Bentley bringing 500-hp, twin-turbo V8 Continental to Detroit

The Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 has been unwrapped and it's a kinder, gentler bulldog that makes do with "just" 500 horsepower and 481 pound-feet from its 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8. That is down 20 horsepower and up just 8 pound-feet from the output of the Audi S8, with which it shares the innovatively-packaged, cylinder-deactivating V8. We're going to guess that's to leave unquestionable space between it and the 631-hp Continental GT, and so Bentley could reach its 40 percent improvement goal with respect to emissions and gas mileage.

Specific numbers aren't divulged just yet, but it will get from standstill to 60 mph in under five seconds and will go more than 500 miles on a tank. Unless the tank size has changed from the 24-gallon receptacle in the big daddy W12, which we doubt, that means the V8 is good for at least 21 miles per gallon.

You'll be able to tell this one apart by its black grille with chrome accents, red Bentley "B" badge (red badges were traditionally used on sportier Bentleys, so we're not sure if that's meant to be a sign of this coupe's performance vs. the W12) and reworked treatment of the lower grille. The package rides on 20-inch wheels, same size as the flagship GT, but in back you'll find "figure-eight" tailpipes (which will quickly be swapped for something less obvious) and another red badge.

Both coupe and sedan will introduce themselves to rich buyers and not-so-rich voyeurs at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. You'll find a press release after the jump with obligatory references to inconceivable colors like Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus, and a high-res gallery of photos for much more understandable pleasures above.

Toyota considering Supra successor and sub - 86 sports car

Toyota considering Supra successor and sub - 86 sports car

 

Toyota is flush with buzz surrounding the company's new 86 sports car, and that could translate into additional performance models if the vehicle's chief engineer has anything to say about it. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Tetsuya Tada, the mind that brought the Toyota 86 to life, believes there's room in the stable for two additional sports cars. Tada is quoted as saying that while the 86 is a mid-sized sports car, he'd like to see one vehicle positioned below the boxer-powered coupe as well as an additional model slotted higher in the lineup.

The latter machine could potentially be a successor to the Supra, complete with a high-horsepower engine and rear wheel drive. Like the 86, that vehicle would be another collaborative project between Toyota and Subaru. Unfortunately, Tada is quick to say that nothing has been decided as of yet. Keep your fingers crossed.  

 

News Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Mopar rolling in to SEMA with Challenger ACR

Mopar rolling in to SEMA with Challenger ACR

Since the Chrysler Group joined up with Fiat, its brand portfolio has grown to include Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep and Fiat vehicles. And you know what that means: more stuff for Mopar to tinker with. That's just what Auburn Hills has got in store for the upcoming SEMA show in Vegas, with a whole slew of show cars to demonstrate just what the group's performance parts division can do.

The Chrysler brand itself will be represented by the 300 SF6, dedicated to the Spring Festival of Chrysler 300 owners in Southern California. It's distinguished by 22-inch alloys, a KW coil-over suspension and upgraded brakes, intake, headers and exhaust – all from the Mopar parts bin – plus special trim inside and out.

Over at Dodge, the Challenger SRT8 gets the ACR treatment with upgraded suspension, shifter, front splitter, exhaust and 20-inch wheels, capped by a paint job evocative of the much-loved Viper ACR. It's joined by the Durango Tow Hook, decked out in orange and black with 22-inch rolling stock on a dropped suspension.

Fiat continues to make the most of the 500 with two specials called Titanium and Carbon. The former takes its name from the matte-finish brightwork and 16-inch wheels that contrast with the black paint, with enlarged grilles feeding the upgraded intake and exhaust systems. The latter, meanwhile, decks out a 500 Sport in deep blue with carbon-fiber accents and blacked-out trim and 17-inch alloys, riding on a lowered suspension.

Finally, the Ram division is represented by the 392 Quick Silver, dropping a 470-horsepower Hemi V8 into the Ram R/T's engine bay. 22-inch wheels on a lowered suspension house 15-inch Brembo brakes to keep it under control, with a body glazed in silver with red accents and a black roof to do the talking.

These are just five of the 30 "Moparized" vehicles Chrysler will be displaying at the aftermarket expo, and while they've only released four renderings to keep us tantalized, you can scope out all the details in the press release after the jump.

News Source: Chrysler