- click picture for the Bentley Continental GTC Speed gallery -

Even though the Bentley Continental GTC has only been out for two years Bentley considered it was time to perform a light facelift to the luxury four-seater convertible. And while at it Bentley has finally taken the drophead into their Speed garage for the 600 bhp W12 transformation.

With 600 horsepower - 100 horses more than the Azure T, it makes the Continental GTC the most powerful convertible Bentley has ever made. The Speed treatment alters the front end, with a more upright, dark-tinted matrix grille.  The GTC Speed version also gets a lowered suspension by 10 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear with revised spring and damper settings for improved handling, a ‘Dynamic’ mode for the ESP system and wider 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.  

Gallery: Bentley Continental GTC Speed

read more from "Detroit Preview: Refreshed Bentley Continental GTC and New 600bhp GTC Speed"

- click picture for the 2009 Mercedes CLS Grand Edition gallery -

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a special edition version of its recently updated CLS four-door coupe model. The CLS Grand Edition is part of Merc’s new factory program called “designo” that offers buyers more exclusive options. Mercedes hopes the combination of the uique front lights, exclusive alloy wheels and Grand Edition badging, will draw attention to the most luxurious evolution yet of the popular CLS.

In Europe the Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition starts at 67,294.50 Euros incl. VAT for the CLS280 Grand Edition. Customer deliveries will commence in March 2009.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes CLS Grand Edition

[Source: AutoExpress]

This heavily disguised BMW test car has triggered rumours that BMW is working on a production model of the CS concept car. The spy shots show a large sedan, like the 7-series, but with unique elements at the front-end and a generally more sportier impression.

The luxury four-seater was intended as a rival for the Maserati Quattroporte and upcoming Porsche Panamera. But last month, BMW announced that it would be focusing on smaller cars, with which the production CS, likely to be called the 8-Series, was out of the picture. However, the latest spy photos most likely show further development of the super-sedan.

Galleries: BMW CS Concept and BMW 8-series spy shots

[Source: EVO]

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The Lamborghini Estoque is said to share a platform with Audi A7.

More details are emerging on the Lamborghini Estoque four-door, set to debut in 2011 or 2012. Lamborghini insists the aggressive sedan is still only under consideration, but company insiders tell us Sant’Agata is already preparing the car for production. The only obstacle is a strategic review of the entire Volkswagen Group’s future vehicle portfolio, currently being carried out by Porsche, VW’s majority shareholder.

The Estoque will be built on Audi’s modular-longitudinal platform, which is the base of a number of new models, including the current Audi A4 and A5, the next-generation A6 and A8, the forthcoming all-new A7, and the 2013 VW Phaeton.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Despite earlier claims that Bentley needs not to build low-emission models, Bentley now realises it needs to react to the changing market conditions.

Volkswagen chairman Martin Winterkorn stated “I could well imagine a six-cylinder twin-turbocharged diesel in a Bentley.”

The quote comes from a recent interview conducted by German publication Auto Motor und Sport regarding VAG’s luxury marques.

The engine Winterkorn speaks of is currently being developed by Audi and is speculated to be employed first by the third-generation A8 sedan due out at next year’s Frankfurt show. The commonrail diesel will reportedly produce in the neighborhood of 300 hp and 440 lb-ft when finalized.

[Source: Motor Trend]