Tuesday, June 4, 2013

2011 Buick Regal CXL Review

Front 3/4 view of silver 2011 Buick Regal
The 2011 Buick Regal. A whole new look for GMs longtime old-guy division.

Turning points are usually things that become obvious well after the fact...noted by historians looking at the big picture. Its rare when we can see one in real time and realize it.

I could be wrong here, but I think were looking at one right now.

Its been many years since Buick built a car enthusiasts could get (pardon the pun) revved up about. It was a Regal, too, come to think of it.

Well, 1987 was 1987 and 2011 is 2011 and Buick wisely resisted the urge to join the retro-mobile bandwagon and instead built a sedan for our times.


Rear 3/4 view of silver 2011 Buick Regal driving on city street
Slick European lines highlight the rear view of the 2011 Buick Regal.

Buicks aiming for an interesting spot in the sedan spectrum...sportier than Lexus, cushier than BMW (the American alternative to Infiniti, perhaps?), and the Regal hits that very small bulls-eye. Simply put, it drives better than any Buick of the last 25 years, perhaps than any Buick ever...and better than many contemporary sedans out there.

Thats a big enough accomplishment for Buick, but heres the kicker...it does it with a four-cylinder engine under the hood. In fact, thats the only way you can get a Regal right now...your choice is turbo or non-turbo...and thats what we got...the stock engine. 182 horsepower. Doesnt sound like much considering what else is on the market, but it moves the Regal with authority, and mated to a six-speed automatic, it delivers pretty good mileage, too. 19 city isnt awesome, but 30 highway is a strong selling point these days.

$26,245 is the price of entry, bringing with it Stabilitrak, a full complement of airbags and curtains, battery rundown protection,  a six-month subscription to OnStar Directions & Connections with automatic crash response and turn-by-turn navigation, tire pressure monitoring, brake assist and ABS, 18-inch alloy wheels, power heated outside mirrors, halogen headlamps and fog lamps, leather seats (heated up front and 8-way power adjustable for the driver), remote keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, power door locks, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, controls for audio and cruise on the steering wheel, a seven-speaker AM/FM/CD/SiriusXM audio system with USB port and Bluetooth, and two power outlets.

Interior shot of 2011 Buick Regal
The 2011 Buick Regal interior will remind you of anything but Buicks past.


In our book, thats loaded. Especially for a tick over $26K. But Buick added one....just one...option package. Its called RL6, the Comfort and Convenience Package. It gives the front passenger the same 8-way adjustable seat the driver gets, along with 4-way lumbar, adds a 120-volt power outlet, Ultrasonic rear parking assist, a power sunroof, rear seat mounted airbags, GPS navigation and ups the audio system to a premium unit with 9 speakers instead of 7. 

It costs $4,785.

I think the Regals one helluva car without it at $26,245. But I cant really object to anything in the option package either (other than satnav....say it with me now: "My phone does that."), and at $31,780 with destination charges, its still one helluva car, and fairly priced for what you get. Its just not the jaw-dropping value it represents at almost five grand less.
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Sunday, June 2, 2013

Tips When Your Car Strike Hit By Floods

You have to be careful crossing the street flooding. If not, your car can be broken down in the street.

For those of you driving the car, be careful crossing streets under water. If not, your car can be broken down in the street.

Then, what should you do when a car hit by flooding? Here are some tips on handling the car after flooded quoted from various sources:

When the car hit by flood light:
- Check the condition of wheel bearings
- Check the condition of brake system
- Check the ABS system works
- Check the condition of tie rod and ball joint

Floods are:
- Check the condition of the engine and transmission oil, when mixed with water, replace with new ones
- Open the exhaust and air filter, if there is clean water and dry
- Make sure the engine can spin by rotating the pulley with the key
- Check the cylinder by opening the spark plugs, if there is water clean in a way start the engine with the spark plug condition is open all
- Check the completeness of electrical machines, such as starter, alternator, and the ECU. If there is water, clean and dry

Flood weight:
- Check the appropriate components on the flood light and medium category, and check for components that are in the cabin.
- Check all the ECU, combination meter, tape, relays, and fuse, and all the connectors that exist in the cabin. Make sure all free of water, then wash and dry using a blower or hair dryer.
- Take the car to the garage to get further examination
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Friday, May 31, 2013

Toyota Recall Attorneys Add Racketeering Claims To Lawsuits

Customers alleging the Toyota recalls have cost them in terms of resale value have now filed more than 80 lawsuits in 40 states.

Automotive News says some of those suits are being amended to include racketeering claims against Toyota, which could triple the damages if Toyota loses the suits. Full story from Automotive News (free registration required).
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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Removing the ball joint VAZ 2110

Ball bearing a rather important piece suspension. On VAZ 2110 2109 ball bearings go much more than classic cars. Often you could see a situation where there was some kind of an old six with a torn wheel (at best). To avoid this, you need time to diagnose a ball bearing. Check the integrity of visual support is almost impossible, and when it is considerable wear you will hardly hear it rattle because the sound in our cars and so lacking. To properly check the ball joints need to raise the vehicle on a lift, substitute for an iron pillar support and lowered the car a bit to load on the support was due to the pressure bearing on the iron pillar. Now we take a crowbar or pry bar and rests on the suspension arm. Then he begins to perform oscillatory motion, as if to vomit support. If you can clearly observe the play in motion sharogo finger - hence reliance is time to change. 1. Turn off the key at 19 nut ball joint to the lever 2. Remover vypressovyvaem finger ball joint of the lever 3. In the absence of the puller nut finger turns away not completely 4. Create a preload assembly shovel and strike a hammer on the lever until the decompression pin 5. Pressing out the mounting paddle down the suspension, we derive the ball pin from the hole lever 6. Head of 17 turns away two bolts attaching ball bearings to the steering knuckle All are now supporting ball in our hands. You can now more accurately verify its faults, just check the backlash sharogogo thumb. New ball joints set in reverse order.

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Monday, May 27, 2013

Pasting the car with his hands

Okleit car yourself - not in the cellar. To do this you than the film itself, it will take part assistant for a smooth installation of large sheets of film, as well as availability, pre-cooked, tools and some patience. Of the tools necessary to be reserved by: squeegee made of plastic or felt, with a knife or scissors, spray with water-detergent solution in a ratio of 1 / 10, White Spirit, hairdryer, mounting tape, dry cloth, masking tape. The film has a paper-based and applied on the surface of the car by using the mounting tape. In transferring the film on the surface of a car, it should be smooth squeegee. The main rule when pasting - is necessary to thoroughly clean and degrease the surface with white spirit. Other, no less important rule - pasting should be in place to avoid exposure to dust at room temperature for at least 10 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, defects will be formed. Pasting the car with his hands, is done using the stickers are already ready to use, offered for sale complete with mounting tape. Can also be ordered on their own in any agency on advertising. The procedure of gluing is as follows. 1. After a thorough bathing and drying cars, degreased surface with mineral spirits. 2. With the participation of an assistant to determine the location of the future location of vinyl film, it is necessary to make vinyl and using masking tape to keep the markup that will need to navigate when applied film. In this case, a vinyl film, yet, you can not remove the substrate and the mounting tape. Markings should be given maximum attention. It is also important to remember that the design surface irregularities are often the cause of defects in the pasting. 3. At this stage, you must carefully separate the base paper. The procedure is performed on a flat surface with an assistant. In this case, it should not samoskleivaniya film. The result is a vinyl film with a layer of mounting on it. 4. At this stage, spray, sprayed the place drawing plenty of stickers. It is important that a solution of soapy water flooded the entire surface, without exception. Such wet and soap, surface, allow to adjust the position of the label. Also, due to a slippery surface, it is convenient to expel air bubbles formed under the sticker. 5. Now, on the damp surface of vinyl and fits neatly smoothed squeegee. The air must push the squeegee from the center toward the edges of the film. In the presence of surface design bends, start priglazhivanie should be a central, flat parts, gradually moving to the edges. In the process of smoothing necessary to heat the sticker with a hair dryer. We can not allow the formation of folds and swelling of the film. Smoothing a section of the film, it is necessary at this point to separate the mounting tape. As a result, tension is removed stickers. If you have any wrinkles, it is necessary, carefully peel the section and smooth the back, heating the film dryer. In the field bends the surface, you need a little more heat and stretch the film during smoothing. If necessary, permitted, notching assembly layer, not touching the labels.

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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Towbar for Mitsubishi Outlander why do you need and where to get

Presently hitch on the car ceased to be a lot grim truckers to "Moskvich", twice a year, clinging to his jalopy truck with Chopper - planting potatoes in May and in September to clean. Now hitch is not a symbol of the villa zamorochennosti! Promotion to the masses by the authorities of the concept of active rest is bearing fruit, and winter recreation in the fields on a snowmobile, in summer on the water on a water bike and just trailering with the trailer became commonplace. And man, buy - did snowmobile encounters a problem - how to deliver the machine in the field? Under its own power for a long time out, until the spring can not catch. Attach to a car with a truck towing a snowmobile without fail, you can not try. And so, going for segohodom or water motorcycle first take care of the towbar! Turnbuckles somehow classified as a sellers kit, along with kenguryatnik. However, the hitch - first strength member, and the attitude to it as a decorative trinket inappropriate. There is a sense proiskat Internet company, specializes in tow, on their sale and installation. For example: tow bars Mitsubishi Outlander They sell, and consult, and install ... all in one place! However, the hitch can be installed yourself. Mounted hitch on the staff openings provided by the manufacturer, connector electrical trailer to the vehicle mounted with the staffing at the plant. If the seller starts to explain that, they say, "this is a great hitch, but that does not fit - business - then drill a hole" - run out! These people are obviously trying to fool your head - there is no certified and approved by the factory - manufacturer of towbars, that "some are not suitable." Hitch mount on the hardware needed to charge the seller gives you complete with towbar and stretching it must be in accordance with the recommendations in instruktsii.I recently. When planning the purchase and installation of the tow, consider first that you'll hook him! After hitch, as any force element has a maximum load on the ball and passport Towing hitch and if your Mitsubishi is designed for 750 kg Mass of the trailer, then try to move a couple of pallets of brick at a time is clearly not worth it!

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Thursday, May 23, 2013

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 cars photos and prices

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 cars photos and prices
car wallpaper 2011,car modifcar wallpaper 2011,car modifcar wallpaper 2011,car modifcar wallpaper 2011,car modifcar wallpaper 2011,car modif
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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

2011 hyundai sonata cars wallpapers and reviews

2011 hyundai sonata cars wallpapers and reviews
the meat-and-potatoes of the American car market remains the mid-size family sedan. For the past two decades, the undisputed kings of this particular segment have been the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, especially since the Ford Taurus fell off its pedestal right around 1992.

 Many have tried to knock the two Japanese heavyweights (now figuratively and literally) off the hill – and almost as many have failed.


 And while those two titans have remained atop the sales charts, other family sedans have met with considerable success. Perhaps most notably, the Hyundai Sonata, an unassuming car that has found its way into 1.2 million homes. 
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Friday, May 17, 2013

MINI WRC adventure all over again

MINI WRC
Five decades MINI did not engage in rallying at the highest level. Last year, this changed. With great fanfare announced the brand to return to the WRC. No sooner said than done. But now, after only half rally season is MINIs rally adventure all over again.

End of the year draws MINI withdrew from the WRC. At least as a factory team. MINI partner Prodrive, the Countryman WRC JWC still on your own in the sport maintain, albeit without factory support. The reason for MINI again now with the WRC stopen? The harsh economic times. But the view of strong opponents may also sometimes have weighed in the withdrawal of MINI. Include Volkswagen and Hyundai namely recently announced their participation in the WRC.

MINI results
During his brief career in the MINI WRC clinched several top-10 results and three podiums away. Best result so far scored the factory team early this year when the Spanish driver Dani Sordo finished second in the famous Monte Carlo Rally.
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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Celestial navigation

Celestial Guidance in the GPS Age by Apostle Karl This revised and dilated edition of this touristed CN book now introduces lancelike tabular exteroception reductions best, followed by expert methods for those want to require ample benefit of their malleability. Of series it retains the duplicate new comprehendible and veracious statement of CN mysteries, such as the role of the fictitious bed been added. It explains niner special sights, such as Polestar sights, town sights, and flat sights without a sextant. 

for detail here
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Sunday, May 12, 2013

Aston Martin DBS Superior Black 2011




This is the Aston Martin DBS Superior Black Edition by Anderson Germany.
The German tuner applies a deep-black matte paint finish to this DBS while adding carbon mirrors, tinted windows and window frames in a matte black which also coats much of the other exterior components.
For the engine tuning, Anderson dials up wattage on the V12 from 517 PS (380 kW / 510 bhp) to 565 PS (416 kW / 557 bhp) by means of an ECU remap, catalyst replacement pipes and special manifolds. The DBS also drops 21 kg in curb weight and gets an electronically-controlled vent damper on the black exhaust pipe.
Wheels are the 21-inch glossy black rims with 255 tires at the front and 295 at the back - contrasting sharply with the red brake calipers.
On the inside is the same pattern - a black carbon leather and black Alcantara finish contrasted with red diamond stitching.
 Martin DBS debuted along with Daniel Craig in the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale, and it is also the one that he literally blew the doors off in the opening chase sequence in the 2008 flick, Quantum Of Solace. It’s been five years since the world first saw it, but the car doesn’t seem to have aged at all. Here in the flesh, the DBS looks oh-so-lovely. Heck, it looked good even after Bond had a go in it!
What’s with the Aston here, you ask? Well, as we proclaimed on the cover of the March issue of Business Standard Motoring magazine, Aston Martin cars officially went on sale in India yesterday. Of the delectable range that is available, we sampled the top-of-the-line model, the V12-engined DBS. Of course, the Aston that tops the scale is the One-77, with its stratospheric price tag, but that’s a limited edition version, with only 77 units to be made. But I am not complaining, because here on the streets of Mumbai, I feel like the world’s most famous spy already, the ravishing supercar turning the heads of young and old alike. I feel underdressed and gauche driving this car.

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The Origin of Dodge Charger and What is Dodge Charger B body

1965 Dodge Charger-Rear Right View

1966 Dodge Charger Dash-Interior Wheel Drive View

The term "Dodge Charger" was the name for a mid-size car produced by Dodge. The Chargers were based on the 1975-1978 Chrysler Cordoba. The Chargers were based on 1966-1974 Chrysler B platform.

1966–1967 Dodge Charger-Front Left View

1967 Charger NASCAR Spoiler-Rear View

1968–1970 Dodge Charger-Front Right View

Source of "Charger"
It began since the early sixties many car manufacturers were exploring new ideas in the personal luxury car segments. Chrysler, slow to get into the special cars, their selected Dodge Division to enter an untapped market for a larger model to fit between the "pony car" Ford Mustang and the "personal luxury" Ford Thunderbird. The intention was to use the B-body sports car with a fastback look to share as much of their existing hardware.

1969 Dodge Charger-Front Left View

1972 Dodge Charger-Front Left View

1971–1974 Dodge Charger-Front View

During 1960s, Burt Bouwkamp, Chief Engineer for Dodge and one of the men behind the Dodge Charger, related his experience during a speech in July 2004.

1970 Dodge Charger R T-Front Left View

1975–1978 Dodge Charger-Front Left View

 Lynn Townsend was at odds with the Dodge dealer and wanted to do something to please them. In 1965, he asked me to come to their office-the second time. He noted that one of the Dodge Dealer Council requests was for a Barracuda type vehicle. 

1974 Dodge Charger-Front Left View

The general theme of dealer product recommendation was the same-we want to have Plymouth. A specific request for a Mustang type vehicle was not as controversial to Lynn. His direction to me was to give them a specialty car but he said for Gods sake do not make it a derivative of the Barracuda: ie do not make it a Barracuda competitor. 
 
1973 Dodge Charger-Front View

Dodge Charger-Front Right View

So the 1966 Charger was born."We built car" idea "a charger that displayed at auto shows in 1965 to stimulate market interest in the concept. The project was approved, but we told the press and attendees of the show car that was just an" idea "and we would build it if they liked it. it was preordained that they would like it."

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Mitsubishi Global Small Concept

Mitsubishi will show this new Global Small Concept car at the 2011 Geneva motor show this spring.Its one of 12 vehicles on show at the Mitsubishi stand and previews the Japanese car makers vision for future small cars.Mitsubishi Global Small Concept car: its the new ColtThe Global Small Concept in fact forms the basis for a new supermini coming in March 2012. Like Nissan with its Micra,
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BENTLEY


Bentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley (known as W.O. Bentley or just "W"). Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later versions of the Sopwith Camel. Since 1998, the company has been owned by the Volkswagen Group of Germany. The firm is based in Crewe, England with their Central Production Facilities being based there.

Contents

[hide]
  • 1 As a separate company (1919–1931)
    • 1.1 The Bentley Boys
    • 1.2 Car models
  • 2 The Rolls-Royce era (1931–1998)
    • 2.1 Car models
  • 3 Volkswagen Group ownership (1998-present)
    • 3.1 Modern Bentleys
    • 3.2 Management
    • 3.3 Recent Bentley racing
    • 3.4 Product Placement
    • 3.5 Future cars
  • 4 References
  • 5 Further reading
  • 6 External link

 As a separate company (1919–1931)

Bentleys winged "B" badge and bonnet (hood) ornament.
Before World War I, W.O. Bentley had been in partnership with his brother H.M. Bentley selling French DFP cars, but he had always wanted to design and build his own range of cars bearing his name. In August 1919, Bentley Motors Ltd. was registered, and a chassis with dummy engine was exhibited at the London Motor Show in October of that year.[1] An engine was built and running by December, and orders were taken for deliveries starting in June 1920; however, development took longer than estimated, and the first cars were not ready until September 1921.[1]
It was on a visit to the DFP factory in 1913 that W.O. noticed an aluminium paperweight, and had the inspired idea of using the lightweight metal instead of cast iron to make engine pistons. The first Bentley aluminium pistons went into service in aero engines for the Sopwith Camel during the Great War.
The company was always underfunded, and Bentley turned to millionaire Woolf Barnato for help in 1925. As part of a refinancing deal, which resulted in his effectively owning the company, Barnato became chairman.

The Bentley Boys

A group of wealthy British motorists known as the "Bentley Boys" (Woolf Barnato, Sir Henry Birkin, steeplechaser George Duller, aviator Glen Kidston, automotive journalist S.C.H. "Sammy" Davis, and Dr. Dudley Benjafield among them) kept the marques reputation for high performance alive. Thanks to the dedication to serious racing of this group, the company, located at Cricklewood, north London, was noted for its four consecutive victories at the 24 hours of Le Mans from 1927 to 1930. Their greatest competitor at the time, Bugatti—whose lightweight, elegant, but fragile creations contrasted with the Bentleys rugged reliability and durability—referred to them as "the worlds fastest lorries".
In March 1930, during the Blue Train Races, Woolf Barnato raised the stakes on Rover and its Rover Light Six, having raced and beat Le Train Bleu for the first time, to better that record with his 6½-litre Bentley Speed Six on a bet of £100. He drove against the train from Cannes to Calais, then by ferry to Dover, and finally London, travelling on public highways, and won; the H.J. Mulliner-bodied formal saloon he drove during the race as well as a streamlined fastback "Sportsman Coupé" by Gurney Nutting - he took delivery of on 21 May 1930 became known as the "Blue Train Bentleys"; the latter is regularly mistaken for (or erroneously referred to) as being the car that raced the Blue Train, while in fact Barnato named it in memory of his race.[2][3]

 Car models

1929 "Blower" Bentley from the Ralph Lauren collection.
The original model was the 3-litre, but as customers put heavier bodies on the chassis, a larger 4½-litre model followed. Perhaps the most iconic model of the period is the 4½-litre "Blower Bentley," with its distinctive supercharger projecting forward from the bottom of the grille. Uncharacteristically fragile for a Bentley, it was not the racing workhorse the 6½-litre was. It became famous in popular media as the vehicle of James Bond in the original novels, but not in film; John Steed, in the television series The Avengers, drove a Bentley.
  • 1921–29 3-litre
  • 1926–30 4½-litre & "Blower Bentley"
  • 1926–30 6½-litre
  • 1928–30 6½-litre Speed Six
  • 1930–31 8-litre
  • 1931 4-litre

[edit] The Rolls-Royce era (1931–1998)

1935 Bentley 3½-litre Cabriolet.
S1 Continental Fastback Coupé with Mulliner bodywork.
1952 Bentley R Type: an evolution of the Mark VI, which was the first Bentley available from the manufacturer with a standard body.
Rare left-hand drive 1963 Bentley S3 Continental.
1980 Bentley Mulsanne.
While a great deal of Woolf Barnatos fortune had been devoted to keeping Bentley afloat, the Great Depression destroyed demand for the companys expensive products and it was finally sold to Rolls-Royce in 1931.
Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley secretly using an entity named the British Central Equitable Trust; not even Bentley himself knew the true identity of the purchaser until the deal was completed.[1] A new company, wholly owned by Rolls-Royce, was formed as Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd. Unhappy with his new subordinate role, W.O. Bentley left to join Lagonda in 1935 when his contract was up for renewal. The Cricklewood factory was closed and sold, and production moved to the Rolls-Royce works in Derby.
When the new Bentley 3.5 Litre appeared in 1933, it was a sporting variant of the Rolls-Royce 20/25, which disappointed some traditional customers yet was well-received by many others. Even Bentley himself was reported as saying, "Taking all things into consideration, I would rather own this Bentley than any other car produced under that name".[1]
After World War II, production of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars was moved to an ex-wartime engine factory in Crewe, Cheshire. Bentleys increasingly became slightly lower priced Rolls-Royces sans the Rolls distinctive square-shouldered grille. By the 1970s and early 1980s sales had fallen badly; at one point less than 5% of combined production carried the Bentley badge.[1]
During this period Rolls-Royces parent company faltered, failing completely in 1970 following problems with aero engine development. The motorcar division was floated off and became Rolls-Royce Motors Ltd., which remained independent until bought by Vickers plc in August 1980.
Under Vickers, Bentley began to regain its high-performance heritage, typified by the 1980 Mulsanne. Bentleys restored sporting image created a renewed interest in the name and sales as a proportion of combined company output began to rise. By 1986 the Rolls-Royce:Bentley ratio had reached 60:40; by 1991 it achieved parity.[1]
For more on Bentley Motors from 1931 to 1998, see Rolls-Royce and Rolls-Royce Motors.

[edit] Car models

  • 1933–37 3½-litre
    • 1936–39 4¼-litre
  • 1939–41 Mark V
    • 1939 Mark V
  • 1946–52 Mark VI
  • 1952–55 R Type and Continental
  • 1955–59 S1 and Continental
  • 1959–62 S2 and Continental
  • 1962–65 S3 and Continental
  • 1965–80 T-series
    • 1965–77 T1
    • 1977–80 T2
  • 1971–84 Corniche
    • 1984–95 Continental — convertible
      • 1992–95 Continental Turbo
  • 1975–86 Camargue
  • 1980–87 Bentley Mulsanne
    • 1984–88 Mulsanne L — limousine
    • 1982–85 Mulsanne Turbo
    • 1987–92 Mulsanne S
    • 1984–92 Eight — basic model
    • 1985–95 Turbo R — turbocharged performance version
    • 1991–2002 Continental R — turbocharged 2-door model
      • 1999–2003 Continental R Mulliner — performance model
      • 1994–95 Continental S — intercooled
    • 1992–98 Brooklands — improved Eight
      • 1996–98 Brooklands R — performance Brooklands
    • 1994–95 Turbo S — limited-edition sports model
    • 1995–97 Turbo R — updated Turbo R
    • 1995–2003 Azure — convertible Continental R
    • 1996–2002 Continental T — short-wheelbase performance model
    • 1997–98 Turbo RL — new Turbo R LWB (Long Wheel Base)
    • 1997–98 Bentley Turbo RT — replacement for the Turbo RL
      • 1997–98 RT Mulliner — Ultra exclusive performance model
      • 1999–2002 Azure Mulliner — performance model
      • 1999 Continental T Mulliner — firmer suspension

Volkswagen Group ownership (1998-present)

2003 Bentley Azure Mulliner, Final Series.
In 1998, Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motors were purchased from Vickers plc by Volkswagen Group for £430 million, following a bidding war with BMW. BMW had recently started supplying components for the new range of Rolls and Bentley cars, notably V8 engines for the Bentley Arnage, and V12 engines for the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph. Volkswagen Group believed that the Rolls-Royce name was included in the purchase, when in fact it belonged to Rolls-Royce plc, the aero-engine company, and was used by the automobile division under licence. It also emerged that BMWs aeronautical division had a joint venture agreement with Rolls-Royce plc, and that the German company was able to terminate its supply deal with Rolls-Royce with 12 months notice, which would not be enough time for Volkswagen Group to re-engineer the cars.
BMW and Volkswagen Group entered into negotiations, and an agreement was reached whereby Volkswagen Group would manufacture both Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars until the end of 2002, licensing the name from Rolls-Royce plc; on 1 January 2003, the right to build Rolls-Royce cars would transfer to BMW. BMW licensed the brand from Rolls-Royce plc and paid £40 million to Volkswagen Group, but the deal did not include any manufacturing facilities, staff, or intellectual property on present or future models. BMW also agreed to continue its supply agreements, which gave Volkswagen Group the time it needed to reduce its reliance on BMW as a supplier. Bentley reintroduced the venerable Rolls-Royce V8 engine into the Arnage, initially as an additional model, and all BMW engine supply ended in 2003 with the end of Silver Seraph production.

Modern Bentleys

The Bentley lineup from late 2000s (from left): Flying Spur, Continental GT, and Arnage.
Queen Elizabeth IIs Bentley State Limousine.
After acquiring the Company, Volkswagen spent £500 million to modernize the Crewe factory and increase production capacity.[4] As of early 2010, there are about 3,500 working at Crewe, compared with about 1,500 in 1998 before being taken over by Volkswagen.[5] It was reported that Volkswagen invested a total of nearly US$2 billion in Bentley and its revival.[6]
In 2002, Bentley presented Queen Elizabeth II with an official State Limousine to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. In 2003, Bentleys 2-door convertible, the Bentley Azure, ceased production, and the company introduced a second line, Bentley Continental GT, a large luxury coupé powered by a W12 engine built in Crewe.
Demand had been so great, that the factory at Crewe was unable to meet orders despite an installed capacity of approximately 9500 vehicles per year; there was a waiting list of over a year for new cars to be delivered. Consequently, part of the production of the new Flying Spur, a four-door version of the Continental GT, was assigned to the Transparent Factory (Germany), where the Volkswagen Phaeton luxury car is also assembled. This arrangement ceased at the end of 2006 after around 1000 cars, with all car production reverting to the Crewe plant.
In April 2005, Bentley confirmed plans to produce a four seat convertible model—the Azure, derived from the Arnage Drophead Coupé prototype—at Crewe beginning in 2006. By the autumn of 2005, the convertible version of the successful Continental GT, the Continental GTC, was also presented. These two models were successfully launched in late 2006.
A limited run of a Zagato modified GT was also announced in March 2008, dubbed "GTZ."
A new Bentley version of the Bentley Continental was introduced at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show: The Continental Supersports. This new Bentley is a supercar combining extreme power with environmentally friendly FlexFuel technology. A muscular two-seater with distinctive exterior and interior styling, the Supersports is unmistakably Bentley in design, craftsmanship and performance. The engine derived from Bentley’s current W12 power unit was re-engineered, re-tuned and re-mapped to achieve phenomenal supercar potency. 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0–100 km/h 3.9 seconds). 621 brake horsepower (463 kW; 630 PS) 800 newton metres (590 ft·lbf) at 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. The Continental Supersports is the fastest, most powerful production Bentley ever.[7]
Bentley sales continued to increase, and in 2005 8,627 were sold worldwide, 3,654 in the United States. In 2007 the 10,000 cars-per-year threshold was broken for the first time in the companys history with sales of 10,014. For 2007, a record profit of €155 million was also announced.[8] Bentley reported a sale of about 7,600 units in 2008.[9] However, its global sales plunged 50 percent to 4,616 vehicles in 2009 (with the U.S. deliveries dropped 49% to 1,433 vehicles) and it suffered an operating loss of €194 million, compared with a profit of €10 million in 2008.[4][10]
  • 1998 – Arnage saloon
  • 1999 – Hunaudieres Concept
  • 2002 – State Limousine
  • 2003 – Continental GT coupé
  • 2005 – Continental Flying Spur saloon
  • 2006 – Azure convertible
  • 2006 – Continental GT convertible
  • 2007 – Continental GT Speed coupé
  • 2008 – Bentley Brooklands coupé
  • 2008 – Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed saloon
  • 2009 – Continental GTC Speed
  • 2009 – Azure T
  • 2009 – Arnage saloon, Final Series
  • 2009 – Continental Supersports
  • 2009 - Bentley Zagato GTZ[11]
  • 2010 - Bentley Mulsanne


[edit] Management

The current board of management consists of Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive; Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Engineering; Alasdair Stewart, Sales & Marketing; Douglas G. Dickson, Manufacturing; Christine A. Gaskell, Personnel; and Jan-Henrik Lafrentz, Finance. Dirk van Braeckel is current Head of Design.

[edit] Recent Bentley racing

In 2001–03, the Bentley Speed 8 enjoyed a successful racing streak in the Le Mans series.

[edit] Product Placement

Bentleys are known for making appearances in movies. According to MoviePlacement.com, Bentleys have been used by the main characters in films such as "The Thomas Crown Affair", "The Punisher", "Rushmore", "The Longest Yard", "The Hangover", "The Dark Knight", "GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra", "2012", and many others.

[edit] Future cars

Since Bentleys induction into Volkswagen Group, rumours of an SUV-style vehicle have repeatedly surfaced. These have been shot down by Bentley employees on the basis that the idea would not fit into their future plans and product portfolio.[12]
While diesel variants have been denied;[13] hybrid technology developed by Bentley owners, Volkswagen Group is another focal point as the trend towards hybrid cars is expanding year on year.
Other possible products in the pipeline include replacements for the Brooklands and Azure based on the all new Mulsanne platform[14] and a convertible variant of the Continental Supersports.[15] It has been reported that a second generation series of the Continental platform (GT, GTC and Flying Spur) are scheduled for release starting with the GT in 2010
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