**New Bentley 500BHP**

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Wow not a bad Upper Class Motor.......... Shame that Politicians never drive over 50kph......

:bentley: 10th June 2002

After months of anticipation and wild speculation, here, finally, is the first official photograph of the new Bentley GT Coupe.

For the moment details remain scarce, but the one aspect of the GT Coupe that Bentley are only too happy to discuss is the engine.

Power is to be provided by a heavily reworked version of parent company Volkswagen's six-litre W12 engine. This unit can currently be found nestling under the bonnet of VW's new Phaeton and Audi's A8 super saloon. However, the Crewe-built Bentley version will see the addition of a pair of turbochargers, boosting output to over 500bhp. With this kind of firepower it is fair to expect the GT Coupe to make it to 60mph from rest in under five seconds and reach a maximum speed in excess of 180mph.

All this power will be handled by a new paddle operated six-speed automatic gearbox and transmitted to the road via an all-wheel drive system incorporating Electronic Stability Control.

Inside you can look forward to the feast of sumptuous wood and leather we've all come to expect from Bentley.

The new GT Coupe will be making a star appearance at the Paris Motor Show before going into production in Bentley's Crewe facility. No details concerning price have been revealed but, as the saying goes, 'if you have to ask...' :bentley:
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What's everyone think?
 

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Wow, I really like it! :thumbsup:
 
While the rear steals a hefty number of curves from the '52 R-Type, the front end looks remarkably like the failed Qvale Mangusta/Rover X80...only better...probably because it has a Bentley grille. It's sleek; it's coupe-ish; it's a giant leap stylistically for Bentley. And 500HP can't hurt. I'm not sure about AWD, but I guess it would keep the GT well-mannered with its high power-to-weight ratio. Still...shades of the RS8 to come? That W12 gets around...yes, that's another "good thing". ;)
 
Hooligan: Right on. I immediately though Mangusta/X80 when I saw it. Odd....

AWD? Peh! Rear-drive is the only way you can have a true Bentley. OR Jag.
 
Off topic. Calvin and Hobbs kick a$$, but they don't rule like beenie and cecil!
 
Finally a modern Bent!!!! :drool: :thumbsup:

I like the comtemporary styling, very traditional. It never left the styling of it older sibling the Continental, with modern dynamics and technique. Way to go VW for improving the Bentley name plate.

Wish it will be on GT4/GTN.
 
Wow I didn't know :bentley: were owned by :vw:, that explains the big and better change in style.......:gcar:

They gotta get this 500BHP beauty in the next :gt:.....
 
its definately pimpin'
how much will it cost (estimated)?
ill never have enough scratch to buy one, but maybe it will be in GT4
 
Originally posted by M5Power
AWD? Peh! Rear-drive is the only way you can have a true Bentley. OR Jag.
Click to expand...

The AWD is certainly a departure for the Bentley Boys, but I think it is worth it to compensate for the much higher power-to-weight ratio. The old Bentleys had either less power or much more mass to keep the car feeling solid, less frantic; more cruiser, less bruiser. (Oh, I'm a rhyming buffoon, now....) You have to admit, though, this is a much more appropriate change than the AWD X-Type (to cover up its FWD origins...).

Originally posted by Talentless
Looks a bit like a Mercedes.
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Replace the mesh grille with the current Benz grille, and you've got pure CLK...almost...no, wait, it's pretty damned close. Thankfully there's the rest of the car to remind us that while it may be German-made, it's certainly Crewe DNA in there.

Originally posted by Talentless
Off topic. Calvin and Hobbs kick a$$, but they don't rule like beenie and cecil!
Click to expand...

Annoyingly familiar, but I just can't remember who those guys are. Got a web link? :)
 
Well I don't know - each got taken by a huge global maker and its products were transformed. Frankly, I think everything about this Bentley looks in order except for the rear-drive.

The Jag is a different story. The X-Type was lacking in quality, beauty, and grace of previous Jags. They're coming out with a front-drive version now, finally, in Europe. Grrr
 

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