Monday 12th December 2011

New V8s for Bentley Conti GT at Detroit

W12 model to get 'little brother' V8 for 2012

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Bentley is to drop an 'entry level' twin-turbo V8 into its Continental GT and GTC models for January's Detroit motor show.

In most model ranges of course, a 507hp, 487lb ft 4.0-litre V8 would hardly be considered a starting point. But then most model ranges don't also include a 640hp W12 version (which, in the case of the Conti GT, will carry on).

The new models will be distinguished from their 12-cylinder brethren by black grilles, red badges and 'figure eight' exhaust pipes

The new engine, which produces its chunky 487lb ft of torque all the way from 1700 to 5000rpm, uses a new eight-speed ZF auto to help propel the car to 180mph, hitting 60mph from rest in less than 5.0 seconds.

It is also part of Bentley's drive toward more efficient cars and, although Crewe isn't releasing official fuel consumption figures until next year, Bentley reckons its new engine will take the Conti GT 500miles on a single tank and be 40 per cent more efficient than its W12 big brother.

The new V8 manages this courtesy of cylinder deactivation that (they say) ensures "a seamless and imperceptible transition from V8 to V4 mode under light throttle load". The hi-tech V8 also features high pressure direct injection, low friction bearings, thermal management and energy recuperation, they say.

We say: if twin-turbo V8s are the future of green motoring, give us more, please...

 

 

[richard300]

The grey one pictured looks great......

Much in the way of weight savings up front?

[Stu R]

Lovely IMO, especially in red.

[PILCH 23]

This is progress. Lighter and more efficient will mean that it will cost PHers less to run them when the footballers and nuevos sell them. Hopefully like E46 M3s the image will get better with time!

[smellypoo]

Sadly, the Continental GT generally does suffer from the curse of the 'celebrity' owner. For example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk1y4yBYRRA

It's almost a shame to disregard what is quite possibly a brilliant car just because of who drives them, be they footballers, rappers, reality TV people etc.

I don't have nearly enough money to consider buying one, sadly - would love to be in the position where "who else drives one?" becomes a factor in the decision making process! I wonder what they are actually like to drive? The stats quoted are quite impressive (to me, anyway!)

[Carnnoisseur]

Well overdue and definitely a step in the right direction. However, I don't anticipate much of a price difference between the variants. I'm sure I read something about Bentley heading in the "diesel route" for 2012?

[Balmoral Green]

'New V8', what's wrong with the 'Old V8'?

I suppose it doesn't fit, in the same way it wouldn't fit in an RS6. Diesel is a good possibility and will probably happen soon, lots of good VAG diesels to put in it.

[V88Dicky]

So is this a highly revised version of BMW's 4.0 V8 found in the current M3?


ETA; bks! It's VW that owns Bentley, isn't it?

[mybrainhurts]

smellypoo said:

Sadly, the Continental GT generally does suffer from the curse of the 'celebrity' owner. For example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk1y4yBYRRA

Mmmmm....yellow beads. Nice.

And it can write...

[appletonn]

V88Dicky said:

So is this a highly revised version of BMW's 4.0 V8 found in the current M3?

Errrm, eh??!!!

[troc]

V88Dicky said:

So is this a highly revised version of BMW's 4.0 V8 found in the current M3?

That's really rather unlikely

[Balmoral Green]

mybrainhurts said:

Mmmmm....yellow beads. Nice.

And it can write...

It would be nice to think that he knew what Bentley was all about. But he does, this is now what Bentley is all about!

[10JH]

Doesn't look much different from the W12. What's the price difference going to be?

Edit: side by side shots comparing the two here - http://www.carbuzz.co.uk/blog/Continental-GT-V8

Edited by 10JH on Monday 12th December 13:31

[vit4]

I'm not a fan of the Conti GT, mostly because of the image but also I've found it slightly bland looking (although the facelift is much better! When did that happen? )

However gave it a '10' because if it's half as efficient as the article makes it to be, then there's some glimmer of hope for us yet

[V88Dicky]

troc said:

V88Dicky said:

So is this a highly revised version of BMW's 4.0 V8 found in the current M3?

That's really rather unlikely

V88Dicky said:

So is this a highly revised version of BMW's 4.0 V8 found in the current M3?


ETA; bks! It's VW that owns Bentley, isn't it?

[Balmoral Green]

V88Dicky said:

BMW's 4.0 V8

Rolls Royce did use a BMW V8 in the first Arnage models. It wasn't well received. They put the old V8 in the car due to overwhelming demand, and sales quadrupled.

[gary71]

Balmoral Green said:

Rolls Royce did use a BMW V8 in the first Arnage models. It wasn't well received. They put the old V8 in the car due to overwhelming demand, and sales quadrupled.

It was the BMW V12

[Balmoral Green]

gary71 said:

It was the BMW V12

In the Seraph, Arnage got the V8.

[Triumph Man]

gary71 said:

It was the BMW V12

The Silver Seraph got the V12, the Arnage initially had a 4.4 V8, and then the venerable 6.75 V8.

ETA: Sorry BG, you were obviously too quick for me

Edited by Triumph Man on Monday 12th December 13:39

[mybrainhurts]

Balmoral Green said:

mybrainhurts said:

Mmmmm....yellow beads. Nice.

And it can write...

It would be nice to think that he knew what Bentley was all about. But he does, this is now what Bentley is all about!

Innit, bruv...

[gary71]

Every day is a school day on PH