Bentley is adding prestige and personalization to its Mulsanne with a new high class trim level called the Executive Interior, bringing the latest in multimedia connectivity to the English automakers flagship. 

It’s already public knowledge that British luxury automaker Bentley will be debuting an SUV concept at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, but now reports are coming in that there’s a slight possibility that concept will be a plug-in hybrid variant.

Bentley is aiming high with its proposed goal of doubling annual sales by 2017. The English luxury automaker has a long road ahead, but will be helped by the U.S. resurgence in car sales and especially by the boom in China.

Dominating Le Mans during the 1920’s with its powerful, rugged, and reliable Bentley Blower, the British automaker from Crewe established itself as one of the earliest names in motorsports.

Bentley‘s flagship, the Mulsanne, is getting a new sport focused package known as the Mulliner Driving Specification which will debut on the car at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

The new Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 still doesn’t have a scheduled release date, but that hasn’t stoped the British automaker from releasing more photos of the two upcoming models to whet our appetite.

It seems that with the release of the Bentley twin-turbo V8 powerplant, the W12 could be rendered a useless dinosaur. The British automaker however, still has plans to make the W12 more efficient and a viable engine in Bentley’s lineup.

Bentley turned to the skies to make its new Continental V8 debut one to remember out in Germany. The new 4.0L V8 Continental GT coupe went flying (literally) above downtown Munich thanks to a very sturdy harness and excellent helicopter pilot.

Obviously a marketing and publicity stunt more than anything else, Bentley also needed a way to beat the traffic jams in order to get to the SkyLounge, a glazed bridge between two skyscrapers. The fashionable SkyLounge is where an exclusive Bentley Continental V8 launch party was held with 300 VIP guests, and of course the car was the guest of honor.

“A dramatic car got the debut we felt it deserved and we took a little bit of our inspiration from Bentley’s iconic ‘Winged B’ emblem. On a practical level the helicopter was the fastest way to get to the rooftop podium,” said Klaus Becker, General Manager of Bentley Munich.

Of course the cynic in us has to wonder how badly this could have gone for Bentley if someone had forgotten to tighten something.

Check out the video after the break.

Although Bentley already confirmed its newest SUV will be coming to market, we still have no details on when the luxury automaker will release the specifics to the public.

Defining the one percent is messy math business that we’re far from doing, but maybe you can reach this stellar status by demonstrating your wealth through gifts.

If that is the case, hip hop entertainer Birdman certainly made the cut in the video below where he gave away a Rolls-Royce Ghost and Bentley Mulsanne — along with a second Bentley that he kept for himself.

If you aren’t up to date on the world of ultra-luxury cars, here’s a quick rundown.

The Bentley Mulsanne launched in 2010 and is the company’s sedan, sporting a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8 making 505 horsepower and 753 fl-lbs of torque. You can choose to enjoy that power behind the wheel, though at the $290,000 starting price some people may prefer just to pay a chauffeur. Little Wayne got the Mulsanne, while Birdman’s brother and business partner Ronald “Slim” Williams walked away the happy new owner of a Rolls-Royce Ghost.

The Ghost starts at $380,000, and packs 563 horsepower and 575 ft-lbs of torque. Realistically, people buying these cars aren’t all that concerned with the power specs. Badges and emblems emblazoned on the body and throughout the vehicle mean more to status symbols than big power numbers. The interiors ain’t bad either.

Either car offers a splendid example of what it feels like to swim in fine leather and rich wood. Ferris Beuller said it best, “It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.” Of course in that movie he’s referring to a Ferrari 250 GT California, but the words still ring true.

If you’ve been scratching your head over these names, this “Lil Wayne”, Ronald “Slim” Williams and a grown man who walks around calling himself “Birdman”, you probably don’t have a taste for rap music.

The three men referred to above are responsible for Cash Money Records, the label behind some of today’s pop icons like Drake, Nicki Minaj, T-Pain and among others, the predator look-a-like himself: Lil Wayne. Know then or not, the first guy in the video is Birdman and these cars cost him a total of well over $1 million so he must be doing something right.

You can watch the video below.

Taking their first Le Mans victory in 1924, the Bentley Brothers and their powerful, heavy, rugged, and reliable Bentley Blower dominated motorsports in the 1920s, outclassing rival Bugatti and its more elegant, lightweight, but considerably more fragile machines.

Despite Volkswagen ownership and the passing of many decades, Bentley cars still retain this trait today. Since 2005, Bentley has provided customers an opportunity to experience the power of new Bentley vehicles in a controlled environment atop a frozen Finnish lake. Known as the “Power on Ice” driving experience program, this year, Bentley instructors will provide excitement and education as customers experience the maximum potential of the new 621-hp Continental Supersport and 567-hp Continental GT.

According to Bentley, the success of “Power on Ice” warranted expansion and for 2012, Bentley will be launching driver training programs in North America as well. No dates and locations have been released so far, Bentley has only said that the program will deliver an experience “like no other.” That statement is hard to refute when we’re considering a track day behind the wheel of 5,000+ lbs. luxury grand tourers with more than 600 horsepower at your disposal.

Check out the Bentley North American Driving Programme promo video; slow-motion action shots, dubstep and all.

Bentley recently found an interesting way to prove the all-wheel drive capabilities of its Continental sports car, taking to the sport of skijoring out at the Switzerland Alpine passes.

Race circuits crafted from Finland’s finest snow and ice await the one percent next month as Bentley announces its 2012 Power on Ice Adventure.

With Maybach being axed, again, Bentley is now looking to entice some of the brand’s top customers, including the likes of rapper J-Z, as well as the Sultan of Brunei and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

Car and Driver recently sat down with Bentley Chief Wolfgang Dürheimer to get some details on the British automaker’s plug-in hybrid and upcoming SUV. Dürheimer told the publication that we shouldn’t expect to see the plug-in hybrid until the next generation of Bentleys are unveiled and that a final decision on their SUV will be made in just a matter of a few weeks.

Listen up Cher fans – if you want to make your Cher shrine complete, you’ll want to bid on the diva’s 2005 Bentley Continental GT.

Very few car companies can lay claim to have a twin-turbo charged, 500-hp, V8 as their entry level vehicle, but Bentley can.

Thanks to Bentley‘s strongest sales performance since 2008, the gentlemen of Crewe are looking to expand their line-up with the introduction of a new luxury SUV by 2014.

While the recession was the final nail in Maybach‘s coffin, Bentley has soldiered on and managed to survive the tough economic climate. Not only did Bentley survive, they have bounced back strongly in 2011.

The Volkswagen Group, which consists of Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Porsche brands in America, are looking to become the number one seller of vehicles in the world by 2018. That’s a bold proclamation as they’re currently sitting in the number three position behind Toyota and General Motors.

An insane nine car accident occurred out in Kiev, Ukraine, caused by a speeding Bentley Continental Flying Spur. And while this isn’t as painful to see as the Ferrari accident out in Japan, this Bentley did cause some real havoc.

Set to make their world debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Bentley has released some photos of their new V8-powered Continental GT Coupe and GT Convertible. Powered by a new 4.0L, twin-turbocharged V8 powerplant with 500-hp, Bentley claims that the new V8 will also deliver 40-percent better fuel economy.

Bentley’s new Ice Speed Record watch was inspired by Juha Kankkunen’s record breaking time set on the ice.

If you saw a 2008 Bentley Continental GTC convertible advertised for $13,900 you’d probably think something was up. Andre Souang, who who encountered this situation on Ebay with “a buy it now” incentive no doubt thought the same.

Following on from its world debut back in Frankfurt, the latest Bentley Continental GTC has now arrived on our shores, debuting in perhaps the most appropriate place in the land, Los Angeles.

Bespoke means that provided you have a specific quest, as well as time and money, just about anything is possible. So, how about a one-off pink Bentley?

Volkswagen is experiencing unprecedented levels of success as for the first time in the German automaker’s history, 6.11 million vehicles have been sold in the first nine months of the year. If sales momentum continues, Volkswagen will easily surpass its annual target of 8 million vehicles sold for 2011.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley Motors’ CEO recently declared, in reference to the firm’s upcoming SUV, that,  “we will be first to use a 12-cylinder petrol engine in a luxury SUV.”

The Porsche 911 GT2 is famous for being a no compromise sports car, but Bentley‘s own offering, set to wear the GT2 moniker, won’t exactly follow in the P-car’s rowdy footsteps.

After a 71 year absence from Le Mans, Bentley returned in 2001, but with little success and in-house competition with Audi the decision was made to drop the Speed 8 LMP1 program in 2003. The team did go out with a bang, however, taking the checked flag at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – due in part to a lack of participation by Audi.

Before the Mulsanne, Bentley had the Arnage luxury sedan, which over the years was also offered as a convertible called the Azure and a coupe called the Brooklands.

Take care of business on the go. Busy executives will be able to multitask while being driven to their next meeting, thanks to the Bentley Mulsanne Executive Interior Concept.

Though there are no real surprises, Bentley has made their new Continental GTC official, detailing the new luxury convertible in a comprehensive press releases. The four-seater convertible features a seven-bow, three-layer fabric roof that’s available in eight different colors. It can fold and rise in just 25 seconds and works at speeds up to 20-mph.

Bentley has partnered with British design company Linley for the creation of 10 limited edition Continental Flying Spurs.

Block the sun’s rays with the new Bentley sunglasses. But keep your eyes on them at all times, because you can’t afford to misplace them.

British luxury automakers seem to be branching out into other areas as of late. Not only can you stay in a Jaguar themed suite the next time you’re visiting London, but now you can also dine-in, in a Bentley themed room.

Bentley has officially revealed the all-new Continental GTC with updates similar to those of the GT coupe. Originally hitting the market in 2006, the revamped second generation GTC is set to officially debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

The world’s oldest surviving production Bentley was sold through the Gooding & Company auction at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for $962,500.

Call it the Cayenne Syndrome, yet it seems that even ultra luxury manufacturers can no longer resist the temptation of offering some kind of Crossover Utility.

This is it for SUV lovers, the piece de resistance. Bentley is working on a design and engineering project to launch a very high-end  £150,000 SUV by 2014, according to CEO Wolfgang Durheimer.

Specialty tuner Imperium prides itself on creating one-off bespoke custom vehicles for high-end clients, working closely with the vehicle’s owner to make their wildest dreams come true. Most recently Imperium decided to reveal a customer’s Bentley Continental GT in order to show off to the world what the possibilities are when you bring your vehicle to them. The end result is a completely custom Continental GT, featuring plenty of one-off parts including its body kit and wheels.

Joining Bentley‘s 6.0L twin-turbo W12 powerplant in the near future is a rumored 4.0L V8 that will be more efficient with lower emissions. And now it seems that Bentley will officially unveil the new V8 to the public at next year’s Detroit Auto Show, which will be a nice followup to the refreshed GTC that is planned to be shown at Frankfurt this September.

A parade of some of the world’s most exotic and expensive cars turned into a serious game of bumper cars after a dim witted motorist drove her $468,000 Bentley Azure into several other exotics outside the Place du Casino in Monte Carlo.

A Bentley SUV? How uncouth! But damn the recession, luxury SUVs are still the rage—and word from Bentley’s chief executive says a baller Bentley is all part of the package.

This 22-year old kid thought he could get away with grand theft auto, but little did he learn that crime doesn’t pay!

It appears that Bentley will be ready to debut the new Continental GTC at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show in September. This debut will come one year after Bentley first unveiled its refreshed Continental GT, featuring a lighter body, more powerful and slightly more fuel-efficient engine.

Earlier this year, Bentley set a new record of the highest speed achieved by a car on ice when it hit 205.48 with their 631-horsepower Continental Supersports convertible. The record run took place on a section of the Baltic Sea on a 10-mile track, just off the coast of Finland, and the car was driven by rallying superstar Juha Kankunnen.

But that’s what it is, essentially: a new front bumper, a rear diffuser, a little spoiler on the trunk, smaller side mirrors, and side “extension blades” with the Bentley logo carefully painted by wizened artisan craftsmen (or robots). And it goes without saying that the entire package is made from glorious, silky-smooth velour carbon fiber—high-gloss, black, laminated, and guaranteed to give your 5,115-lb. 12-cylinder luxury cruiser some much-needed performance cred.

Some people collect stamps. Others collect fine wine. But a select few can afford to collect classic cars. If you’re among those few, you’ll be excited to hear that the world’s first and oldest Bentley is up on the auction block.

ArmorTech Motors out in Russia is adding even more luxury to Bentley‘s Mulsanne by offering a few options to extend the wheelbase and raise the roof.  Two options are available for the Mulsanne; ArmorTech is willing to lengthen the wheelbase either 20-inches or 45-inches depending on what you’d like. Those looking for more headroom can also have the roof raised 3.9-inches.

With the Gumball 3000 already underway (it started May 26), the folks in charge of the international parade of shenanigans has released a video showing the rally’s start in Covent Garden, London. The 19 minute video shows over 100 of the most magnificent and rare supercars in the world. Even the rain couldn’t stop the massive crowd that gathered to watch the beginning of the world’s most fun and most glamorous rally.

The 3000 mile rally will start in London and end in Istanbul over a seven day period across 10 countries, via Paris, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Milan, Venice, Zagreb, Belgrade and Sofia. It was also revealed that the 2011 rally would cost £25,000 to take part in.

Participants include the “who’s who” of the international social scene, Sheikhs, entrepreneurs, oil tycoons, and dot com billionaires.

The incredible line up includes Pagani Zondas, Bugatti Veyrons, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Aston Martins, Jaguars, Porsches, Morgans and several Lotus’, and this year, over 20 eco and concept electric cars are taking part as Gumball enters a new decade of green motoring!

Check out the video after the jump!

As Bentley‘s new 2011 Continental starts to hit the streets, aftermarket companies are starting to release even more modifications for the current model in the hopes that owners will look to invest in their current car rather than buy a new one. One such tuner is Onyx, which has just announced an update to its GTO Package promising a horsepower bump to 660-hp (over the factory 550-hp) while freshening up the aesthetics to rival the 2012 Continental facelift.

Students from London’s Royal College of Art (RCA) are striking a pose with Bentley with a series of designs inspired by the iconic British auto manufacturer.

Ralph Lauren’s prestigious sports car collection is on show for the first time at Paris’ Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Lauren is normally reluctant to publicly display his vehicles, although he last let publications such as Road & Track and Vanity Fair get a glimpse of various vehicles in his stable. Cars from manufacturers like Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Porsche and Ferrari will be on display. The show is on from April 28 to August 28.

MC Customs, based out of Miami, Florida, specializes in high-end builds for celebrities, professional athletes and the layman with a thick enough wallet to satisfy their customizing tastes. Their collection of vehicles include Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, one of which is this custom widebody Continental Supersports. While its styling may not be for everybody, there’s no denying the quality and craftsmanship in the work in addition to being one of the most extreme Continental Supersports in the world.

In case owners of the  Bentley Continental Supersports convertible feel that they blend in too much, there’s a new appearance package available that transforms their cars into looking remarkably like a Porsche 911 GT3.

Apparently a new trend has been set in China. If you’re wealthy and getting married, better whip out every supercar exotic you can get your hands on and take them out on the street. This particular wedding, in Wenzhou, featured 28 exotic supercars from Ferrari’s 458 Italia to Bentley’s Flying Spur.

At first, it was fun to watch all the supercars parade around for a wedding, but now many local Chinese are finding it a tad repulsive. As with any country experiencing an abundant of wealth, the separation from lower to middle class and middle class to upper class starts to widen. Without surprise some aren’t finding it as amusing as others back in China. As for us? We can’t wait until someone rolls out their own wedding entourage with millions of dollars worth of exotics.

Check out the video after the break.

[Source: Jalopnik]

The rich have spoken, and their servants have voted for them: the Bentley Mulsanne is the preferred ride of ballers around the world, according to a survey in Centurion Magazine.

This iconic automobile still has a strong following and if rumors are correct, its fans will soon be celebrating the arrival of a new version, only this time, the Turbo R will be a luxury coupe.