by Fleming in Thunderball. -Continued
Bentley Chief Designer Dirk van Braeckel says, “Transferring our design knowledge from the car world to a book was a new challenge for us, but working closely with Penguin, we think we have come up with a unique product which is complementary to the history of Bentley and Bond that can be appreciated by all.”
What was the design philosophy for the cover?
The design captures traditional craftsmanship qualities and techniques and reveals design cues we are passionate about, while also paying homage to the first edition Ian Fleming books. It was important that the design was complimentary to both Bentley and Bond and the history behind both brands meant that the book should be something to be admired and cherished forever.
How did you capture the spirit of Bond and the spirit of Bentley
Marrying Bond and Bentley had to derive from themes that linked both entities: passion, adventure and appreciation for the finer things in life. This helped shape the book into an item which would please people through an element of surprise but could also be admired as something which is unique and unobtainable to everyone.
How does the use of materials reflect materials in Bentley cars?
The choice of materials had to demonstrate the high quality and finishing evident in our cars. It was an opportunity to reflect on historical themes, for example the fluting on the inside book cover, along with the diamond stitching we use on the sport theme seat covers today. The juxtaposition of metal and leather is a theme we work with everyday, and is naturally explored in the design.
How did the idea for the pewter model Continental car come about?
Kate Whatmore, one of our young designers, is very proud of this feature. She wanted the book to have a feel of sophistication and history but to make it “Bond” it had to have something that was a bit unexpected. The element of surprise created from opening the book to find the car within allowed us to carry the Bond–Bentley theme throughout. The model car is handmade and numbered to the book, which makes it a complete entity especially as the model is the car featured in the book.
How closely did you work with Penguin?
Working with Penguin was a unique experience. We learned a lot from designing around an unfamiliar product and certainly learned a lot technically about Bentley craftsmanship in relation to a product other than a car. The people we met and worked with from Penguin were very supportive and enthusiastic about the prospect of the book, Bentley and Kate’s ideas for the design. It was a very positive experience.
What challenges did you face in both design and production?
In all areas of design there are problems that challenge you as a designer to produce the best solution you can. The feasibility of a design idea is always the greater challenge to achieve the best aesthetics and quality. Transferring our design knowledge from the car world to a book was a new challenge for us, but working closely with Penguin, we think we have come up with a unique product which is complementary to the history of Bentley and Bond that can be appreciated by all audiences.
Who at Bentley was involved in the project?
We always start a project in the Bentley design studio by giving all designers a chance to have an idea input and then proceed with the selected work and the designer behind it. In this case it was Kate Whatmore, our lady in exterior design, who came up with the goods. Crispin Marshfield was at hand to help with the right process to follow and link with Penguin. I, as always, had the overview and the pleasure to select and guide the ideas and take them to fruition.
Via: Le blog Auto , Source: Bentley
ASI is a new tuning company that was established in Towards the end of April the Japanese tuner will also unveil a special edition version of the Bentley Continental GT Speed called “Tetsu” that will be equipped with a modified 6.0L W12 engine producing 800 Hp along with an even more aggresive wide-bodykit. –More pics after the jump
Usually, when we write about recalls, it concerns at least, hundreds of owners. But that’s not the case with Bentley. The British carmaker announced that it's recalling four –yes, that right 4, MY 2004 - 2006 Continental GTs & Continental Flying Spurs because the passenger airbag replacement trimmed covers have been manufactured with tethers of an incorrect length. In the event of a crash, this could result in damage to the airbag itself during deployment increasing the risk of injuries. Bentley dealers will replace the passenger's airbag cover free of charge.
Italian coachbuilder Zagato will introduce their latest creation based on the Bentley Continental GT Speed at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The Zagato GTZ features several distinct design elements like the concave roof, the rounded tail and a contrasting colour scheme that differentiates it from the standard Continental GT Speed. Zagato left the Continental GT Speed’s engine and mechanicals untouched, with the 6.0-liter W12 engine producing 600bhp and 553lb ft of torque. For the time being the Zagato GTZ is just a show concept, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the Italian coachbuilder announced an ultra-limited run edition in the near future. –More pics after the jump
Via: Motorpasion
