The racing heritage and luxury personified that is brought together in a Bentley can soon be yours, even if it is just for a brief encounter. 

The new Continental GTC V8 is coming soon to Signature Car Hire.  You can earn your wings as a Bentley pilot with this car thanks to its startling performance credentials.  The Continental GTC is unmistakably Bentley V8, from the red enamelled Flying B atop the gloss black mesh grill, ringed with bright chrome, and the three-segment front bumper to the blacked-out rear valance with characteristic figure-of-eight exhaust pipes.  Yet it is under the bonnet where the power of the V8 apparel is truly found.

From the moment you push the starter button, you will be able to grasp just how much technology has revolutionised the drive of the new Bentley.  The new 4 litre V8 engine really does capture the best of Bentley’s racing prowess and improve it with twenty-first century performance enhancements.  The miraculous new V8 develops a staggering 660 Nm of torque at just 1700 rpm.  A potential top speed of 187 mph is possible, 60 miles an hour being reached in 4.7 seconds.  This is all achieved in conjunction with an eight-speed gearbox.  The greater number of ratios in this model means that more efficiency than ever before is available.  As such, the car is more than 40% more efficient than the previous V8.

One of the best ways to enjoy this performance soundtrack is with the roof down.  Bentley make no secret of the fact that one of the main reasons for delivering the GTC in convertible format is indeed to be able to enjoy the spectacular symphony produced by the engine.  Apart from being entertained by the legendary burble and growl, you can also enjoy the best of open-top touring whether for urban attractions or country retreats.  When the seasons are less than perfect, the four-layer roof perfectly cocoons in luxurious isolation. 

Inside you will find all the touches required for utter refined pleasure.  Tanned leather is shaped, stitched and worked around the superlative cobra-head seats with integrated headrests, and armrests for your complete comfort.  Entertainment comes from the eight-channel, eight-speaker music system, with 15GB of storage for music.   

Whatever tune you choose for your soundtrack to this self-drive hire, you will certainly feel the confidence that comes with knowing what your car looks like to those outside.   The dominant silhouette comes from its commanding bonnet line, with twin headlamps ensconced for definitive marksmanship.  To the rear of the car, the Bentley ‘double-horseshoe’ boot lid with spoiler cements the profile.   Throughout the magnificent body, the impact of technology is still seen in the eloquent coachwork.  The use of ‘superforming’ on this model allows the knife-edge creases down the front wings of the Continental GTC V8.  This means that superior grade aluminium has been heated to 500 degrees Centigrade and shaped around a die using air pressure.  The complexity of this car is just waiting to be uncovered. Watch this space and we will keep you updated on its arrival.

Perhaps one of the key strengths of this iconic marque, whilst lesser-known than its beautiful production cars, is to be found in the design portfolio of its past concept cars.  It therefore also lies in the unique talents of the Bentley designers to continually innovate and exponentially improve during the design phases in between concept and production.

This was recently highlighted after the Geneva Motor Show.  The concept SUV was mooted at the International Motor Show in March and as such the Bentley designers have gone back to the drawing board to ensure that what comes through in execution phase is trademark, and blissfully, Bentley.  Despite Bentley’s heritage of producing four-wheel drive cars, the response received by the EXP 9F all-roader was less than lukewarm and as such Bentley has listened to the feedback and withdrawn to further work on the design.  Refinement should help to ease the boxlike, heavy facade of the crossover pilot.  Whilst traditionalists get used to this idea at all, the EXP 9F should start to move away from its exterior frame criticised for being bulky and uninspired.  The interior of the concept however should need little to improve it.  Quilted dove-grey leather upholstery, polished warm wood veneers, twin sunroofs, champagne cooler and glass drawer, and tan leather trim all combined to provide an eloquent expression of Bentley luxury, all tailored to fit a sporting lifestyle.     

Bentley’s ability to finesse its design concepts should hopefully mean that the eventual car that is available for connoisseurs of this luxury marque is the epitome of refinement.  This skill was exhibited after the show as we had the opportunity to review some of its more elegant concept vehicles, of which none are conventionally powered.

The Bentley Speed VI is a prime example of legendary Bentley creations.  In tandem with designer Gabriel Tam, the Speed VI echoes with elements of the Bentley Speed 6, a star of the Le Mans circuit in the 1920s.  Powered by an electric motor, this concept racer has a 1+1 seating configuration.   

Bentley ambition is tamed in the Bora Kim-designed Bentley Jekyll and Hyde concept car.  Influenced by the elements, the car morphs between a coupe powered by electricity, solar, and wind energy.

Also keeping sustainable energy sources at the forefront is the TEN11.  Designed in conjunction with Mika Heikkinen and EXA, this is a luxury sports car concept.   Powered by four in-wheel motors, it also features a bio-diesel engine for purists who do not believe in the sustainability of coal fire-generated electricity, or who prefer a slightly more conventional approach to power.

Given that these exquisite designs did not even make it out of the studio, we can expect to see a redefined SUV of the highest calibre.

We are extremely excited to announce that we have reserved our new Bentley, the new 2012 Continental GTC.

The Cabrio variant of the Continental GT comes with a 6.0 liter W12 twin-turbocharged engine producing 567bhp (423kW / 575PS ) and 700Nm (516lb-ft) of torque. The unit is also flex-fuel capable and can run on either E85 bio-ethanol or regular petrol or any combination of both. Transmission is a 6-speed ZF 6HP28 with ‘Quickshift’ technology.

To quote Bentley’s own prose the GTC “offers a seductive combination of performance, style and exclusivity“, which makes it a perfect addition to our fleet of prestige and performance hire cars.

Brits look forward to the coming of summer for many reasons. People may clamour for the long days and warmer weather, they may long for holidays and festivals, or, if they are anything like us, it is the spectacle of the Goodwood Festival of Speed that is awaited.

Running from 28th June to 1st of July, the FoS is a sure sign that summer has arrived. Already event organiser Lord March and his team are so well advanced in their annual plans for the event that ticket sales are underway and growing daily.

Also in preparation for the thrills and spectacle are the plethora of drivers, marques, exhibitors and stallholders who come together to make this a true celebration of the past, present and future of the internal combustion engine. Someone caught on camera in early practice sessions for the Hillclimb segment of the Festival recently was one of the supercars of Bentley. Given that the Festival of Speed owes a lot of its reason for being to the legendary machines of Bentley, it is fitting that today’s ‘Bentley Boys’ and their cars devote an appropriate amount of time and energy to preparations for the illustrious occasion. It is important that these cars not only show the event the respect it commands, but also steal the show with their winning looks and power.

The Bentley Continental GT V8 was just spotted getting ready for the Goodwood hillclimb. Its 4.0 litre V8 engine was recently unveiled at Detroit’s Auto Show and offers 500bhp of torque. It is a true successor to the Bentleys of the Belle Epoque. In the first few decades of the Twentieth Century, it was this single inclined sprint, held in the grounds of the Goodwood estate, which was one of the highlights of the sporting circuit that spawned much of the race-bred development of high performance cars, including the legendary Bentley Blowers, amongst others. A desire to recognise the contribution of these men and their marvellous machines, and the heady days when cars were pushed to, and beyond, their boundaries has led to the contemporary celebration that is the Festival of Speed.

The Bentley Continental V8 has been practising already, taking in the hillclimb circuit in readiness for the Goodwood sprint. Joining their sibling, was the Continental Supersports Convertible ISR, which Bentley is promising to be the ‘world’s fastest luxury convertible’ and the magnificent 6.75 Mulsanne.

Steven Egan, Bentley’s Marketing Operations Manager said of the testing that ‘the team had an excellent day at Goodwood with the new Continental V8 and we’re now looking forward to returning in the summer as one of the Festival’s official partners and with our leading ‘Bentley Boy’ drivers behind the wheel’.

A second-hand car with a difference will soon come up for auction, and it is anticipated that it could become Britain’s most expensive car ever sold.

The vintage Bentley is not your average ‘one lady owner’ classified however.  Two distinguished gentlemen have lovingly cared for this souvenir of the Belle Époque.  The car in question is a 1929 4.5 litre, 240 bhp, Bentley Blower.  What is astonishing about this red Bentley is that when raced by its first owner Sir Henry ‘Tiger Tim’ Birkin, it set the lap record at Brooklands Outer Circuit in 1931 after reaching a blistering 137 mph.  Reaching 60 mph in an amazing, for its day, eight seconds, the car was originally capable of a top speed of 106 mph, until it was supercharged under the ownership of Sir Henry Birkin, and then the magic truly began.  The manual, four-speed, rear-wheel drive car set the pace for the rest of the pack to follow.   

It was raced in the heady days of Brooklands when ‘Tiger Tim’ was one of the most famous of the rock stars of the day, the Bentley Boys.  They were the group of wealthy men who raced all the latest British sports cars in the 1920s and 30s.

It is part of a collection of cars being auctioned from the estate of the late George Daniels, himself renowned as quite possibly Britain’s most eminent watchmaker.  The portfolio goes under the hammer by Bonhams, on 29^th June at Goodwood Festival of Speed, and is expected to garner in excess of eight million pounds. Whilst the collection of seven cars and two bikes includes a 1908 Formula One car and an ex-Maharaja of Bhavnagar’s 1929 4 litre Bentley Tourer by Vanden Plas, the draw card is most definitely the racing Bentley. 

It is tipped to become the most expensive British car sold publicly, if it reaches the £5 million pounds anticipated.  This would break the £3.5 million paid for a 1904 Rolls Royce, when adjusted for inflation, sold in 2007. 

Both men loved the car, and their presence is certainly felt on this incredible masterpiece.  Whilst only 54 of the cars were made in the three years of its production, there is no doubt that its former owners add to the prestige, and price tag, of the Blower.  George Klepp, a vintage Bentley consultant said that ‘cars raced by Birkin are highly sought after and stay in very serious long-term ownership’. 

Sir Henry Birkin, whilst being a playboy racer of the jazz age, died tragically at the age of 36 after a burn he obtained from a race-hot exhaust pipe gave him septicaemia.  His iconic Bentley was later bought by the groundbreaking horologist George Daniels, who owned it until his death last year. Classic car enthusiast Daniels loved the Bentley, describing that ‘for all its inconvenience it is a most exhilarating car to drive both on the road and track.’  It was only a single-seater, and had no room for luggage storage.

Obviously Daniels had an eye for superb engineering and immaculate timing.  Recognised as one of the few contemporary watchmakers who could create a supreme watch from idea generation to finished masterpiece, he only made one hundred pocket and wrist watches, at an investment of around 2,500 hours of work.  Legendary as the creator of the co-axial escapement, the driver of the timekeeping mechanism, he is seen as the father of the most important horological development for 250 years.

With such eminent and loving owners as these two leaving their caress upon this beautiful Bentley, it is likely that the next lucky owner will truly be the caretaker of an amazing piece of motoring history.

Popular acclaim continues to be heaped upon the 2012 Bentley Continental GT V8, and the latest road reviews all echo positive sentiments about this magnificent supercar.

Rivaling the Porsche 911, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Ferrari California and Maserati Gran Turismo, and coming out favourably, this is a car which has an efficient new V8 engine, a superb soundtrack, and a dynamic ride.

The new engine is quite possibly the highlight of the Continental GT.  Co-developed with Audi, the revolutionary V8 deploys cylinder deactivation that allows its green credentials to shine through.  In slumber at lower revs, an instantaneous leap back to eight cylinders take places the instant your foot touches the accelerator.   Not only is fuel efficiency increased by forty percent but the sporty feeling moves right through your body as a result.   Performance is truly impressive.  With up to 500 bhp available at higher revs, 60 mph is reached in 4.6 seconds.

The legendary soundtrack which accompanies this acceleration should then be of no surprise.  There is no misunderstanding about the pedigree of this car, regardless of where the needle is on the rev counter.  A low-down burble, medium range growl and high-end roar are yours, and the passing pedestrians’, delight.  Engaging all your senses including your audio-loving ears, this car delights with decibels.

Through your fingertips to your toes, the car continues to impress.  The ride quality is what one would expect from a car of this magnitude, with some great enhancements.  Subtle improvements to the chassis with sportier springs, dampers and stability control lend their weight to this class act.  Road holding is improved thanks to standard twenty-inch tyres, or option twenty-one inch wheels.  Weight distribution between front and rear axles is optimised for even better handling.  As with all Bentley models, four-wheel drive means that handling excellence exists in all road conditions.   The choice of mode, including Sport style, means you can even customise the ride according to your taste.  Discerning drivers will certainly feel the difference in the new eight-speed gearbox as well with smooth changes up the gearbox and immediate change downs.

Apart from the engine, soundtrack, and ride, the visual aspect of the Continental GT V8 aims to please, and certainly deliver.  The sporty breeding shows through in pronounced elements such as the heightened presence of the front bumper, black mesh grill, and dark rear valence, and more subtle ones, like the elongated ‘figure-eight’ shaped exhaust pipes, and oxblood enamel flying ‘B’.  Executive yet leisurely, the interior with leather quilting, comprehensive central console, highlights of darker wood veneers, provides all the hints you need that you are in a luxury car, full of heritage yet poised to pounce.

Bentley has chosen to highlight its latest offerings in a digital showcase.  Exciting new developments come alive in this audio visual feast.  We think you won’t be able to tear yourself away from browsing through this cavalcade of motoring news.

Their new Continental GT and GTC V8’s engine takes pride of place in this news round-up.  Headlining the bill, these engines provide a moving soundtrack for any further headlines in the Bentley portal.   Just launched at the Detroit Motor Show a few months ago, this new generation engine was developed to power these cars with true V8 style.  The 4.0 litre engine is quickly becoming renowned for its super stereophonics, the legendary Bentley growl.  An enormous investment of hours spent by Bentley’s specialist engineers in sound simulators has reaped rewards with an audio score for your journey that provides palpable enjoyment.

Many would wonder if the cars needed any enhancement, but Bentley has managed to revisit these grand tourers and reinvent them with panache.  The engine also adds to the improved driving experience with increased fuel efficiency, travelling over 500 miles on a single tank of fuel, thanks to variable valve displacement. This means that four out of its eight cylinders hibernate when not needed, immediately springing to life when the throttle demands it. 0-60 is achieved in just 4.7 seconds. Suitably, the engine earns its enamelled flying Bentley ‘B’ beneath the bonnet.

Twin exhaust pipes in horizontal figure eights at the back of the car leave you in no doubt as to the pedigree of this power unit. Inside as well, a contemporary feeling enhances the fascia, with Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneer partnering with almost clinical instrumentation to add a clarity which announces the performance credentials of this luxury supercar.

Also showcased is the luck with which some Bentley enthusiasts were graced recently when they got to test drive these new models.  Privileged guests were guided by a Bentley driving specialist for an hour around a specially-selected route, hand-picked to let them feel the full impact of the drive experience of the new cars.

The Continental V8 also receives its spot on the limelight in this online festival of speed with review by some of the luminaries of the motor sport world.  Le Mans winner Guy Smith is captured falling in love with the flawless performer. He said ‘the power and the steering are really responsive. I could flick the car from left to right and put it exactly where I wanted it.  And the sound of the car is fantastic.  The slightly stiffer suspension and the more direct, more positive power steering were really noticeable.  And they have done a fabulous job on the gearbox. It’s smooth, effortless shifting and, just like a race car, it won’t let you change down until the car is at exactly the right speed.  In fact as far as the gearbox is concerned it’s the closest I have ever seen to a race car on a car designed for the road’.

Critical acclaim is also accorded to the Continental V8 by the review conducted by the eminent motoring journalism team of Jeremy Clarkson and The Stig in the Top Gear review.

You can also share the excitement of what it means to rub shoulders with Bentleys, their owners, and some fabulous jewellery at the recent celebratory evening.  The affair marked the launch of the Bentley Supersports Convertible Ice Speed Record edition, which is uniquely paired with a fantastic Breitling watch, for the twenty lucky owners in Britain who are able to purchase this limited edition.  Being part of the Bentley set, you are also able to view what it feels like to be invited to the Bentley Power on Ice event, recently held in Finland for some fortunate owners.  A taste of the phenomenal all-wheel drive of the Bentley is yours.

A final coup de grace is delivered when you get to watch the making of the new Continental V8’s launch video.  Everyone loves a behind-the-scenes viewing, and when it concerns a beautiful car such as this in the stunning Swiss setting, it is simply breathtaking.

All these screen scenes uniquely invite you to get closer to Bentley.