"Our new Corporate Identity is a symbol of our confidence in standing alone - becoming Bentley
                    and nothing else - and importantly it embodies all the new Bentley values while respecting our
                    glorious past," says Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, chairman of Bentley Motors.
                    He added, "We are seeking to appeal not only to our existing customers but also to new ones,
                    people who may not have considered Bentley before. Carefully positioning the brand visually - and
                    also in the way we behave and present the company - will be a determining route for those
                    people to identify us first, as a company with whom they wish to be associated, and then with us as
                    customers."

                    Bentley believes that the new logo, which takes its cues from two widely recognised and respected
                    elements, the Bentley "B" and the wings that are on either side, is sufficiently pure yet adaptable to
                    serve it through the period of intense growth and change on which it is now embarked. Although
                    thoroughly forward-looking, the logo's design harks back to Bentley's earliest days, clearly reflecting
                    the marque's heritage and integrity.

                    The famous Bentley wings have always evoked the movement, power and performance associated with
                    the marque, but in the new design they have been re-examined. Automotive artist Gordon Crosby, a
                    friend of W O Bentley, designed the original winged-B motif in 1911 and the first wings he drew
                    were full and downward pointing, lending them a weighty effect. He also added an extra feather on
                    the right-hand side. While this look built on the character of the marque, it is believed that the
                    motive was not so much aesthetic as designed to combat fraud! The early '30s saw a more
                    streamlined version featured 10 feathers on each side and a horizontal wingspan, suggesting strength
                    and boldness, while the dark oval 'white out of black' centre projected the Bentley 'B' and made it more of
                    a focal point. In the '90s, a less rotund 'B' harking back to the 1920s design was adopted, while the
                    feather tips were in turn made more angular, then rounded and then angular again.

                    The new Bentley logo echoes the spirit and idiosyncrasy of the original version with its
                    asymmetrical feathers, but at the same time recaptures the confident horizontal wings effect of
                    the '30s, when Bentley was at the peak of its racing success.

                    The strong 'B' shape of the '20s has been integrated into the design to make it more prominent. Light
                    and shade have been added to the new wings to create a three-dimensional appearance and make
                    the logo stand out on a page like a cast or chrome plated stamped badge.

                    The word 'Bentley' has been integrated with the logo, in a font consistent with the lettering used on
                    the cars themselves. The effect was achieved by taking rubbings of the engine-cover lettering to
                    create an authentic logo script. The fairly ornate lettering was then refined to impart a strong,
                    purposeful style that fits comfortably with the wing shape.

                    The result is, arguably, one of the world's most powerful automotive logos and corporate identities,
                    consistent with the cars made by Bentley and its craftsmen and women in its Crewe headquarters.

New GT coupé true to Bentley Grand Touring Heritage

                    Realised from the genes epitomised in previous great Bentleys, the GT coupé's design cues include
                    the complex and powerful curves of the 1952 R-Type Continental as well as the ethos of the Le
                    Mans winning Speed Six from the late twenties.This new Bentley's design acknowledges and
                    reflects Bentley Grand Tourers from the past as well as showcasing the design and engineering skills of
                    Bentley Motors in the 21st Century, skills which work seamlessly alongside each other.

                    The 1952 Bentley R-Type Continental was, when launched, the fastest four-seat car then available.
                    Built by H J Mulliner & Co. - a company now fully incorporated into Bentley Motors - each of the 193
                    lightweight bodies was an eloquent statement of aerodynamics and aesthetics.

                   Created 24 years earlier was the Bentley Speed Six. The natural predecessor to the R-Type
                    Continental was developed as a sporting version of the Standard Six to carry grand touring-style
                    coachwork and be a sporting car without equal. A year after its launch at the 1928 Olympia, London
                    Motor Show, it was driven to victory at Le Mans in 1929 and again in 1930. Having won just about
                    every other distance race worth winning, the Speed Six, and Bentley Motors, retired from competition
                    when the company was bought out by Rolls-Royce in 1931.

                    Bentley's new GT coupé will reincarnate the muscular Bentley spirit delivered by the Speed Six
                    and the elegant and distinctive design cues introduced with the R-Type Continental.

                   Dirk van Braeckel, Bentley Motors' Director of Design explains:
                  "We like to think we have created an automotive sculpture, bearing all the coach-building cues
                  typical of the cars we make at Crewe, with interiors that display all the handcrafted excellence in hide,
                  wood veneers and metal that is unique to Bentley".

                    The Bentley Arnage T is the result of a three year project to re-engineer the outstandingly successful
                    Arnage saloon from bumper to bumper. In this process not a single significant area of its design
                    has been left untouched.

Bentley Motor Cars today reveals a dramatic concept car, The Bentley - project Hunaudières, to explore the breadth and depth of the Bentley marque for the future.
This supercar project provides the debut of a new 16 cylinder engine developed to a specific brief to provide a technologically advanced power plant with unique Bentley characteristics.

The challenge the Bentley design team set themselves, was to see how far the sporting characteristics of the Bentley marque could be extended. The project will provide a valuable opportunity to develop potential applications for the 16 cylinder engine. This 8 litre engine is
the first of a new breed of Bentley engines which could feature in future Bentley motor cars.

"When we first started to explore future directions for the Bentley marque one direction thought most appropriate was what we would call today a supercar" explained Tony Gott, acting chief executive. "The Bentley 'blower' of the 1920's, the R Type Continental of the 1950's and the current Continental R and T with their 420 Bhp and 170 mph top speed, are all supercars of their time. This is Bentley territory.

"Let me be clear, this project is not a styling exercise for its own sake. Bentley - project Hunaudières is an essential element in our research into both the expansion of the Bentley marque, and the direction in terms of
engine development. So, although this actual concept is unlikely ever to go into production, the project will provide invaluable information about
engine capabilities and the positioning of Bentley in the future."

The name Hunaudières recalls the famous straight on the Le Mans Circuit, where the legend of Bentley was born with five wins in the 'vingt quatre heures du Mans' in the 1920's. Here the story of the Bentley Boys was created, with Sir H.S (Tim) Birkin in his 4.5 litre 'Blower' Bentley in 1930, daringly overtaking Rudolf Carraciola's Mercedes SSK at 125mph with one wheel on the grass down the Hunaudières straight.

Tony Gott - Chief Executive Tony Gott (42), joined Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars in 1984 and progressed through the Engineering team to become project director for the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph and Bentley Arnage in 1996. He was appointed engineering director in 1997 and joined the Board in May 1998.

Dr Ferdinand Piëch, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen AG, the parent company, paid tribute to Graham Morris and welcomed Tony Gott into his new position. "Graham's willingness to continue in post and the leadership he has provided for the past five months has helped enormously as the company has made the transition to becoming part of the Volkswagen family.

Tony Gott will be appointed as acting Chief Executive from 1 January 1999 until the new chief executive is in post. The Board fully endorsed this decision and will ensure that Tony is given all the support necessary during this interim  arrangement."

9th March 1999

Bentley Motor Cars today introduces the 'Mulliner' series of Bentley Continental two door motor cars. Taking bespoke engineering to a new level, Bentley have developed a distinct specification available to all purchasers of Bentley Continental R, Continental T, Continental SC and
Azure motor cars designed to further enhance the driving pleasure that can be derived from these thoroughbreds.

The ability to individually specify their own Bentley has long been anb experience cherished by Bentley buyers. The opportunity to select exterior and interior colours, materials and finishes is important, but even more so to the Bentley driver is being able to discuss engine, suspension,
handling and performance characteristics with engineers and designers at Crewe. The Mulliner specification provides an ideal blend of individuality and presence with a powertrain set up with one purpose in mind - high performance motoring, with absolute certainty of involvement and control.

The 420 Bhp 6.75 litre Bentley V8 with watercooled intercooler delivers and astonishing 650 lbs feet (875 Nm) of torque at only 2200 rpm - an accomplishment unmatched by any other road car. Previously, only available on the Continental T, this power is now part of the Mulliner
package and is available across the two door Bentley family - Continental R, Continental SC and Azure. Delivery of this power will differ according to the characters of each of these special motor cars, with the Continental R Mulliner now capable of almost the same performance as the
Continental T - 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds (0-100 Kph 5.8 seconds), and a top speed of 170 mph (270 km/h). The Continental SC and Azure are no slower 'off the line', but have a top speed limited to 155 mph (245 km/h) - still fast enough to ruffle ones hair.

Suspension changes to complement the increased performance are applied to all models, and additional discreet styling cues can be found inside and out to distinguish the Mulliner motor cars to those 'in the know'.

Keith Sanders, Board Member for Sales and Marketing commented, "The Bentley Continental Mulliner family of motor cars continue a glorious tradition of offering bespoke engineering and design to drivers who love to get really involved with the specification of their Bentley, and who enjoy to the full the daring performance characteristics of these astonishing motor cars. These are supercars with space and style, and the different models within the two door family appeal to a wide variety of customers in different parts of the world according to their individual tastes and
needs. We are looking forward to continuing to evolve and enjoy these thoroughbreds for a number of years to come".

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