Having had a lot of success using the Phaetons chassis and running gear, sources have been advised us that Bentley is proceeding down the route of producing a smaller 4-seater saloon as direct competitor to the BMW M5 and Merc E55. The car will be slightly bigger than an E-Class, with an engine set well back in the chassis for better road-holding and traction. Rumors are that an Audi V8 bored out to 4.5-litres will propel the car with (550-bhp) and without (430-bhp) supercharger options. Although there will be nothing startling on the engineering front, the Crewe manufacturers skills at bespoke interiors and hand built quality, plus the cache of the winged ‘B’s name are expected to be the cars main selling points. This may be a late-comer, back end of 2009.