Bentley Continental GT V8 S, 2014

 

 

•  Bentley Continental GT V8 S, 2014

The appeal of the world's most stylish, luxury grand tourer is enhanced with the introduction of the new, sporting Bentley Continental GT V8 S. Available as both a coupe and convertible, the new GT V8 S models bring added excitement to the Continental range with lowered and retuned sports suspension, sharper steering, dramatic 'S' signature styling cues and a distinctive soundtrack from the uprated V8 engine.

These two new models expand the Continental family and provide an even more engaging driving experience from Bentley's already renowned 4-litre twin-turbo V8 powertrain. The new Bentley Continental GT V8 S Coupe and Convertible will be unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Show.

Commenting on the introduction of the two new S models, Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors, said: "The Bentley Continental is the definitive grand tourer. Its effortless performance, generous space, handcrafted luxury and all-wheel drive capability take you on a journey in refined style and comfort. Now, for those customers who want even more drama and excitement, the sharper, sporting edge of the new GT V8 S adds a new dimension to the Continental range."

More power, more performance, and a range of 500 miles on a single tank
Building on the success of the acclaimed Continental GT V8, the new GT V8 S models feature a more powerful version of Bentley's high-efficiency 4-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine developing 521 bhp (528 PS / 389 KW) at 6,000 rev/min and an immense peak torque of 680 Nm (502 lb.ft) at a mere 1,700 rev/min.

Delivered via a close-ratio ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, the increased power provides effortless, exhilarating high performance with breath-taking acceleration and imperceptibly smooth power delivery. Switch into S mode via the gear selector and the V8 S rewards the spirited driver with a sharpened throttle response while gears are held for longer with faster shifts.

The GT V8 S coupe dispatches the 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.3 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.5s) onto a top speed of 192 mph (309 km/h). The performance of the GT V8 S convertible is equally impressive, reaching 60 mph from a standing start in 4.5 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.7s) and a top speed of 191mph (308km/h).

The increased performance is achieved without detriment to the V8 engine's class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions, or its ability to cover more than 500 miles (805 km) between fill-ups.

The new GT V8 S coupe returns a combined cycle fuel economy of 26.8 mpg (10.6 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 246 g/km. The equivalent figures for the convertible are 25.9 mpg (10.9 l/100km) and 254 g/km.

The impressive combination of power, performance and economy is the result of an array of advanced technologies employed in the design of the Bentley V8 engine. Variable displacement, in which four of the eight cylinders shut down when cruising, reduces fuel consumption without any loss of refinement. When more power is required, the engine switches back automatically and seamlessly to the full eight cylinders.

The high-technology V8 engine also features high pressure direct injection, low friction bearings, advanced thermal management, energy recuperation via the electrical charging system and innovative turbocharger packaging for greater efficiency.

The V8 engine's variable displacement system presented a unique challenge for Bentley exhaust engineers. When cruising on a light throttle in 4-cylinder mode, the exhaust system is tuned for refinement while maintaining a distinctive V8 sound. However, under acceleration the character of the system changes dramatically as the twin turbo-charged Bentley V8 transforms into an emotive growl.

A more agile, responsive and involving driving experience
The power and performance of the GT V8 S models are complemented by a range of chassis enhancements which deliver greater agility and a more involving driving experience without compromising the Continental's legendary ride comfort.

The GT V8 S retains the aluminium double-wishbone front and trapezoidal multi-link rear self-levelling air suspension with continuous damping control that is common to all Continental models. For the GT V8 S, there is a more sporting setup with subtly different tunes for Coupe and Convertible. Lowered sports suspension (by 10 mm) is complemented by increased spring rates (45% front, 33% rear) and revised damping for a more engaging and responsive drive. Bush stiffness are increased by up to 70%, while the rear anti-roll bar is stiffened by 54% over the standard GT V8 models for improved body control and turn-in. A recalibrated steering system completes the new chassis system, offering both improved precision and feedback through changes to static toe and camber and new software.

Careful recalibration of the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system ensures minimal degradation in ride comfort despite the gains in handling performance.

The Electronic Stability Control is also optimised for the GT V8 S. The retuned system allows increased wheel slip at higher speeds with engine torque reinstated more quickly after a system intervention. This provides the spirited driver more opportunity to exploit the full potential of the uprated chassis and increased power.

The Lower Body Styling Specification - front splitter, side sills and rear diffuser - benefit aerodynamics by reducing front-end lift and provide greater stability at higher road speeds.

Distinctive sporting design cues
While the elegant coachwork of the Bentley Continental GT is inspired by iconic Bentleys of the past, its modern, sculpted design, with crisp, highly defined feature lines, is formed using advanced body construction techniques, achieving class-leading standards of quality and body integrity.

For new 'S models, the design of the Continental takes a more dramatic direction and its enhanced road presence is clear before a wheel is turned. The lowered suspension provides a more sleek and purposeful stance, complemented by unique, lower-body styling including a sharp front splitter, discrete side sills and subtle rear diffuser finished in Beluga gloss. The black gloss radiator grille with single chrome divider bar and 'figure of eight' exhaust tail pipes instantly signify the powerful V8 engine.

The signature 20-inch wheels are unique to the 'S' models with an open-spoke design that reveals distinctive, red-painted brake calipers. Subtle 'V8 S' badges are applied to each front fender, and as with the other members of the Continental V8 family, the famous Bentley Wings badges feature a red centre.

In common with the Continental GT W12, the GT V8 S models are available in the full palette of 17 paint colours, of which seven vibrant hues are specifically recommended by Bentley Design to match the sporting character of the new model. Of these, two shades (Kingfisher Blue and the new Monaco Yellow) are signature colours for the GT V8 S.

Hand-crafted contemporary luxury
The cabin of the Continental GT is renowned for its supreme luxury with soft-touch leathers, wood veneers, polished metals and deep-pile carpeting, hand-crafted in Bentley's unrivalled workshops at the factory in Crewe, England.

The cabin of the 'S' models presents a thoroughly modern interpretation of Bentley luxury in which colour and tone offer further appeal to the senses.

Available with a range of striking duo-tone interiors, customers may also select from the full range of seventeen hide colours. The GT V8 S coupe also features a unique contrast centre-stripe for the hide-trimmed roof lining, matched to the colour of the main hide. Contrast stitching throughout, including to the steering wheel, is also available as an option.

Knurled chrome detailing to the gearshift lever and ventilation controls provide a perfect contrast to the Piano Black veneers which are sanded and lacquered up to 18 times to produce a truly flawless finish. Discreet 'V8 S' badges are displayed on each sill tread plate.

As with all Continental models, the 'S' models include advanced infotainment technology as standard, including an 8-inch touchscreen which displays the car's navigation, audio and telephone systems as well as the ride and comfort settings for the air suspension, all complemented by a 30GB on-board hard drive.

Tailoring the specification
Customers may tailor the specification of the GT V8 S by selecting from a range of optional equipment.

The sports exhaust option features redesigned silencers, revised pipe architecture and re-tuned mountings which result in a free-breathing system that delivers a full-blooded V8 sound track.

The optional Mulliner Driving Specification features 21-inch 7-spoke Black Edition wheels, drilled alloy foot pedals, a 'jewel' filler cap and a cabin trimmed in diamond-quilted, perforated leather with indented headlining. Other key options include Mulliner dark - tint front and rear lights and Beluga gloss door mirrors to match the Lower Body Styling Specification.

Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2014

 

 

 

•  Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2014

Sporty, elegant and multi-faceted - Audi presents the new A3 Cabriolet. The compact four-seater impresses at first glance with its flowing lines and soft top. It is also at the top of its class technically - with systematic lightweight design, new engines, multi-faceted networking and high-performance assistance systems.

The Exterior design
The new Audi A3 Cabriolet has grown compared to the previous model: its length increased from 4.24 to 4.42 meters (13.91 to 14.50 ft), its wheelbase from 2.58 to 2.60 meters (8.46 to 8.53 ft) and its width from 1.77 to 1.79 meters (5.81 to 5.87 ft). Only its height (1.41 meters [4.63 ft]) was reduced by 15 millimeters (0.59 in). This gives the four-seat convertible a more elegant and sporty look on the road. Luggage capacity grew by 60 liters (2.12 cubic ft), and it is easier to load. The wheel housings can handle wheels up to 19 inches in size.

The front of the Audi A3 Cabriolet is characterized by the Singleframe radiator grille. The flat headlights give it a resolute look; they emphasize the horizontal styling and the air intakes in the bumper. Audi offers headlights with LED technology as an option; they are the only LED headlights in the compact segment to offer variable headlight leveling control.

The rear overhang plays a key role in the harmonious proportions of the two-door car. The windshield frame is made of aluminum - and an aluminum-look trim strip runs around the entire car. On the flanks, the design features a taut tornado line and contoured sheet metal surfaces that create a fascinating interplay of light and shadow.

The soft top
The new A3 Cabriolet has a soft cloth top that is stretched over a lightweight kinematic mechanism made of magnesium-steel, and it complements the car's design perfectly. At the press of a button, the top opens or closes electro-hydraulically in less than 18 seconds, even while driving up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). In the opened state, the top - folded into three layers - rests in a tray that barely affects luggage capacity, which is 287 liters (10.14 cubic ft).

The fully automatic soft top has a glass rear window and is offered in Black as standard. A fully automatic acoustic top is available as an alternative; it has a thicker inner foam layer which reduces the already low interior noise level of the Audi A3 Cabriolet even more. The acoustic top is available in the three exterior colors of Black, Gray and Brown, and its roofliner is available in black and lunar silver. A wind deflector is standard for the Ambiente trim line, and head-level heating is an option for the front seats. An active rollover protection system protects the occupants in case of a rollover accident. It consists of two spring-loaded plates that are recessed into the body.

The Body
In the base version, the car's curb weight is just 1,365 kilograms (3009.31 lb) - the new Audi A3 Cabriolet is around 50 kilograms (110.23 lb) lighter than the previous model despite its larger size and better comfort. Including its special reinforcements, which deliver high torsional stiffness, the body-in-white weighs 30 kilograms (66.14 lb) less than previously; the engine hood is made of aluminum. Weight was also significantly reduced in the interior and in the engines. This let Audi - a pioneer in this technical field - set an impressive best value in the compact class. Customers can choose from 16 different exterior paints for the body.

The Interior
Elegantly drawn lines and clean surfaces also typify the interior design of the new Audi A3 Cabriolet. The instrument panel is lean and low, its front is slightly curved, and the center console is angled slightly towards the driver. The large, round air vents in jet design, the control panel for the air conditioner and the three-dimensional trim strips bring premium class elegance into the interior. The optional lighting package includes a touch-sensitive switch for the reading lights - a feature being offered for the first time.

As in every Audi, workmanship quality is uncompromisingly high, and the car's controls are simple, intuitive and convenient. It offers enough space for four adults, and the seatbacks of the two rear seats can be folded down which opens up a wide through-load area. The steering wheel and seats are new designs, and the also new electro-mechanical parking brake is operated by a pushbutton on the center console.

The trim lines are named Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente. The S line sport package for the Ambition line immerses the interior space entirely in black. Customers can choose cloth, leather or Alcantara/leather upholstery materials. The Audi design selection lasso brown conveys an exclusive look.

Assistance systems
Driving in the new Audi A3 Cabriolet is even more impressive with its highly developed assistance systems. The driver information system with efficiency program and attention assist are already standard features on the Ambition and Ambiente lines. The options program includes adaptive cruise control, Audi side assist, Audi active lane assist, camera-based traffic sign recognition, park assist with selective display and various feature levels of the Audi pre sense safety system.

Extremely attractive is the line-up of infotainment components; at the very top are the Bang & Olufsen sound system and MMI Navigation plus. The super-slender seven-inch monitor extends from the instrument panel electrically. The user terminal has a rotary/push button control that is designed as a touchwheel with MMI touch - the touchwheel's top surface is a touch-sensitive pad for inputting alpha and numeric characters.

The Audi connect concept aims to network the driver with his or her environment. In the new Audi A3 Cabriolet, this function - which supplements MMI Navigation plus - provides a connection to the Internet, and whenever possible via the fast LTE transmission standard. The integrated WLAN hotspot lets passengers use their mobile devices to surf and e-mail freely.

The system brings Internet services from Audi connect into the car for use by the driver - from navigation with Google Earth images and Google Street View to online traffic information and services such as Facebook and Twitter. The latest service from Audi connect is parking information; it shows available parking spaces in parking and underground garages and parking lots.

Drivetrain
The three newly developed engines being offered in the Audi A3 Cabriolet at its launch all emphasize the car's sporty character. The two TFSI engines produce 103 kW (140 hp) and 132 kW (180 hp) from 1.4 and 1.8 liters of engine displacement, respectively. The 2.0 TDI develops 110 kW (150 hp); Other engines will follow - ranging from the 1.6 TDI with 81 kW (110 hp) to the 2.0 TFSI, which will power the Audi S3 Cabriolet with 221 kW (300 hp). All engines in the new Audi A3 Cabriolet combine the technologies of direct injection, turbocharging and a start-stop-system.

On average, the three engines offered at market launch have twelve percent better fuel economy than the engines in the previous model - and they do so while improving driving performance. The 1.4 TFSI, for example, accelerates the new Audi A3 Cabriolet from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 9.1 seconds, yet its combined fuel consumption value is 5.0 liters fuel per 100 kilometers (47.04 US mpg) and its CO2 emissions are 114 g/km (183.47 g/mile). Also contributing to this efficiency is Audi cylinder on demand (COD) technology, which deactivates two of the engine's cylinders in low load conditions.

The new Audi A3 Cabriolet also features state-of-the-art technology in power transmission. At its launch, the 1.8 TFSI is being offered with a seven-speed S tronic; together with the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system, it offers a free-wheeling function that further improves fuel economy. The 1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TDI are each paired with a manual six-speed transmission. This will be followed by the quattro all-wheel drive system - another new feature and USP of the compact Cabriolet.

Chassis
The chassis of the new Audi A3 Cabriolet impresses with sophisticated technology that delivers sporty handling, superior vehicle safety and a high level of comfort. Some of the components of the MacPherson front suspension are made of aluminum; the four-link rear suspension handles longitudinal and transverse forces separately. The power steering system features an efficient electromechanical drive.

The ESC stabilization control system integrates an electronic limited slip differential - this makes handling even smoother and safer at the vehicle's cornering limits while driving fast through curves. The brakes are powerful and durable. Wheel sizes range from 16 to 19 inches, and tire sizes range up to 235/35. Two versions of the sporty chassis are offered; the sport suspension lowers the body 15 millimeters (0.59 in), while the S line sport suspension is 25 millimeters (0.98 in) lower.

High-end options in the new Audi A3 Cabriolet include the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system (standard on the Ambition line). The driver can use this system to modify engine management, power steering, S tronic and air conditioning operation over several modes. This control also extends to optional systems such as the adaptive suspension control system Audi magnetic ride, adaptive cruise control, adaptive light and progressive steering whose steering gear ratio becomes increasingly more direct when turning.

The new Audi A3 Cabriolet will come off the assembly line at Audi's plant in Gyor, Hungary, which Audi has expanded with an investment of more than 900 million euros. Sales begin this autumn in Germany, and first deliveries will be in the first quarter of 2014. The base price for the 1.4 TFSI (103 kW with cylinder on demand technology) is 31,700 euros. Many sporty and comfort/convenience options round out the standard features; they include the deluxe key and S sport seats with integrated head restraints and diamond topstitching in the shoulder area.

Audi S3 Cabriolet (preliminary data)
In the top S3 version, which will follow shortly after the car's initial launch, the compact Cabriolet delivers very sporty driving performance. The 2.0 TFSI engine produces 221 kW (300 hp) and transfers 380 Nm (280.27 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft. With a six-speed S tronic, the car completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.4 seconds. The combined fuel consumption of the four-cylinder turbo is 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers (33.13 US mpg).

The quattro drivetrain operates with an electronically-controlled hydraulic multi-plate coupling. The body was lowered 25 millimeters (0.98 in), and 17-inch brakes are mounted behind the 18-inch wheels. 19-inch wheels are also available in conjunction with Audi magnetic ride. Progressive steering is standard.