2009 Bentley GTC Speed
The economic downturn has affected almost everyone, including luxury manufacturer Bentley. The super-premium British manufacturer was down 32% in sales--25% in the U.S.--in 2008. But that didn’t stop Bentley from introducing a new high-powered luxury convertible: The GTC Speed.
2009 GTC Speed
The GTC Speed boasts 600-horsepower from its 6.0-liter W12 engine, and Bentley is claiming a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph with the top up. The 12-cylinder engine mates to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and the GTC Speed rides on 20-inch wheels.
The GTC Speed sports freshened styling (the refreshed front area will be applied across the GTC line), and it offers features like an adaptive cruise-control system and carbon-ceramic brakes. It will go on sale later this year.
The Examiner’s Take
Even in the best of times, a Bentley is pure fantasy for most of us. Bentley execs think that premium sports cars have a chance at bucking the current economic trends. Hard to say if they’re right, but the GTC Speed is certainly attractive, and I’m sure it will turn more than a few heads on Rush Street. Perhaps the bigger news from Bentley is the fact that the company is working on a car that is biofuel-compatible--a car we may see sometime later this year. Bentley's high-end luxury cars may represent conspicuous consumption, but even Bentley is aware of the potential to use "greener" technology. Time will tell if Bentley is serious about alternative fuels or simply jumping on the "green" bandwagon. We'll know more soon.
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