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New Models
AUTOS: Bentley’s New Continental GT V8
Twin-turbo V8 option is added for special model of the British automaker's luxury/sports coupe set to debut at the Detroit Auto Show.
A new Bentley Continental GT gets a twin-turbocharged V8 engine rated at 500 horsepower. (Photo: Bentley)
The covers have come off Bentley’s new V8-powered Continental GT ahead of the luxurious two-door’s world debut scheduled for next month’s 2012 Detroit Auto Show.
The big Bentley coupe and its GTC convertible sibling are to receive a new V8 option, and we can confirm today that the engine in question is a newly developed twin-turbocharged 4-liter V8 rated at 500 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque.
In true Bentley fashion, this mighty powerplant, a version of which is also found in the 2013 Audi S8, has been tuned to deliver its peak torque over a wide plateau to give the feeling of effortless thrust from anywhere in the rev range. The peak torque rating of 487 pound-feet can be had from as little as 1,700 rpm and remains all the way up to 5,000 rpm.
Drive is sent to all four-wheels via a new close-ratio eight-speed automatic transmission and Torsen differential with 40:60 rear-biased split. The transmission, sourced from ZF, has been designed to not only boost acceleration but also help reduce fuel consumption. Performance will still be there with the Continental GT V8 expected to sprint from 0-60 mph in less than five seconds and top out at more than 180 mph.
According to Bentley, the new V8 Continental models should remain true to the automaker’s promise of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 40 percent compared with its previous models. Final numbers will be released closer to launch, although Bentley boasts that the car will be capable of traveling more than 500 miles on a single tank of gas.
Key to their frugality is a cylinder-deactivation feature which allows the new V8 engine to run on four cylinders during low-load situations. Importantly, the change between four and eight cylinders will remain imperceptible to occupants of the vehicles, Bentley says.
Other fuel-saving features of the engine include direct-injection technology, low-friction bearings, thermal management, brake energy regeneration and special packaging of the turbochargers to ensure high efficiency.
Onlookers will be able to tell the V8 models from current W12 versions by the eight-cylinder’s distinctive growl, in addition to some unique styling elements. The Continental GT V8 and GTC V8 models will sport blacked-out grilles with chrome frames and center bars, red-enamel Bentley badges, revised intakes in the front bumpers and body-colored strakes.
At the rear will be custom figure-eight tailpipes, dark lower valances and more red-enamel B badges on the trunk lids. Big 20-inch wheels will come as standard, although customers will be able to opt for a special 21-inch six-spoke design finished in unique Diamond Black or Diamond Silver finishes.
As with any Bentley, there will be luxury in spades. The cabins will come lined with Eliade cloth for the roof, darkened eucalyptus wood veneers on much of the dash and leather trim on most other surfaces.
Note that Bentley is positioning its new V8 powered Continental GT and GTC below the W12 models, so expect pricing to start below the current $205,600 entry-point.
The big Bentley coupe and its GTC convertible sibling are to receive a new V8 option, and we can confirm today that the engine in question is a newly developed twin-turbocharged 4-liter V8 rated at 500 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque.
In true Bentley fashion, this mighty powerplant, a version of which is also found in the 2013 Audi S8, has been tuned to deliver its peak torque over a wide plateau to give the feeling of effortless thrust from anywhere in the rev range. The peak torque rating of 487 pound-feet can be had from as little as 1,700 rpm and remains all the way up to 5,000 rpm.
Drive is sent to all four-wheels via a new close-ratio eight-speed automatic transmission and Torsen differential with 40:60 rear-biased split. The transmission, sourced from ZF, has been designed to not only boost acceleration but also help reduce fuel consumption. Performance will still be there with the Continental GT V8 expected to sprint from 0-60 mph in less than five seconds and top out at more than 180 mph.
According to Bentley, the new V8 Continental models should remain true to the automaker’s promise of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 40 percent compared with its previous models. Final numbers will be released closer to launch, although Bentley boasts that the car will be capable of traveling more than 500 miles on a single tank of gas.
Key to their frugality is a cylinder-deactivation feature which allows the new V8 engine to run on four cylinders during low-load situations. Importantly, the change between four and eight cylinders will remain imperceptible to occupants of the vehicles, Bentley says.
Other fuel-saving features of the engine include direct-injection technology, low-friction bearings, thermal management, brake energy regeneration and special packaging of the turbochargers to ensure high efficiency.
Onlookers will be able to tell the V8 models from current W12 versions by the eight-cylinder’s distinctive growl, in addition to some unique styling elements. The Continental GT V8 and GTC V8 models will sport blacked-out grilles with chrome frames and center bars, red-enamel Bentley badges, revised intakes in the front bumpers and body-colored strakes.
At the rear will be custom figure-eight tailpipes, dark lower valances and more red-enamel B badges on the trunk lids. Big 20-inch wheels will come as standard, although customers will be able to opt for a special 21-inch six-spoke design finished in unique Diamond Black or Diamond Silver finishes.
As with any Bentley, there will be luxury in spades. The cabins will come lined with Eliade cloth for the roof, darkened eucalyptus wood veneers on much of the dash and leather trim on most other surfaces.
Note that Bentley is positioning its new V8 powered Continental GT and GTC below the W12 models, so expect pricing to start below the current $205,600 entry-point.
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