In September of 1998,
Volkswagen released the first
Bentley design since their take over of
Bentley production, and they debuted their newly revamped 1998
Bentley Continental SC in Paris at the Paris Salon. With higher horsepower and more power to the overall design, critics applauded the results of the takeover and the production of the
Bentley Continental SC.
Her sleek and stylish design features included the intelligent overhauling of the typical drop head coupes with a fold down top to the now standard Sedanca Coupe. The Sedanca Coupe offered a more rigid body and better ease of handling than the drop head coupe styles had, and reflected the popularity of the 1930’s tradition. So much of the new styling had been crafted in unique historical styling that the price tag jumped along with the new ownership, although
Bentley enthusiasts didn’t seem to flinch at the higher price tag.
Two removable glass hoods formed the anterior design of the new hood. These were easily removable for creating the open air hood that resembled the late thirties design. The anterior portion of the hood was handsomely fitted to allow an easy transition.
The
Bentley Continental SC offered a standard V8 engine with 420 horsepower, creating a powerful and glorious ride. Coupled with the uniquely smooth handling, speed and agility met tradition and class. The
Volkswagen Company had out designed and out performed
Bentley tradition without taking away from what makes a
Bentley.
The 8 cylinder ninety degree configuration engine propels the
Bentley to top speeds of 152 miles per hour. Aluminum alloy and aluminum silicon alloy are rendered throughout the vehicle in an effort to reduce weight and streamline function, including such features as aluminum silicon alloy cylinder block with cast iron wet cylinder liners and aluminum alloy cylinder heads. Though it is only a four speed automatic transmission, it had excellent pick-up for its class. The independent front and rear suspension systems with adaptive ride control provide an amazingly smooth ride and enhance the performance delivery. Ventilated air disc brakes and rack and pinion steering with power assist come standard as they do on every
Volkswagen affected make and model.
There were only seventy one
Bentley Continental SC models produced and each one of them was snatched up prior to the completion of production. They offered a long list of optional equipment to allow owners to nearly completely customize their
Bentley to their own specifications. Production of the
Bentley Continental SC did not last very long. The company felt it was more appropriate to designate their time and energy to the
Bentley Azure and the
Rolls Royce Corniche models instead.
Despite the
Bentley reputation for being a luxury car, the
Bentley Continental SC achieved powerful results with the engine and drive train choices. Clocking in at a 6.2 second 0 to 60 time and providing peak torque at 590 ft-lbs at 2155 rpm, she isn’t just a sexy package. She is evidence that the combination of
Volkswagen power and endurance and
Bentley tradition is an improvement on both designs.
The lines and body design of the
Bentley Continental SC are an elegant blend of
Bentley tradition and statement of modern intelligence. With the same stand out capabilities of a one design, she can be remotely imitated, but never reproduced. This is a car specifically designed for owners with grace and class who know how to let their hair down. She is in a class by herself and is in search of an owner with the same dimensions.
With all this attention to detail throughout the exterior design and performance features, naturally the interior was left to the same high standard of innovation. The comfortable cabin relieves the “sport car” feel of cramped passenger seating but still gives the “sport car” power to the driver. Electronic control units monitor everything from road conditions to the driver’s movements to car’s constant motion. Minor adjustments are made through a signal sent through the multiple electronic control units every 1/100th of a second. This maintains the ultimate in control and comfort and ease of handling.
Electronic Traction Assistance coupled with the effectiveness of a Viscous Control Differential communicates most effectively and react to each other and to outside stimuli in order to provide the safest handling possible for the speed and power that is packed under the hood.
With immediate response to acceleration and high end engine communication systems, her elegance is noticed almost as much as her luxuries’ power and her ability to maintain constant engine performance. She ranks second in world wide production car power, and has won numerous awards for her design and performance. Fuel efficiency is marginal, as are all performance cars, although it rates mid range with anywhere from eleven to sixteen miles per gallon.
There simply isn’t a single element of design that was overlooked, and there isn’t a single element of this car’s performance and handling that isn’t electronically monitored and continuously adjusted for optimization of safe performance.
Volkswagen has repeatedly showcased this vehicle as a marked achievement in their design department, facilitating not only
Bentley sales, but
Volkswagen sales as well. The
Bentley Continental SC is considered the
Volkswagen designers crowing achievement, as most critics did not expect them to be able to improve on the original design of
Bentley. Obviously, the designers were able to come out of the gate well ahead of themselves and make their mark in the world of ultra-luxurious vehicles. A used
Bentley Continental SC may run as low as $75,000, however most still sell well above $100,000. With only seventy five of them on the road, they will maintain their resale value far beyond the initial expectations. Then again, her design went well beyond initial expectation.
Many critics report that the styling, innovation, and mechanical engineering of the
Bentley Continental SC far exceeds cars of today, and is reminiscent of what cars may hold for the average consumer far into the future. Naturally this technology is being sought after, and attempts to outperform
Bentley technology are well under way. Time will tell just how long the
Bentley Continental SC can hold her rightful reign as one of the world’s best ultra-luxurious privately owned vehicles.
© 2007 Kiersten Stetser and Karl C for www.sport-cars.org
March 12, 2008, 12:04 pm
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