Bentley

Bentley
The founder of the legendary aristocratic car brand, founded in 1919, Walter Owen Bentley, developed his first car with a 3-liter “four” together with F. Barges and G. Varley. In the autumn of the same year, Walter Bentley showed his first child at the London Motor Show, but he was able to establish production only after two years. By the way, from the very beginning, Bentley set his sights on the production of prestigious cars. A volume of three liters made the car inaccessible to ordinary motorists, and a five-year warranty period, unique for that time, attracted the attention of wealthy people. The car bore a simple name – 3L, which meant only the presence of a 3-liter engine. In the future, this designation became traditional. And only somewhere in the mid-twenties, verbal designations began to appear in the title, for example, Big Six.

Bentley, without burdening himself with design frills, paid special attention to the technical side of the issue. He saw the main purpose of his cars in victories in car races. Indeed, it rarely happened that Bentley brand cars did not win sports competitions. The use of large-volume engines made it possible to “remove” a considerable amount of horsepower from them. One of these was the 4.5L model with a Roots rotary supercharger placed in front of the radiator. This car was specially designed for the famous racing driver and industrial magnate G. Birkin. In those years, the car became one of the most powerful and fastest, and, despite the critical attitude towards it from Bentley himself, brought his company even greater fame.

In 1928-30. in small quantities, cars of the 6.5L model and its sports version of the Speed ​​Six are assembled. In three years, this car has won two races at Le Mans and three times at Brookland.

The release of the model “8L” – the most expensive and prestigious in the line of the company – began in 1930.

The beginning of the thirties was marked by the loss of Bentley’s independence. So, through the mediation of Napier, Bentley became part of another elite car company, Rolls-Royce. With this, a new stage in the history of the company began, which did not diminish the previously earned prestige and position. Bentley. now called SS Cars (which means silent sports car). became the undisputed leader among high-class British cars.

The first Bentley, created in collaboration with Rolls-Royce specialists – the 3.5L model (1933). In 1936, the 4.5L model appears based on the Rolls-Royce 20/25HP and Rolls-Royce 25/30HP. Beginning in 1933, seven models were produced that were very similar in construction and design.

Gradually, the production of Bentley cars began to move from Derby to the Rolls-Royce plant, located in the city of Crewe. And the first fully created model there was the Mark-VI, put into production a few months after the end of World War II. The basis for this car was the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith. And since 1955, all Bentley models have been complete copies of Rolls-Royce. Nevertheless, despite the constructive similarity of both brands, there was and remains to this day the main difference between them: Rolls-Royce is an executive car, and its owner’s seat is at the back. And Bentley – on the contrary, a car for people who know how and love to drive a car.

In 1952 Bentley introduced the Continental model. It was a sports two-door car that gained fame as the fastest production sedan.

1955 – The S series demonstrated the final technical convergence of brands. Bentley S1 became a copy of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith.

In 1963, the S3 appears. In 1965, the launch of the Bentley T model

The production of turbocharged models begins in the 70s. These are the Mulsanne Turbo and Turbo R models bearing the Bentley trademark. According to connoisseurs, the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo has become one of the best sedans in the world, even compared to the Mercedes-Benz 600SEL.

The modern program of the company was formed for about 20 years. In 1980, the presentation of the Mulsanne model took place, two years later the 300 hp turbocharged version was released, and a couple of years later, a simplified version of the Eight. The rest of the models were created according to the so-called “90 project”, with different bodies and some external differences from their counterparts from Rolls-Royse – Turbo R and Brooklands, only the Continental model did not have and has no analogues. The family of these expensive sports coupes is primarily intended for young and ambitious millionaires who find sports cars like Ferrari too utilitarian and lacking in comfort. Currently produced Continental have three main modifications “R”, “T” and “SC”. The R model is the cheapest in the family (only $314,000) and features a distinctive finish, as well as a comfortable yet well-tuned suspension for fast driving. The “T” model has a 100 mm shorter base, sportier suspension and a powerful 426 hp engine. But the most interesting of this “opera” is the “SC” (Sedanca Coupe) modification with a hard retractable roof. In its normal state, this is a closed coupe, however, if desired, part of the roof above the front seats is automatically removed. And the latest models for today are the Azure convertible and, of course, the Bentley Arnage, based on the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph.

In 1991, the release of the Bentley Continental-Azure model began. Later in 1996, following the Continental R, the Continental T joined the family of these cars.

Production of the Bentley Azure began in 1996.

In 1997, the first show of the Turbo RT model took place.

The upheavals in the automotive world that reign today led to the fact that Bentley Motors broke free from the bonds of Rolls-Royce and in 1998 came under the control of Volkswagen AG.

Today, one of the main accents in the production program falls on the Arnage model (premiered in April 1998, Turin). It is equipped with a BMW V8 engine (4.4 l) with two Garrett turbochargers and is available in two basic versions – Red Label (more sporty version, 400 hp) and Green Label (354 hp). Passenger safety in this ultra-luxury sedan is ensured by two airbags, ABS, traction-control, and a system that shuts off the fuel supply, unlocks the doors and separates the steering column in the event of an accident.

Bentley’s timeless “classic” is also in service – various versions of the Continental model (March 1991, Geneva), which are distinguished by excellent quality interior trim (leather from Conolli, panels made of rare woods or polished aluminum) and a well-thought-out chassis design. The most powerful Continental T with a short wheelbase and a 6.8-liter Vickers turbo engine develops 426 hp. and is rightfully considered one of the fastest coupes in the world – the maximum speed is 273 km / h with a gross weight of 2850 kg. Like other 1998 Bentleys, the Continental has been given a sportier, more aggressive look with alloy wheels and a matrix gr.