The new Bentley Mulsanne and upcoming new Continental range could be joined by two smaller and more economical models as Bentley keep sales up in what is now a very difficult market for the luxury brand. Bentley could be going downmarket with almost a sub-brand called New Compact Bentley (NCB), to sit somewhere below the Continental offering in the Bentley line-up.

It will focus on keeping weight and price down on Bentley vehicles, as well as providing smaller, more economical engine options. To achieve this, we could see a new Bentley four-seat shooting brake model, and a crossover which would be like a kind of Bentley SUV. While the new Continental range will still have the Bentley W12 engine, the NCB range would have a V8, 4.5-litre option, with about 550 hp.

There’s some conjecture, but overall the so-called “NCB” project makes a lot of sense, with Bentley exploring diesel and hybrid technology. It will have plenty of competition from Rolls Royce, who has announced the Ghost hybrid, electric Phantom, and its own smaller crossover project called the “Short High Rugged International Metropolitan Project” (SHRIMP). So far Bentley is ahead in the stakes in how to choose names, at least.

Source | AutomobileMag via Autoblog

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As Bentley reveals its plans to produce a hybrid, debate kicks off as to just what combination of technology and engines the luxury car maker intends to use. While it’s full steam ahead on preparing Arnage, the new flagship, it looks as though Bentley is finding the time to dedicate to the environmental viability of its range.

This spy shot shows that Bentley is testing a petrol-electric drivetrain on a Continental prototype. The powerplant being used is a versions of the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne hybrids that combines a 3.6 litre petrol V6 at 280 hp, and 375 Nm, to an electric motor with 284Nm.

The Bentley version is likely to be more powerful as using a V8 engine could result in a final 500hp. This means that the original and fuel consuming Continental W12 engine could be scrapped.

This may be bad news for Bentley fans, but it’s good news for the company as it prepares the technology across its range ahead of new EU targets to reduce CO2 emissions by 2015.

Source | Autoexpress

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Just out of curiousity: which cars pollute the most? Here, we list the Top Ten greatest producers of CO2 in the world. The winner is the Bugatti Veyron, but also Bentley made sure not to miss out, with its products well represented in the ranking.

Ferrari hardly pollutes less, but the latest creations of Cavallino, the 430 Scuderia and the California, end up at 360 e 310 g/km, respectively.

Continue reading: Which cars pollute the most? Here are the Top Ten

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The Bentley Continental Supersports has been seen around the corners of the Nurburgring during testing. The model, whose W12 can also run off bio-ethanol, will be the fastest and most powerful Bentley ever built, thanks to its 630 hp and a top speed of 329 km/hr.

While these figures have been available since March, from the Geneva show, the Supersports has also remained unchanged in its style. The model at the show and the one that appears in these spy shots show the same air intakes, with an agressive look to the bonnet and nose.

The Supersports, in addition to being the top-of-the-range coupé for the company, also represents a forerunner to what will be an ecological move by Bentley. By 2012, all the Bentley models will be able to run off bio-ethanol. The Supersports sales will start next autumn, with a price as yet unknown, but likely to be around 250,000 euros.

Source | AutoWeek

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The fastest and most powerful Bentley ever produced is ready for its debut, after a wait well worth it for a car driven by bio-ethanol. These spy shots show the Continental Supersports in its final guise, showing most of the style presented by the concept car, including the aggressive front and aerodynamics.

The top speed measures 330 km/hr, from the W12 twin turbo engine. It has 630 hp and 800 Nm, and the Supersports available on the UK market for 33 percent more than the Speed.

Source | Motoruathority

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Boy, are we having fun at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, especially after having been to the Bentley press conference, and taking this gallery of the Continental Supersports. Isn’t she lovely? This white beast (but elegant, mind you), is capable of beating the performance figures of any Bentley to date.

Despite that, this Bentley is aimed at producing a brand new supercar, but taking into consideration the reduction of CO2 emissions. As such, the Continental Supersports adopts a flexfuel engine and reduces weight with extreme attention to detail, right down to the internal car mats.

The Continental Supersport performance figures therefore reach 630hp, 800Nm, with a top speed of 329 km/hr. The 6.0L, W12 twin turbo engine reaches 100 km/hr in just 3.9 seconds. There are also modifications to the aerodynamics, and so we get not only the fastest but the most sophisticated Bentley on the road. Enjoy the Continental Supersports gallery.

Continue reading: Bentley Continental Supersports gallery from Geneva

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We would never have thought to use a supercar sedan for a romp among the sand dunes, but in this video you will find the off-road qualities of the Bentley Continental GTC clearly on display. The Bentley in the sand dunes doesn’t appear to have too much difficulty, though it’s a rather strange way to enjoy a cabriolet that costs 210,000 euros.

Source | Germancarblog

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Bentley has successfully launched the Speed versions of its Continental GT and Flying Spur, which were seen at the Paris motor show. The only version that hasn’t received this hormonal boost is the Continental GTC Cabriolet, but it appears to be only a question of time.

In this render from our reader Bugatti&91, we can see the GTC Speed in a possible final aspect, with the same front as the GT Speed. The 20-inch alloy wheels and crome exhausts will likely be the same and under the bonnet the W12 twin turbo should reach about 600hp.

Other modifications will include calibration, interior finish and certain accessories. Some Bentley prototypes have already been indicated and it’s most likely that the Continental GTC Speed will make its debut on the market in 2009, as model year 2010.

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While at the top end of the car market more diesel options are being considered from manufacturers such as Porsche, Bentley has said it is unlikely to develop its own, in preference to second-generation biofuels obtained from waste materials.

The company has apparently conducted a customer opinion survey on diesel models which reveal that most are opposed to the idea. With the only true market diesel market being in Europe, any such option would be a hard sell in the US or Asia.

The entire range should, however, be running on these biofuels by 2012, along with developing a new engine for the next Arnage and Continental models.

Source | Autocar (Thanks to corvettec6r)

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