Bentley

Good news for all Bentley Continental owners who plan to recycle their ultra-expensive and luxurious automobile after the GT outlives its usefulness: Bentley now guarantees that the Continental line is 85% recyclable and 95% recoverable. In recognition of this achievement, the automaker has been awarded an official certificate from the German Motor Transport Authority. According to Dr. Arno Homburg, head of Whole Vehicle Development at Bentley Motors:

While other automakers cut back their development programs in hopes of streamlining overhead during this difficult economic climate, Bentley is taking the opposite approach. Rather than cut back on developing new vehicles, they're actually pushing to move things ahead on their calendar.

Hamann Imperator - Click above for a high-res gallery

A few months ago, Hamann Motorsport previewed its tuning program for the Bentley Continental GT and GT Speed, and now they have released full details and photos.

Bentley Continental Supersports - Click above for a high-res gallery

The Continental Supersports has been priced, with Bentley having decided that $267,000 is fair compensation for exclusive access to green, luxurious speed. The ethanol-capable Conti is not only a sign of Bentley technology to come, it also provides the first clues to the next generation Continental, which we were told "isn't far off." Orders can be placed beginning in October, though the first couple hundred units earmarked for the U.S. will be gas-only, with the full on flex-fuel model arriving Stateside summer of 2010.

The Camry for Rich People (AKA the Bentley Continental) is ready for a makeover and, according to Automobile, work is underway on the next iteration of Bentley's volume model. Due to arrive in 2011, the new coupe will reportedly emerge lighter than its predecessor, along with sharing more components with the Audi A8 and possibly packing a diesel drivetrain.

Due to the necessary production cuts at Bentley's main factory in Crewe, England, skilled workers for the British automaker have found a new niche to keep them busy, and it has nothing to do with cars. Apparently, 140 of Bentley's best woodworkers are making cabinets, tables, and other pieces of furniture to refit the factory's reception area, showroom and museum. So far, the team is turning out products that are being used solely by the automaker, but that's likely to change in the near future.

Bentley claims that the new Continental Supersports is the fastest, most powerful production Bentley ever produced. But beyond raw power and speed, CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen said it was the beginning of a new era for Bentley. Paefgen declared that when this recession ends outstanding cars will be needed to lead the way. To that end the Continental Supersports program shaved 242 pounds off the big coupe, removed the back seat and bumped up the output to 621 hp. That's enough to push this big coupe to 204 mph top end and while passing through 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

If you're about to buy a Bentley and live in the UK, get your order in before March 31. After that, prices across the board at Bentley will rise by 5%. Bentley cites the continued weakening of the British Pound Sterling against the Euro for the price hikes, which make a lineup of already extremely pricey vehicles that much more so. When we asked Bentley if it would also be increasing prices for models sold in the U.S., David Reuter, head of Bentley PR and Communications in the Americas told us, "No sir. We remain as affordable as always..." He's joking, of course, but at this point a Bentley might hold its value better than a new home purchase.

[Source: Bentley]

Bentley has decided to go green, and the fabulously white coupe you see above is how they've done it: "a muscular two-seater that delivers supercar performance and a highly focused driving experience." Sounds green so far, right? It's called the Continental Supersports, and the marque from Crewe hasn't merely pulled out all the stops... they created a few extra stops, just so they could pull them out as well.