Future products: Bentley reskins Continentals, works on convertibles

Bentley's sales have plummeted as its cars aged and the economy fell into recession.

The launch of the Mulsanne flagship this year is cause for optimism, as is the coming reskin of the Continental range, which was introduced in the United States in 2005.

Bentley will begin rolling out the new versions of the Continental next year, starting with the GT coupe.

Continental: The reskinned GT coupe debuts at the Paris auto show this month and goes on sale early in 2011.

The GT's 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbocharged engine is reworked, with horsepower increased to 567 from 552. It is teamed with an updated six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system. A new optional 4.0-liter V8 will be available in late 2011 on a new entry-level GT with a lower price.

The new GT is 143 pounds lighter than its predecessor, but exterior dimensions are the same.

The Flying Spur sedan will be redesigned in mid-2012, the GTC convertible in late 2013 and the Speed high-performance models in 2014 or 2015. A hybrid has been reported but not confirmed.

Mulsanne: The large sedan, which replaced the Arnage this year, is powered by a new twin-turbo, 6.75-liter V8 with 505 hp and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

A convertible version to replace the Azure is expected, as is a high-performance Brooklands model.

Bentley expects to sell about 700 Mulsannes worldwide a year, at $285,000 a copy. The car is sold out in the United States until 2012.

By Diana T. Kurylko- Automotive News