While many automakers are busy cutting back their development programs in hopes of streamlining to weather-out the difficult economic climate, Bentley is taking the opposite approach. Rather than cease developing new vehicles, they’re actually pushing to move things ahead on their schedule.

According to recent reports, the logic is based on the optimistic projection that the global economy is on the road to recovery, and Bentley wants to be there when its uber wealthy clientele has more cash on hand to splurge on new six-figure luxury cars. While the replacement for the range-topping Arnage is expected to continue unchanged, the successor to the Continental range is being moved forward, as confirmed by Crewe’s own sales and marketing chief Stuart McCullough.

So previously the next Continental GT was scheduled for introduction in 2011, now the new coupe is now being prepared for its debut next year. No official word so far on rescheduling the introductions of the Flying Spur and GTC models to go along with it, but many expect the sedan to move forward from 2012 to 2011, with the convertible to follow in 2012 instead of 2013 as previously reported.

While many automakers are busy cutting back their development programs in hopes of streamlining to weather-out the difficult economic climate, Bentley is taking the opposite approach. Rather than cease developing new vehicles, they’re actually pushing to move things ahead on their schedule.

According to recent reports, the logic is based on the optimistic projection that the global economy is on the road to recovery, and Bentley wants to be there when its uber wealthy clientele has more cash on hand to splurge on new six-figure luxury cars. While the replacement for the range-topping Arnage is expected to continue unchanged, the successor to the Continental range is being moved forward, as confirmed by Crewe’s own sales and marketing chief Stuart McCullough.

So previously the next Continental GT was scheduled for introduction in 2011, now the new coupe is now being prepared for its debut next year. No official word so far on rescheduling the introductions of the Flying Spur and GTC models to go along with it, but many expect the sedan to move forward from 2012 to 2011, with the convertible to follow in 2012 instead of 2013 as previously reported.