Archive for March, 2009

Bentley Continental Supersports

Friday, March 6th, 2009

Bentley Continental Supersports

Disclaimer: In no way could this car be described as a chauffeur car, but as it is a Bentley and loosely related to the four door Bentley Continental Flying Spur, I thought it was worth mentioning!

Some cars are bred to be driven and some are born to be driven by. The new Bentley Continental Supersports is of the former camp. In essence it is a stripped down, Continental GT: leaner, meaner and faster.

Weight is the enemy of speed. The Bentley engineers have decided that the customers of this particular model, would prefer to strip out the electronic, massaging rear seats, and replace them with a carbon fibre bar. . . Having been driven at high speed in a Continental GT before, I can see where they are coming from. To really appreciate a GT you really need to be in one of the front seats, preferably the drivers.

Bentley Continental Supersports interior

Bentley Continental Supersports interior: Who needs rear seats anyway?

With 621 bhp available from the 6 litre W12 engine and a faster shifting gearbox coupled with a 110 kg less weight than a Continental GT Speed, make the Supersports a very quick car. Reaching 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and topping out at 204 mph the Supersports lives up to its moniker. The Supersports was named after the super-lightweight (for a Bentley) Bentley Supersports of the 1920s. Fitted with ceramic disc brakes and having all-wheel drive this should prove to be a very safe motor car too.

Bentley Continental Supersports side view

Distinctive smoked steel finish to all the brightware, including the wheels which shroud the ceramic disc brakes.

Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce and Bentley all chose the 2009 Geneva Motorshow to announce some exciting new cars. Aston Martin announced the One-77, a bold limited edition supercar. The Rolls-Royce 200EX is a more dynamic Rolls-Royce, but still a Rolls-Royce never the less. Some say it could even be a competitor to the Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Somehow though I don’t think even Rolls-Royce would create a competitor to the Continental Supersports. A muscular 2 seater fits Bentley’s sporting heritage precisely and shows how just how different Bentley and Rolls-Royce really are.

Another first for the Supersports is that this Bentley is the first to be able to use flex-fuel, either petrol or bi-ethanol or a combination of the two. Sure, there are faster supercars out there. But with the latest generation of Bentleys, these are cars you can use everyday. Very reliable and even in Supersports guise are likely to be dignified and calm at all times. Even with your right foot pushing the pedal firmly into the diamond stitched upholstery. Just like Benteys of old…

Bentley Continental Supersports rear view

The rear view of the Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley Continental Supersports Official Site

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Rolls-Royce 200EX – a new Silver Ghost?

Friday, March 6th, 2009

Rolls-Royce 200EX

Rolls-Royce decided to unveil their new "Baby Rolls" at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Previously tagged the RR4, the 200EX as it is now known may perhaps be called "Silver Ghost" when it goes into production during 2010. Originally the name "Silver Ghost" was used to emphasise the spooky quietness of the Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP model, that was dubbed "the best car in the world" by Autocar in 1907.

Rolls-Royce 200EX Grill

The world’s most famous grille. "We wanted this to be less reminiscent of the traditional ‘Parthenon’ style and more like a jet intake," – Ian Cameron.

Officially described as an "Experimental" model, as you might expect from Rolls-Royce, the 200EX is not just a clay or paper mache mock-up or a stylish concept drawing. This is a proper working example of this future production Rolls-Royce. If it is a baby, then it is a particularly large example. It might not quite stretch to the length of the behemoth Phantom, but at 5.4 metres long it is still a very large saloon. It has been reported and blogged that the 200EX was born out of the recession, but the reality was that the Rolls-Royce designers started developing this car way before the global economy went into meltdown.

Rolls-Royce 200EX Interior

The usual Rolls-Royce luxury, but with a more chunky and sporty steering wheel than the Phantom.

With a more dynamic character than the Phantom, even the steering wheel is a little fatter than the svelte Phantom wheel. This suggests that this car needs to be driven, and by many accounts it has been designed to compete head on with its former sibling Bentley and their Continental Flying Spur. It will be suitably more expensive than the Bentley though, weighing in at an expected £175 000, which hardly puts it in the bargain basement. No, this car looks like being another exquisite design, complete with the signature rear mounted coach doors.

Rolls-Royce 200EX Coach Doors

The Rolls-Royce signature rear mounted coach doors on the 200EX.

As a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce it is perhaps slightly overshadowed by the Phantom’s commanding presence, but this car looks like it will be as rewarding to drive as it is to recline in. Powered by a new V12 engine, derived from the new BMW 760i power plant this Rolls-Royce will probably not win any awards for economy, but in the best traditions of the illustrious company this is a Rolls-Royce that will command respect, without shouting. A grand car that will be found in the garages of wealthy motorists, even with or without a recession.

Rolls-Royce 200EX Spirit of Ecstasy

"Alluring, inviting, approachable – this car captivates with each encounter" – Chief Designer, Ian Cameron

Official Rolls-Royce 200EX Micro Site

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