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The ultra-luxury segment may be following the rest of the car market into the sales tank, but no one seems to have told Bentley yet, as it continues to churn out at a steady clip ever more indulgent variants of its already indulgent automobiles. Just two months ago at the Los Angeles auto show, Bentley launched its most expensive convertible ever, the over-the-top Azure T, and now, at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Bentley debuts its fastest convertible ever, the 600-hp Continental GTC Speed. Little more than a Continental GT Speed with a roof that goes down, the GTC Speed is powered by the same enhanced twin-turbo W-12, which makes a monstrous 553 lb-ft of torque to go with those 600 horses. (A “regular” GTC makes do with 552 hp and 479 lb-ft.) Bentley estimates a top speed of 200 mph—195 with the roof down—and a 0–60 time of 4.5 seconds. Visual enhancements include a dark grille, a small lip spoiler, and the same sexy 20-inch wheels also found on the other Speed-ified Connies in the lineup. Still, at this point in time, does the world really need another showy ragtop estimated to cost some $220,000? To be fair, launching hyper-fast, hyper-priced variants, even in a stalled market, is a fairly easy way to stay in the news and keep interest in the brand up until the company dishes up some more exciting dirt—which Bentley insiders promise is coming later in the year. Stay tuned. |
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