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Blast from the past: Bentley Hunaudières concept

 
14 60,065 views Aug 9, 2006
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The Hunadières concept proved Bentley was capable of more than just old-world sophistication

The Hunadières concept proved Bentley was capable of more than just old-world sophistication

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Less than a year after being purchased by Volkswagen for the princely sum of £430 million, Bentley Motors created one of the most breathtaking and technical masterpieces in the automotive world. The Bentley Hunaudières Project, as it was known, was developed to proclaim to the world that Bentley was not just a manufacturer of ultra-luxury limousines. Instead it would showcase that the small automaker from Crewe was capable of being modern and dynamic, with serious sporting intentions behind its label.

Revealed to the masses at the Geneva Motorshow in 1999, the Hunaudières laid the groundwork for the popular Continental GT. Under the smooth, green exterior resided an 8.0-litre, mid-mounted W16 engine mated to a five-speed gearbox, which developed 623bhp (463kW) at 6,000rpm and an equally impressive 561ft-lbs (760Nm) of torque at 4,000 rpm. Comparable with many of today’s supercars, the Hunaudières W16 showed that a large capacity, multiple-cylinder engine could be delivered in a fairly compact package. The engine itself was only 634mm long and 690mm wide, similar in size to a conventional V8.

We now know that the car was never meant for production, but was in fact harbinger of the company's future developments. Technologies first displayed in the Hunaudières can now be found in high-end cars across the VW Group's performance range, including the Bugatti Veyron, which uses a variation of the 8.0-litre W16 engine.

Bentley is now more successful than ever. Last year it was rated the tenth most popular European brand in the American market with sales totalling 3,654 for the US alone.

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Comments (14)

  1. By smokeydog Posted: 9/15/2006 8:20am PDT

    The grill seems an afterthought. But nothing a quick trip to Home Depot couldn't fix!
     
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  2. By protonmyass Posted: 12/11/2006 9:02pm PST

    Ouch..HIDEOUS
     
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  3. By Alayna Posted: 4/2/2007 12:18pm PDT

    How much is it?Im looking to buy one and i want this one!!
     
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  4. By John Posted: 8/14/2007 12:20am PDT

    THAT IS ONE BAD ASS CAR!!
     
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  5. By boghi Posted: 8/25/2007 5:33pm PDT

    it's verry strong car... it's a cool car... for mad man...
     
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  6. By ali Posted: 9/3/2007 5:55pm PDT

    NICEEE. interior is even better!
     
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  7. By Chilianu Constantin Posted: 1/14/2008 4:21am PST

    hy.my name is constantin from ramania.i want to drive the goliat bentley continental GT.its most sport-luxury car .y want one only for my self.but its very expensiv for my salary.please end thank you.
     
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  8. By gurpreet Posted: 1/22/2008 8:48am PST

    send me good car pics
     
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  9. By bobby Posted: 7/8/2008 7:44pm PDT

    that is one AMANING lookin car
     
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  10. By bobby Posted: 7/8/2008 7:46pm PDT

    How much os that car!?!?!?!? I will get it. It would be for my sister Paris Hilton!! Even though she swerd up her life butr watever. So how much is thaT CAR
     
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  11. By IM RICH BI$$ICH Posted: 9/13/2008 10:32am PDT

    I THINK ITS ABOUT 300G'S WHICH IS PRETTY AFFORDABLE
     
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  12. ma_azlan avatar azlan Posted: 9/30/2008 6:50am PDT

    i saw the first photo showing the front and i thort 'what a tough looking car'... then i saw the side and it just looks like a green poo from the thunderbirds
     
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  13. ma_goddman avatar goddman Posted: 9/30/2008 6:23pm PDT

    looks like bugatti
     
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  14. ma_TaeKwonDonkey avatar TaeKwonDonkey Posted: 10/1/2008 1:51pm PDT

    I want very badly, is there a driver in the main pic?
     
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