Today’s entrant is this, dare I say it, rather convincing replica of a 2009 Bentley Continental GT convertible or GTC based on a ’96 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Fashioned in ghetto / Saudi Arabian sheik white with the typical, so-not-a-Bentley blinger rims that’d make even Lil’ Jon a lil ill, our wanna-B (you see what I did there?) comes complete with 175,000 miles on the clock and a full fibreglass body.
Of course, this immediately led to whisperings and theories of a possible Continental Shooting Brake like Carozzeria Touring Superleggera's Flying Star (see here) that was revealed at this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show.
From what we can tell, the front-end of the refreshed Continental GT takes some styling cues from the new Mulsanne such as the big round inner headlights flanked by off-set smaller ones.
Not only does the Flying Star showcase some very talented engineering, it shows that the automobile as a form of art is far from dead as long as people have the money to invest in it.
The Flying Star's roof and rear fenders are steel, the widened doors and hatch are aluminum, the trim is handmade, and the oval tail lights are a 1950's throwback. To make this Bentley stand out just that much more, the car rides on 20-inch Borrani X-Ray wheels.
The convertible model features the same twin-turbocharged W12 engine found on the Continental Supersports Coupe. It produces 630 horsepower (621bhp) at 6,000 rpm and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque at 2,000-4,500 rpm, and it is capable of running on both gasoline and E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two.
Now the competition has entered the second phase with four of the participating RCA students shortlisted to refine their designs with Bentley's Head of Exterior Design Raul Pires and his colleagues.
The four finalists in the "Bentleys of the Future" competition are Bora Kim, David Seesing, Marten Wallgren and Mikka Heikkinen.
Bora Kim (26) from South Korea, created a Bentley which allows owners of the vehicle to easily select their preferred engine for any type of journey while Sweden's Marten Wallgren (27) came up with a futuristic version of the Bentley Continental GT.
David Seesing (26) from Germany says his proposals combines "a radical design with impressive aerodynamics" whilst Finland's Mikka Heikkinen (26) created a high-performance Bentley.
The winner and runner-up of the competition will both be invited to join the British automaker in Crewe for a six month secondment in the Bentley design studio.
More into buying accessories for the car itself? No problem. Bentley also offers a new set of Vented Wings in black or mesh finish available for the Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur, and self-leveling wheel badges that remain completely level and upright at speeds of up to 70mph (112 Km/h) for the Arnage, Azure, Brooklands and Continental.
Other highlights of the new collection include specific car covers for the Continental Supersports and Series 51 GT and GTC models and a new version of Bentley's Jewelled Torch that can be recharged from the car's cigar (sic...) lighter.
Advertised for £350,000.00 in 1991. In todays money, according to http://www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare/result.php?use%5B%5D=CPI&use%5B%5D=DEFIND&use%5B%5D=WAGE&use%5B%5D=GDPCP&use%5B%5D=GDPC&year_late=1991&typeamount=350000&amount=350000&year_source=1991&year_result=2006 was worth £771,303.41 in 2006 ... about what they were asking for a Bugatti Veyron. Yeah, the million US dollar car. So why is it remarkable that it cost equivalent to a Veyron? I just found one up to sell at $85 thousand. 1/10th the original asking price.
While most vehicles leaving the Crewe factory in The package comprises a front bumper spoiler with a carbon fiber lip and LED daytime lights, side skirts, a rear bumper with a carbon fiber lip and exhaust cutter and finally a discreet boot spoiler made out of -you guessed it- carbon fiber. The aero kit is complemented by a set of 22-inch alloy rims wrapped in 265/30 tires up front and 295/25 at the rear.
Bentley has taken the wraps off its revised 2009 Continental Flying Spur sedan that now includes a sportier edition dubbed “Speed” equipped with the same 600Hp W12 twin-turbocharged engine offered in the Continental GT Speed delivering 600Hp -48Hp more than the standard version. The most powerful 4-door car ever produced by the British manufacturer has a 0-60mph time of 4.5 sec (0-100km/h in 4.8sec) and a top speed of 200mph (322km/h).
Other mechanical changes include the lowered ride height, uprated and redesigned suspension as well as retuned steering system. The Flying Spur Speed is distinguished by the front grille and lower intakes finished in dark chrome, the wider exhaust tail pipes and the bespoke 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero UHP performance tires. Inside the most notable change is the 3-spoke sport leather steering wheel. -Continued
As for the “standard” Flying Spur, it features a more upright grille, different air intakes, a new rear bumper, chromed bezels around the headlamps and tail-lamps, improved noise insulation, revised spring and dampers and new bespoke 19-inch alloys in Pirelli UHP tires. Furthermore, Bentley has introduced a new (optional) Naim audio system with an 1100 Watt amplifier.
