What made the concept most revolutionary was its size. Rather than the usual weighty Bentley fare both the Java coupé and convertible seemed comparatively diminutive, more inline with midsize models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The model's subsequent lighter weight was to improve handling dynamics as well, further enhanced by Automatic Ride Control. Rounding out the athletic image was a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, large for the time. While today's concepts wear 19-inch rims and larger it's safe to say wheel and tire packages closer to 18-inches in diameter could be expected on a modern midsize production Bentley.
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| Both a convertible and coupé, shown here, made it to the show stand. The next midsize Bentley concept will probably be a sedan, soon to be followed by a production version. |
The concept car continued the smaller theme into the engine bay. The Java boasted a Cosworth Engineering developed 3.5-L V8 with twin-turbochargers, 4-valves per cylinder, dual-overhead cams and undisclosed horsepower and torque ratings - 'adequate' was the fashionable statement used for engine output by Bentley at the time. While only slightly larger than half of a traditional Bentley V8, the 3.5-L resulted in the car's theoretical maximum speed of over 270 km/h (170 mph) - electronically governed at 250 km/h (155 mph). According to the project engineers the Java could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in slightly less than 6 seconds (5.6 to 5.8 depending what you read) and then on to 160 km/h (100 mph) in about 15 seconds. Despite its brisk pace the Java was said to incorporate Bentley's Shift Energy Management System, seamlessly integrating each gear interval for the smoothest possible acceleration.
What might have been the most exciting aspect of its performance characteristics would be even more critical in today's Kyoto Protocol inflamed market. The Java's highway fuel economy rating was estimated to eclipse 7.8 L/100 km (30 mpg) at a steady 120 km/h (75 mph). Compare that to the current Arnage R's 14.8 L/100 km (15 mpg) highway rating.