The General
09-15-2004, 10:29 AM
Has VW run out of styling ideas???
"As these photos show, Bentley is soon to launch a saloon version of its highly-prized Continental GT coupe. When it appears early next year (or, as some sources claim, late 2004), the four-door should look near-identical to the coupe from the front; the four individual headlamps can be seen with minimal masking on these shots, while the mesh grille looks as if it's hiding under that S-Class-esque façade. The rear, however, was never going to resemble the fastback car. We wouldn't hazard a guess as to the shape of the rear light cluster, but we doubt they'll be as large as the disguises seen here. Past Bentley saloons haven't strayed too far into flamboyant styling territory, lest they offend the genteel set likely to be the core buyers.
Expect solid, unruffled performance from the twin-turbo W12 engine, which will pump out 560bhp. A six-speed automatic gearbox is the most likely transmission. Rumours suggest the brutish Brit will get four-wheel drive, just like its coupe sibling. The big Bentley shares its basic architecture with the Volkswagen Group's other flagships - the Audi A8 and VW Phaeton, but the interior will be assembled at the Crewe plant, and be made of typically sumptuous materials.
A convertible version of the Continental is believed to be on the cards as well, built by Karmann and arriving late 2005."
From http://channel4.com/4car/gallery/spy-shots-2004/B/bentley/continental-4dr.html
http://channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/B/03-large/Bentley-5-door-01.jpg
http://channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/B/03-large/Bentley-5-door-03.jpg
http://channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/B/03-large/Bentley-5-door-04.jpg
"As these photos show, Bentley is soon to launch a saloon version of its highly-prized Continental GT coupe. When it appears early next year (or, as some sources claim, late 2004), the four-door should look near-identical to the coupe from the front; the four individual headlamps can be seen with minimal masking on these shots, while the mesh grille looks as if it's hiding under that S-Class-esque façade. The rear, however, was never going to resemble the fastback car. We wouldn't hazard a guess as to the shape of the rear light cluster, but we doubt they'll be as large as the disguises seen here. Past Bentley saloons haven't strayed too far into flamboyant styling territory, lest they offend the genteel set likely to be the core buyers.
Expect solid, unruffled performance from the twin-turbo W12 engine, which will pump out 560bhp. A six-speed automatic gearbox is the most likely transmission. Rumours suggest the brutish Brit will get four-wheel drive, just like its coupe sibling. The big Bentley shares its basic architecture with the Volkswagen Group's other flagships - the Audi A8 and VW Phaeton, but the interior will be assembled at the Crewe plant, and be made of typically sumptuous materials.
A convertible version of the Continental is believed to be on the cards as well, built by Karmann and arriving late 2005."
From http://channel4.com/4car/gallery/spy-shots-2004/B/bentley/continental-4dr.html
http://channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/B/03-large/Bentley-5-door-01.jpg
http://channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/B/03-large/Bentley-5-door-03.jpg
http://channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/B/03-large/Bentley-5-door-04.jpg