Bentley Motors Limited

Bentley Motors

Bentley Motors Limited: From Rotary Aero Engines to the Bentley Continental Supersports Coupe

Founded on January 18, 1919, Bentley Motors Limited is one of the finest of all British auto manufacturers. During the first world war, the company’s Sopwith Camel and Bentley BR1 aero engines were trusted to get fliers out and back, and some of the earliest Bentley autos won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, and 1930.

Quality and Luxury

Purchased by Rolls Royce in 1931, and moved to Derby from London, and then later transferred to Crewe, the Bentley company has been owned by Germany’s Volkswagen Group since 1998. Long known for their uncompromising quality and luxurious appointments, Bentleys are without a doubt some of the finest automobiles, as well as the best investments in autos, available.

The newest Bentleys, including the Bentley A or Bentley Azure convertible, are precision tuned works of art that echo the quality that the company has always exuded. Still manufactured in Crewe, Bentleys are priced from $181,000.00 USD for the 2011 Flying Spur, which is a beautifully streamlined luxury four door sedan, to $328,365.00 USD for the luxuriously splendid Bentley Mulsanne, another four door model.

New Bentley models are not all designed with the luxury sedan market in mind, however. The 2011 Bentley Continental GTC is a two-door, four-seat convertible, and is priced at $205,600.00 USD. The 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible ISR Edition comes in at $280,000.00 and is equipped with a 6.0 Liter W12 Twin Turbo, 631 bhp, 590 lb-ft engine. The 2012 Bentley Azure Convertible is priced between $300,000.00 and $500,00.00 USD, and while it retains classic Bentley lines and features a somewhat more sedate and dignified look than its speedier cousins, it features a top speed of 184 mph and can go from zero to sixty miles per hour in a mere five seconds. For even more high speed enjoyment, the Bentley Continental Supersports Coupe is priced beginning at $267,000.00 USD. With a 6.0 Liter, double overhead cam flex fuel engine, all-wheel drive and a six-speed shiftable automatic transmission, the 2012 model has received an infotainment update and features a top stated speed of 204 miles per hour.

Just as beautiful as Rolls Royce models and with sportier models available than those offered by Maybach Motors, it is clear that the Bentley can and will continue to hold its own for many years to come.