The new Continental GT will have under its hood the intercooled, turbocharged 4.0L V8 powerplant which is similar to the engine of the S7 and S8 of Audi. The cheapest car of the Bentley lineup will be able to output 487 lb-ft and still a monstrous 500 horsepower.

The Continental draws its DN forom the Phaeton D-platform of Volkswagen. The power of the engine is transferred to the wheels thru the new automatic, close ratio 8-speed gearbox that has an all wheel drive capability. This set up can bring the Continental GT from 0 to 60 in just 4.6 seconds with its top speed pegged at 188 miles per hour.

Given the smaller engine Continental GTC and GT V8 can boast of a 40% improvement in fuel consumption and emissions of carbon dioxide.

Bentley lovers will be able to distinguish the W12 dependent variants from the newly unwrapped Continental with V8 engines thru certain aesthetic updates and unique rims.

The new Bentley vehicles will be on the showrooms before the end of this year with pricing expected to be announced before the official launch. It is expected to compete with the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, CL63 AMG by Mercedes-Benz, BMW M6, Aston Martin DBS, and the Gran Turismo Coupe of Maserati.

If ever you have placed your order, 12-12-12 predictions anyone? So just hope that the car be delivered to your doorstep before that date comes!

The range of Continentals will get the flex-fuel variant of Bentley’s W-12 6.0L engine. It will only be the powerplant that will be offered for the range. The engine can operate using gasoline, bioethanol E85, or a any proportions of the mix of bioethanol and gasoline.

The 2011 Supersports Convertible from the Continental range which was unveiled during the recent Geneva Motor Show is also flex-fuel capable. The Supersports convertible is claimed to be the fastest convertible the brand has ever produced.

The decision of Bentley to flex-fuel their Continental range will mean that half of their units this 2010 will be compatible to flex-fuel. Only three models of Bentley will not be flex-fuel. These will be the Azure sedan, the Brooklands coupe, and the replacement to the Arnage, the Mulsanne sedan. Take note that the Brooklands will reach the end of its line this year.

The Mulsanne will also be converted to be able to run using ethanol in the future but Bentley did not give any specific time table for this move.

Aside from converting their vehicles to flex-fuel, Bentley is also considering cylinder deactivation. There can also be a possibility that these two technologies will be combined, and consumers will not really feel the difference because the car’s performance will not be compromised.

While the GTC Speed has been around since August 2008, as well as the Flying Spur Speed saloon, their convertible sister is yet to receive the gift of speed from the Bentley geniuses. A prototype of the 2010 Bentley Continental GT has been spotted in the Nurburgring circuit in Germany during a test drive.

Okay, not so much has changed since we last saw it, but at a closer look, it has been given a more aggressive look courtesy of the mesh-grille and lowered intakes and height. Looking closer still, the steering wheel was given a new tri-spoke emblem with metallic accents as the rim bears a stitched leather design.

Like its older brothers, the 2010 GTC Speed will get a revamped 6.0L W12 twin-turbocharged engine. A new crankcase is also in order; much lighter camshaft and a speedier cam sensor are also added. Additional boost pressure also comes with the turbo engine.

The Speed models’ engine comes with 600HP and 553ft-lb of torque, accelerating at 0-100km/h in five seconds or less. The top speed should be around 300km/h.

Coming with the more aggressive look are new 20in wheels, redesigned bumper design, and a stiffer suspension. Nappa leather adorns the car’s interior, a 1,100W Naim sound system, and lots of chrome and wood design.

The new GTC Speed boast of a more powerful beast under its hood, a 600 horse power with 553 lb-ft torque 6.0L twin turbocharged engine. Over its older sibling, this version of GTC Speed is stronger by 48 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque.

The newest member of the Speed portfolio is the most powerful Bentley convertible to date. It can zoom from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a blink of 4.5 seconds. Its top speed when its roof is retracted is 195 mph. It can blaze on the road at 200 mph when it is closed.

The standard release of the new version is equipped with a better steering system that responds faster. Ride quality is also improved a lot with minimal friction design of the dampeners. The bushings of the rear axle were also made stiffer and the total ride hide made lower to further enhance performance.

The air intakes of the GTC Speed were also made larger coupled with a more upright front end design and squarer edges.

The GTC Speed smiles with a dark front grille and rolls on the road with 20-inch wheels fitted with Pirelli P-zero tires. A lip spoiler on the rear portion was incorporated as a standard issue.

The interior is a design focused on elegance. The three-spoke steering wheel, finely quilted leathers, alloy pedals, and shimmering side sills say it all.

The tag of the GTC speed was not revealed to the public yet but is predicted to come at around $228, 000.