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ALL THE MAJOR MODELS ILLUSTRATED
Part 4: 2003 to the present
Updated October 5, 2009
With
effect from 1 January 2003, Rolls-Royce and Bentley were manufactured by two
different companies in two different factories, and both companies
introduced all-new models.
Rolls-Royce
In 2003 the new BMW-owned Rolls-Royce company introduced the Phantom, the name recalling a traditional series, which is built at the new factory near Chichester. As expected it shared some parts with parent company BMW's range, including the V12 engine (although the R-R 6.75 litre version is much modified for the purpose).
The styling was somewhat controversial, but the car is veryi impressive, effortlessly silent and very, very fast. Back in 1960 we marvelled at the new E-type Jaguar, a high performance two-seat coupe capable of 150 mph. Now we can marvel at a 2.3 tonne luxury limousine capable of a (governed) 149 mph!
The new car was of course the foundation of a growing range. First came the extended wheelbase limousine, with elaborate division. Then came the convertible, on a significantly shorter wheelbase, and most recently a two-door coupe has been added to the range, also on the shorter wheelbase.
BMW's plan for the R-R factory is to produce 1,000 cars a year, and to replace the model after a production run of 10,000 cars, which implies a ten year life span. They sold 700 in the first year, and have sold 1,000 a year ever since.
For 2010 they have announced a new, Silver Shadow sized four door saloon as a companion model to the huge Phantom. This has been labelled EX200 but will be marketed as the Ghost - another controversial naming move. It is based on the BMW 7-series platform (just as the Bentley Continental GT is on the an Audi platform) and is thought to be fitted with a 500 bhp twin-turbo version of the 6.3 litre Rolls-Royce V12. Styling is very mich in line with the Phantom, and the theme "coach" rear doors are also used.
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The
2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom had controversial styling, but was very impressive.
6.75 litre V12
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In
2005 came the long wheelbase version of the Phantom, with optional division
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Fantastic
division in long-wheelbase version.
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The
drophead coupe on shorter wheelbase, heir to the previous Corniche series.
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Drophead
Coupe features this unique "picnic" boot-lid arrangement.
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The
Drophead continued the Phantom "coach door" theme.
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The
fixed head coupe
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Coach
doors
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Interior
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The
new 2010 "Ghost"
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Coach
doors
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Typical
R-R Interior
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Bentley
Bentley's first all-new model was the Continental GT, sharing some components with a top-of-the-line Audi. Twin turbos make the 6-litre W12 cylinder coupe blindingly fast, and full time four wheel drive keeps it on the road. It is far more luxurious than competitive supercars. Designed at the same time, the Flying Spur edition has a much longer wheelbase and four doors, but keeps the 4-wd and twin turbo W12. It is the fastest 4-door saloon in the world, the only 4-door supercar. Announced in September 2005, but not available until late 2006, came the Continental GTC, the expected convertible version of the Continental GT.
Hard on their heels in 2006 came the new BentleyAzure, a substantial revision of the familiar convertible. And in 2007 this car was followed up by the Bentley Brooklands, the coupe version of the Azure, replacing the V8 Continental R, once again reviving a tradition Crewe name. The Brooklands is the most powerful Bentley every built, with 530 bhp from the seemingly eternal V8, and a huge 1050 ft-lbs of torque.
Unveiled at the June 2008 London Motor Show is the Bentley Zagato, a lighter, exotically restyled edition of the Continental GT. Whether this becomes a production model in uncertain, but it looks sensational.
The newest model, replacing the big Arnage model which dates back to 1998, is the Mulsanne. This is the foor-foor version of the new two-door Brooklands coupe, and used all-newe technology. The venerable 6.75 litre V8 is still there, but it has been redesigned from scratch, retaining only the old bore and stroke. In effect it is all-new. Bentley sought to retain the effortless feel of the enormously torquey V8 for this big, heavy car. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic (yes, 8-speed!) and has 4-cylinder/8 cylinder electronic trickery which quietly and imperceptibly "switches off" 4 cylinders when they're not needed.
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Compact
Bentley Continental GT has astonishing 6-litre turbo W12, full-time 4wd.
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Designed
at the same time, released 3 years after the GT, the Continental Flying Spur
is the full 4-seater version.
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Announced
in September 2005, the convertible version of the Continental GT appeared in
late 2006
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New
for 2006 is the Bentley Azure, a major rrevision of the earlier convertible
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In
2007 came the suave Bentley Brooklands, essentially the coupe version of the
new Bentley Azure.
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Venerable
V8 now produces a whopping 530 bhp and 1050 lbs-ft of torque!
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London
Motor Show, June 2008, saw this radical restyle of the Continental Coupe by
Italian stylist Zagato
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Bentley
Zagato has bolder grill, more rounded slippery lines
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Rear
of Zagato shows double-humped roofline and compound curved rear glass.
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The
new Bentley Mulsanne for 2010
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Styling
closely related to Brooklands Coupe
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Traditional
Crewe Interior
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