Bentley brings all the cars including Le Mans and GT3 to this years Goodwood Festival of Speed.

• Continental Supersports debuts in the UK, piloted by Derek Bell
• Continental GT3 and Bentayga take on the famous hillclimb
• Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase, Bentayga Diesel, Flying Spur V8 S
  and Continental Supersports on display
• Speed 8 Le Mans Prototype on special display in the paddock,
  as a celebration of legendary racing driver Tom Kristensen
• Bentley craftsmanship demonstrations and Forza competitions
  on the stand

Bentley Motors returns to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this month, with the UK debut of the Continental Supersports alongside a powerful display of new Bentley models for the road and track.

The Festival of Speed – known as the world’s most glamorous motorsport garden party – will form the backdrop for an impressive line-up of award-winning new Bentley models. The festival runs from June 29 to July 2.

Bentley Challenges the Famous Hillclimb

The exciting new Continental Supersports captures this year’s Festival of Speed theme, “Peaks of Performance”, perfectly. The model will be shown for the first time in the UK at Goodwood where it will be driven up the historic hillclimb by Derek Bell, renowned Le Mans champion and Bentley Boy. With its purposeful appearance, the world’s fastest four-seat car – and Bentley’s most powerful production car yet – is a true game changer, accelerating to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.

The Bentley Continental GT3 race car will also grace the hillclimb driven by Bentley Boy, Andy Soucek, the Blancpain GT Series racing driver. The Continental GT3 has competed in 360 races so far, claiming 74 podiums and 29 wins.

Also going up the hillclimb will be the Bentaya, the world’s most powerful and most exclusive luxury SUV.

Bentley’s Finest Models on Display

Joining a second Continental Supersports on Bentley’s stand at the Festival of Speed will be the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase. Designed for customers with a preference for being driven, the Extended Wheelbase offers a first-class air-travel experience for the road.

The 250 mm extension of the Mulsanne’s wheelbase is entirely to the benefit of rear-seat passenger legroom. To make the best use of the additional rear legroom, Bentley has developed airline-style electronic leg rests which are integrated into the bases of the two rear seats. These extend outward and pivot, affording rear-seat passengers the luxury of choice between upright, relaxed and reclined seating positions.

The new Bentayga Diesel will also be on display, with its combination of go-anywhere four-wheel drive, luxurious handcrafted cabin and new, triple-charged 4.0-litre diesel-powered V8 engine.

It will be joined by the Flying Spur V8 S, a more performance-orientated version of the Flying Spur, with an uprated twin-turbo V8 engine delivering 528 PS (521 bhp).

Tom Kristensen Speed 8 Celebration

Away from Bentley’s main stand, the victorious Speed 8 Prototype race car will be on display in the paddock area. This car debuted at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2001, winning the famous endurance race in 2003 with Tom Kristensen behind the wheel.

As well as offering a fantastic spectacle, the car that marked Bentley's return to racing after a 73-year absence will form a celebration of 20 years of racing at Le Mans for Kristensen, as well as a nod to the legendary driver’s 50th birthday.

New Forza Game Challenge for Visitors

Guests are invited to take part in the new Forza game on a simulator; players on the stand will take part in an exclusive pre-release version of the game before its general release in September. A Bentley Boy will set the fastest lap on Forza before the festival begins, and a competition to beat the fastest lap will be run over the four days of the festival.

Live Craftsmanship Displays on Stand

Visitors to Bentley’s stand over the Festival of Speed weekend will also be invited to watch demonstrations by the craftsmen from Crewe. As well as an introduction to Mulliner, the Bentley’s bespoke commissioning division, guests will be able to observe craftsmen from the woodshop and trim departments, designing and making interior elements, using the finest quality leathers and woods.

For the sixth year running, Bentley Motors has been recognised as a Top Employer.

• Global recognition for employment practices
• Talent development and recruitment processes commended

Bentley Motors has been recognised as a Top Employer for the sixth consecutive year, reflecting the company’s attention to excellence in personal development and employee conditions.             

The award - presented by the Top Employers Institute - highlighted Bentley’s emphasis on continuous improvement, employee conditions and dedication to the company’s 4,000-strong workforce.   

 

Commenting on the achievement, Marlies Rogait, Member of the Board for Human Resources, said:     

“Maintaining our status as a Top Employer is not only recognition for our business, but for our colleagues as well. We are very proud of our highly-skilled workforce and are committed to ensuring they have every opportunity to reach their potential.

“Everyone in the business, from the craftspeople in the factory, to the executive team in the boardroom, are incredibly passionate about what they do. This passion for success only helps reinforce our position as the world’s number one luxury car brand.”                   

The annual international research - undertaken by the Top Employers Institute - recognises leading employers around the world, which provide excellent working conditions, make every effort to continuously enhance recruitment processes and nurture and develop talent throughout all levels of the business.

Bentley Motors recently launched its 2017 trainee recruitment, with 60 positions available for apprentices, undergraduates and graduates, across all business areas.   

Looking further ahead, to support the company’s future investment in its employees and the community, Bentley is playing a pivotal role in bringing a University Technical College to Crewe. Focused on Engineering and Design, the school will offer an inspiring education for 14-18 year olds seeking a pathway to future employment. 

END OF YEAR WORLDWIDE - BENTLEY - The luxury brand breaks all records as sales continue to grow.

• Bentley Motors delivers a record 11,023 cars in 2016
• 56 per cent growth in Europe, 16 per cent up in UK
• 85 per cent export signals global demand

Bentley Motors delivered 11,023 cars in 2016, a record high and the company’s fourth consecutive year above 10,000 cars. This represents a nine per cent growth on the performance of 2015 (10,100 cars).

The Americas remained Bentley’s number one region, with Europe and the UK both posting sales increases. 

Strong customer demand for the Bentley Bentayga, which reached all global markets during 2016, played a key role in this success.

Commenting on the results, Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Wolfgang Dürheimer, said:

“The strong performance of recent years has continued through 2016, a year of new models, investment and record demand. We have introduced the world’s first luxury SUV, the Bentayga, opened the first building of our R&D expansion and outlined our ambitions for potential future investment at our factory in Crewe, UK.

“Looking ahead, our focus is to continue to invest in new sector-defining luxury cars, innovative technologies and play a leading role in defining the future of luxury mobility.”

Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Dr. Andreas Offermann, said:

“Our globally-balanced sales success indicates the strength of our brand and products. We introduced a total of six new model variants in 2016 and increased our presence around the world, adding 20 new retailers to make a total of 210 partners in 59 markets.           

“We can take this high level of investment and commitment from our business and retailers into 2017 and start the year in a positive way.”   

The number one customer sales region throughout 2016 was the Americas, closing the year delivering 2,792 cars, against a figure of 2,864 in 2015. This accounted for 25 per cent of global deliveries.      

The introduction of Bentayga to the Americas region in the second half of 2016 saw a record-high performance for a six-month period.          

In Europe, sales were up by 56 per cent with 2,676 cars delivered on the previous figure of 1,695. Bentley’s home market, the UK continued to perform strongly, establishing itself as the third highest selling region, delivering 1,692 cars, up from 1,457 in 2015, an increase of 16 per cent.

Bentley delivered 1,239 cars to the Middle East in 2016, against 1,274 cars in 2015. 

In China, Bentley delivered 1,595 cars, marginally down on the previous year’s figure of 1,615.

The Asia Pacific region delivered 423 cars, against 455 in 2015. Japan and South Korea delivered 606 cars against a total of 740 cars in 2015. 

Bentley opens another dealership in Switzerland, this time, north west of Lausanne.

• New Bentley retail partner in Lausanne
• Showroom features Bentley corporate identity
• Created with the same luxurious materials and hand-crafted with the same attention to detail as Bentley cars

Bentley Motors today announces the opening of a brand new showroom in Switzerland.

Located in the north-west of Lausanne, the Bentley showroom measures 400 m² and reflects Bentley’s global corporate identity, taking inspiration from the company’s rich history and combining it with modern-day luxury retailing. Bentley Lausanne is the sixth retailer for Bentley Motors in Switzerland.

Robert Engstler, Regional Director at Bentley Motors Europe, said: “Switzerland is our biggest market in the central European region. We have found a strong partner in Bentley Lausanne and the opening of the brand-new showroom will help us to generate more growth and enlarge our customer base in Switzerland even further.”

Marcel Hauselmann, Bentley Lausanne General Manager, commented: “We are very proud to represent the most successful automotive luxury brand in the world. In our showroom, customers will receive an exclusive Bentley experience and personalised service while surrounded by unparalleled design, automotive passion and unmatched attention to detail.”   

The new showroom in Lausanne offers customers the complete Bentley model range, including Bentley’s latest model, the Bentayga Diesel, the fastest, most luxurious and most exclusive diesel SUV in the world. In addition to the Bentayga range, customers can also choose between the Continental GT, the Flying Spur and Bentley’s flagship model, the Mulsanne.

The new retail partner also offers pre-owned vehicles, aftersales service and the company’s branded luxury goods.

Bentley celebrates a large haul of awards for the Bentayga Sports Utility Vehicle.

• Sector-defining fourth model line receives 12 global accolades
• Recognition received for unparalleled luxury, innovative technology and sculptural design
• Strength of demand drives production increase
• Bentayga available in every market 

One year on from the very first production model leaving the assembly line at Bentley’s iconic UK headquarters in Crewe, England, the Bentayga has received international praise and recognition. 

So far 12 awards have been won, stretching from the company’s home market to the Middle East, China and the USA.   

                    

The Bentayga was designed to be the world’s fastest and most luxurious SUV and has been recognised for its high level of luxury, elegant, timeless design execution, off-road performance and cutting-edge advanced technology. 

Commenting on the strength of demand for the Bentayga, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, says: 

“This independent recognition reinforces that we are setting the benchmark for modern luxury with Bentayga, a true Bentley. Customer reaction has been outstanding. We have increased production and reduced long waiting times for customers by making more than 5,500 luxury SUVs in 2016. Deliveries have commenced in all 56 markets in which we are active and our dealers are well placed to meet customer demand. Overall I believe this to be a remarkable first year’s performance.”                     

The definitive ‘SUV of the year’

The Bentayga received plaudits across three continents in 2016, with the car’s design, performance and level of luxury applauded.    

In the UK, Autocar magazine presented the Bentayga with the ‘Game Changer’ award, marking the SUV as unique in the automotive world. Robb Report UK named Bentayga ‘SUV of the year’, with judges concluding it is a ‘truly ground-breaking SUV’.                     

The world’s most luxurious SUV was well received in Bentley’s biggest market, the US. Robb Report US named Bentayga the ‘Best of the Best’ in their prestigious annual awards and men’s magazine Gear Patrol named Bentayga a 2016 GP100 Winner, describing the car as ‘the new SUV benchmark’.

This success continued in China, with Car and Driver awarding the car the Jury’s Special Award. The Global Times also praised Bentley’s first SUV, naming it the Annual Best Brand Product in March.

‘Best Sports Utility Vehicle’ and ‘Best Luxury SUV’ accolades from awarding bodies in Singapore and the Middle East respectively complete the global suite of awards.

2016 Awards in Detail

UK

Awarding Publication/Body	Award Title	Month of Award
Autocar	Gamechanger	May 2016
Robb Report UK	SUV of the Year	June 2016

USA

Awarding Publication/Body	Award Title	Month of Award
Robb Report	Robb Report: Best of the Best 2016: Wheels	June 2016
Esquire	Esquire Car of the Year	October 2016
Gear Patrol	2016 GP100 Winner	November 2016

China

Awarding Publication/Body	Award Title	Month of Award
Car and Driver	Jury’s Special Award	January 2016
Tencent.com	TTA Import All-terrain SUV	January 2016
Global Times	Annual Best Brand Product Award	March 2016
Hurun Report	Luxury SUV Best New Arrival	January 2016
China Chief Editors’ Club   and PRIME Research	Best SUV of the Year	November 2016

Singapore

Awarding Publication/Body	Award Title	Month of Award
Prestige Singapore	Best Sports Utility Vehicle	August 2016

Middle East

Awarding Publication/Body	Award Title	Month of Award
PR Arabia	Best Luxury SUV	May 2016