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BBC's Jeremy Clarkson calls Bentley Continental Convertible a glorified VW Phaeton?

Agent001 submitted on 03/04/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 9:57 PM
from: driving.timesonline.co.uk

[27] user comments | category: Spy Shots

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BBC's Jeremy Clarkson calls Bentley Continental Convertible a glorified VW Phaeton?

Anyway, onwards and upwards to the car I was driving that day. The Bentley Continental GTC, which of course is a drop-top version of a car I don’t like very much.

The problem is simple. I know that beneath that two-door body and those chromed organ-stop ventilation controls the Continental is a Volkswagen Phaeton. And even though the two cars feel markedly different, I can never really get that thought out of my head.

It’s the same story with my Bang & Olufsen phone. Electronically it’s a Samsung, but I paid a billion pounds for all that style and design, and I’m sorry, every time I use it I feel a bit of a berk.

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chewy - 3/4/2007 10:37:17 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Hard to figure out the guy, at times he gives great reviews to cars that are very boring, but here a car that perfectly does its job isn't good enough. I am thinking the first part of the review had to much influence over the second part.

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mobiustech - 3/5/2007 12:26:22 AM

-7 Boost

Clarkson is a total ass. Why do anyone listen to him anymore. He is old, dated and British. What more can you say?

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Matthew1 - 3/5/2007 2:23:32 AM

+1 Boost

Why de-boost chewy? His post was thoughtful non-condemning...

I can see Clarkson's point, however, that although the GT almost a completely different car to the Phaeton (except the basic chassis) knowing that your opulent Bentley shares underpinnings with a Volkswagen is somewhat a let-down, even though the chassis itself may be great.

It is all about perceived image and association, rather than any shortcomings in the car itself.

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chewy - 3/5/2007 2:30:09 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I don't think it would bother me that my 160,000 vehicle is related to another excellent 100,000 vehicle.

Rupert - 3/5/2007 12:22:30 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

so it's perfectly made, yet feels like a drawing room. best of both worlds if you ask me.

JUGNU - 3/5/2007 4:40:19 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

I too feel Bentley Continental series is more SHOW than GO.It uses many VW/Audi mechanical components like Chasis and Engine of VW and the Quattro AWD of Audi and few others.

Sharing is not a bad move,but a Brand of this calibre needs to be independent of cheaper meterials which are even used on much cheaper cars(VW/Audi).

There is one more situation.If it would have used the Lambo components,this kind of critisism would be minimum and people would have taken it lightly.

gloified Lambo glorified VW.Which sounds better?

I think IF POSSIBLE VW should have used the Lambo components instead.

It's just cheaper brands which prestigious company's doesn't want to asscoiate with(atleast at the time of testing/reviewing)because they looses appeal/points.

All in all, I personlally like the continental GTC very much,i'll even take this over the Gallardo Spyder and DB9 Volante.It's that stunning and unmistakable design which overshadows it's flaws(The few 2 or 3 which it has).

JUGNU

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/5/2007 6:51:44 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Why would they base a Bentley on a Lamborghini? Two COMPLETELY different brands. You can't interchange a supercar platform and an ultra-luxury car platform.

dumpsty - 3/5/2007 7:46:24 AM

+1 Boost

Having so many brands, VW is getting into the situation that GM has been in for quite some time. The exterior can be differentiated a lot but underneath is the same platform. When GM used the same platform to underpin its Cadillac vehicles then used it to underpin Buicks and Oldsmobiles, that kept a lot of people from visiting the Cadillac showroom, knowing they can purchase an inexpensive car with virtually the same running gear instead of a Cadillac.

...it's a hard pill to swallow for some....

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/5/2007 6:52:10 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Except, VW platforms are actually good. Especially the Phaeton's.

d1sinfo - 3/5/2007 10:33:59 AM

0 Boost

The Continental GT, although never driven by myself is overall a disappointment. It just lacks a certain LURE of classic Bentleys. It's not the best GT car, and its not the best Luxo/ritz car.

http://www.frankdale.com/images/largecarphotos/1958-S1-Bentley-Continental-4-Light-Flying-Spur.jpg
http://www.calconnect.com/weekly_photo/Bentley_Continental_T_HR.jpg
http://www.datanet.yu/automobili/najskuplji/images/c437870a.jpg

It just fails to define itself in my mind as those cars do. This could just be me though. I hold onto things and tend not to go well with change :) Or maybe I just see to many BCGT's driving around on lease by CEO's.

My 2 cents.
Josh

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matt635 - 3/5/2007 11:40:16 AM

+3 Boost

Nobody should take anything JC says seriously. He is funny and has his own opinions, his reviews should be taken as entertainment only - not factual informative research.

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Rupert - 3/5/2007 12:29:13 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Bentley does have exclusive cars that share components with nothing else: the Arnage and Azure. But they cost twice as much. So for a cheaper, less exclusive bentley, the customers of it aren't the mega-rich, they are the rich, who don't really care about the VW underpinnings.
This Bentley fills a gap in the market that Bentley has never before filled, so it shouldn't be compared to Bentleys of the past, but the GTs of today. Compare it to a CL, DB9 etc. And in that respect, Bentley takes its old, traditional values (luxury yet high performance and massive engines) and implements them in a far more modern way. Bentleys never were the sportiest cars, but they are some of the most desireable, comfortable and luxurious.
The Continental GT is to Bentley as the E class is to Mercedes: may not be the best, or most luxurious, or most exclusive, but its success has ensured Bentley will live on for many more years.

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Rupert - 3/5/2007 12:29:48 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

And unlike Caddy and GM, you can't tell just by looking that it's the same car.

truecarlover - 3/5/2007 10:07:22 PM

+1 Boost

That is well said. Small nich companies cannot afford to desing and build a car from scratch anymore. Vehicles are too complex. It's the same thing with Porsche and it's Cayenne (which shares parts with the VW Toureg and Audi Q7). If they didn't build what the market wanted we wouldn't get so many 911 variations - or a Cayman and upcoming Panamera for that matter. Jeremy Clarkson knows this - I think he was just being his usual comical self. Besides Bentley's are still exclusive - I know I don't have $150k to go spend on one.

cdoke - 3/6/2007 1:02:24 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Ah you beat me to it. Very well stated as well. The Arnage is a beautiful, traditional vehicle with a wonderful understated sense of occasion to it.

chewy - 3/5/2007 1:41:51 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

The Continentals already run some of the best underpinings there are. Like I said, they use underpinings for 100,000-120,000 vehicles. The exclusive parts of the Bentley (superchagred engine/more luxurious interior) add up the extra 40,000. It is better to use the latest technology that is shared and is excellent than using old/underdeveloped technology that is more expensive but is "unique"

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chewy - 3/5/2007 8:13:23 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Presenting the fastest car on ice ever:

http://www.thecarlounge.com/news/publish/article_883.shtml

Bentley Continental GT.

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chewy - 3/5/2007 8:14:31 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

200 mph on ice

germeezy2 - 3/6/2007 2:31:33 AM

+1 Boost

My brother just bought a GTC and as far as ride and handling its amazing for a car that weighs so much. However the technology presented is a shock. The bluetooth doesn't work on most phones and no laser cruise or adaptive headlamps and a nav system that leaves something to be desired.

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Larry - 3/6/2007 8:14:08 AM

0 Boost

just like audi is a Volkswagen, cheap cars, Audi what a joke

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truecarlover - 3/7/2007 11:30:50 PM

+1 Boost

Larry - Do you have anything constructive to contribute. Are you really a car enthusiast or are you just bored. I've never read anything that you have posted other than baseless opinion.

tincanman99 - 3/6/2007 9:41:08 AM

+1 Boost

VW is laughing all the way to the bank. These things are selling like hotcakes to the rich. I work in the financial district in Manhattan at an IB and this is is the car of choice right now among the IB set.

Think about this, if VW had not bought Bentley they would have disappeared from the planet. They were finished a long time agao.

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MObar - 3/6/2007 5:40:54 PM

+1 Boost

Clarkson is hilarious, but he says a lot of "roll your eyes" stuff.

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MObar - 3/6/2007 5:42:48 PM

+1 Boost

2nd of all, I thought Clarkson called the Bentley Continental Flying Spur the same as the VW Phethon (sry about the spelling) not the GTC.

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germeezy2 - 3/11/2007 1:54:52 AM

+1 Boost

Well truth be told they are all basically the same car. The GTC doesn't drive like the Phaeton though.

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