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

Continue reading: New Compact Bentley: downsized Continental shooting brake and crossover

Here’s a look at a hypothetical Bentley Mulsanne cabrio and frankly, it’s not bad at all. The Bentley Mulsanne first appeared at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show last month, and it will soon be joined by a Mulsanne coupe version, likely in 2011. Which may in turn, be followed by a cabrio Mulsanne, an exciting prospect for the 6.75-litre V8 twin turbo with 512 hp and 1020 Nm of torque.

Source | Thophilus Chin via Autosblog.fr

Continue reading: Bentley Mulsanne cabriolet rendering

As we wait to see whether Mulsanne cabrio and coupe versions will be built, here’s the official video of the new Bentley Mulsanne. The video is really a tribute to Bentley tradition, the handcrafting of its vehicles, and will give you an idea of the manufacture involved in producing the Mulsanne. Quite impressive really. If you like British motoring history, this is made with you in mind.

Continue reading: Bentley Mulsanne video

We saw the Mulsanne at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and here again, are the Bentley Mulsanne official pics. We get to see the Mulsanne interior in these pics, showing off its very detailed and luxurious finishings. The substitute to the Arnage, it is equipped with a 6.75-litre V8 twin turbo with 512 hp and 1020 Nm of torque. The Mulsanne is all about comfort, though, and total, unconquerable, status.

Continue reading: Bentley Mulsanne official pics

These live pics show the Bentley Continental GT and new Bentley Mulsanne at the Frankfurt Motor Show, after the Mulsanne’s official presentation at Pebble Beach. It replaces the Bentley Arnage, getting long in the tooth, and is a very large, imposing Bentley. The Mulsanne measures 5.57 metres long with a wheel base of 3.26.

The Mulsanne is built in an almost nostalgic style for the Bentleys of the past, although it is kitted out with modern technology. It has 20 or 21-inch alloy wheels and the bodywork can be ordered from a list of 114 different colours, with pearl and twin-tone versions that can be matched to 24 different interior leather colours. This would all explain why it takes nine weeks to build just one Bentley Mulsanne.

The interior has a few updates on the Continental GT, with an eight-inch multimedia display, 40 GB hard disc, Naim hi-fi system with 20 speakers and 2,220 Watts of power (disco on wheels, anyone?). The Mulsanne has a keyless system which can automatically retrieve the radio settings, telephone contacts, seat position, steering wheel and seatbelt angles, and will even electronically control the internal curtains. My apartment does less.

The Mulsanne is equipped with a 6.75-litre V8 twinturbo engine with 512 hp and an incredible 1020 Nm of power. The eight-speed transmission has steering wheel paddle controls and four set-up options are available: Bentley, Sport and Comfort. There is also a custom setting purely up to the driver’s choice.

Live pics Bentley at Frankfurt Motor Show

Continue reading: Bentley Mulsanne live pics from Frankfurt