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The history of Bentley

Since Bentley originally started from the perspective of engineers and racing drivers when it founded the car factory, although the sales situation is not bad, the actual financial structure of the company is not sound, and the turnover and liquidity are not enough. Abundant, coupled with Bentley's ambition to build the fastest and best top-end sports car in the world, the corresponding products are also very expensive, and only wealthy businessmen can afford them. After the global economic crisis in 1930, the company's operations immediately encountered problems. In 1931, Bentley's debts exceeded 100,000 pounds (a considerable amount at the time). Unable to continue operating, Bentley had to let the competition from the past Rival Rolls Royce bought it for 125,000 pounds, and then officially became a sub-brand of Rolls Royce.

◆1930s-1980s: It was basically a Rolls-Royce with a new label

Bentley can join hands with Rolls-Royce, and it has a leading edge. During World War I, Rolls-Royce's Derby factory was where Bentley developed aero engines. After Bentley joined Rolls-Royce, he devoted his life to Rolls-Royce and Bentley brand cars until his death in 1971.

In 1931, Bentley's debt reached more than 100,000 pounds and it was unable to continue production and declared bankruptcy. The British Central Equitable Trust plc becomes the owner of Bentley Motors plc. Ironically, the company actually represents none other than Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. W.O. Bentley became an employee of Rolls-Royce. In the same year, the new Bentley Motors plc was formed. At this time, Bentley was already a subsidiary company of Rolls-Royce. For a period of time, the two car names "Rolls-Royce" and "Bentley" were actually the same car. From then on, Bentley with a racing pedigree gradually gradually It became a Rolls-Royce style limousine.

In 1933, the first Bentley car designed by Bentley and produced by Rolls-Royce was launched, named "Bentley 3.5". This car obviously has the style of Rolls-Royce. It is a very popular style in the 1930s, but its sports performance is not outstanding. But for Bentley, who has resurfaced after a period of depression, this is already considered a success. Later, the power of this model was upgraded to 4.5L. In 1939, the Second World War broke out. Even the beginning of the war did not stop Bentley's development. In 1939, Bentley released the second model produced by Rolls-Royce, the Bentley Mark V. This model It still has a strong Rolls-Royce style, and is powered by 3.5L and 4.5L engines.

At the end of World War II in 1946, Bentley's automobile production line moved to Crewe, England. By this time, Rolls-Royce and Bentley had been divided into two independent brands. In this year, Bentley launched the Bentley Mark VI sedan designed by designer Ivan Evenden. It was a great success in the market. In 1952 alone, sales reached 5,200 units, making Bentley history One of the best-selling models in the world.

In 1952, the Bentley R Type came out, replacing the Mark VI. The engine it uses is a 4.6L straight-six gasoline engine with a cast iron cylinder block and an aluminum alloy cylinder head. It is matched with a four-speed manual transmission. It has a top speed of 163 kilometers per hour and an acceleration time of 13.1 seconds to 60 miles per hour. Fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is 18.2L. It became recognized as the fastest four-seater car at the time, and was once given the title of "Modern Magic Pet Car" by the British car magazine Autocar.

As Rolls-Royce and Bentley merge, they are closer to each other. In fact, the research and development of Rolls-Royce and Bentley have been tied together since 1939.

In the following decades, Bentley successively launched several models such as S series, T series, Corniche, Camargue, Mulsanne and so on. In fact, almost all the Bentley models produced during this period were copies of Rolls-Royce. For example, the Bentley S Type and Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud launched in 1955 are exactly the same except for the hood and logo. In terms of power, they are equipped with a 4.9-liter 6-cylinder engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. This model was also upgraded and remodeled in 1959 and 1962, named S2 and S3 respectively. S2 was mainly equipped with a 6.2L 8-cylinder engine, while S3 mainly changed the appearance and interior of S2. There are no changes in dynamics.

In 1965, Bentley launched the T series, which was the successor to the S series. The car was also a replica of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, powered by a 6.2L 8-cylinder. engine and 6.75L 8-cylinder engine. By 1977, the T1 product was upgraded to T2. The upgraded T2 mainly improved the steering system, air conditioning and front air grille. At the same time as the T2 was launched, Rolls-Royce also Silver Shadow II was launched. As the successor of the T series, the Bentley Mulsanne was launched in 1980. The car was produced until 1992 and was powered by a 6.75L Rolls-Royce V8 engine. In 1982, the Mulsanne also launched the Mulsanne Tubro version. After adding a turbocharger, the power of the 6.75L engine increased by 50, with the maximum power reaching 298 horsepower, the maximum torque of 450 Nm, and the top speed reaching 135 miles per hour (approximately 217 kilometers per hour).

The Mulsanne S was launched in 1987. Except for the lack of turbocharging, the other design of this car is basically the same as that of the Mulsanne Tubro. It is the successor of the Mulsanne and Mulsanne Tubro. In terms of sales, Mulsanne has sold about 2,000 units in the 12 years since its launch.

In addition to the above models, Bentley Corniche and Camargue were also launched in the 1980s (actually Bentley versions of Rolls-Royce Corniche and Rolls-Royce Camargue). These two models were manufactured by Rolls-Royce. An improved version of the Rolls-Royce Sliver Shadow, the convertible was called Corniche and the coupe was called Camargue. The Corniche sold a total of 140 units during the sales period from 1971 to 1982, while the Camargue was sold from 1984 to 1984. A total of 421 units were sold during the 1995 sales period.

◆1990s: Rolls-Royce began to pay attention to the Bentley brand

After 1990, Rolls-Royce decided to strengthen the Bentley brand because they found that Bentley had a greater market. At that time, Bentley already accounted for 52% of Rolls-Royce's sales share, so the 1990s was also the decade when Bentley launched the most new cars under Rolls-Royce. The Bentley Continental R coupe was launched in 1991; the Brooklands sedan, which replaced the Mulsanne S sedan, was launched in 1992; the limited-production Turbo S sedan and Continental S sedan were launched in 1994; Bentley was launched in 1995 Azure; limited-edition Turbo R Sport sedan in 1996; Turbo RL in 1997; Turbo RT in 1998.

The Bentley Continental R Continental R Coupe is Bentley's top coupe model produced from 1991 to 2002. It is equipped with a 6.75L turbocharged V8 engine with a maximum power of 242 kilowatts (325 horsepower) ), the maximum torque is 610 Nm, and when paired with the GM 4L80-E automatic transmission, the top speed can reach 233 kilometers per hour, and the acceleration time to 60 miles per hour is 6.6 seconds. Starting from this model, the new cars launched by Bentley no longer use the Jumpman logo similar to Rolls-Royce. At the same time, this model is also the first model not produced on the same platform as Rolls-Royce.

The Bentley Brookland S was launched in 1992 as a replacement for the Mulsanne S. It was not produced until 1998. It was still powered by a 6.75L Rolls-Royce V8 engine and a 4-speed automatic. Gearbox, in terms of appearance dimensions, the length, width and height of this model reach 5370mm/2111mm/1486mm respectively, and the wheelbase reaches 3162mm, which is similar to the previous Mulsanne S.

The Bentley Azure, launched in 1995, is actually a convertible version of the Bentley Continental. It has the same displacement of 6.75 liters as the Bentley Continental Continental R, but in terms of power, it uses a twin-turbocharged engine with the largest The power reaches 400 horsepower (298 kilowatts), the maximum torque is 875 Nm, and it is matched with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 0-60 mile acceleration time is only 6.1 seconds.

In addition, the Bentley Turbo R series models launched in 1995 are the successor models of the Mulsanne Turbo that was discontinued in 1985. Turbo S and Turbo R Sport are limited edition models, while Turbo RL and RT are turbo models. The successor to the R, the Turbo R actually began production as early as 1985 after the Mulsanne Turbo was discontinued. The model launched in 1995 was just a facelift of the Turbo R. The changes in the new car included improved fuel injection systems and appearance modifications. , there is also a 6.75L small turbo version launched, with a maximum power of 385 horsepower (287 kilowatts).

In 1998, Bentley was acquired by Volkswagen. It is still difficult for us to completely objectively comment on whether the 67 years since Rolls-Royce took over the Bentley brand have been more pros or cons for Bentley. Yu Li, because in the many years of Rolls-Royce production, basically more than half of Bentley's models are replicas of Rolls-Royce products without much independent innovation. But then again, if it weren't for Rolls-Royce, Bentley would most likely have fallen into the car industry like many other sports car brands that were very popular in the early 20th century.

◆Volkswagen wins Bentley, BMW wins Rolls-Royce

In the late 1990s, the British car factory with a long history and authentic racing tradition was like a plague. The collapse of the British automobile industry, which had supported half of the 20th century, seemed particularly embarrassing at the time. However, because of this, in 1998, when the two British car manufacturers’ trump cards, Rolls-Royce and Bentley, also became the meat of the Germans. At that time, I suddenly seemed to see Bentley's turnaround again. Because at this time, these two supreme British brands that have been losing money for a long time have suddenly become hot commodities. Countries including Europe's largest Volkswagen Group, BMW and even Daimler have reported strong interest in them.

As early as 1990, BMW controlled the Rolls-Royce Aircraft Engine Company, and it seemed that BMW was the most likely buyer. At the end of April 1998, Vickers Group officially accepted BMW's acquisition offer of US$575 million. However, Volkswagen stepped in halfway and announced that it would acquire Rolls-Royce at a higher price. The offer was an astonishing US$795 million, and Promised not to take Rolls-Royce out of the UK and maintain its British management model.

Sure enough, Volkswagen's move achieved miraculous results. Vickers Group shareholders began to express dissatisfaction with the sale of Rolls-Royce to BMW. Therefore, Vickers Group asked BMW to increase its offer, but was rejected by the latter. Firmly refuse. After a heated discussion on the board of directors, Vickers accepted Volkswagen's offer. On July 3, 1998, Vickers Group announced that it would sell Rolls-Royce to Volkswagen for 1.44 billion marks, and BMW was kicked out.

In the face of Vickers' back-biting, an angry BMW immediately fought back and announced that it would suspend the supply of engines to Rolls-Royce. The response to this revolt was still very strong. The Rolls-Royce Aircraft Engine Company, which owned the Rolls-Royce trademark, became an ally of BMW. It announced that it did not agree with Volkswagen's use of the Rolls-Royce brand name, and that it would transfer the name rights to and trademark rights licensed to BMW. All this makes Volkswagen, which has just reached an agreement to acquire Rolls-Royce, extremely embarrassed. An acquisition war has turned into a stalemate: Volkswagen bought the right to use the "Flying Goddess" car logo and the radiator grille, but there is no way Manufactures cars under the "Rolls-Royce" brand; similarly, BMW obtained the "Rolls-Royce" name but did not have the right to use the car logo or radiator grille.

In June 1998, BMW lost to Volkswagen in the bid to purchase Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. On July 28, BMW purchased the Rolls-Royce trademark and logo for 40 million pounds. And signed an agreement with Volkswagen, stipulating that BMW will start producing Rolls-Royce cars from 2003, while Volkswagen will continue to produce Bentley luxury cars at the Crewe plant from 2003. In this way, Bentley will officially be owned by Volkswagen. Crewe UK has more than 50 years of history and experience in manufacturing special vehicles for the British Royal Family.

Since 2002, Bentley has replaced Rolls-Royce as the only car brand designated by the British royal family, and has become the car for the Queen's 50th anniversary celebrations.

In August 1998, Rolls-Royce Chairman Graham Morris was forced to resign, and Volkswagen, BMW, Rolls-Royce and Vickers eventually resolved the dispute through negotiations. BMW paid $68 million for the rights to use the Rolls-Royce name and logo, but allowed Volkswagen to use the name until the end of 2002. Volkswagen bought the Bentley brand, but could produce the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph and Bentley Arnage in Crewe, England, until December 31, 2002, after which the production rights of the Silver Seraph were transferred to BMW, and BMW agreed to abide by the terms controlled by Volkswagen. A series of contracts entered into by the Cosworth Engine Company.

◆The road to revival of the Bentley brand: significant growth in sales

In the early days of its merger with Volkswagen, Bentley’s main models were the Bentley Continental and Arnage series. The task to be faced is actually to compete with its original sibling Rolls-Royce. Before they were separated, they were a unique ultra-luxury car combination. After they were separated, they were rivals with almost equal martial arts skills. In the first round of competition, Bentley won. Due to the intervention of German Volkswagen, the manual manufacturing factory with British origin was completely inherited by the Bentley brand. Therefore, at the 2002 celebration of the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne, which attracted worldwide attention, the British royal family chose the Bentley brand instead of the traditional Rolls-Royce. Les. And the Bentley brand is determined to be the only exclusive driving brand for the royal family.

In 2002, Bentley presented the Bentley State Limousine to Queen Elizabeth II. The car was powered by the same 6.75L twin-turbocharger as the elegant Arnage model (the successor of the Bentley Turbo R). compression engine, with a maximum power of 400 horsepower, a maximum torque of 835 Nm, and a top speed of 210 kilometers per hour.

In 2003, Bentley's two-door GT car Azure Yajun was discontinued.

The Bentley Continental Continental GT was released. This two-door GT sports car is Bentley's masterpiece after entering Volkswagen. The engine is the same 6.0-liter W12 engine used in the Audi A8 and Volkswagen Phaeton 6.0 version, but with the addition of twin turbines, the horsepower is as high as 552 horses, with a top speed of almost 320 kilometers per hour. The 6-speed Tiptronics gearbox and 4Motion four-wheel transmission system equipped on this car are technologies that Volkswagen is proud of. This car has also become Bentley's main sales model today.

In 2005, Volkswagen released the Continental Flying Spur. The car is a 5.3-meter-long luxury car with the same power as the Continental Continental GT. The chassis is the same as the Volkswagen Phaeton, which is imported from Wolfsburg, Germany. Phaeton’s exclusive production line can be said to be the twin car of Phaeton. In 2006, the convertible version of the Continental GT was released, and Volkswagen hoped to use the Continental series to increase overall sales. The Azure, which has been discontinued since 2003, has also resumed sales, but only in a convertible two-door version, equipped with an early twin-turbo 6.75-liter V8 engine. Bentley officially announced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013 that the Flying Spur will be officially independent from the original Continental series to strengthen the positioning of the Flying Spur four-door high-performance luxury sedan.