Bentley Continental

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{{Infobox automobile
| name = Bentley Continental
| image = [[File:1956 Bentley Continental coupé by Park Ward.jpg|250px]]
| caption = 1956 [[Bentley S1]] Continental by [[Park Ward]]
| manufacturer = [[Bentley Motors]]
| production = 1952–1965<br />1984–2002<br />2003–present
| body_style = {{ubl|2-door [[coupé]]|2-door [[convertible]]|4-door [[Sedan (automobile)|saloon]] (Flying Spur)}}
| layout = [[FR layout]]
}}

'''Bentley Continental''' refers to several models of cars produced by [[Bentley Motors]]. Originally, it referred to a special [[chassis]] for engines more powerful than the usual offering, supplied to a selected number of coachbuilders for the fitting of very light-weight coachwork designed under Rolls-Royce supervision.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

The model name Continental had already been used by Rolls-Royce for models intended and geared for long-distance, high-speed touring on roads and of a style then only available in continental Europe. 1930s to 1950s advertising for even the Standard Steel Bentley saloons carried the slogan ''the Silent Sports Car''.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} The Continental model was a lighter, faster, more nimble high-performance version, for high-speed travel in great comfort.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bentley Car Rental Dubai |url=https://bentleycarrental.ae/ |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=BentleyCarRental |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Continental name has since been re-used by Bentley for unrelated automobiles from 1984 onward.

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{{anchor|From 1952 to 1965}}

==1952 to 1965==
[[File:Bentley 'Embiricos' Pourtout - Concours d'Elégance Bagatelle.jpg|thumb|1938 'Embiricos' Bentley by [[Carrosserie Pourtout|Pourtout]] of Paris, a prototype Bentley Continental<ref>Martin Bennett, John Blatchley ''Bentley Continental: Corniche & Azure 1951-2002''. Martin Bennett, 2010</ref>]]
Following the break brought about by the [[Second World War]], Bentley resumed production of civilian automobiles, relocating its plant from [[Derby]] to [[Crewe]]. There, Bentley engineers produced [[Bentley R Type#Continental|R-Type Continentals]] for three years, from June 1952 to April 1955.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.bentleymotors.com/distinguished_heritage/history/1950__1959/|publisher=Bentley Motors|access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref> These cars were derivatives of the Standard Steel R-Type, the second series in Bentley's postwar luxury lineup.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

The R-Type Continental's chassis was specially built incorporating special components, including a high-performance engine, and fitted with very special light-weight bodies designed and built under the close supervision of Rolls-Royce. One of the world's most expensive automobiles,<ref>{{cite web|title=1954 Bentley R Type news, pictures, and information|url=http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11084/Bentley-R-Type.aspx|publisher=conceptcarz.com|access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref> only about 208 R-Type Continentals were built in total. In 2015, a 1952 R-Type Continental, in unrestored condition, sold for over US$1 million.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://pursuingwo.com/20150502-rare-bentley-r-type-continental-brings-big-dollars-at-auction/ | title=Rare Bentley Brings Big Dollars At Auction | publisher=Pursuing W.O. | access-date=2 May 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518213816/http://pursuingwo.com/20150502-rare-bentley-r-type-continental-brings-big-dollars-at-auction/ | archive-date=18 May 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

After the R-Type Continental, the Continental [[Bentley S1|S1]] (1955–1959), [[Bentley S2|S2]] (1959–1962), and [[Bentley S3|S3]] (1962–1965) were delivered, beginning in March 1955. The first S1 was well received, and 49 were built.<ref>Classic Cars, May 2010, page 114</ref><ref>Motorist´s Compendium and Driver´s Almanack, Dec 1959</ref><!-- The deficiency was addressed on later vehicles, such as the [[Bentley S1]]. what deficiency was that?--> The S2 was delivered from July 1959, and it debuted with a new L Series V-8 engine.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}. It also incorporated previously optional amenities, such as air conditioning and power steering. The S3, delivered from September 1962, was distinguishable principally by having four headlamps instead of two in the front wings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bentley history: Cricklewood, then Derby and for the last 60 years at Crewe|url=http://www.bentleymedia.com/release-207.htm|publisher=Bentley Media|access-date=20 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515154844/http://www.bentleymedia.com/release-207.htm|archive-date=15 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This series of the Continental ended with deliveries in November 1965, after the September 1965 introduction of the unitary construction [[Bentley T-series|T-series]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bentley Continental|url=http://wikicars.org/en/Bentley_Continental_T|publisher=Wikicar|access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref>

===Production timeline===
Grand Touring cars:
* 1952–1955 [[Bentley R Type#Continental|Bentley R-Type Continental]]
* 1955–1959 [[Bentley S1|Bentley S1 Continental]]
* 1959–1962 [[Bentley S2|Bentley S2 Continental]]
* 1962–1965 [[Bentley S3|Bentley S3 Continental]]

Production closed with the introduction of the unitary construction [[Bentley T-series]].

<gallery widths="210px" heights="175px" perrow="3">
Bentley S1 Continental in New Zealand in the 1960's.jpg|{{center|1953 R-Type by [[H. J. Mulliner & Co.]]}}
Bentley S1 RREC Annual Rally 2006 4846433986.jpg|{{center|1957 S1 by [[Park Ward]]}}
File:Bentley Continental S2 3157641144.jpg|{{center|Bentley Continental S2}}
SC06 1962 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur.jpg|{{center|1962 S3 saloon, Mulliner's ''Flying Spur''}}
</gallery>

==1984 to 2002==
The Continental nameplate was revived in 1984. The following cars with non-standard and distinctive bodywork were produced until 2002:
* 1984–1995 [[Bentley Continental (1984)|Bentley Continental]]
* 1991–2002 [[Bentley Continental R]]
* 1994–1995 [[Bentley Continental S]]
* 1996–2002 [[Bentley Continental T]]

<gallery widths="210px" heights="175px" perrow="3">
Bentley Continental (1988) 26-SF-SN p1.JPG|{{center|1988 Continental}}
Continental_R.JPG|{{center|1998 Continental R}}
2000 Bentley Continental R.jpg|{{center|2000 Continental R}}
</gallery>
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==2003 to present==
{{Infobox automobile
| image = [[File:Bentley Continental GT (II) – Frontansicht (3), 30. August 2011, Düsseldorf.jpg|250px]]
| caption = 2013 Bentley Continental GT (II)
| name = Bentley Continental
| manufacturer = [[Bentley Motors]]
| production = 2003–present
| body_style = 2-door [[coupé]]<br />2-door [[convertible]]
| layout = [[FR layout]]
| engine =
}}
Three versions of the Continental have been sold following Vickers' sale of Bentley to [[Volkswagen]]:
* 2003–present [[Bentley Continental GT]]
* 2006–present [[Bentley Continental GTC]]
* 2005–2013 [[Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005)|Bentley Continental Flying Spur]]

The next-generation Bentley Continental is scheduled for 2018, and it will include a [[plug-in hybrid]] variant. Bentley will borrow the plug-in hybrid powertrain from the [[Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://insideevs.com/next-generation-bentley-continental-to-get-plug-in-hybrid-powertrain-from-porsche-cayenne-phev/ |title= Next-Generation Bentley Continental To Get Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain From Porsche Cayenne PHEV|first=Eric |last=Loveday|publisher=InsideEVs.com|date=2016-02-25 |access-date=2016-02-25}}</ref>

Components for Bentley Continental will be sourced from Volkswagen's plants in Germany and Slovakia, with stampings from Volkswagen's factory in Bratislava. Porsche's plant in Leipzig will be responsible for assembling bodies-in-white, alongside Porsche's [[Porsche Panamera|Panamera]]. Bentley's factory in Crewe will carry out final assembly.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hetzner|first1=Christiaan|title=Porsche, Bentley synergies can help VW Group|url=http://www.autonews.com/article/20170411/COPY01/304119995/porsche-bentley-synergies-can-help-vw-group|access-date=12 April 2017|work=Automotive News|date=11 Apr 2017}}</ref>
<gallery widths="210px" heights="175px" perrow="3">
2005 Bentley Continental GT - Flickr - The Car Spy (28).jpg|{{center|2005 GT}}
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|position=left|Bentley Continental}}

{{Bentley ownership & road car timeline}}
{{Bentley Mulsanne timeline}}
{{Bentley timeline 1998 to date}}

[[Category:Bentley vehicles|Continental]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1952]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1984]]