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Bentley rolls out updates across Continental range [w/videos]

Hard as it may be to believe, it's been a dozen years now since Bentley first introduced the Continental GT. After a proliferation of engine variants and body styles, a substantially updated range was launched in 2011, but even that was four years ago. Little wonder, then, that the British automaker has announced a raft of updates for its most successful model line. For the 2016 model year, first of all, the Continental range benefits from some updated styling. There's a revised front bumper and grille, reprofiled fenders with a metallic B vent, a character line running towards the rear fender, a more sculpted trunk lid, a new rear diffuser for the performance-oriented V8 S and GT Speed models, and an array of new 20- and 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Continental has been fitted with new seats – straight-fluted on standard models, diamond-quilted on Mulliner and GT Speed models – as well as new controls and trim. The crew from Crewe has also revised the marque's signature 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12, increasing output from 567 horsepower to 582 and from 516 pound-feet to 531. Bentley's not saying what performance advantage the enhanced twelve-cylinder engine will net, but it doesn't come at the expense of fuel economy: in fact, with a new cylinder deactivation feature, fuel consumption is cut by five percent despite the power boost. Finally the four-door Flying Spur gets some new equipment including wheels, steering wheel, instruments and trim, with the W12 engine (shared with the GT Speed) benefiting from the same cylinder deactivation system to improve its environmental credentials. Look for the updated 2016 model range to be presented at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, now just weeks away. The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. NEW STYLE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR LUXURY GRAND TOURING - A suite of design upgrades and features for Continental GT family - Continental GT W12 increases to 590 PS and 720 Nm, improving performance and efficiency - Flying Spur offers even more bespoke four door luxury (Crewe, 17th February 2015) Bentley Motors is building on the global demand for the Continental GT family with a suite of contemporary design updates and new exquisite features for its most successful model.

2024 Bentley Bentayga EWB Mulliner is a private jet for the road

The high-riding Bentayga has stood proud as Bentley's range-topping model since the Mulsanne retired in 2020. The brand is cementing its first SUV's flagship positioning by launching an even more luxurious evolution of the extended-wheelbase version called EWB Mulliner. Developed, as its name implies, by the in-house Mulliner division, the long-wheelbase SUV rides on 22-inch wheels fitted with self-leveling center caps and wears a model-specific Double Diamond grille. Designers also added a chromed lower front grille, a Mulliner-branded badge on each fender, and two-tone door mirror caps. The list of options includes an appearance package called Mulliner Blackline Specification that replaces most of the bright trim pieces with gloss black parts and adds gloss black-finished 21-inch wheels for a more subtle look. We doubt anyone will yell "shotgun!" before taking a long trip in the Bentayga EWB Mulliner, as the best seats in the house are in the back. Offered with four or five seats, the SUV comes standard with the Bentley Airline Seat option that brings 22-way power-adjustable rear seats, an automatic climate-sensing system that detects whether the occupants are hot or cold and adjusts the heating or the ventilation accordingly, and postural adjustment technology that continuously changes the shape of the seat to ease pressure points. Two seating modes are available: Relax reclines the seat to nearly 40 degrees and deploys a footrest while Business moves it to its most upright position. Mulliner also added diamond-quilted leather upholstery, wood interior trim, wool floor mats and a three-dimensional diamond-milled finish on the center console, and it lets buyers choose one of eight three-color upholstery combinations created specifically for the flagship Bentayga. Alternatively, customers can work with the brand to design a one-of-a-kind interior. The finishing touch is an analog clock on the dashboard. If you have something to celebrate, Bentley can help: there's space for a bottle and two champagne flutes on the rear center console. Power comes from a 4.0-liter V8 that's twin-turbocharged to 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. It spins the four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and it sends this living room on wheels from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 180 mph. The list of standard features includes rear-wheel steering, a 48-volt anti-roll control system and an air suspension system.

VW makes $23K on every Porsche sold, more than Bentley or Lamborghini

It's a good time to be in the luxury car business. In Volkswagen Group's financial report for the 2013 fiscal year, it is revealed that that Porsche enjoyed an operating margin of 18 percent. That means the Stuttgart brand made on average about $23,200 per car sold, according to BusinessWeek. Bentley wasn't far behind, and Audi (which was combined with Lamborghini) posted a 10.1 percent margin. This compares to only around 2.9 percent for the Volkswagen brand.
"Luxury brands are on fire," said Dave Sullivan, an industry analyst at AutoPacific. He said that the average profit margin is between six and eight percent. Brands like Porsche and Bentley have the benefit of competing in rarefied markets. Buyers looking at one their vehicles have fewer models to shop against and don't care as much about price. They can also charge more for options, which further boosts income, according to BusinessWeek.
In a way, we should be more impressed by the continued success from Audi. Its models generally have direct competitors in every segment from the other premium automakers. Plus, their buyers aren't the captains of industry who are shopping for a Bentley. Still, the Four Rings is leading rivals in sales so far this year.