As our commentators debate the wisdom and/or necessity of the new, larger Honda Accord, our good friends over at The Car Connection (TCC) reveal that Bentley is looking at lightening their luxobarges. Well, at least they're talking about it. "They've embarked on an in-depth study that could sharply shift the brand's design and engineering direction," TCC reports. "A reflection of the fact that even the rich must recognize growing concerns about energy prices and global warming." So now you know: environmental sensitivity isn't just for poor people anymore. No really. "'We have to examine whether to change the philosophy of Bentley, which focuses on large, heavy cars with large, torquey engines,' explained [CEO Franz-Josef ] Paefgen." Then again… "The most dangerous thing for us to do would be to react to whatever we read in the papers… If our customers don't accept that (lightweight) approach, we'd be in big trouble." And when will we see these new, kindler, gentler Bentleys; you know, if we do? The new Arnage "may also feature the use of newer, lighter materials, rather than massive lumps of steel." And here I was thinking that was the entire point of the Arnage.
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A lightweight Bentley would be like a lightweight John Daly – not the same.
Lightweight Bentley? Just more customers for the heavyweight Rolls.
Lightweight Bentley? No thanks. Lightweight everything else on the road? Yes please! Bentley shouldn’t do this, it’s a stupid idea; it’s like if Rolex figured they should maybe look into digital watches because they’re easier to read and use less resources to make.
Lightening up cars improves handling, acceleration, response, etc. and heaviness is only ever a benefit when crashing into something less heavy than the vehicle you’re driving. However, Bentleys should drive like they’re loaded up with gold bars and jewels and crowns and scepters and such; a light snappy Bentley would just ruin the appeal.
sounds like they’re looking to capture more of Jaguar’s territory, since the cat’s been flat-footed for quite some time know.
If there is one vehicle that I can forgive for being heavy, it’s a Bentley. As you say Robert, it’s almost half of the point of it existing in the first place. If they implement a plastic grill, all is lost.
I concur. I thought the whole point of a Bentley WAS that they were so heavy and so powerful. Abundant and excessive luxury I thought was that point of brands like Bentley.
Lighten it up a little using lighter materials here and there. Don’t change the size. That’s the only way it would work IMHO.
Bentley is precariously close to diluting their ultra-exclusive brand image.
With the more-accessible Continental lineup (GT, Flying Spur, GTC), I’m seeing a LOT more Bentleys, and must say it’s diluting the effect a bit. (Last Saturday, at a swanky upscale restaurant here, there were as many Bentley GT’s as Merc SL’s)
Slippery slope here.
There is a limit as to how much a vehicle can actually weigh and still be considered a “car”. Today we have so-called “cars” that weigh in excess of 5500 lbs! There is something wrong with this picture.
So is excess weight now symbolic of luxury? Or is it what it really is, just plain excess.
(Percieved) image is one thing. Sales numbers are another. I wouldn’t think that they are too unhappy about selling more cars… Apart from that, I’d guess they can use whatever they want to use, most people actually buying a Bentley won’t care: The fact that the Continental GT is based on a VW Phaeton didn’t seem to hurt the sales.
Is something like Roseanne Barr or Neuman ( Ken Knight) lose 1/2 the weight will it be funny anymore?