Home » Car Reviews » Bentley
Bentley
Bentley automobiles are considered to be the height of luxury and prestige, with all of its models treated to a combination of "old-world craftsmanship and new-world technology." [1] The most affordable of their cars, the Bentley Continental GT, costs around $170,000, and has a very high "Bling Factor." It is a favorite among celebrities and sports stars.
Bentley is an old car company founded in 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley (known as W.O. Bentley) who had been making aircraft engines -- most notably for the World War One Sopwith Camel fighter plane. The company was very successful in sports car racing wining the 24 Hours of Le Mans four consecutive times from 1927 to 1930.
Bentley suffered financially off and on, and the Wall Street Crash of 1929 led to its sale to Rolls-Royce in 1931. The following decades saw the company back in the limelight, however its vehicles became little more than Rolls-Royces "without the distinctive grille and with a lower price tag." [2] Events took a turn for the better in the 1980s when Bentley, due to a new company policy, became a distinctly separate luxury car-line once again. The Bentley brand was purchased in 1998 by the Volkswagen Group (and BMW purchased Rolls Royce) and has again become very popular.
Bentley models compete against a wide number of high-end models from brands including Audi, BMW, Bugatti, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lambroghini, Masseratti, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Rolls Royce.
Its current lineup starts out with the Bentley Arnage (MSRP $221,990 - $263,990) a full-size sedan that comes in saloon and touring versions. Up next is the Bentley Azure (MSRP $329,990), a full-size, two-door convertible which comes equipped with a 450-horsepower, 6.8-liter V8 engine, rear-wheel drive system, and a six-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Rounding out the list are Bentley's grand tourers: the Bentley Continental GT full-size coupe (MSRP $169,990), its sports version, the Bentley Continental GTC full-size convertible (MSRP $189,990), and the Bentley Continental Flying Spur full-size, four-door sedan (MSRP $169,990). These grand tourers come with a 552-horsepower, 6.0-liter W12 engine, all-wheel drive system, mechanical center differential (for Continental Flying Spur only), center limited slip differential, and a six-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Bentleys are well equipped with safety and security features. For instance, the Bentley Arnage has four-wheel disc brakes with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), front and rear vented disc brakes, brake assist, driver and passenger front impact airbags, driver and passenger side impact airbags, overhead airbag, rear side impact airbag, and occupant-sensing airbags. It also comes with high-intensity discharge headlights, headlight cleaning, variably intermittent wipers, rear window defroster, front and rear reverse sensing system, panic alarm, perimeter/approach lights, ignition disable, security system, electronic stability, and traction control.
Meanwhile, the Bentley Continental GT has the following: two front and two rear integrated headrests, emergency braking assist, traction control, front and rear ventilated disc brakes with four-wheel ABS, front and rear head airbags, dual front and dual rear side-mounted airbags, passenger airbag occupant-sensing deactivation, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, child seat anchors, emergency interior trunk release, remote anti-theft alarm system, engine immobilizer, daytime running lights, Xenon high intensity discharge headlamps, dusk-sensing headlamps, headlamp high pressure washers, turn signal mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, and electronic brake-force distribution.
Bentleys are priced lower than competing models from the Lamborghini and Bugatti brands. For example, the 2007 Bentley Azure is priced at MSRP $329,990, while the 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago is priced at MSRP $313,600 - $345,000, and the 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 coupe is priced at MSRP $1,400,000. The 2007 Bentley Arnage, meanwhile, is priced higher than its Audi and BMW counterparts, with the Arnage MSRP falling within the $221,990 to $263,990-price range, and the 2007 Audi A8 L W12 and 2007 BMW 7 Series Sedan 760Li priced at MSRP $120,100 and MSRP $122,600 respectively.
The Bentley Arnage seems to depreciate at a slower pace, however. Case in point, a 2006 Bentley Arnage R four-door sedan with an original MSRP of $212,990 has a current resale value around $175,675, while a 2006 Audi A8 W12 6.0 Quattro L Sedan 4D (original MSRP around $118,190) and 2006 BMW 7 Series Sedan 4D 760Li (original MSRP around $118,900) have current resale values falling within the $78,700 and $78,275-range, respectively.
Bentley also offers options for customization, similar to other carmakers. Its website describes the Bentley Experience as, "You could be here to choose the colour of the thread that will cross-stitch the voluptuous appointments of your recently-ordered Arnage. Or to take one of our extraordinary new Continental GT's for a memorable spin around the local countryside." [3]
Future Bentleys to watch for include the 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur and the 2009 Bentley Continental GT.
Click here for more information on 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Bentley car prices, auto insurance, auto loans, car dealers, and car leases.
