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Bentley announced today that it will debut its Continental GTC Speed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

This more powerful version of Bentley's top-selling convertible features a 600-horsepower, twin-turbocharged W-12, the manufacturer's most powerful engine to date. The GTC Speed also provides 553 pound-feet of torque, a top speed of 200 miles per hour (195 with the top down), and will do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

Though still touted as a luxury vehicle, this performance-inspired Bentley sports a lower suspension, optional giant carbon-ceramic brakes, a discrete rear spoiler, and a highlighted lower air intake. According to Brian Gush of Bentley, the newest Speed model, inspired by its Speed Model of the 1920s, "is a driver's car which will redefine people's expectations of what a luxury convertible can achieve."

Check out the GTC Speed in our gallery above or scroll down below to read the official press release.

Scheduled for the next Geneva Motor Show next spring is Bentley's bioethanol-powered versions of its large engine models. Currently in development, the luxury carmaker plans to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from its lineup by forty percent within three years.

Why the rush? Well currently, its fleet outputs an average of 400 grams of carbon per kilometer—far from the newly set EU target of 130g/km average by 2015. Though the details have not been finalized, and it is speculated that this limit will only apply to companies that produce 10,000 or more cars annually, smaller companies such as Bentley will still face at least some demand to reduce its greenhouse gas output.
 
Only time will tell if the bet on ethanol will really shine through. After reports like the one recently released by Stanford University, sticking to ethanol may not be the best choice after all. That said, a Bentley spokesman had mentioned that while the focus now is on bioethanol, it’s only for short term. Biodiesel may become a possibility in the longer run.

Currently, Bentley is also undergoing negotiations with the British royal family over supplying use of these greener vehicles for state use.

+ Channel 4: Environment: Bioethanol Bentley to debut next year

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This is just wrong. The ever outspoken Paris Hilton just dropped $200,000 on a Christmas present for herself -- a custom-built Bentley Continental GT. Because Paris wouldn't have it any other way, the whole car is finished in pink -- the sheetmetal, grille, wheels, and most of the interior, too. This one-time-only Continental GT was created by West Coast Customs, who are famous for being able to do endless modifications on just about any car that comes through their shop.

When speaking to television network E!, Paris said, "I've just always wanted a pink car. I think when you're a little girl and you have the Barbie Corvette you're always like, 'Oh, I wish I had a car like this one day,' so I think it just comes from being a fan of Barbie for so long."

Be sure to scroll through the gallery for full detail shots of Paris' pink Bentley, and be sure to tell us what you think, in comments.

+ Global Motors: WTF? Bentley Continental GT in PINK!

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Japanese tuning house Wald International hasn’t released any specifications, colorful copy, or information of any kind really, regarding its rather frightening (in a good way) new take on the Bentley GT, preferring to let the pictures speak for themselves. Called the Bentley GT Sports Line Black Bison Edition, we can only guess that the brutal coupe is remarkably fast, and are sure that it will work wonders in turning the heads of fellow motorists. Go ahead and take a lengthy dip in our gallery of BGTSLBBE (just rolls off the tongue) images above and rest assured that we will bring you more details, as we have them.

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As if the Bentley Azure weren't exclusive and luxurious enough, the folks from Crewe are bringing the new Azure T to next month's Los Angeles Auto Show, calling it "the world's most elegant four-seat convertible."

The T one-ups the standard Azure with the addition of twenty-inch, five-spoke wheels, Le Mans front wing vents, a dark tint matrix grille, and a retractable Flying B up front. Under the hood, Bentley's standard 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 is on tap, but power has been boosted to 500 horses and 811 pound-feet of torque -- an increase of 50 horsepower and 166 pound-feet over the standard Azure. Given the fact that the standard Azure commands over $300,000, we can only imagine what sort of price point the Azure T will have.

Click through the post to read the full press release from Bentley.

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Our spy shooters managed to corner one bad Bentley convertible recently, a Continental GTC Speed whose elegantly finished exterior somewhat belies the beast of a sports car inside.

The Speed version of the GTC should immediately become one of the fastest convertibles one can buy when it wafts into dealerships, owing most of the credit for that claim to the prowess of the 600 horsepower W-12 engine that’s under hood. The GTC Speed will also feature a lower ride height than the standard car, as well as a stiffer suspension, and wider (20-inch) wheels. Bentley has given subtle clues to the added performance of the Speed tuned car, with a cheeky little rear spoiler giving a nice counterpoint to the more aggressive front bumper.

The total lack of disguise on the hotted Bentley makes us believe that the fully finished Continental GTC Speed should be available for (highly exclusive) purchase quite soon. Scroll down below to read the shooter’s own words about the car.

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In celebration of the ten year anniversary of its Arnage sedan Bentley has announced that it will offer up one final limited edition run of the car, aptly dubbed the Arnage Final Series, and headed for a debut at the Paris Motor Show. 

In addition to marking one decade of Arnage production, the model will also celebrate some other milestones for the British ultra luxury marque – fifty years for its now legendary 6.75-liter V-8 engine, and ninety years in for the Bentley company itself. The automaker will build 150 examples of its terminal flagship sedan, all of which will be powered by 500 horsepower, 738 pound-feet version of its twin turbocharged V-8, and all with what Bentley calls the performance of the Arnage T with the refinement of the Arnage R.

The Final Series has, in addition to a lifetime of stately grace, a rear cocktail cabinet replete with flask and shot glasses, four trunk-mounted Bentley umbrellas, and twin available picnic tables in a range of “premium unbleached veneers.” Check out the full scoop about the Final Series in the Bentley press release below and be sure to spend some time with the Brit in our gallery above.

If you feel emasculated when driving the Bentley Continental Flying Spur at its promised top speed of 195, there is a cure. Bentley now offers the Continental Flying Spur Speed model, which will cruise at 200.

Click through to read on.

The 2009 model year will see Bentley christen its Continental Flying Spur with details and gadgetry and presence it granted the Continental GT coupe for 2008. That means the new Flying Spur will bow with exterior treatments, especially to the front of the car, a greater palette for whims over interior materials, paradoxically more profound audio system capabilities and more attempts to isolate the cabin from road noise, and details beyond.

Probably more exciting, particularly since Bentleys make it onto desktops far more frequently than they do owner’s driveways, is Bentley’s addition of a Speed variant to the Flying Spur model lineup. Copy the monstrous 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque from the Continental GT Speed, and the Flying Spur becomes seriously fast. It passes 60 miles per hour in an official 4.5 seconds, and will go beyond 200 mph.

Distinguishing the Flying Spur Speed will be a host of exterior meanness: dark grilles, fattened exhausts, 20 inch wheels, available carbon ceramic brakes. Inside, the Speed earns a unique three-spoke steering wheel and a host of bits to ensure the driver is constantly aware of where the extra money went—that is, if playing with the right pedal is not enough.

(Click on the thumbnails below to launch a Flying Spur Speed gallery or through the jump to read Bentley’s press release.)