Mysterious Bentley Continental GT Spied in Spain: Could it be a Hybrid Prototype?

To be completely honest, we were quite hesitant to post these photos of a mysterious Bentley Continental GT coupe that was snapped by one of our spy photographers in western Spain, close to the borders with Portugal. Our man claimed that the Continental GT was equipped with some sort of electric motor / battery pack, visible from the rear window. While it looks like there's something present in the trunk, unfortunately, the photos aren't clear enough for us make a positive ID.

So why did we decide to post these photographs then? Well, thing is that we have been hearing rumors about a gasoline -or diesel- electric hybrid model from Bentley for quite some time now. So even though the positioning of the electric motor/ battery pack (whatever that is in the photos) might seem weird, it could be a prototype model used to test the system.

But without any additional info from a credible inside source, all this is just pure speculation, and we're definitely not in the business of making stories up.

And yes, the thought that the alleged test driver might have been just carrying some sort of equipment in the trunk, did pass through our mind. So for the time being and until we discover something new, just consider this article as a sort of a 'think-out-loud' post. As always, if you have any thoughts -serious or humorous- don't keep them to yourselves, scroll down to the comment section and share them with us.

MTM's Birkin Edition Tuning Package for Bentley Models

Bavaria's Motoren Technik Mayer, or simply MTM, has launched a new tuning package for the Bentley Continental GT, GTC, Flying Spur, GT Speed, GTC Speed, and Continental Supersports models. Dubbed Birkin Edition, the package includes a two-stage engine kit that helps boost the twin-turbocharged W12's output to 635HP or 650HP, the latter producing a peak toque figure of 795Nm or 586-lbs/ft. MTM claims that with the 650HP kit, the Continental GT shaved three seconds off the standard car's lap time on the short Hockenheim circuit, and three seconds in the 0 to 200 km/h sprint time, which was achieved in 15.9 seconds.

In addition to the engine upgrades, MTM's Birkin Edition package includes a new four-pipe exhaust system and a suspension kit that lowers the ride height (depending on the model) up to 25mm up front and 35mm at the rear, plus a new 6-caliper brake system for the front wheels. A chrome grille and a set of 21-inch 'Bimoto' lightweight alloy wheels complete the package that starts from €20,000 or about $28,200 with today's exchange rates.

Anderson Germany's Bentley GT Speed Elegance Edition

Leaving no stone unturned, Anderson Germany has presented a new tuning take on the Bentley Continental GT Speed. Called the Elegance Edition, the package enhances the British grand tourer with number of performance and styling goodies.

Exterior dress-up pieces include a carbon fiber bonnet with additional air intakes and a new boot lid made from the same lightweight material. Carbon fiber can also be found on the new front and rear bumpers, with the LED daytime running lights, side skirts and new chrome grilles up front completing the body kit which is limited to 150 pieces worldwide.

In the interior, the cabin has been decked out in carbon fiber trim while the seats are now finished in black leather with contrasting white stitching.

The Continental GT Speed leaves Bentley's factory in Crewe with a 610HP W12. Thanks to a series of modifications including software optimization, a new air filter and a sport exhaust system with additional Rennkats, output is lifted to 695-horsepower. A remote-controlled valve adjusting the exhaust that allows the driver to choose from three different noise levels is also part of the package.

Anderson Germany did not release pricing for the Elegance Edition.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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China's Huatai Group Working on Bentley Continental Sedan Clone

There seems to be no end in sight for China's lust for cheap knockoffs that shamelessly copy the designs of anything produced in the West. Now, the Chinese media are reporting that a company we've never heard before called Huatai Group, is prepping a new mid-size sedan that looks a "tee bit" like the Bentley Continental Flying Spur saloon. There's no specific info on the car but if these renderings are anything to go by, then the VW Group owned British firm ought to start looking into the matter before we see it in the flesh at a future Chinese motorshow.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Bentley Releases Pricing for 2011 Continental GT before Paris Debut

If you're interested in the redesigned 2011 Continental GT, you'll be happy to know that Bentley released pricing today and has confirmed that customer deliveries of the twin-turbocharged W12 model will start in the first quarter of 2011.

Technical specs and pricing of the newly added base model, which is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 engine and will be available later in 2011, have not yet been announced.

Excluding delivery charges, for those of you living in the USA, the revised Conti' Coupe W12 will cost you $189,900 if you don't tick any option boxes. In Europe, the base pre-tax price is set at €154,600, while in the UK, pricing starts at £135,760 (including VAT).

Along with the refreshed exterior and interior styling, the 2011 Continental GT also benefits from a revised version of the firm's 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 delivering 575-horsepower and 700Nm or 516 lb-ft of peak torque allowing the coupe to burst from 0 to 60mph (96km/h) in 4.4 seconds reach a top speed of 198 mph or 318 km/h.

The Continental GT will its official public debut at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris tomorrow. For more details on the facelift, click here to read our previous post.

2011 CONTINENTAL GT – PRICING

POUNDS STERLING---£135,760

US DOLLAR-----------$189,900 MSRP

EURO------------------€154, 600

RENMINBI-------------¥3,500,000

YEN--------------------¥24,150,000

All prices are exclusive of delivery charges

• Pounds sterling pricing is inclusive of 20 % VAT (1 January, 2011)
  
• Euro prices do not include individual market taxation rates
  
• US Dollar pricing is exclusive of individual state taxes
  
• Additional market-specific pricing information will be released by Bentley Motors during October, 2010.