Bentley to build lighter cars

Posted Tue Sep 25 2007 12:08 AM by Ralph Hanson

Without doubt, Bentley builds some of the biggest and heaviest cars on the planet. Its Continental GT Coupe, for example, tips the scales at a hefty 2350kg, which is up there with fully loaded limousines and luxury SUVs in terms of kerb weight. To move all that heft, the Bentley requires a gas-guzzling W12 engine with a pair of turbochargers bolted on.

However, in these times of rising concerns over climate change and fuel prices, even the ultra-luxury makes are considering implementing drastic changes to improve the fuel efficiency of their cars or least present the image of doing so. Speaking with the The Car Connection, Bentley exec Stuart McCullough revealed management were examining “changing the philosophy of Bentley,” which currently is built around large, heavy cars with large, torquey engines.

Some of the ideas being thrown about include the use of modern lighter materials and possibly smaller cars, however, McCullough stressed that any change would only occur if customers were willing to accept such an approach. It’s important to remember that the car industry is still defined by a ‘bigger is better’ mentality.

Reader Comments

Tue Sep 25 2007 1:57 AM
Gus says

I don't know.
A heavy car full of torque feels like a heavy car full of torque. Unless you can fake that somehow, that is what people who buy these cars are going to want.
Tue Sep 25 2007 9:04 AM
HECTOR says

The VW group builds some of the heaviest cars. I don't know enough to say why this is - Audis are heavy even with the aluminum space frame - but they have to do something about it. The previous generation Passat V6 felt like a porker: not only was it woefully underpowered it had to lug around a car heavier than the competition.
Tue Sep 25 2007 9:28 AM
SuperSkyline89 says

Well, if they do make them lighter, hopefully the engines won't be downsized too much because a torquey engine is always good no matter what. If all that Bentley wants to do is look like they care about fuel economy, making their cars lighter should be enough, the engines don't need to be any less powerful
Tue Sep 25 2007 6:53 PM
biturbo says

Gus, how about a light car "full of torque"? :)

Weight is the enemy number one. Cars are moving objects after all.
Shame on Bentley for building such hipoelephants :)

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