The 2012 Detroit auto show will feature the new V8 Bentley Continental. The strategy adopted by Bentley is to launch a downsized car to increase their market range and to offer a smaller cheaper model to the 6.0 W12.
The all new Bentley Continental V8 coupe and GTC V8 will have the VW produced new 4.0-litre V8 engine which has been co-developed with Audi. It is a twin-turbocharged, direct fuel injection motor with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This new 4.0-litre V8 engine fulfils Bentley’s commitment to lowering CO2 emissions by 40% within five years. Bentley says that the new V8 Continental achieves the best power-to-emissions standards in the luxury sports car sector. This is because it can top 180mph, go from 0-60mph in 5 seconds and has a new 40:60 all-wheel drive system, they reckon a full tank will take you 500 miles and CO2 emissions will be 40% better than the W12.
The exterior of the V8-powered Continental has some styling changes. There are different exhaust tips, black gloss matrix grille and more chrome. Both models will come with 20-inch wheels standard, as well as an optional upgrade to the 21-inch wheels with a six-spoke design.
Bentley has sold more than 50,000 GT Continentals worldwide since 2003, making it comfortably the best-selling model in its history. The new V8 Continental GT and GTC will go on sale in 2012 after the US launch, the launch will also see the mighty 6.0L twin-turbo W12 model.
This Continental is great for anyone that wants the Bentley comfort and elegance as well as a cheaper price and lower fuel costs. Prices are predicted to be around £120,000, £15,000 less than the W12 but more expensive than a Mercedes CL63 AMG and even more expensive than the Maserati Gran Turismo.
