Next-Generation Bentley Continental Info Surfaces

Bentley isn't wasting any time, certainly by company standards, in redesigning their volume Continental series. According to a new report, work on the next-generation lineup of vehicles has already begun.  

I'm sure Bentley is working hard to keep the ball rolling for the next-generation of the Continental Series. Indeed, they've been almost entirely responsible for Bentley's sales success. They are, and will continue to be, Bentley's engine for growth.

I don't know about you, but the car still looks fresh to me! The design is thoroughly modern and desirable as ever. While it originally debuted in 2003, it seems like only yesterday when it first came out.

Good news (Well, it's all good news really) comes with the news that the design will be completed by the same team, headed up by design director Dirk van Braeckel.

As you can imagine, styling changes will be evolutionary, not revolutionary. In other words, they're going to play it safe...."don't mess with success"....if "ain't" broke don't fix it - well, you get the idea.

Underneath the Continental does an interesting switch with platform mates. This time, the Continental eschews it's front axle borrowed from the VW Phaeton for the one used on the Audi A8. While I think that's a good move from an image standpoint, this is done for practical purposes as well.

It allows for a shorter front overhang resulting in a widened track, and for the GT, a longer wheelbase. Roominess is increased as well per usual, and a mix of an aluminum spaceframe up front and conventional steel in the rear helps shave 400 pounds. 

That's a very surprising figure, especially for a luxury make! Usually they gain weight, not cut down on it. So with the changes, the Continental GT's curb weight drops to 4800 pounds. Not bad.

So the series will be adding interior room while shedding weight. Combine that with the increased aerodynamics and the changes should result in some nice fuel efficiency gains even with standard models.

Furthering that, big changes come in the powertrain department as well. The standard W12 gains HP but the big news is possible additions of diesel and even plug-in hybrid power (!).

Just like this time around, the first model of the Continental series is set to be the GT, with an arrival slated around early 2011. I can't wait to see it! Hopefully before then we'll see some spy shots and renderings giving us an idea of what to expect. Maybe even a preview concept, if we're lucky!