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STUNNING CLASSIC
Bentley Motors unveiled its stunning Continental GTC at the 2006 New York Auto Show. The company called it ‘the most distinctive Bentley yet...very elegant and at the same time, effortlessly modern’. With a top speed of 195 mph (or 190 mph with the top down) and a 0-60-mph time of 4.8 seconds, the elegant 2+2 convertible blends an unparalleled open-top experience with Bentley craftsmanship and modern design technologies. Underhood, the 2007 Bentley Continental GTC is powered by a 6.0-litre W12 twin turbocharged engine that produces 552 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, while massive 405-mm ventilated front disc brakes help keep all that power under control.

A high-tech all-wheel-system promises exceptional stability and grip, while a revised steering system enhances responsiveness according to vehicle speed. Seamless shifting is thanks to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission with ‘manual’ paddleshift feature. As with other Continentals in the Bentley range, the GTC conver-tible allows the driver to select from four pre-programmed suspension settings ranging from Comfort to Sport.

The stunning cabin features traditional leather hides and wood veneers for a contemporary but timeless appearance; the soft-fabric roof includes a heated glass rear window and automatically folds flat in 25 seconds. To ensure occupant safety in the event of a rollover (shame on the driver who would cause such damage to this beautiful vehicle!) a protective system deploys steel hoops to protect passengers. The Bentley Continental GTC will begin its global rollout at the end of 2006.

COOL CAR
Cute, cool, and clever, the GX3 may just be the halo vehicle Volkswagen is craving. The three-wheeler is designed to combine the road-hugging stance of a thoroughbred roadster, groundbreaking driving dynamics, and the authorisation to cruise the car pool lane solo. VW brand supremo Wolfgang Bernhard is a big proponent: “There’s a huge market for specialty vehicles, and we want a share of it.”

future RAPIDE
British luxury maker Aston Martin – a division of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group - showed a four-door sedan called the Rapide at the Detroit Auto Show. The name is taken from a four-door Lagonda sedan that was built between 1961 and 1964. The car is essentially a DB9 coupe that has been stretched by 11.8 inches, built off the same aluminum VH architecture as both the DB9 and the two-seater V8 Vantage.

HORNET’S NEST
Dodge’s Hornet concept is aptly named. Every trend that has created a buzz on the automotive scene in the past few years can be seen on this little stinger. The Hornet borrows the Mini Cooper’s basic shape (although it is nine inches longer and ten inches wider) and cool full-glass roof. Dodge then added a touch of Scion xB boxyness because interior space is hip these days.

Brief Drives
ENCORE!
The Petersen Automotive Museum will once again explore the iconic connection between Rock ‘n’ Roll and the automobile in pop culture through their latest exhibit Encore! Cars & Guitars of Rock ‘n’ Roll II. The exhibition will run through July 30 and will display cars and memorabilia from popular names in rock music like Elton John, Elvis Presley and KISS. In addition, the exhibit will present vehicles from famed music videos from rock bands.

H1 may BE WITHDRAWN
General Motors Corp.’s Hummer H1 – a tank like SUV used by the US military, soon may be decommissioned. While there is no decision yet, Hummer’s new general manager, Martin Walsh, said in a few years, the slightly smaller H2 sport utility vehicle could replace the H1 as the brand’s flagship model. The H1, with fewer than 400 sales last year, is still ‘very important’ to the brand’s image as an off-road leader with iconic design, Walsh said.

JAGUAR bags AWARD
Jaguar has received the 2006 World Traffic Safety Symposium’s Traffic Safety Achievement Award for the new XK’s pedestrian impact safety system. To reward major advancements in traffic safety, the World Traffic Safety Symposium recognises organisations and individuals that are creating a safer environment for motorists and pedestrians. Chris Sams, spokesperson for the World Traffic Safety Symposium says, “Jaguar deserves this honour for its commitment to pedestrian safety and for its innovation and technical excellence.”