Pretty as J.LO with the Personality to Match
Seattle, if you've never been, is one of America's most engaging cities, especially when the sun shines as it was during a
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| The opportunity to test drive the new Bentley 2005 Continental GT coupe in Seattle was an event I wouldn't have missed for the world. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
recent press event held by Bentley. The occasion? Nothing less than the opportunity to test drive the legendary marque's new 2005 Continental GT coupe and Arnage T Mulliner sedan. As far as luxury brands go, few can rival Bentley when it comes to all out jaw-dropping prestige. While Mercedes-Benz' Maybach division attempts to do so, outside of the small inner circle of automotive enthusiasts who have actually heard about its larger than life 57 or even more expansive 62, people just don't recognize the brand. Rolls-Royce, of course, is among the world's best known marques, yet there's a level of aristocracy that goes along with the nameplate that makes anyone driving one, or more exactly being driven in one, somewhat unapproachable. Combined with its controversial
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| Few can rival Bentley when it comes to all out jaw-dropping prestige. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
styling and stratospheric price point, the Phantom is a poor seller, a reality that has seen the luxury marque's second CEO since BMW took over ownership, Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, resign within five months of the resignation of longtime R-R executive Tony Gott. Not to slag the downtrodden, but it must truly burn the execs at Rolls-Royce when they see how successful Bentley has become this year. The fact that the Volkswagen-owned luxury division will eclipse its previous 1986 record year by more than a thousand units in 2004, has to stymie BMW-owned Rolls, now stuck with a brand that seems desperately out of pace with the times. The boys from Goodwood can't blame poor sales results on a down economy either, once again bitten by Bentley.
