The Crewe is at it again with the 2011 Bentley Continental GT. Look at that again (then follow the jump for a small bucket load more photos of the new Continental)-- it's exactly the same yet completely different. This isn't the fat chick from college losing 50-lbs, getting a haircut and outgrowing the acne, this 2011 Bentley is the hot girl from college with a tan and some she-didn't-need-it-but-what-the-hell toning. Also turns out she found a coincidence as this 2011 Bentley Continental GT isn't just slightly cooler looking, but is making a concerted effort towards fuel economy.
That commitment to fuel economy starts with a more powerful, 567-horsepower, 6.0-liter W12 (don't worry, we're getting to the green) which returns (what you were waiting for) 12 mpg in city driving and 19 highway. That's a 20% improvement with the ZF built six-speed automatic with "Quickshift" and a new 40:60 rear-biased torque split. According to the EPA, the 2009 Continental GT could only manage 10 mpg city. What fools. And bet they thought 552-horsepower was enough, too. Aiding in this 20% improvement is a 143-pound weight reduction. Combined with the increase in power, Bentley estimates the 2011 Continental GT will hit 60 in 4.4 seconds and have a top speed of 198 mph. But that's for the W12 and not the V8 Continental GT. Wait....what?
Yep. A V8. And not even some massive 6.75-liter, single turbo fuel chugging torque monster. Not even Bentley it seems can avoid the cylinder reaper as for the fourth quarter of 2011, Bentley will release the 2011 Continental GT with a 4.0-liter V8. This V8 is said to be the "socially responsible" pick, delivering a 40 percent reduction in fuel consumption while maintaining current levels of performance. The V8 will also, obviously, usher in a new price point for Bentley to attract new customers and possibly sway current ones into a new vehicle.
The interior has also been tweaked on the 2011 Continental GT with a new sweeping IP that "echoes the flying wings of the Bentley Motif." An 11 speaker Naim for Bentley stereo is optional.
Pricing will be announced at the 2010 Paris Auto Show next month.
jederino says:
08:47 AM, 09/ 7/10
Lovely car, now lovelier? I doubt the V8 can "maintain current levels of performance" exactly. Still, the prospect of saving thousands on a bargain Continental with a "small" engine you can really cane around the country roads sounds fine. Any performance specs? I mean, 40% gains in fuel economy sounds fantastic and I'm feeling guilty for not being satisfied, but...
bimmerjay says:
11:05 AM, 09/ 7/10
More power, better fuel economy, less weight... what's not to love? I like the new styling too and the optional V8 for the boulevard-only cruiser-types is a good idea, though I also doubt the performance will be similar to the W12.
campi3ell says:
01:03 PM, 09/ 7/10
Would this 4.0L V8 be "similar" to the new one that Audi will be introducing soon?
It makes sense to have different stages of turbocharging, one for the "cheaper" A8 and another for the more expensive Bentley.
Say... 400HP for the A8 and 480HP for the Continental...?
priceless409 says:
01:55 PM, 09/ 7/10
Excellent pictures...
rsuryase says:
02:22 PM, 09/ 7/10
BBW!!
clarkma5 says:
02:45 PM, 09/ 7/10
Wow it's really surprising what a rather minor facelift has done to the look of this car. Looks great and I think the V8 sounds really smart.
alex38 says:
06:34 PM, 09/ 7/10
While I'm a big fan of this car and it looks to be better than the one it replaces in every respect, I am not feeling this design. That new arch behind the rear wheel remind me of the...Hyundai Equus if you can believe it.
As of now, i prefer the exterior of the 2010 but perhaps that will change with time..
alex38 says:
06:43 PM, 09/ 7/10
I take back my last comment. The Equus and the Bentley should NEVER be mentioned in the same sentence, hehe. Arguably that rear wheel arch on the Equus lifted off the Bentley but whatevers..
lexusaddict says:
07:12 PM, 09/ 7/10
Looks good, hope it it drives just as good if not better. V8 with same power? i doubt it...what would the point of having the W12 be if the performance didn't differ? That's like if an LFA had a 3.5 liter V6 that cost $85,000 with the same performance figures. I'm guessing the V8 is slower by a second or two.
mrryte says:
07:01 AM, 09/ 8/10
Even if the V8 is slower by a couple of seconds, how many GT owners take their car to the track or test the limits of their vehicle? You don't race around in a Bentley; you cruise around town nice and easy so that everyone sees you....B-)
BTW; I thought that the 2011 GT was supposed to have the new 8A....?
stoppre75 says:
09:51 AM, 09/ 8/10
The minor facelift did a great deal for the car, i think its a very good looking progressive change.
But as for the 4.0L V8. Its delivering 40% better fuel economy...40% better than today's W12, which means it will be getting 14mpg city. That's pretty poor numbers from a small V8...Chevy gets 16mpg city out of their 6.3L LS3 motor...then again The M3 has a 4.0L that gets 14mpg city. either way i think its silly to say they're being "socially responsible" by offering a V8 that will get 2mpg better than the 12cylinder. Its nothing to write home about, but apparently you guys think so. This would be news worthy if they were offering a truly efficient engine.
I'm sure it will be a technically sound engine with a turbo charger or two pumping out power in the high 400 range. But you still have to pay to play these days and 14mpg is not socially responsible.
cardesigner82 says:
01:07 PM, 09/ 8/10
@stoppre75
14mpg is more "socially responsible" than not offering a V8 option at all, since its introduction. the article said 40% reduction than todays W12, but offering its same performance. Not only will it get better fuel economy and offer the same performance...it also will be CHEAPER. The combination of those 3-points will translate into sales.
cz_75 says:
10:23 PM, 09/ 8/10
The whole point of this car is about ostentation and excess, with a certain understated British flair of course. You don't buy this vehicle to assuage your feelings of guilt about the environment. Comfort yourself in knowing that only "the few" can afford one and that the environmental damage will be small as a consequence of small production volumes; the peasantry can drive tiny diesels, hybrids and electric cars to compensate for your carbon footprint.
bestjinjo says:
03:35 PM, 09/30/10
Looks almost the same as the current one, minus the front and rear lights and some minor curve changes on the front and back trunk/rear diffuser. I think this will let the 1st gen model retain its value much better now. Even the steering wheel, air vents are identical to 2008 Continental GT Speed model. I still love this design overall, but they should have progressed the exterior a little more if we are to see this car for another 7-8 years.