In the 17th and 18th centuries in Britain, there was a tradition among young scions of aristocratic families to go on a grand tour of Europe in search of useful knowledge and to gain life experience. 200 years later, this tradition is continued in the name of the Gran Turismo class. Gran Turismo models combine thrilling performance with comfort, capable of covering even the longest distances with ease and making every journey unforgettable.
Combining performance and luxury is Bentley's core credo, so it's no surprise that our cars have been leading the Gran Turismo class for almost a century. From the original Bentley
to the new Continental GT, these cars have become and continue to be faithful companions for generations of modern grand touring enthusiasts.
The first Bentley Gran Turismo
Developed by U.O. Bentley launched the 3 Liter in 1919, the year Bentley Motors was founded.
on sale in 1921. The use of metric units in its name hinted that this car was designed for traveling on the highways of continental Europe. Innovative design for that time - cylinder head
with a diametrically opposed valve arrangement, two spark plugs per cylinder and two carburetors - provided the 3 Liter with excellent dynamics, which brought victories in . In 1924 John Duff and Frank Clement took first place, and in 1927 their success was repeated by Dr 'Benjy' Benjafield and Sammy Davis. Their driving characteristics
was appreciated by The Autocar magazine, noting its exceptional “obedience in traffic
and extraordinary speed potential on public roads.” The Gran Turismo tradition has become Bentley's style.
Power without effort
The Bentley 6 ½ Liter launched in 1926
with a six-cylinder engine was intended
to accommodate the heavier sedan bodies that some customers preferred. But this car, called the Speed Six, equipped with a 200-horsepower engine, demonstrated effortless and smooth acceleration, which set a new standard for the car dynamics that helped Sir Tim Birkin win the Le Mans race in 1929. In 1930, Barnato and Glen Kidston took first place, and Frank Clement and Dick Watney came second. installed a mesh grille on the front of his first cars to protect against stones. Its features can still be seen in the design of car radiator grilles to this day.
Bentley 8 Liter
In 1930, Bentley created the 8 Liter, so powerful that the company said the car could reach speeds in excess of 160 km/h regardless of the body type chosen by the customer. U.O. considered this car his best creation, and many agreed with him. Captain W. Gordon Aston
in his review of the Bentley 8 Liter for The Tatler magazine he noted: “Never in my life have I seen a car
which combines such incredible dynamics with such a smooth and quiet ride.” This combination of speed and silence makes traveling even more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, production of the model was stopped due to
with the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression that followed. We managed to produce only 100 copies of this unique car. .
In honor of the 8 Liter model created by W.O., a limited edition Mulsanne was released. For more information follow this link.
Bentley Derby
Due to financial difficulties, Bentley was sold to former rival Rolls-Royce in 1931, and production moved to Derby. The Bentley Derby was the first car produced here - first in 3 ½ Liter and later 4 ¼ Liter versions. The six-cylinder engine was smooth and quiet, producing approximately 120 horsepower. With. - a very impressive power characteristic for that time. Under the new owner, the quality of the cars remained the highest: they were stylish, refined, elegantly proportioned, fast and easy to drive.
Bentley Embiricos
In 1938, wealthy Greek racer André Embiricos, living in Paris, ordered a Bentley 4 ½ Liter with a streamlined, aerodynamic body made of duralumin, a lightweight aluminum alloy. This car had ideal qualities for a Gran Turismo model: it developed an unusually high top speed (maintaining a speed of 183.4 km/h on the Brooklands track for more than an hour) and was at the same time quite suitable for driving on public roads. Bentley was so inspired by this one-off that he decided to use these advantages to create cars for the general public in the coming years.
R-Type Continental
Bentley Embiricos encouraged Bentley to experiment
with a streamlined silhouette, which he was able to achieve after World War II. Thus, in 1952, the famous R-Type Continental line was born. Thanks to the squat, elongated and graceful body, smoothly sloping roofline and “fins”
on the rear wings, which increased stability, he could reach previously unprecedented cruising speeds
160 km/h, when there were four people in the cabin. At that time there were no motorways in Britain, and the real thrill of long-distance travel could only be had in continental Europe, which is why the model was called the Continental. The Autocar magazine described the R-Type as "a modern magic carpet that covers long distances without causing fatigue during the journey." This was the best praise for a Gran Turismo car. Its revolutionary design, including its distinctive power line, is reflected in Bentley's Gran Turismo models to this day.
Official website: www.bentleymotors.com
Headquarters: England
Bentley Cars Ltd. is an English company specializing in the production of cars.
The founder of the legendary aristocratic car brand, formed in 1919, Walter Owen Bentley, developed his first car with a 3-liter “four” together with F. Barges and G. Varley. In the fall of the same year, Walter Bentley showed his first-born at the London Motor Show, but production was only able to start after two years. By the way, from the very beginning Bentley set its sights on producing prestigious cars. The three-liter volume made the car unattainable for ordinary motorists, and the five-year warranty period, unique for that time, attracted the attention of wealthy people. The car had a simple name - 3L, which simply meant the presence of a 3-liter engine. Later this designation became traditional. And only somewhere in the mid-twenties did verbal designations, for example, Big Six, begin to appear in the name.
Bentley, without burdening himself with design delights, paid special attention to the technical side of the issue. He saw the main purpose of his cars in winning car races. Indeed, it rarely happened that Bentley cars did not win sports competitions. The use of large-volume engines made it possible to “remove” a considerable amount of horsepower from them. One of these was a 4.5L model with a Roots rotary supercharger placed in front of the radiator. This car was specially designed for the famous racer and industrial magnate G. Birkin. In those years, the car became one of the most powerful and fastest, and, despite the critical attitude towards it from Bentley himself, brought his company even greater fame.
In 1928-30 Cars of the “6.5L” model and its sports version “Speed Six” are assembled in small quantities. In three years, this car won the Le Mans race twice and Brookland three times.
Production of the "8L" model - the most expensive and prestigious in the company's line - began in 1930.
The beginning of the thirties was marked by the loss of Bentley's independence. Thus, through the mediation of Napier, Bentley became part of another elite automobile company, Rolls-Royce. This began a new stage in the history of the company, which in no way diminished the previously earned prestige and position. Bentley. now called SS Cars (meaning silent sports car) became the undisputed leader among high-performance British cars.
The first Bentley, created jointly with Rolls-Royce specialists, was the 3.5L model (1933). In 1936, the 4.5L model appeared based on the Rolls-Royce 20/25HP and Rolls-Royce25/30 HP. Since 1933, seven models of very similar design and construction have been produced.
Gradually, the production of Bentley cars began to move from Derby to the Rolls-Royce plant, located in Crewe. And the first fully created model there was the Mark-VI, which went into production a few months after the end of World War II. The basis for this car was the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith. And since 1955, all Bentley models have been complete copies of Rolls-Royce. However, despite the structural similarity of both brands, there was and remains to this day the main difference between them: Rolls-Royce is a representative car, and its owner’s seat is in the back. On the contrary, Bentley is a car for people who know how and love to drive a car.
In 1952, Bentley introduced the Continental model. It was a sports two-door car that gained fame as the fastest production sedan.
1955 - The S series demonstrated the final technical convergence of the brands. The Bentley S1 has become a copy of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith.
In 1963 the S3 model appeared. In 1965, the production of the Bentley T model began.
The production of turbocharged models begins in the 70s. are the Mulsanne Turbo and Turbo R models bearing the Bentley brand. According to experts, the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo has become one of the best sedans in the world, even compared to the Mercedes-Benz 600SEL.
The company's modern program took about 20 years to develop. In 1980, the Mulsanne model was presented, two years later a 300-horsepower turbocharged version was released, and a couple of years later a simplified version of the Eight was released. The remaining models were created according to the so-called “Project 90”, with different bodies and some external differences from their fellow Rolls-Royse - Turbo R and Brooklands, only the Continental model did not and has no analogues. The family of these expensive sports coupes is primarily intended for young and ambitious millionaires who find sports cars like Ferrari too utilitarian and lacking in comfort. Currently produced Continentals have three main modifications: “R”, “T” and “SC”. The “R” model is the cheaper one in the family (only $314,000) and is distinguished by distinctive trim, as well as a comfortable suspension that is at the same time perfectly tuned for fast driving. Model "T" has a wheelbase shortened by 100 mm, a sportier suspension and a powerful engine of 426 hp. But the most interesting of this “opera” is the “SC” (Sedanca Coupe) modification with a retractable hard roof. In its normal state, it is a closed coupe, however, if desired, part of the roof above the front seats is automatically retracted. And the latest models for today are the Azure convertible and, of course, the Bentley Arnage model, created on the basis of the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph.
In 1991, production of the Bentley Continental-Azure model began. Later in 1996, following the Continental R, the family of these cars was supplemented by the Continental T.
Production of the Bentley Azure model began in 1996.
In 1997, the first show of the Turbo RT model took place.
The upheavals in the automotive world today have seen Bentley Motors break free from the confines of Rolls-Royce and come under the control of Volkswagen AG in 1998.
Today, one of the main accents in the production program falls on the Arnage model (premiere in April 1998, Turin). It is equipped with a BMW V8 engine (4.4 l) with two Garrett turbochargers and is available in two basic versions - Red Label (a sportier version, 400 hp) and Green Label (354 hp). The safety of passengers in this ultra-luxury sedan is ensured by two airbags, ABS, traction-control, and a system that shuts off the fuel supply, unlocks the doors and separates the steering column in the event of an accident.
The timeless “classics” from Bentley are also in service - various versions of the Continental model (March 1991, Geneva), which are distinguished by excellent quality interior trim (leather from Conolli, panels made of rare wood or polished aluminum) and thoughtful chassis design. The most powerful Continental T with a short wheelbase and a 6.8-liter Vickers turbo engine develops 426 hp. and is rightfully considered one of the fastest coupes in the world - the maximum speed is 273 km/h with a total weight of 2850 kg. Like other Bentley models for the 1998 model year, the Continental gained a sportier, more aggressive look - the car now comes with alloy wheels and a matrix-shaped grille.
The design of the soft leather top for the Azure convertible was developed and produced by the Italian company Pininfarina. The Bentley convertible premiered at the end of 2000 at the Birmingham Motor Show.
2001 - Bently EX Speed 8 debuts on the American continent at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show.
In addition to all of the above, I would like to mention the Bentley S-2 model, which belonged to the greatest musician of the twentieth century - John Lennon. This car was specially purchased by him for the presentation of the Beatles album Yellow Submarine in America. To ensure the full breadth of perception of the new album and to attract a larger audience to it, the car was specially painted under the strict guidance of Lennon himself, in a unique psychedelic style, inspired by him and other members of the group, apparently after a fair amount of marijuana use. They say that the previous owner was so shocked when he saw the transformation that he was speechless for several minutes. Nevertheless, all these experiments made the car a unique exhibit of history, keeping the imprint of an era of long-gone years.
The history of the Bentley Motors brand is quite original and interesting, as are the cars of this manufacturer. It began in 1919, when the famous racer and mechanical specialist Walter Bentley decided to create his own sports car. The Bentley of the early years was precisely a sports car, not particularly comfortable, reliable and as simple as possible. The creator paid special attention to these parameters and always monitored them.
The first model was called Bentley 3L, where the number indicated the engine size of the car. It was he who attracted public attention to this interesting brand. The car turned out to be so well assembled that in 1921, when it went on sale, it sold well throughout England. However, Bentley was not a cheap car from the very beginning. In the early years of its existence, the reason for this was the outstanding sporting characteristics of the car. Outstanding indicators of speed, controllability and reliability made the car the lot of real professionals. The high price did not allow it to enter a wider market. Bentley Motors is one of the few companies that offered a full 5-year warranty on all its cars in the 1920s.
By 1930, the company produced several more expensive car models that boasted enviable technical characteristics. The market situation changes in 1930, when the whole world is gripped by the Great Depression. By this time, the demand for expensive sports cars was noticeably declining, the races themselves were practically not held, and the last major undertaking of the brand was the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1930. Unable to compromise, Walter Bentley releases a new car - even more expensive and fast. As a result, the company practically goes bankrupt and is acquired by Rolls-Royce Motors Ltd.
The purpose and appearance of cars under the Bentley brand has changed since then. The spartan, ascetic design is replaced by a more expensive one, borrowed from most models of Rolls-Royce Motors Ltd of that time. The founder of Bentley himself remains with the company for another 4 years, after which he leaves it. Unfortunately, the period from 1931 to 1980 is associated with the undeserved oblivion of the Bentley brand.
At this time, cars are positioned as luxury means of transportation for wealthy people who are accustomed to driving cars. Bentley becomes a kind of analogue of Rolls-Royce itself, only with better technical characteristics. A certain pomposity and arrogance of status appears, which absorbs the truly sporty character of the cars.
The Bentley line is divided into 3 series: Red Label, Black Label and Green Label.
In the first, comfort is at the forefront, in the second - sporting characteristics, and the third is an average option.
Bentley cars existed in this form until 1980, when serious changes occurred in the automobile market.
At this time, the Volkswagen Group acquired the Bentley brand and mastered its production at new factories. The car began to transform, both internally and externally. German specialists returned it to its former sporting spirit and updated its visual design. An entire department was created, which to this day works on the individualization of each Bentley model. In 2003, the converted stock car won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time since 1930.
In 2002, Bentley presented Queen Elizabeth II with a service limousine in honor of her Golden Jubilee.
In 2003, sales of the two-door Bentley Azure convertible grew, and the company introduced the most expensive coupe-convertible - the Bentley Continental GT. The car was so popular that the Cheshire plant was unable to keep up with demand. As a result, the production of the 4-door version of the Continental GT and the new Flying Spur series was moved to the Transparent Factory.
At the beginning of 2006, Bentley showed a model of the 4-seater Azure convertible, which was created by modifying the Arnage Drophead Coupe prototype. In November of the same year, the Continental GT and Continental GTC convertibles were born.
In 2007, the milestone of 10,000 cars per year was reached with a record profit of €155 million.
In 2009, Bentley announced a new version of the Continental at the Geneva Motor Show called the Continental Supersport. It was the culmination of incredible power with environmentally friendly FlexFuel technology, a hybrid that consumes gasoline and ethanol.
Unfortunately, in 2009 Bentley sales fell by 50% to just over 4,500 vehicles.
In 2010, Bentley Motors signed an agreement with the famous manufacturer of frames and sunglasses - the Austrian family business Estede, its specialists worked on the creation of sunglasses Estede for Bentley together with a group of designers responsible for the image of these famous British cars.. At the request of the customer, sunglasses glasses that are strictly numbered may be engraved with the owner's name and/or Bentley car model name.
In particular, thanks to this PR move, the brand's sales are gradually increasing, but for the first time since 2008, Bentley brought profit to its owners only in 2011.
In 2012, in Geneva, Bentley presented its first SUV in the history of the company - EXP 9 F. The prototype of the production model, whose main competitor is the Porsche Cayenne, received a lot of negative reviews, both from journalists and from customers.
In 2013, Bentley joined the ranks with the Continental GT Speed Convertible, the world's fastest four-seat convertible with exhilarating supercar performance and an upgraded 616 hp W12 engine.
For 2014, the Mulsanne range has been updated with new specifications, including Comfort and Entertainment, including leather upholstery options and a signature luggage kit. In March, the Bentley Flying Spur, the sleek and most powerful sedan in the world, is shown at the Geneva Motor Show.
The Flying Spur is a large four-door grand tourer that is often compared to a Rolls-Royce, offering most of the same luxury features as the Mulsanne but at a slightly lower price.
The Flying Spur is available in two basic versions, W12 and V8. In 2014, a new version of the Flying Spur was introduced to the market featuring new styling and improved fuel economy, although the 12-cylinder engine is unlikely to ever be fuel efficient.
And finally, the last model, which is still in development and has not yet entered the market, is the Bentley SUV.
Bentley just recently took the wraps off its new SUV. So far, little is known about this amazingly luxurious car, but its sales will start in Russia in the coming months (although the price tag has not yet been announced). The British promise to begin deliveries at the beginning of 2016. Immodestly declaring that they built “the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world.”
Today, Bentley cars are considered the standard of expensive style. This is not surprising, because their interiors are trimmed with leather by hand, and the quality of all parts is kept at the highest level.
Bentley cars, which were originally produced in England, amaze at first glance with their luxury, high quality and presentability. They not only have the status of comfortable equipment, but also combine elite design and unique technical characteristics. An excellent engineering solution. Bentley on the road is grace, speed, freedom and complete safety.
In the modern world, car manufacturers have numerous branches scattered around the world. Undoubtedly, the quality of a model is directly related to where it is assembled. Therefore, in car enthusiast circles it is often discussed which country is the manufacturer of Bentley.
But in the 21st century of industrial globalism, where parts are manufactured and assembled in different parts of the world, it is quite difficult to determine the owner of a particular brand of car. Based on outdated facts, the country of origin of the Bentley is England. But how true this is is difficult to say. First of all, we need to turn to the origins and development of this brand.
Bentley brand history
The progenitor of the luxury brand was Walter Owen Bentley. The opening of Bentley Motors in early 1919 coincided with the dawn of the global automobile industry. At that time, no one even suspected the mass production of this brand.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, cars were produced directly for racing, and only after winning them did the brand become popular. Then the young Benlty was inspired by the idea of becoming a racing leader and glorifying great Britain. All efforts were aimed at strength and speed, there was no emphasis on design. The brand's signature logo has become outstretched wings, carefully hugging the letter “B”. The first car was equipped with a 2-liter engine and the supercar was the first to reach the finish line. Then they began to use three and eight liter engines. But having gone through a cascade of enchanting victories, the company suffered a number of falls and failures.
Challenging times for Bentley Motors
At the end of the 30s, after a magnificent rise, there came a steep fall for Bentley, the country of manufacture, which still remained England. It started with the new model failing to reach the finish line. Then came the Great Depression, when interest in luxury cars dropped. As a result, the stamp was forced to be put up for auction. The buyer, present incognito, turned out to be a representative of the rival company Rolls Royce. As a result, the brand radically changed its priorities and began to be created on the basis of competitors.
Racing is a thing of the past. Now Bentley is the car of young aristocrats, combining comfort and speed. The exclusive of the model line was the Bentley Continental, which won the “car of the year” nomination.
The second “black stripe” of the brand
By the 1990s, Rolls itself was in financial crisis. He stopped being competitive. The company was put up for sale. For the sake of owning one of the majestic brands in the world, competitors launched a real war. BMW's offer was outbid at the last minute by Volkswagen, which offered more than $800,000. But for the Bentley car, England remains the country of origin. While the whole world congratulated the winner, competitors regretted that they did not take the main prize. Subsequently, the Continental GT appeared on the market, impressing the public with its design.
At the dawn of the 2000s, automakers, being in wild competition with each other, began to use militant marketing moves. An open advertising confrontation began, first between BMW and Mercedes, then between Jaguar and Audi. Advertising banners were full of humiliating signatures. But everyone was amazed by Bentley, which broke all the templates at once. In a short advertising video, a very respectable man shows his middle finger against the backdrop of a winged emblem. This was regarded as the indestructibility of the English brand over the German one. Such a provocative plot not only provoked controversy among the public, but also proved the effectiveness of provocative advertising.
Country of manufacture of Bentley today
Bentley is the car of the royal elite. Today it is going to England, in the town of Crewe. A combination of handcrafting and 21st century automotive advancements. And all this at the same factory. Engineers use high-tech, ultra-precise robots for their work. A request has been received for an exclusive model. And a supercar with the name Mulsan and with the light hand of engineers turned out.
Note to Russian car enthusiasts
It appeared in Russia through dealer agencies in 1995. And only in 2012, when the automaker itself founded the Russian plant of the Bentley brand, whose country of origin is England, the brand became of interest to domestic buyers.
For the company, the Russian site is one of the most tempting, so it always tries to surprise the Russian car enthusiast. Thus, three models can already be purchased in Russia: Mulsanne, Flying Spur and Continental. And soon the brand will launch its newest supercar - the SUV Bentley Bentayga.
Bentley Motors Ltd. is a British manufacturer of premium cars headquartered in Crewe. It is part of the German automaker Volkswagen Group.
The company was founded on January 18, 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley. He was interested in mechanisms from childhood, and for 16 years he already worked as an assistant at the locomotive factory in Doncaster. He then studied engineering theory at King's College London. In addition to trains and the railway, he was passionate about motorcycles and cars, so he took part in motorcycle races and long-distance rallies.
Walter, along with his brother Horace Milner Bentley, saw promise in the automobile business. They started by running the Unic taxi fleet in London. After that, they sold French DPF cars, opening the Bentley&Bentley company in the capital of Great Britain. To increase sales, Bentley entered DPF cars into competitions, considering it the most effective marketing tool.
In 1913, to increase speed, Walter rebuilt the French brand's engine using pistons of his own design made of aluminum. This was a real breakthrough in engine design. This came in especially handy during the First World War, when aviation needed light power units. In addition, Bentley worked to improve the reliability of rotary engines, and also designed two new aircraft engines - Bentley Rotary 1 and 2. Successful technical discoveries made a name for the company, and also brought money for further projects.
After the end of the war, the Bentley brothers decide to start producing their own cars. In 1919, the first Bentley 3-liter model appeared. She received a four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 65 hp. With. with four valves and two spark plugs per cylinder, as well as a camshaft located at the top. The model was presented at the London Motor Show, where it aroused great interest among the public.
Despite the high cost of £1,050, the company immediately received orders for the car, but it did not go on sale immediately, but only in 1921. Before this, a team of engineers and testers tested and improved prototypes. Production units were not only innovative from a technical point of view, but also reliable. The company gave a five-year guarantee on them. At the same time, the body was manufactured in specialized studios.
Bentley 3-litre (1921-1929)
Cars designed for wealthy buyers did not bring huge profits to the company, so it was in a precarious financial position. The company was saved by participation in races, which brought not only fame, but also loyal admirers and racers who formed the Bentley boys cohort.
Wealthy Britons who raced Bentley cars brought the brand great victories: at Brooklands (1921), a speed record of 139.67 km/h (1922), and in the Le Mans Rally (1924). One of the Bentley boys, Wolf Barnato, saved the company from bankruptcy in 1926 and became its chairman, holding this post until 1931. However, the economic situation was deteriorating, and the demand for expensive cars was falling. By 1931, it became obvious that the brand would not be able to maintain its independence. Rolls-Royce bought it. In 1935, Walter Owen Bentley left the company.
The release of the original Bentley 3-litre was followed by the release of a larger 4.5-litre model, which received a more massive body, and later a 6.5-litre version appeared. The 4.5-liter engine model later became known as James Bond's choice in the original novels.
Previously, the Bentley trademark had not been registered, and as soon as the company became the property of Rolls-Royce, the parent company hastened to correct this defect. The Cricklewood plant was closed and later sold. Until 2004, all cars of the brand were built using Rolls-Royce chassis and engines.
In 1933, a new Bentley 3.5-liter appeared. It was a sports version of the Rolls-Royce 20/25. It disappointed some clients, but was received with interest by others. The car retained the characteristic curved shape of the radiator, known from early models, but the name Rolls-Royce was visible in all significant technical parameters. Engine power was 110 hp. at 4500 rpm, which allowed the car to reach up to 145 km/h.
Bentley 3.5-litre (1933-1939)
In 1938, the British government purchased the site on the west side of Crewe for Rolls-Royce. This was necessary to organize production in anticipation of war. After its completion, the assembly of passenger cars was moved here.
In the immediate post-war years, premium car manufacturers such as Bentley and Rolls-Royce did not produce finished cars. They sold mainly chassis. Buyers chose the body at their own discretion in specialized car dealerships.
However, the company continued to carry out developments, which resulted in the creation of a steel body. The first model to receive it was the Bentley Mark VI. It was also the first car to be completely assembled at the automaker's plant.
The car was equipped with a 4.3 liter six-cylinder engine. Later, a 4.6-liter version was released, equipped with a four-speed manual transmission.
In 1952, the R-Type Continental appeared with a 4.5-liter six-cylinder inline engine, well-thought-out aerodynamics and low weight. Thanks to these qualities, the model soon received the title of the fastest production sedan, as well as the best car of the year in the UK. In 1955, the S series appeared, which was a copy of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, aimed at wealthy owners who preferred to drive their car themselves.
Then came the S2 model with a modernized lightweight eight-cylinder engine, which was produced for the American market. This hand-assembled 6.2-liter engine is still installed in cars of the brand.
Bentley Continental (1952)
Until 1965, the company was mainly engaged in copying Rolls-Royce prototypes. In the mid-60s, Serie T appeared, belonging to the Continental family. It was sold at a lower price and was equipped with a comfortable, well-tuned suspension and a shortened wheelbase. Developing a top speed of 273 km/h, the car was able to earn the reputation of the fastest coupe in the world.
In 1970, the Mulsanne Turbo and Mulsanne Turbo R models were released, called the best sedans in their class. In 1982, a four-door version of the model appeared, built on the basis of the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit. From this moment on, the formation of the company’s modern model range begins, and the brand becomes more and more firmly established in the market for premium quality cars, squeezing out the parent company.
In 1991, the Bentley Continental R was released, becoming the brand's first model since the 1954 R Type Continental with an independently designed body. In 1994, new versions of the Turbo S and Continental S were released. In 1996, the Bentley Continental T with a 400-horsepower engine was released, which won the title of the brand’s most powerful road car.
In July 1998, the Rolls-Royce Motor Car company was transferred to the Volkswagen AG concern. At the same time, BMW buys the rights to use the Rolls-Royce brand; from January 1, 2003, Bentley and Rolls-Royce become independent companies.
Despite persistent rumors about the death of the brand, Volkswagen is investing £500 million in it, modernizing production in Crewe and developing new models. Already in 1999, the Bentley Arnage Red Label was released with a 6.75-liter V8 engine. Since 2000, Bentley has again competed in Le Mans.
In 2002, one of the most significant cars in the history of the brand was introduced - the Continental GT. At the UK Motor Show it won the Institute of Automotive Engineers' Best Luxury Car and Best Car of Show awards. It is equipped with a 12-cylinder engine with a displacement of 6 liters and a power of 575 hp. with fuel consumption 26.5 l/100 km.
With this car, Finnish rally driver Juha Kankkunen set a world speed record on ice, accelerating the car to 321.65 km/h.
Bentley Continental GT (2002)
The next new products presented by the brand were the Azure convertible coupe, the Brooklands coupe, the Azure T, the fastest among the production models of the Continental Super Sports, and the new flagship in the Grand Tourer class Mulsanne.
In 2012, the Bentley EXP 9F SUV concept car debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, the production version of which, under the name Bentayga, promises to be released in 2015. In 2013, the world's fastest four-seater Continental GT Speed Convertible was shown. It is equipped with a 616-horsepower W12 engine and an eight-speed transmission.
Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible (2013)
Bentley cars began appearing in Russia in 1995, but at that time the brand worked with Russian customers through partners. The company's official representative office opened in 2012, when the British automaker bought one of its former Russian partners, Mercury, founding Bentley Russia.
The British auto company considers the Russian market one of its priorities, and therefore seeks to expand its presence there. Now in Russia you can buy cars of three models: Mulsanne, Flying Spur and Continental. In addition, the brand is going to introduce one of its most anticipated new products to the Russian market - the SUV Bentley Bentayga.
