The All-New Bentley Continental GT Features Optimized SKF Hub Bearing Units

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Jan. 19, 2005 -- The Bentley Continental GT features optimized SKF hub bearing units on the front axle. The four-seat coupe was inspired by Bentley's prestigious heritage and combines both performance and comfort, the key elements of a true Grand Tourer.

With 19 and 20 inch wheels and 405mm front discs, a 198 mph top speed, and a weight of 2.4 tons, enormous demands were put on engineering the wheel bearings. Helping ensure optimal chassis performance called for much detailed work from the SKF engineers to arrive at fully optimized designs for the front hub and bearing assemblies. During the bearing units' development, significant improvements were made to the stiffness of the assemblies. A stiffer hub bearing provides many benefits. It allows the wheel to run truer during cornering, improving steering, handling, and wheel slip control system response. A stiffer hub bearing unit also reduces brake running clearance due to truer running of the brake rotors.

The SKF hub bearing units have been developed specifically to match the very exacting requirements of this state-of-the-art performance four-seat coupe by SKF engineering teams in the UK and in SKF's hub bearing unit technical center in Italy.

The units also feature integrated speed sensors for input into wheel slip control systems.

About SKF

Founded in Sweden in 1907, SKF is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden with technology centers in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. SKF has a long history of innovation, including the development of the first integrated wheel hub bearing in 1938 (1938 Citroen 15 CV), and the first full by-wire controlled concept car, the Filo, jointly launched with Stile Bertone in February of 2001.

Today's products include SKF bearings, Chicago Rawhide seals and value- added subassemblies for corner and steering, driveline, engine and lubrication systems for both cars and trucks. The company also offers by-wire SMART actuators and sensors, plus a variety of design, testing and consulting services. SKF employs approximately 40,000 worldwide, has annual sales of over six billion dollars, and sells its products in more than 150 countries. More information is available at http://www.skf.com/ .