COMPETING FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE WEALTHY

+ Click to Enlarge TEASER: This is all the maker is showing us for now of the new 'Grand Bentley', due to be unveiled on August 16, 2009.

June 30, 2009
By John Lambert


TEASER VIDEO: The new "Grand Bentley" will be shown (and named) for the first time at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California on August 16.

For nearly 70 years Bentley was owned by Rolls-Royce and offered essentially the same models with different badges and radiator surrounds.

Since 2003 the two brands have been rivals, coming from different factories (Bentley's in Crewe and Rolls-Royce in Goodwood) each with a different German owner pulling the strings.

BMW-owned Rolls-Royce is looking to increase the range of models offered with a smaller, less formal car. Code-named RR4, it is Rolls’ first direct rival for Bentley’s Continental series. Meanwhile Bentley, part of the Volkswagen empire, is replacing the Arnage – a model that dates back to before the companies split.

The new "grand Bentley” is, for now, just a teaser photo and video. From what the picture shows the front end will be similar to that of the Arnage, with a sculpted bonnet and raised edges to the front wings.

Bentley also wants the new car to retain the proportions of the outgoing model. Under the skin things are likely to be quite different with an aluminium spaceframe, similar to that of the Audi A8.

Also under speculation is the choice of engine although the VW stable is not short of suitable engines, including V10 and V12 engines from Audi while the 730kW 16-cylinder engine from the Bugatti Veyron has also been suggested.

Don’t rule out the possibility of the 6.75-litre V8, which dates back to 1959, being carried over. The grand Bentley is due to be unveiled in the third quarter of 2009.

More is known about the "small" Rolls-Royce. We’ve seen the 200EX concept which gives a clear indication of what the new car will look like. It will be called "Ghost", after the 1906 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP model - the first vehicle to be dubbed "the best car in the world".

Mechanical highlights include a six-litre, turbocharged V12, eight-speed auto gearbox and computer-controlled air-suspension. Rolls-Royce has confirmed that production will start in September on a second production line at the Goodwood factory.

Even though the cars aren’t for quite the same market - the Ghost will compete with Bentley's cheaper VW-based Continental models, the Grand Bentley with Rolls-Royces' big Phantom - comparisons between them seem inevitable. - The Independent, London