RE: Latest Pictures: The New Bentley Continental GT

[Fittster]

This class argument is getting a little boring on PH. Rich people be they bankers, footballers or general swells can and do own pretty much any expensive car you care to name.

Either there is no car which allows you to determine the class of the owner or there are only 6 people with class in the entire UK who all buy Bristols.

[bakerjuk]

lordlee said:

I don't think I like that front end treatment one bit but j shall reserve judgement until I have seen it in the flesh

Yet another well informed Dig at something you have no idea about.. The one above has no "front end treatment" as it is the old model. Before you start slagging something off at least READ what you are writing about.

Too often on this forum are cars attacked for no reason, it makes it a joke of a forum IMHO.

[MogulBoy]

GFWilliams said:

So long as they keep the LED brake light above the rear screen. Only bit I've liked about the car!

I'm the opposite. I always thought that the third brake light was its worst feature!

P.S. When these first came out, I didn't think too much of them but they have really grown on me (the Speed in particular) and I'm pleased that the scooped shots show that they haven't done too much with the new model. Bring it on!

[LayZ]

Haha the nav unit looks the same as the one in my Dad's Skoda Superb.

[Rochester TVR]

Will catch this one at home due to internet security at work.

Have to say Im not convinced of the new signiture headlight arrangement Bentley now have... maybe its better in the flesh?

Reminds me of this

[soad]

Nice motor all the same. I liked the old one, and I like the new one too.

[havoc]

10 Pence Short said:

The whole thing is very faux class. The marketing is saying by having one you will have class, the reality is that if it needs to say that, you don't and you won't.

Commercially I'm sure it'll work, because there are more wealthy people with dubious taste and the need to be seen to be wealthy than those who prefer to avoid making statements.

It's sad, in that to my mind the Bentley playing poor man to Rolls was infinately more preferable to the new VAG incarnation.

I think it's more about general 'image' (fashion - this is a fashionable car amongst certain circles) than class necessarily, although for some there's an element of that.

I agree with you that the old Bentleys had more 'gravitas' to them - you bought them because you wanted the class of a Rolls but the ability to be a total hooligan at times in a very un-Rolls way. "New Bentley" is now just the marque between Audi and Bugatti, and the only hooligan left in it is the one behind the wheel.

[SWoll]

jake15919 said:

SWoll said:

jake15919 said:

SWoll said:

jake15919 said:

fatboy b said:

Another busy day in the design studio

The Porsche designers must have given them some advice on the 'new' look.

Why would Bentley want to completely redesign a vehicle that has been as hugely successful for them as the Conti GT?

It makes total commercial sense to not mess with a winning formula too much and drive away your loyal customers.

There are enough manufacturers to choose from, if you dont like Bentleys styling then you buy an Aston instead, for example.

Look what happened to Subarus UK sales when they dramatically restyled the Impreza in 2000 and again in 2008....

Bentley released the Brookland which in my opinion was a stunning car that screamed Bentley.The Mulsanne looks a bit odd but it is clearly a Bentley. The Conti and Flying Spur on the other hand look dull and uninspiring. They look like early A8s/ VW Passats.

You mention Aston. Astons all seem similar but have the advantage of being stunningly good looking. The Conti on the other hand isn't, and wont be in the immediate future judging bu the Bentley website.

Look at Rolls Royce. The Phantom range and Ghost are modern, interesting, classy and clearly top of the tree. They are Rolls Royce. The Continental range on the other hand are not Bentley.

Think you might want to add a IMHO to your posts. Styling is a very subjective subject and as such it is virtually impossible to please everyone.

I also don't think you picked up on the point of my post TBH, I'm not defending Bentleys styling decisions (though I do like the Conti GT personally.) but as a commercial exercise the Conti GT it has been hugely successful for Bentley and it would be crazy for them to dramatically restyle it. They are running a business after all.

I totally accept your point that the Conti has been a sales success, and as such playing safe may be the right option at this time, but what happens when the new customers move on because the product is not significantly different/ new?

Never could work out why IMHO was necessary when giving an opinion. Just thought it was self-explanatory.

I would suggest that Bentley will ensure that they keep a close eye on public opinion, sales and new customer enquiries and only make significant changes if the market demands it.

Any vehicle manufacturer requires a strong brand identity, especially in the high end luxury sector, so keeping a consistant design philosphy is key.

As much as people bemoan the lack of changes in Porsche styling, they aren't doing to badly are they....

[mybrainhurts]

story said:

an online reveal

When did reveal become a noun...?

[lionrampant]

Couldn't help but notice the actual microsite seems to duff up. Going to the URL of the iframe it contains worked thought. http://www.continentalcountdown.com.asp1-14.dfw1-2...

[FourWheelDrift]

mybrainhurts said:

story said:

an online reveal

When did reveal become a noun...?

Dictionary said:

re·veal
 
–verb
1. to make known; disclose; divulge: to reveal a secret.
2. to lay open to view; display; exhibit.

–noun
3. an act or instance of revealing; revelation; disclosure.

[10JH]

On in 7 mins.

[Beefmeister]

Can't see a damn thing.

Anyone else see a streaming video?

[ArtVandelay]

bakerjuk said:

lordlee said:

I don't think I like that front end treatment one bit but j shall reserve judgement until I have seen it in the flesh

Yet another well informed Dig at something you have no idea about.. The one above has no "front end treatment" as it is the old model. Before you start slagging something off at least READ what you are writing about.

Too often on this forum are cars attacked for no reason, it makes it a joke of a forum IMHO.

Yet another dig at something you have no idea about. If you READ the story, the link at the bottom shows the new front end treatment.

Too often on this forum are people attacked for no reason, it makes a joke of a forum IMHO.

[Denorth]

I don't know but I saw actual pictures about an hour ago on this link:
http://auto.lenta.ru/news/2010/09/07/bentley/


EDIT: text says that it was american Automobile that published pictures three hour ahead of 'revealing'

Edited by Denorth on Tuesday 7th September 15:11

[10JH]

Looks smart, but not sure on those rear lights. Very plain.

[Esseesse]

Subtle, but it is prettier than the original.

[louiebaby]

Is it an "ALL NEW" car under the skin? They seem to have taken a leaf out of the Porsche School of Automotive Design.

Different enough to make people who have one want a new one, but similar enough to not ruin the residuals of the old ones...

[Nick_Johnson]

Never been a fan of the GT but this tweak in styling is a improvement without question and I have no doubt the underpinnings have all been heavily revised to make it an even better car. But if I had to buy a large Coupe/GT it would have to be the new CL63 AMG.

[Denorth]

so far I read on Russian site:

- every single body panel is new
- new seats (thinner) and new front seatbelts (fixed on the body, not the seats)
- 65kg lighter
- the car is a little bit wider
- new suspension
- new settings for the sterring
- new shock absorbers
- 575HP for W12 (instead of 560), 0-60 in 4.4 sec
- new engine in addition to W12. It will be 4.0litre V8 build 'in the cooperation' with Audi. Price for such car (V8) will be close to one with W12. It will not be positioned as the 'basic' model.