To most Bentley customers, cost is no object. Which is a good thing, because they're pretty darn expensive. And the sticker price isn't the end of it. Case in point the new line of accessories which the luxury automaker has released for its own vehicles.

The Bentley Accessories Collection includes such items as a luxurious child seat, a set of self-leveling wheel hubs, an LED flashlight, a form-fitting car cover for the Continental Supersports, and a set of vented body panels for the entire Continental range. They're all available directly from Bentley; the only catch is that you need to have a Bentley in your driveway first.

There are few automobiles we could truly consider works of art. And most of them are expensive. Bentley surely ranks among them, but the British luxury automaker has taken things one step further.

In a new project, Bentley invited its designers to create works of art inspired by their work. No fewer than 22 participated, working in every medium from photography and painting to sculpture. The results are truly intriguing, and will be auctioned off on December 1 in a charity auction held by Bonhams to benefit cancer research at Manchester's The Christie Hospital. The event is by invitation only, but you can view the pieces in the gallery below.

While the environmental merits of any 621 horsepower, twelve-cylinder behemoth that's capable of traveling at speeds of up to 204 miles per hour are (to say the least) debatable, Bentley hasn't exactly been shy about touting the green angle of its upcoming 2010 Continental Supersports.

Add one more black mark to the car's eco credibility as word comes by way of Green Car Advisor that U.S. laws and "engineering challenges" that include the fitment of hardened valve seats in the W12 engine mean that the first 200 Supersports imported to the United States won't actually be flex-fuel capable.

Ah well, somehow we doubt that buyers willing to plunk down the $267,000 it takes to park a twin-turbocharged Continental Supersports in their driveway will be all that concerned with pumping ethanol in the tank.



[Source: Green Car Advisor]

That the new Bentley Mulsanne represents a fresh start for the British luxury automaker is well known. Starting with a clean sheet of paper, the designers and engineers in Crewe completely redesigned the company's flagship saloon from the ground up. But the Mulsanne isn't where it ends, as industry sources forecast that the new sedan will also form the basis for new replacements for the Azure convertible and Brooklands coupe, both of which are based on the outgoing Arnage platform which was designed back in the late 90's when the company was still owned by Vickers Aerospace.

It remains to be seen when the replacements for the Azure and Brooklands will come along, but the new platform could also end up underpinning sister company Bugatti's upcoming model as well.

Exotic auto tuner Mansory is known for making supercars into something more extreme. We've covered their $2.5 million Bugatti Veyron "Vincero" and their carbon fiber Porsche Cayenne Turbo "Chopster," both far over the top yet rendered in dark colors so as to be a bit stealthy. Their latest creation, based on a Bentley, is considerably more gauche - the Vitesse Rosé Continental GT Speed, done up in a shade of pink only Paris Hilton or Malibu Barbie could love. A carbon fiber bonnet and rear lip and some chrome accents can't save this monstrous creation, which features an even more alarming two-tone pink and mauve leather interior. Luckily, Mansory has promised to only make three of them.

The Bentley Continental Supersports is otherwise a Continental GT that has gotten some face work done, gone on a diet, and gotten a new diet. We took a trip around the car in Beverly Hills with the company's Dealer Events Specialist, Jon DiVaio, who assured us this is just the beginning in a proper green strategy for the brand from Crewe. Our take on it after one go 'round was "Love the car, but the manual trunk, not so much..." Oh, and "Yes, we'll take it."

How much would you pay for the privilege of owning the very first Bentley Mulsanne to be produced? The all-new flagship from Crewe was unveiled this past weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. And while official pricing has yet to be announced, the Arnage which it replaces lists in the mid-$200k range.

In conjunction with auction house Gooding & Company, Bentley sold Mulsanne #1 to the highest bidder, with proceeds going to Pebble Beach's official charity, the Phil Hill Foundation. Bentley CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen and Bentley Heritage Collection chief Richard Charlesworth were on hand to participate from the stage, and prefaced the auction with a presentation of company founder W.O. Bentley's personal vehicle, the 1920's-era 8-liter Bentley. After failing to generate bids at $500,000, bidding on Mulsanne #1 started at $300,000 and climbed back up to the half-million mark, where it sold to an undisclosed bidder.

It's not often that Bentley introduces an all-new model, especially for its flagship line. Today the Pebble Beach Concours de'Elegance, CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen unveiled the all-new Mulsanne. Named for the legendary straightaway at Le Mans, It's a fitting appellation for the top of the line Bentley. Bentleys won the 24 hour endurance classic four times in a row between 1927 and 1930 ensuring Bentley's reputation for high speed touring for the remainder of century into this century.

The Mulsanne is 11 inches longer than the Flying Spur sedan and gets an all new platform. So far Bentley is only saying that the Mulsanne will use a V8 engine, the same configuration as the outgoing Arnage. Aside from that other details will have to wait until the car is shown again next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Mulsanne goes on sale about a year from now at a price yet to be revealed, although if you have to ask...


[Source: Bentley]

UK luxury yacht maker Pearl Motor Yachts is now offering a free Bentley GT Continental Coupe with every new purchase of its flagship Pearl 60 model (above). "Bentley and Pearl have been working together for a while now, as the brands complement each other so well," Pearl's managing director Iain Smallridge tells BYM News. "Both offer exceptional British craftsmanship and bespoke finishes, so no two models are the same. Many of our clients are huge fans too, so it was the obvious choice and a beautiful boat really does deserve a beautiful car parked outside!"
The offer is good until Sept. 20th. The Pearl 60 is renowned for its expansive, open-plan design that positions the two principal cabins at either end of the yacht for ultimate privacy.

The choice of 8 or 10 berths also gives owners complete autonomy over the layout as well as a wide choice of internal finishes such as satin walnut joinery, contrasting leathers and a wide choice of luxury wall and ceiling linings. Other features include luxury corner sofas to maximize space further, a bar area for entertaining, wooden floors and plasma TV's. Powered by twin 775hp Volvo engines, the Pearl 60 offers the latest technology including the new generation Garmin touch screen navigation system and Wesgarde touch screen integrated digital monitor and control system. Externally, sleek lines and innovative features include the hydraulic bathing platform and aft sunroof system as standard features.

Yet another fancy home for sale is throwing in a luxury car to sweeten the deal. The owner of a four-bedroom home in the San Diego area town of Cardiff is including his 2007 Bentley convertible with fewer than 15,000 miles on it with the home. He was asking more than $2 million for the home but now the price is $1.799 million. But wait, there's more, act now and they'll throw in all staged furniture, too. The contemporary home has ocean views and an open floor plan. The listing is here.

[via San Diego 6]

Looking for that elusive part for your vintage Bentley or Rolls-Royce? Your chance to find it may be coming up as the Bentley factory warehouse in Crewe, England, is opening its doors to the public for a unique event. The factory produced both Bentley and Rolls-Royce motorcars between 1955 and 2002 when the two stoic British premium auto marques went their own separate ways, and ever since, Bentley's been stocking parts for both brands. But with the new Grand Bentley on its way next month, they're cleaning house to make space for a whole new set of parts. Everything from engine blocks to indicator lights are for sale, according to Bentley, at the event in late September, so if you're an owner, enthusiast or trader, better book your ticket now.

Sure, you could get yourself an off-the-rack Bentley Continental Flying Spur, but what happens when the s--t goes down? Better perhaps to be prepared with an armored version that can stop an AK-47 dead in its tracks. For about $500,000 you can pick one up in Germany via global online luxury marketplace JamesList. Featuring military-grade B6-level protection, the upgrade makes this super-luxe sedan war zone-ready. With no virtually alteration to the outside appearance and adjustments to handle the extra weight without sacrificing the 552-hp engine's performance, the changes are subtle but effective: ballistic steel in the doors, pillars, overlaps and sides of the vehicle, bulletproof glass, run flat tires, an explosion-proof gas tank, kevlar flooring, and more. Other security options include a self-contained oxygen supply system in case of a poison gas attack and exploding hinge bolts that blast open the doors should a speedy exit become imperative.

Last month we reported that UK soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo had put his black-on-black Porsche 911 convertible on sale for at £69,995 or about $115,000. Now the super-rich star athlete, who was spotted canoodling with Paris Hilton, has listed his 2008 Bentley Continental GT Speed (above) and 2004 Mercedes C220CDI as well, the UK AutoTrader reports. The Bentley is being offered at £114,950 and the Mercedes for only £10,795. As we reported back in January, the champion athlete who is moving to Spain to play for Real Madrid after his club Manchester United accepted a record £80 million bid, totaled his Ferrari but walked away unscathed. He drove the Bentley when the Ferrari was scrapped. The London Telegraph reports that Ronaldo will probably also sell his sell his £4 million mansion in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

Few things manage to demonstrate the difference between cultures as art. Take for example this Bentley Continental GT, donated to the hand of Brazilian pop artist Romero Britto. It may look good to some, and to others an absolute atrocity. Yet Britto's credentials as a renowned artist are known the world over, his works hanging in galleries, museums and prestigious private collections all around the world.

This Bentley will be part of Britto's upcoming exhibit at the Automobil Forum Unter den Linden in Germany from July 10 to September 6, after which it will be auctioned off to benefit multiple sclerosis research and the social integration of the mentally disabled.

Bentley is surely growing tired of watching its top clientele crossing the road to Rolls-Royce and Maybach dealerships – not too tired, mind you, with the success of the Continental range – but it's not about to rush into things. According to the latest reports, the replacement for the aging top-of-the-line Arnage won't begin production until a year after they're done with the current model, now in its final edition and pictured above. That won't stop the exclusive British automaker from showcasing the new flagship limousine at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August, however, as reports indicate that Bentley will debut the new saloon there. And when it does, we're expecting something bigger, faster and even more luxurious than the model it replaces.