Cars "Bentley", the country of origin of which was England, at first glance amaze with their luxury, high quality and presentability. They not only have the status of comfortable equipment, but also combine elite design and unique technical characteristics. Great engineering solution. Bentley on the road is grace, speed, freedom and complete safety.
In today's world, car manufacturers have numerous subsidiaries scattered around the world. Undoubtedly, the quality of the model is directly related to the place of its assembly. Therefore, in motorist circles, it is often discussed which country is the manufacturer of Bentley.
But in the 21st century of industrial globalism, where parts are manufactured and assembled in different parts of the world, it is rather difficult to determine the owner of a particular car brand. Based on outdated facts, then the country of origin "Bentley" - England. But how much this corresponds to reality is difficult to say. First of all, we must turn to the origins of the origin and development of this brand.
The history of the Bentley brand
Walter Owen Bentley became the progenitor of the luxury brand. The opening of Bentley Motors in early 1919 coincided with the dawn of the global automotive industry. At that time, no one even suspected mass production of this brand.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, cars were produced directly for racing, and only after winning them did the brand become popular. Then the still young Benlety was fired up with the idea of becoming the leader of the races and glorifying great Britain. All efforts were directed towards strength and speed, with no emphasis on design. Outstretched wings, carefully embracing the letter "B", became the corporate logo of the brand. The first car was equipped with a 2-liter engine and the supercar was the first to reach the finish line. Then they began to use three - and eight-liter motors. But after going through a cascade of enchanting victories, the company has suffered a series of falls and setbacks.
Hard times Bentley Motors
In the late 1930s, after a splendid take-off, there was a steep fall for Bentley, the producing country that was still England. It began with the fact that the new model was unable to reach the finish line. Then came the time of the Great Depression, when interest in luxury cars dropped. As a result, the brand was forced to put up for auction. The incognito buyer turned out to be from a rival Rolls Royce. As a result, the brand radically changed its priorities and began to be created on the basis of competitors.
Racing is a thing of the past. Now Bentley is a car of young aristocrats, combining comfort and speed. The Bentley Continental, which won the Car of the Year nomination, became the exclusive model line.
The second "black stripe" of the brand
By the 90s, Rolls itself was in a financial crisis. He has ceased to be competitive. The company was put up for sale. For the sake of owning one of the majestic brands in the world, competitors launched a real war. BMW's offer at the last moment was beaten by Volkswagen, which offered more than $ 800,000. But for the Bentley car, the country of manufacture is still England. While the whole world was congratulating the winner, the competitors regretted not taking the main prize. Subsequently, the Continental GT appeared on the market, which impressed the public with its design.
At the dawn of the 2000s, carmakers, being in wild competition with each other, began to use belligerent marketing moves. An open advertising confrontation began, first between BMW and Mercedes, then Jaguar and Audi. Advertising banners were full of humiliating signatures. But Bentley amazed everyone, which at once tore all the templates. In a short commercial, a very respectable man shows his middle finger against the background of a winged emblem. This was seen as the invincibility of the English brand over the German one. Such a defiant plot not only provoked controversy among the public, but also proved the effectiveness of provocative advertising.
Country of origin "Bentley" today
Bentley is the car of the royal elite. Today she is going to England, in the town of Crewe. A fusion of handicraft and 21st century automotive excellence. And all this at the same plant. Engineers use high-tech ultra-precise robots for their work. An exclusive model has been requested. And the supercar with the name Mulsan and with the light hand of engineers turned out.
Russian car enthusiast note
Through dealerships, he appeared in Russia in 1995. And only in 2012, when the automaker itself founded the Russian plant of the Bentley brand, whose country of origin is England, the brand is of interest to the domestic buyer.
For the company, the Russian site is one of the most tempting, so it always tries to surprise the Russian car enthusiast. Thus, three models can already be purchased in Russia: Mulsanne, Flying Spur and Continental. And soon the brand will bring out the newest supercar - SUV Bentley Bentayga.
Meaning, emblem, logo, sign (badge) Bentley
Whose brand of car is Bentley
The countries where the Bentley car is produced and manufactured is UK and Germany
Is it a part of other companies, divisions, corporations, groups
The company was sold in 1998 to the Volkswagen Group, but it cannot sell cars under this brand itself, because the brand itself was previously sold to the BMW concern.
What does the emblem, sign, logo of Bentley mean?
The factories where Bentley are produced attract a lot of attention, as, indeed, every person who owns a Bentley car. This brand appeared in 1919, Owen Bentley became the man whose Bentley company in the future gained worldwide fame. A special feature of this company is the manual 
assembly of cars, the first car appeared in the year the brand was created, i.e. in 1919. Owen Bentley made a lot of noise in the English carmaker circles, his car had a three-liter engine for that time it was an excellent indicator. Development was carried out in conjunction with several companies, so in those days it was difficult to say for sure who exactly produced Bentley. However, already in the 1920s, Bentley, whose production was established at local factories, completely switched to domestic production. In those days, the company gave a five-year warranty for its products, the engine volume of the cars was increased to 4.5 liters. This allowed the company to put on the market the most powerful cars of its time, at the same time the Bentley brand itself 
became more and more common in Europe, and became known throughout the world. The company almost immediately began exhibiting its cars for racing. Frank Clement, who drove the Bentley car, was the fastest, professional racer, and won the victory in 1921. Between 1927 and 1930, Bentley cars won consistently every year at the LeMans. At the same time, the company made a great contribution to the development of the automotive industry - Walter Bentley invented innovative aluminum pistons.
In the 1930s, the company became part of Rolls-Royce, which was also involved in the production of luxury cars. Over time, the style of Bentley cars became more and more like 
a car from Rolls-Royce. The difference between the cars was that the Bentley owner drove his car himself, while the Rolls-Royce owner sat in the back. The further, the more technically these cars became similar to each other. A prime example of this phenomenon is the “S” series cars, which were produced in the 50s. However, the Bentley cars retained the original features, in particular, the Continental body, which was not used by Rolls-Royce manufacturers.
Where is going today
Production takes place mainly in the UK, in the small town of Crewe. At the same time, production is carried out at the German plant in close cooperation with the Volkswagen Phaeton. In the 2000s, modified Arnage and Continental models appeared, for those customers who preferred to buy only the most expensive, an Arnage.Limousine car with a wheelbase of 356.6 centimeters was provided. As in the early days of the Bentley company, all modern cars are assembled by hand, which determines their high quality and price.
Bentley Motors Ltd. Is a British luxury car manufacturer headquartered in Crewe. It is part of the German carmaker Volkswagen Group.
The company was founded on January 18, 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley. He was interested in mechanisms since childhood, and for 16 years he had already worked as an assistant at a locomotive factory in Doncaster. He then studied engineering theory at King's College London. In addition to trains and railways, he was passionate about motorcycles and cars, so he took part in motorcycle races and long-distance rallies.
Walter, along with his brother Horace Milner Bentley, saw prospects in the automotive business. They started by becoming the managers of the Unic taxi fleet in London. After that, French DPF cars were sold, opening a Bentley & Bentley company in the capital of Great Britain. In order to increase sales, Bentleys put DPF vehicles in competition as the most effective marketing tool.
In 1913, in order to increase speed, Walter redesigned the French brand engine using pistons of his own design made of aluminum. It was a real breakthrough in motor design. This especially came in handy during the First World War, when aviation needed light power units. In addition, Bentley worked to improve the reliability of rotary engines, and also designed two new aircraft engines - Bentley Rotary 1 and 2. Successful technical findings made a name for the company, and also brought money for further projects.
After the end of the war, the Bentley brothers decide to start producing their own cars. In 1919, the first Bentley 3-liter model appears. She received a four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 65 liters. with. with four valves and two spark plugs per cylinder, as well as an overhead camshaft. The model was presented at the London Motor Show, where it aroused the keenest interest of the public.
Despite the high cost of £ 1,050, the company immediately received orders for the car, but it did not go on sale right away, but only in 1921. Prior to that, a team of engineers and testers had run and refined prototypes. The production units were not only innovative from a technical point of view, but also reliable. The firm gave them a five-year warranty. At the same time, the body was manufactured in specialized ateliers.
Bentley 3-liter (1921-1929)
Cars designed for wealthy buyers did not bring huge profits to the company, so it was in a shaky financial position. The company was rescued by participation in the races, which brought not only glory, but also the loyal admirers-racers who formed the cohort of Bentley boys.
Wealthy Britons who raced Bentley cars brought the brand resounding victories: in Brooklands (1921), a speed record of 139.67 km / h (1922), in the Le Mans rally (1924). One of the Bentley boys, Wolf Barnato, saved the company from bankruptcy in 1926 and became its chairman until 1931. However, the state of the economy deteriorated and the demand for expensive cars fell. By 1931, it became apparent that the brand would not be able to maintain its independence. It was bought by Rolls-Royce. In 1935, Walter Owen Bentley left the company.
The original Bentley 3-liter was followed by a larger 4.5-liter model, which received a more massive body, and later a 6.5-liter version. The 4.5-liter model later became known as the James Bond choice in the original novels.
Previously, the Bentley trademark was not registered, and as soon as the firm became the property of Rolls-Royce, the parent company hastened to correct this defect. The Cricklewood plant was closed and then sold. Until 2004, all cars of the brand were built using Rolls-Royce chassis and engines.
In 1933, the new Bentley 3.5-liter appeared. It was the sporty version of the Rolls-Royce 20/25. He disappointed some clients, while others were received with interest. The car retained the characteristic curved radiator shape familiar from early models, but the Rolls-Royce name was guessed in all the significant technical parameters. The engine power was 110 hp. at 4500 rpm, which allowed the car to reach up to 145 km / h.
Bentley 3.5-liter (1933-1939)
In 1938, the British government bought the territory on the west side of Crewe for Rolls-Royce. This was necessary to organize production in anticipation of the war. After its completion, the assembly of passenger cars was moved here.
In the early post-war years, premium car makers such as Bentley and Rolls-Royce did not produce finished cars. They mainly sold chassis. Buyers chose the body at their discretion in specialized car dealerships.
However, the company continued to develop, the result of which was the creation of a steel body. The first model to receive it was the Bentley Mark VI. It was also the first vehicle to be fully assembled at the automaker's factory.
The car was equipped with a 4.3 liter six-cylinder engine. Later, a 4.6-liter version was released, equipped with a four-speed manual transmission.
In 1952, the R-Type Continental appeared with a 4.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine, well-thought-out aerodynamics and low weight. Thanks to these qualities, the model soon received the title of the fastest production sedan, as well as the best car of the year in the UK. In 1955, the S series appeared, which was a copy of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, aimed at wealthy owners who prefer to drive their car on their own.
Then came the S2 with an upgraded light eight-cylinder engine, which was produced for the American market. This hand-assembled 6.2-liter engine is still installed on the brand's cars today.
Bentley Continental (1952)
Until 1965, the company was mainly engaged in copying Rolls-Royce prototypes. In the mid-60s, the Serie T appeared, belonging to the Continental family. It sold for a lower price and was equipped with a comfortable, well-tuned suspension and a shortened base. With a top speed of 273 km / h, the car has earned the reputation of being the fastest coupe in the world.
In 1970, the Mulsanne Turbo and Mulsanne Turbo R models were released, which were called the best sedans in their class. In 1982, a four-door version of the model appeared, based on the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit. From this moment, the formation of the modern model range of the company begins, and the brand is becoming more and more firmly entrenched in the market of premium quality cars, crowding out the parent company.
In 1991, the Bentley Continental R was released, which became the first model of the brand after the 1954 R Type Continental with a self-designed body. In 1994, new versions of the Turbo S and Continental S were released. In 1996 - the Bentley Continental T with a 400-horsepower engine, which won the title of the most powerful road car of the brand.
In July 1998, Rolls-Royce Motor Car is taken over by Volkswagen AG. At the same time, BMW buys out the rights to use the Rolls-Royce brand, from January 1, 2003, Bentley and Rolls-Royce become independent companies.
Despite persistent rumors about the death of the brand, Volkswagen is investing £ 500 million in it, modernizing production in Crewe and developing new models. Already in 1999, the Bentley Arnage Red Label comes out with a 6.75-liter V8 engine. Since 2000, Bentley has been racing at Le Mans again.
In 2002, one of the most significant cars in the history of the brand, the Continental GT, was presented. At the UK Auto Show, he received the Institute of Automotive Engineers' Best Luxury Car and Best Show Car awards. It is equipped with a 6-liter 12-cylinder engine with an output of 575 hp. with a fuel consumption of 26.5 l / 100 km.
With this car, Finnish rally driver Juha Kankkunen set a world speed record on ice, accelerating the car to 321.65 km / h.
Bentley Continental GT (2002)
The next innovations presented by the brand were the Azure convertible coupe, Brooklands coupe, Azure T, the fastest among the serial Continental Super Sports models, and the new flagship in the Grand Tourer Mulsanne class.
In 2012, the Bentley EXP 9F SUV concept debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, the production version of which under the name Bentayga promises to be released in 2015. In 2013, the world's fastest four-seater convertible Continental GT Speed Convertible is shown. It is equipped with a 616-horsepower W12 engine and an eight-speed gearbox.
Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible (2013)
Bentley cars began to appear in Russia in 1995, but then the brand worked with Russian buyers through partners. The company's official dealership opened in 2012, when the British automaker bought one of its former Russian partners, Mercury, to found Bentley Russia.
The British auto company considers the Russian market to be one of its priorities, therefore, it seeks to expand its presence in it. Now in Russia you can buy cars of three models: Mulsanne, Flying Spur and Continental. In addition, the brand is going to bring to the Russian market one of its most anticipated new products - SUV Bentley Bentayga.
Bentley Motors Limited is a British luxury car manufacturer. This legendary aristocratic brand was founded by Walter Owen Bentley in 1919. Walter worked on the development of his first car with the help of G. Varley and F. Darges. In the fall of 1919, thanks to their efforts, a 3-liter "four" was born.
In a hurry to show his car to the whole world, Walter Bentley goes with him to a car showroom in London, but serial production is only getting started after a couple of years. By the way, Bentley originally planned to produce only prestigious cars. With an engine capacity of 3.0 liters, its "firstborn" was unattainable for any ordinary motorist. In order to attract as much attention to his company and its products as possible, Walter offered an unprecedented 5-year warranty period!
This marketing ploy served Walter well and won a lot of wealthy buyers from competitors. For his first car, Walter chose a simple name - Bentley 3L, which stands for a very simple 3-liter engine. In the future, all new items of the first years of release received their names according to the same scheme. It was only in the mid-20s of the twentieth century that words, for example, Big Six, began to be added to the name of Bentley cars.
Not paying much attention to design delights, Bentley carefully worked out the technical component of all cars. The founder of the company saw only one purpose in each of his cars: winning the races. Indeed, Bentley cars lost very rarely. The large volume of the engines made it possible to "remove" a sufficiently large power from them. One such engine came under the hood of a Bentley 4.5L. Combined with the cooling radiator and Roots rotary supercharger, the 4.5L engine was extremely powerful. This car was specially developed by order of the industrial magnate G. Birkin, who was fond of racing competitions. In those years, the Bentley 4.5L was the most powerful and fastest car ever. Despite some dissatisfaction with the model from the founder of the company, it brought great fame to Bentley.
Between 1928 and the 1930s, Bentley produced few copies of the 6.5L and its sporty version of the Speed Six. In 3 years, the model becomes a two-time winner of the 24-hour race at Le Mans and a three-time winner in Brookland.
Bentley began producing its most expensive and prestigious model, the 8L, in 1930.
The history of Bentley under the wing of Rolls-Royce
The thirties of the XX century are associated for the Bentley company with a number of not very pleasant events, for example, with the loss of independence. So, the firm is bought by another elite automobile company - Rolls-Royce. This event marks the beginning of a new history of the company. More importantly, Bentley's previously earned prestige and position have not been affected. Under the auspices of Rolls-Royce, the Bentley enterprise has been producing cars under the SS Cars brand for some time (it was associated with quietness and sporty character). Under the same brand, Bentley is gaining leadership in the high-end British sports car market.
The first model, produced jointly by Bentley and Rolls-Royce, was named 3.5L (released in 1933). Three years later, the 4.5L model entered the market, which received a base from a Rolls-Royce 20 / 25HP. Some modifications of the 4.5L model were also produced on the basis of Rolls-Royce 25/30 HP. Since 1933, allied enterprises have been producing 7 variations of cars with such a technical filling.
Gradually, Bentley's production facilities finally move from Wilds to Crewe (where the Rolls-Royce factory was originally located). The first Bentley to be built entirely at the Crewe plant is the Mark-VI. Serial production of this car begins a few months after the end of the Second World War. The Mark-VI is based on the R&R Silver Wraith. By the 55th year, the entire Bentley range has become a complete copy of Rolls-Royce models.
Despite the similarity of the design of the cars of these two brands, they had many differences, some of which remain relevant to this day. For example, Rolls-Royce has always been positioned as an executive car, the owners of which prefer to drive from behind. Everything is different at Bentley - their cars are still created for wealthy drivers who prefer to drive their cars on their own.
Since 1952, the Bentley lineup has been supplemented by the legendary Continental - a sports two-door car, which at one time was dubbed the fastest production sedan.
In 1955, the S series was born, marking the final convergence of the two brands in technical terms. So, the Bentley S1 completely copies the R&R Silver Wraith. Since 1963, Bentley begins to produce the S3 model, and two years later - the T series.
The 80s of the XX century are associated for the Bentley brand with the release of the most luxurious sedan in the world - Mulsanne in Turbo and Turbo R versions. The car turned out to be so luxurious that it even surpassed its direct competitor Mercedes-Benz 600SEL. With Mulsanne, the British brand has finally formed its image on the world market. The rest of the cars are already created according to the "project 90", inheriting the base from the R&R Turbo R and Brooklands with different bodies and some external differences.
The only car without analogues in the R&R lineup is the Bentley Continental. These expensive sports coupes were created for the needs of young millionaires, for whom sports Ferraris seemed too simple.
In the modern Continental family, there are several basic modifications: R, T and SC. The cheapest has always been the Continental R. It has a distinctive finish, supreme comfort and excellent suspension tuning for fast driving. The T model uses a shorter wheelbase, sportier suspension and more powerful engines. But the most interesting modification is the SC, equipped with a retractable rigid roof.
In 1991, the British expanded their lineup with the Continental Azure convertible and the Arnage, based on the R&R Silver Seraph. The Azure convertible itself has been in production since 1996. A year later, Bentley unveils the Turbo RT for the first time.
Global changes in the mood in the global automotive market led to the fact that Rolls-Royce lost control of Bentley Motors and since 1998 the British brand has been controlled by the VW Group.
But the prosperity of the brand does not end there and new Bentleys appear. In April 1998, the Arnage debuts at the Turin Motor Show, featuring a 4.4-liter BMW V8 engine with twin Garrett turbochargers. Depending on the modification, this engine developed from 354 to 400 hp. Already at that time, the ultra-luxury sedan Arnage offered driver and passenger airbags and ABS. In case of an accident, a system was provided for cutting off the fuel supply, unlocking the doors and separating the steering column.
Work has continued on the iconic Continental series, with its inherent superior interior quality and sophisticated chassis design. So, in the performance of the 1998 model year, the Continental T had a shortened base, a 6.8-liter turbocharged engine with 426 hp. At that time, this Continental was the fastest coupe in the world - it developed a top speed of 273 km / h with a gross curb weight of 2 850 kg. The model was equipped with alloy wheels and a matrix-shaped radiator grill.
As before, the design of the soft leather upper for Azure convertibles is developed and produced by specialists from the Italian company Pininfarina. At the end of 2000, the updated Azure convertible was presented to the public at the Birmingham Auto Show.
At the 2001 Detroit Auto Show, the British show their new Bentley - EX Speed 8.
All of the above I would like to reinforce the very fact of owning the Bentley S-2 by the greatest musician of the 20th century - John Lennon. He specially bought this car for the presentation of the Yellow Submarine album in America. To enhance the perception of the album and attract more fans' attention to the new creation of The Beatles, Lennon ordered to paint the car in a unique psychedelic style. Rumor has it that this trick of Lennon so shocked the previous owner of the car that when he first saw him again, he was speechless for several minutes. Despite this egregious act of Lennon, the car has become a unique historical exhibit, which has left the imprint of an entire era.
The history of Bentley within the VW Group
In 2002, Bentley began development of a super sedan with an 8-liter W12 engine that develops 1000 hp. The model aims to dislodge its competitors from Maybach and Rolls-Royce.
In March 2002, the British presented the Arnage R sedan, which is equipped with the same 6.75-liter engine as the Arnage T. True, in the R version, the sedan develops 50 hp. less (400 hp). But as representatives of the company said, the car did not get any worse from this and accelerates to the same 250 km / h maximum speed with acceleration dynamics of 6.3 seconds to “hundreds”. The list of standard equipment was supplemented by cruise control, navigation system, 18-inch wheels with Pirelli tires and more. Even then, the car was equipped with ABS, ESP, EBD brake force distribution and Brake Assist. Passive safety was assigned to a pair of front airbags and four side airbags.
In September 2002, Bentley finally regains the name given to it by its founder in 1919 - Bentley Motors Limited, which it lost when it merged with Rolls-Royce in 1931. At the end of the month, the official show of the latest sports coupe, the Continental GT, takes place. The novelty goes on sale only in the second half of next year.
Despite positioning the model as a sports car, it combines the power and handling of a sports coupe with the comfort and luxury of an executive sedan. The car has 4 seats, which is made possible by the sloping stern and large overhang. Under the hood of their novelty, the British have installed a new 6-liter W12 engine with a capacity of 500 hp, with which its maximum speed reaches 290 km / h. All the power of the engine is transmitted to four wheels through a six-speed gearbox. At one time, this Bentley GT becomes the fastest representative of the brand. At the October show in Birmingham, the Bentley Continental GT is named "Best car in the show".
In December 2002, the assembly of the final limited batch of Continental R and Azure begins. All Final Series representatives stood out for being hand-assembled. From this moment they leave the conveyor. There are a total of 11 Continental R exclusives and 52 Azure exclusives. The latest classic Bentleys have 420 hp engines under the hood. The models were distinguished by the richest finishing according to the Mulliner specification. Also, cars are equipped with 18-inch five-spoke discs and painted brake calipers.
The sunset for the Continental R and Azure was the dawn for the Continental GT, which was already being developed under the auspices of the VW Group. The Continental GT marks a new milestone for the Bentley plant and for the modern history of the legendary British automaker.
In April 2003, the Bentley Mulliner division releases the Arnage B6 armored limousine, capable of protecting passengers from an AK-47 machine gun fire and even a grenade detonation. The armored executive car is based on an elongated platform from the Arnage sedan. Three body lengths and custom trims were offered.
The weight of the car has increased significantly, forcing engineers to rework the braking system, suspension and stability control system. The standard version had a fully armored body and bulletproof glass, an internal air recirculation system without air intake from the external environment, as well as pyrotechnic cartridges that tear off the doors for emergency evacuation from the car. The armored limousine Bentley Arnage B6 was sold at prices ranging from 500 to 550 thousand dollars.
In autumn 2003, the first Russian Bentley showroom opens in Moscow. The area of the new showroom was 600 sq. m.
In May 2004, Bentley begins mass production of the updated Arnage. The car is positioned as a 2005 model. The updated Arnage features a new bonnet and grille. The headlights are also being updated and the total body color range is 40 shades (27 colors for the interior).
The engine remained the same - 6.75 displacement and 400 hp. power. With such an engine, the updated Arnage accelerates to 318 km / h maximum speed and begins to comply with Euro-4 environmental standards. To improve the handling of the car, she received a different rear suspension. In the cabin, the instrument cluster has changed and a standard satellite navigation system has been added, adapted for DVD media.
Bentley State Limousine 2002
In December 2004, Bentley announces 20 exclusive Arnage limousines (the concept was previously unveiled in Geneva). Each exclusive limousine gets its own number. The wheelbase of the car has grown to 3566 mm. The body of each limousine had a two-tone color. The limousine received a multimedia system with 12-inch LCD screens in the headrests. The limousine had options available such as a computer with an internet connection, a refrigerator, and even a cigar humidor.
The luxury limousine is driven by a "eight" with two turbochargers, with a displacement of 6.7 liters and a power of 400 hp.
In 2005, the Bentley Continental GT moves to the Volkswagen plant in Dresden, on the assembly line with the Volkswagen Phaeton. Moving production of the Continental GT to the Dresden plant allowed for more efficient use of its production capacity: so far, the Volkswagen plant has been loaded with less than a quarter.
At the March 2005 Geneva Motor Show, the British company shows the newest Continental Flying Spur sedan. The novelty is based on the platform from the spectacular Continental GT coupe and technically the cars are very similar.
The sedan is equipped with the same six-liter twin-turbo W12 engine with 552 hp. With it, the Flying Spur accelerates to "hundreds" in 5 seconds and develops 305 km / h maximum speed. The motor is paired with a ZF semiautomatic device.
Following the Continental GT coupe, the production of the Continental Flying Spur sedan is also moving to the Volkswagen plant in Dresden.
In September 2005, the British company showed a new convertible based on the Continental GT, called the GTC. The new car uses a soft folding roof, a very rich interior trim, an all-wheel drive transmission, as well as a W12 engine with a displacement of 6.0 liters and a power of 560 hp. Continental GTC becomes 15-20% more expensive than a coupe with an average price tag of about 310 thousand dollars. The assembly of the new item begins in September 2006 at the same plant in Dresden as the assembly of the regular GT.
February 2006. The British release the most expensive Continental GT in the Diamond Series modification. The circulation of the novelty is only 400 copies. The series gets reinforced ceramic brakes measuring 420 mm, original 20-inch wheels, stylish leather seats, aluminum pedals, etc. The engine remains the same.
August 2007. The British are finishing work on the fastest member of the lineup - the Bentley Continental GT Speed. The new coupe differs from the usual GT version with a 600-horsepower engine. In addition, the Speed version is equipped with a 35 kg lighter body and a stiffer suspension. Thanks to these changes, the dynamics of acceleration to "hundreds" was reduced to 4.3 seconds, and the maximum speed increased to 326 km / h.
In the summer of 2008, Bentleey unveils the updated Continental Flying Spur sedan. In addition, the most powerful version of this sedan appears with the prefix Speed in the name.
Most of all, the restyled car changes the design of the front and rear. It is equipped with 19-inch wheels, a more sophisticated music system with 15 speakers. In addition, the suspension and steering settings are changed in the upgraded car.
Flying Spur Speed is equipped with a 6.0-liter W12 engine with 600 hp. The Speed version uses a stiffer suspension, reduced ground clearance and a reinforced braking system. All these changes made it possible to bring the maximum speed to 322 km / h and acceleration dynamics to 100 km / h in 4.8 seconds.
In September, the British company was forced to transfer most of its employees to a three-day work week due to falling sales in the global market. Bentley was hit particularly hard by a 16% decline in US sales.
At the 2008 Paris Auto Show, Bentley announces plans to say goodbye to Arnage. The release of 150 cars of the final series is announced. These cars are equipped with a dark grille, stylish 20-inch wheels and a special Final Series badge on the fenders.
Under the hood of the latest Arnages, they put an 8-cylinder engine with a displacement of 6.75 liters and a power of 507 hp. with an amazing torque of 1000 Nm. For the engine, the same ZF automatic transmission was offered as before. With such a technical filling, the sedan accelerates to a maximum of 288 km / h and has a dynamic acceleration to 100 km / h in 5.5 seconds. Ceramic brakes are another interesting addition to the Final Series. The interior of the Arnage Final Series is as luxurious as any other Bentley.
In November 2008, Bentley publishes the first photos of the world's most luxurious convertible, the Azure T, powered by a 6.72-liter V8 engine with 500 hp. (previously 457 hp). The convertible gets an improved braking system, different wheel designs and enhanced trim options.
2009 kicks off for all Bentley employees with a seven-week vacation. The reason for this is insufficient demand on the world market.
March 2009. The Geneva Motor Show meets the speedy version of the popular Continental coupe with the Supersports prefix in its name. The novelty is based on the GT Speed modification, and the main feature of the debutant is dual-fuel - gasoline and a bioethanol mixture.
Supersports are equipped with a 630 hp V12 engine. and 830 Nm.With this engine, Supersports accelerates to 329 km / h and has dynamics of acceleration to 100 km / h in 4 seconds. Engineers reduced the weight of the car, reconfigured the suspension and steering. Ceramic-metal brakes were also installed. The fastest version of the Continental GT has lost the rear row of seats, which made it possible to install the front sports "buckets" with a carbon frame.
Once the veteran Arnage retired, everyone knew that Bentley would soon be replacing him with something. The British showed this replacement at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009. The name of the new product is Mulsanne (Bentley Mulsan). As the British themselves say, their new flagship has nothing in common with the VW Group. This car did not even receive a single unit and assembly from Continental, which would be a natural continuation of the popular coupe. The flagship Bentley turned out to be completely original, both in terms of design and technical part.
A 550-horsepower motor with 1000 Nm of torque was developed for the flagship. The engine uses a variable valve timing system, as well as a cylinder shutdown system. All this has increased the efficiency and environmental friendliness of the engine.
The chassis of Bentley's new flagship is customizable pneumatic. Everything works under the control of electronics. The driver can freely change the characteristics of the suspension or trust the computer, which adjusts them to the current speed and quality of coverage.
Inside, as it should be, the realm of luxury awaits the buyer. Many inserts made of natural wood, polished steel and expensive leather. The electronics are great too: a modern multimedia system, satellite navigation, Naim for Bentle 2200-watt audio system, telephone, Bluetooth interface, keyless entry system, seat memory and much more.
Following the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Bentley immediately set about building a convertible based on the new flagship Mulsanne. This convertible replaces the old Azure convertible. Technically, the Mulsanne convertible is not much different from the sedan. Same engine, same chassis settings.
At the end of 2009, Bentley's plans to release an open Continental Superesports were announced. Under the hood of the car gets a 621-horsepower W12 tubomotor, working in conjunction with the Quickshift gearbox. The acceleration dynamics of the convertible was no worse than that of the coupe.
March exhibition in Geneva 2010. Italian tuner Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera converts the Bentley Continental GTC Speed convertible into a three-door station wagon. For this body, the definition of shooting brake is more suitable (at the beginning of the 20th century, many automakers liked to experiment with it).
Bentley unveils the new Continental GT at the fall show in Paris. Although the coupe is positioned "new", it received a platform from its predecessor. Bentley is not a manufacturer that is constantly releasing brand new cars.
Externally, the old and new Continental GTs are very similar. But as the British claim, they have prepared completely different body parts for the new Continental GT. They also worked on the suspension thoroughly. As a result, they made the novelty wider by 24 mm and higher by 14 mm, without changing the length and wheelbase.
The motors seem to be the same, but the update added an additional 15 hp. power (up to 575 hp) and 50 Nm of torque (up to 700 Nm). This update did not affect the maximum speed (all the same 318 km / h), but significantly influenced the acceleration dynamics - 4.6 seconds to 100 km / h (less by 0.2 seconds).
As before, the Continental GT retains its all-wheel drive drivetrain. But if earlier the drive was symmetrical, now the rear axle gets 60% of the torque. This has improved the predictability of handling. Convertible based on the new Continental GT - Continental GTC is shown only a year later.
The March 2012 Geneva Motor Show made it clear to everyone that Bentley is still preparing to release its own crossover. Unfortunately, the debuting EXP 9 F challenger was nothing more than a concept.
The concept turned out to be truly royal: an abundance of chrome, 23-inch wheels, delicate leather and even its own minibar in the trunk.
The technical component is also interesting: the concept is equipped with a Volkswagen "giant" W12 with two turbochargers, developing 600 hp. and 800 Nm. All the power of this engine is transferred to the wheels by an 8-speed torque converter box.
In August 2012, Bentley unveiled the fastest latest generation Continental GT Speed. Under the hood of the car, the British installed a 6-liter W12 engine with two turbochargers (exactly the same as that of the EXP 9 F), developing 625 hp. and 800 Nm.With this engine and a robotic ZF box, the convertible received acceleration dynamics from 0-100 km / h in just 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 325 km / h.
At the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the British confirmed their plans to return to motorsport and unveiled the Continental GT3 concept. The car fully complies with the FIA requirements and is built on the basis of the Continental GT Speed.
The whopper received the already sensational engine from Volkswagen, with which it was able to develop a maximum speed of 330 km / h and acceleration dynamics to “hundreds” of 4.2 seconds. The British promised to devote the whole next year to testing and fine-tuning the car to participate in 24-hour races. The car was officially approved and certified for racing only in July 2013.
To the delight of the oligarchs, in 2013, Bentley introduced another novelty. This time, the British arrived at the Geneva Motor Show with a new generation of the most popular and luxurious sedan - the Flying Spur.
Although the sedan received the old "cart" from the VW Phaeton, it still turned out to be spectacular. All components and assemblies have undergone major changes. British engineers completely redesigned the suspension and increased body rigidity by 4%. As the speed increases, the air suspension automatically decreases the ground clearance.
In July 2013, the British finally confirm their plans to start producing a crossover, for which they promise to take the sensational EXP 9 F concept as a basis.
2013 Bentley Flying Spur
Official site: www.bentleymotors.com
Headquarters: England
Bentley Cars Ltd. is an English company specializing in the production of automobiles.
The founder of the legendary aristocratic car brand, formed in 1919, Walter Owen Bentley, developed his first car with a 3-liter "four" jointly with F. Barges and G. Varley. In the fall of the same year, Walter Bentley showed his first child at the London Motor Show, but he was able to establish production only after two years. By the way, from the very beginning, Bentley set his sights on the production of prestigious cars. The volume of three liters made the car unattainable for ordinary motorists, and a warranty period of five years, unique for that time, attracted the attention of wealthy people. The car bore an uncomplicated name - 3L, which meant only the presence of a 3-liter engine. Later this designation became traditional. And only from somewhere in the mid-twenties, verbal designations began to appear in the name, for example, Big Six.
Bentley, without burdening himself with design delights, paid special attention to the technical side of the issue. He saw the main purpose of his cars in victories in car races. Indeed, it has rarely happened that Bentley cars did not win sports. The use of large-volume engines made it possible to "remove" a considerable amount of horsepower from them. One of these was the 4.5L model with a Roots rotary supercharger placed in front of the radiator. This car was specially designed for the famous racer and industrial tycoon G. Birkin. In those years, the car became one of the most powerful and fastest, and, despite the critical attitude of Bentley himself, brought his company even more fame.
In 1928-30. in small quantities, cars of the "6.5L" model and its sports version "Speed Six" are assembled. In three years, this car has won two races at Le Mans and three times in Brookland.
The production of the "8L" model - the most expensive and prestigious in the company's line - began in 1930.
The beginning of the thirties was marked by the loss of the Bentley firm of its independence. Thus, through the mediation of Napier, Bentley became part of another elite automobile company Rolls-Royce. This marked the beginning of a new stage in the history of the company, which in no way diminished the prestige and position earned earlier. Bentley. now called SS Cars (which means silent sports car) has become the undisputed leader among high-class British cars.
The first Bentley co-created with Rolls-Royce is the 3.5L (1933). In 1936, the 4.5L model appeared based on the Rolls-Royce 20 / 25НР and Rolls-Royce25 / 30 НР. Since 1933, seven models, very similar in design and design, have been produced.
Gradually, the production of Bentley cars began to move from Derby to the Rolls-Royce plant in Crewe. And the first fully built model there was the Mark-VI, which went into production a few months after the end of World War II. The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith became the base for this car. And since 1955, all Bentley models have been complete replicas of Rolls-Royce. Nevertheless, despite the structural similarity of both brands, the main difference between them has been and remains to this day: Rolls-Royce is an executive car, and its owner's seat is at the back. And Bentley, on the contrary, is a car for people who know how and who love to drive.
In 1952, Bentley introduced the Continental model. It was a sporty two-door car that became the fastest production sedan ever.
1955 - the S series demonstrated the final technical convergence of brands. The Bentley S1 became a copy of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith.
In 1963, the S3 model appears. In 1965, the production of the Bentley T.
Turbocharged models begin production in the 1970s. are Bentley-branded Mulsanne Turbo and Turbo R models. According to connoisseurs, the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo has become one of the best sedans in the world, even when compared to the Mercedes-Benz 600SEL.
The modern program of the company has been formed for about 20 years. In 1980, the presentation of the Mulsanne model took place, two years later, a 300 horsepower version with a turbocharger was released, and a couple of years later - a simplified version of the Eight. The rest of the models were created according to the so-called "project 90", with different bodies and some external differences from their counterparts from Rolls-Royse - Turbo R and Brooklands, only the Continental model did not have and has no analogues. The family of these expensive sports coupes is primarily intended for young and ambitious millionaires who find sports cars like Ferrari too utilitarian and lacking in comfort. The current Continental models are available in three main modifications "R", "T" and "SC". Model "R" is the cheaper in the family (only 314 thousand dollars) and has a distinctive finish, as well as a comfortable and yet perfectly tuned for fast driving. The "T" model has a 100 mm shortened base, a sportier suspension and a powerful 426 hp engine. But the most interesting of this "opera" is the modification of the "SC" (Sedanca Coupe) with a retractable rigid roof. In the normal state, it is a closed coupe, however, if desired, part of the roof over the front seats is automatically retracted. And the latest models today are the Azure convertible and, of course, the Bentley Arnage based on the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph.
In 1991, the Bentley Continental-Azure model was launched. Later in 1996, following the Continental R, the Continental T was added to the family of these cars.
Production of the Bentley Azure model began in 1996.
1997 saw the first show of the Turbo RT model.
The reshuffle in the automotive world today saw Bentley Motors free itself from the bonds of Rolls-Royce and in 1998 came under the control of Volkswagen AG.
Today one of the main accents in the production program falls on the Arnage model (premiered in April 1998, Turin). It is equipped with a BMW V8 engine (4.4 L) with two Garrett turbochargers and is available in two basic versions - Red Label (sportier version, 400 hp) and Green Label (354 hp). Passenger safety in this ultra-luxury sedan is ensured by dual airbags, ABS, traction-control, and a fuel cut-off system that unlocks the doors and separates the steering column in the event of an accident.
The timeless “classics” from Bentley are also in service - various variants of the Continental model (March 1991, Geneva), which are distinguished by the excellent quality of interior trim (leather from Conolli, panels made of rare wood or polished aluminum) and a well-thought-out chassis design. The most powerful Continental T with a shortened base and a 6.8-liter Vickers turbo engine develops 426 hp. and is rightfully considered one of the fastest coupes in the world - the maximum speed is 273 km / h with a gross weight of 2850 kg. Like other 1998 Bentley models, the Continental has a sportier, more aggressive face - now the car is equipped with alloy wheels and a matrix-shaped radiator grille.
The design of the soft leather upper for the Azure convertible was developed and manufactured by the Italian company Pininfarina. The premiere of the convertible from Bentley took place in late 2000 at the Birmingham Auto Show.
2001 - The Bently EX Speed 8 makes its American debut at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show.
In addition to all of the above, I would like to mention the Bentley S-2 model, which belonged to the greatest musician of the twentieth century - John Lennon. This car was specially purchased by him for the presentation in America of the Beatles' album - Yellow Submarine. For the full breadth of perception of the new album and attracting a larger audience to it, the car was specially painted under the strict guidance of Lennon himself, in a unique psychedelic style, inspired by him and other members of the group, apparently after a fair amount of marijuana use. They say that the previous owner was so shocked to see the reincarnation that he was speechless for several minutes. Nevertheless, all these experiments made the car a unique exhibit of history, keeping in itself the imprint of the era of bygone years.
