Japanese GDP came in at an eye-popping 4.6% annualized rate for the fourth quarter of 2009, but the number could be meaningless.
That's because, previously, annualized GDP growth was initially reported as 4.8% for the third quarter of 2009, only to be completely revised down to nothing.
Tokyo has come under increasing pressure to address wild variations in its readings of gross domestic product: In the third quarter last year, the government initially said the economy had grown a robust 4.8 percent, only to revise that rate down to reflect no growth or decline. The latest numbers, the government says, have been adjusted for more accuracy.
Thus one can have little faith in the fourth quarter GDP number given past revisions. Also, it should be noted that Japanese nominal GDP only rose at a 0.9% annualized basis during the fourth quarter. This means that most of the apparent growth was the result of a deflation adjustment, which is an easy item to revise away upon future revisions for the 4Q data set. Here's the full Japanese GDP release below, from here.
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Bradley overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to force overtime Tuesday night, but Indiana State recovered to post a 75-69 Missouri Valley Conference victory at Hulman Center.
The Braves (13-13, 8-8) trailed 31-21 at intermission, shooting just 27 percent. But they steadily chipped away at the lead and went ahead 55-54 on a Sam Maniscalco jumper at 1:50.
Maniscalco scored all 15 of his team-high points in the second half.
Follow Kirk Wessler’s live blog of the Bradley-Indiana State men’s basketball game in Terre Haute, Ind., on Press Row at bradelyhoops.com.
The Peoria Rivermen reached an all-time low in the standings Saturday — last place in the AHL West Division for the first time this late in a season.
On Tuesday, the team faced the awkward task of announcing its 2010-11 ticket prices, which included an all-time-high price in some seat locations while offering reductions or nominal increases in others.
There will be a $25 individual game-day ticket in Carver Arena next season. And a $10 ticket as well.
“The one thing we wanted to make sure is that no one is going to get priced out of the building,” St. Louis Blues chief marketing officer and Rivermen president Dave Bullock said. “Our $10 ticket is a gesture toward that end. We still have $20 lower-bowl seats. You’ll find that with every arena around, every team in the NHL, the AHL, every seat has a different value. We’ve made that adjustment.”
Season-ticket renewals begin Wednesday. The Rivermen will have six seat categories in 2010-11, including a $400 upper-bowl ticket (top five rows of the upper bowl) and an $800 lower-bowl ticket for the front row around the glass in all sections.
Season-ticket holders will get full perks in any of those six locations in 2010-11.
Among those items are free parking (with every four seats purchased), a holiday skating party with the team, priority purchase of tickets on other Civic Center events, chalk talks with the Rivermen coaching staff, free bonus tickets for weekday (Monday-Thursday) games, unused ticket redemption plan, a private entrance for season-ticket holders, priority seating for playoff games, discounts on team merchandise, a gift from the team and other benefits.
Glass Row A holders also get free club seats to a St. Louis Blues game and a private meet-and-greet session with the team.
The Rivermen, meanwhile, are asking a hefty increase in much of the lower bowl for individual game-day tickets next season.
All game-day tickets in the lower bowl this season are $20, and all upper-bowl tickets are $15.
In 2010-11, lower-bowl Glass Row A seats are $25. Straightaway center sections are $22.50, and end sections remain at $20.
Upper-bowl seats in 2010-11 are $17.50 for center sections, $15 for end sections and $10 for seats in the top (or highest) five rows.
Bullock is well known with the Blues for his creative ticket packages, and it’s no secret discounted seats or extra perks often can be had under his program. All indications are that will be the case in Peoria, too.
“We want to fill the building up,” Bullock said. “So we want to be creative with getting families to the games. There will be different offers for weeknight games, options that suit everyone.”
Excuse anyone who heard about Sally Joyner’s weekend and figured she was full of bull.
Even she didn’t expect to be taken seriously when calling for help Saturday morning.
“I called 911 and said, ‘Please don’t think I’m crazy, but a bull just crashed through my front door,’ ” Joyner said Tuesday.
Joyner was in her house at 1105 E. Brookview Lane about 11 a.m. Saturday. Joyner was in the kitchen and her 16-year-old granddaughter, Samantha Thompson, was lying on a couch in the living room, both above ground level.
“I was sitting here in the kitchen and all of a sudden I heard this loud crash,” Joyner said. “I jumped up and looked down the stairs and there was a humongous bull in our foyer.”
Looking down the stairs leading to the home’s entry area, Joyner noticed the full glass front door was gone and glass was piled an inch thick on the floor. Joyner and Thompson were both stunned.
“I was screaming,” Joyner said. “I went down a couple stairs and then I thought, ‘What am I doing?’ “
First, Joyner called police. Then she dialed her husband, Steve.
“When I called him at work, he couldn’t understand what I said,” Joyner said. “I tried to tell him a bull just came through the front door. He was just saying, ‘What?’ I told him, ‘You need to get home.’ “
According to a police report from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department, three bulls escaped in the area. Two were seen running in Detweiller Park and one wandered into the Brookview subdivision, where the Joyners live.
Sally Joyner said the couple’s home is near both the park and the Heart of Illinois Arena, a horse arena at 9201 N. Galena Road. The police report didn’t explain where the animals had been before escaping.
Gary B. Wessel, 64, of 1800 W. Main St. in Galesburg was in charge of the bulls when they got loose, the report said.
During a phone call with the Journal Star, Wessel declined to explain where the bulls escaped from or how they did it. Other than to say he later found the crashing bull, Wessel would not discuss the incident.
“It’s none of your business,” Wessel said.
Sally Joyner said the couple’s insurance company is working with Wessel to replace the door, which the report estimated was valued at $1,500.
She was told authorities found the bull on railroad tracks not far from Galena Road.
Joyner was thankful the bull’s voyage indoors was confined to the ground-level foyer, and that he didn’t go up or down stairways leading off the front entrance to the home.
“A flower pot and all the glass were going down my stairs,” Joyner said. “He fought around in the foyer for a while and then finally went back out the same way he came in.
“I’m glad he found his way back out. I don’t know how a bull thinks. With me being as hysterical about it as I was, he probably wanted to get out of here.”
Chicago — A bicyclist was hospitalized after being clipped by a CTA train Tuesday evening in the Northwest Side Lincoln Square neighborhood.
Emergency crews responded to the incident at the CTA Rockwell Brown Line station at 6:54 p.m. where a bicyclist was apparently clipped by a train, Fire Media Affairs Dir. Larry Langford said.
The man was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in “stable” to serious condition.
CTA spokeswoman Wanda Taylor said the individual was on a bike when he made contact with a southbound Brown Line train at the Rockwell station, which is at ground level. She said his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Preliminary reports indicate the lights and gates were working properly at the time, Taylor said. There were no service delays due to the incident.
A little over a year ago, we wrote about the issue of Twitter squatters sitting on famous brand names, while the actual brands were totally unaware. In that post we wondered if there needed to be a “Twitter name dispute resolution policy.” So far, there hasn’t been much movement on that front, as the dispute resolution policy has basically been the benevolent dictatorship of some anonymous employees at Twitter, who may or may not step in to deal with such an issue in a unilateral fashion. So it’s interesting to see this AdAge piece by a guy who decided to see what would happen if he became a Twitter squatter. After looking through various brands he decided to pretend to be the Twitter representative for HJ Heinz, famous for its ketchup and pickles, among other things.
Basically, he set himself up to be @HJ_Heinz and started sending messages of a positive nature about Heinz. He started cultivating a following, watching for anyone who mentioned Heinz and also trying to connect with those in the Pittsburgh area (home of Heinz). It lasted all of two weeks until he logged in and found that his account name had been changed to @NOThj_Heinz, along with a note from Twitter saying that he had violated Twitter’s rules. At least they let him keep the account.
What’s interesting, though, is that it still took Heinz itself two weeks to notice the account and do something about it. Heinz provided AdAge with a statement in response to the article, which falsely suggests that the original account was “closed” (rather than just had its name changed). Still, the company claims it came across it via its “regular monitoring practices,” but if you’re just monitoring social networks, you’re missing the point of them, which is to actively engage. If Heinz were actively making use of the tools it wouldn’t have taken so long to notice the squatted account.
Improvements to ROWVA’s three elementary buildings would cost nearly $3 million each to bring the aging structures up to modern school standards, according to a feasibility study.
The ROWVA District 208 Board of Education, some faculty and community members heard a review of the building feasibility study by the Farnsworth Group of Peoria, at the board’s meeting Monday.
Farnsworth architect Scott Burge, in response to a request by board members Jan. 18, prioritized issues of concern at the district’s three elementary schools into major, moderate and functional issues.
Some of the major issues included lack of accessibility, lack of egress in case of a fire or other emergency, inadequate ventilation, antiquated electrical systems, failure of the building envelope and inadequate hoods over kitchen stoves.
Burge said proper ventilation could be achieved in the buildings if the district was willing to spend the money. However, some issues, such as accessibility at Wataga, probably could not be corrected, he said.
Moderate issues included hot water piping and radiators as burn threats, inadequate fire escapes, asbestos tile, and no adequate areas of refuge.
Functional issues included antiquated heating systems, inadequate toilet facilities and difficulties installing technology.
Burge said the three buildings would each take a little less than $3 million to repair to bring them up to present day standards.
“When you think of the multitude of options for this district going forward, those three buildings are going to be an issue no matter what,” said board member Scott Lake. “Now we have the numbers. We didn’t have these numbers when we were talking with AlWood (about consolidation). We were talking about using Altona and that probably would have been a mistake.”
Several of the 40 community members and faculty asked the architects questions about a new building, including classroom size and numbers, parking and a storm shelter.
No action was taken on the issue of repairing or replacing the district’s buildings.
As Superintendent Lloyd Little explained the district’s budget shortfall of possibly $429,000 this year and another $400,000 to $500,000 during the next school year, he displayed seven pages of unfunded government mandates enacted since 1992.
“We have to cut $250,000 to be realistic. We have money because we’ve been fiscally conservative. The rainy day is here, but how many rainy days do we have before the state gets its act together?” Little asked.
Little said 80 percent of the district’s budget goes to paying personnel as he reviewed a list of possible funding cuts for 2010-11. He stressed that the list was not a recommended list of cuts, but possible areas that could be cut.
“We have to tell the staff by our March board meeting if we’re laying anyone off,” Little said.
The board’s finance committee will meet with Little to discuss the issue of cuts further before the next board meeting on March 15.
The FBI is looking for a man who robbed at least five Chicago-area banks since Jan. 15, including two banks in Bolingbrook, officials said Tuesday.
The robber is a white man between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build. He is accused of robbing two US Bank branches in Bolingbrook: the branch at 225 Weber Road on Jan. 27 and the branch at 755 E. Boughton Road on Jan. 15. The man was also captured by security cameras during robberies at three different Chicago TCF Bank branches this past Thursday, Sunday and Monday.
He has worn a black and gray jacket in one robbery and a solid black jacket, black knit cap, rectangular wire framed glasses, black gloves and jeans in another. The FBI said he was carrying a black semiautomatic hand gun and warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Chicago FBI office at (312) 421-6700.
Governor Schwarzenegger held a press conference to highlight the proposal to extend and expand the $10,000 homebuyer tax credit to include the purchase of existing homes.
As an avid infosthetics subscriber, you definitely should be the proud owner of the book “Data Flow“. Why? Well, the book is (sometimes uncomfortably…) closely related to most of the content that is featured here on this website. In addition, it also adds some thick, glossy paper and an impressive high-definition image resolution that makes any visualization enthusiast drool.
Based on the success of the first book, the publisher will very soon be releasing the book’s successor, aptly titled “Data Flow 2“. In fact, according to the latest information, the official release is expected any day now.
You might wonder: How does the book look like inside? What is the difference between the two books? Would Tufte like it? And how did the editors decide which project to accept, and which one not?
If you really want to know these things and more, you can check out a sneak preview of the book’s content, and read an interview with Sven Ehmann, one of the 4 editors, here after the break.
If you’re a big fan of Zipper Interactive’s massive action title MAG. Well here’s some good news for you all. The developer’s will release the second patch of the game tomorrow which focuses primarily on the games
The rear window was shot out of a South Peoria woman’s van as she entered the vehicle late Sunday night.
Christina M. Stanton, 32, of 3716 W. 2nd St. told a Peoria County sheriff’s deputy she was getting into the van about 11:50 p.m. in the parking lot of a gas station at 3508 Harmon Highway when she heard a loud bang. She looked back and saw the rear window of the van broken out.
Two other witnesses also told the deputy they heard a noise and saw the window broken out. No one saw the shooter or noticed anyone fleeing the scene, said the report, which indicated the weapon probably was a pellet gun.
The van sustained no other damage and Stanton was able to drive from the scene.
Bud Grieves was buying and renovating hotels and restaurants in central Illinois during a time when bumper stickers started appearing that read, “Will the last person to leave Peoria please turn out the lights.”
Since then, the area recovered, prospered and crashed again, this time in concert with a global recession.
Riding that economic cycle has given Grieves an informed and instructive perspective.
He has studied markets for more than 40 years. With an education in business and economics and a career in equities, Grieves, a former mayor of Peoria, said he’s an advocate for investing in Peoria’s Downtown. He is, however, concerned about the timing and structure of city backing of a Downtown hotel project linked by a glass walkway to the Peoria Civic Center.
Grieves hopes Peoria’s City Council members revisit their commitment to issue bonds to help finance a portion of the $100 million project that will include a new hotel tower and the renovation of the Hotel Pere Marquette. The new property would be a Marriott Hotel.
“I came out publicly in favor of the Downtown Marriott, but I have to be honest. This recession is like none other I’ve seen,” Grieves said. “I don’t think we’re going to come back quickly and I urge caution. I’m not throwing a wet blanket on this project, but I’m urging caution.”
Gary Matthews, developer of the proposed Downtown hotel project, said that, while he agrees about the severity of this recession, he thinks waiting is the wrong move. He said he expects to have his private financing by March, and delaying the project would increase costs.
Since the City Council approved bonding in December 2008, the interest rate for bonds has decreased a full percent, creating a considerable saving for the city, Matthews said.
Grieves said it makes more sense to have the new museum up and running before the city backs Downtown hotel development.
He’d also like to see the city’s backing for $40 million in bonds restricted to revitalizing the Downtown block surrounding the project, not used on the hotel property itself.
“I favor this project, but when this new hotel has flat screen TVs, that ratchets up pressure on competing hotels that have to follow suit,” he said.
Grieves purchased the shuttered Downtown Howard Johnson Motel, renovated it and opened the Mark Twain Hotel in 1990 without any financial help from the city.
Since 1990, Grieves said, he has invested millions of dollars into upgrading the hotel.
“I have shied away from franchises. I have not paid 7 (percent) to 9 percent to the franchise each year and I’ve put that money back into the hotel,” he said. “So I won’t be hurt by the opening of a Marriott, but if the Holiday Inn (City Centre) goes out of business, what good does that do?”
Grieves said that, by waiting for the economy to recover and the Downtown museum to open, the city may be able to cut a better deal with the hotel developer.
“I’m not saying it shouldn’t be done. I’m cautioning the council to look carefully at this,” he said, suggesting it might be a year or longer before this kind of investment makes sense.
Matthews said that, even if the project moves forward quickly, it will be three years before the hotel opens.
“This is a great time to start construction. I’m optimistic,” he said. “Downtown Peoria has been undersold, underestimated and undervalued.”
Matthews said his existing restaurant and hotel properties in East Peoria actually saw an increase in sales in December and January, indicating an economic recovery has started.
Matthews said that, when representatives from Marriott came to Peoria early in the development process, they were impressed with the addition on the Peoria Civic Center and the proposed Downtown museum. Part of the reasoning behind the Civic Center expansion was attracting new hotel rooms to Downtown Peoria.
City attorney Randy Ray said city-backed bonds for the Downtown hotel project are contingent on private funding and would be used to upgrade the block, tearing down Big Al’s and several other bars on the site. He said the new hotel would fill the entire block.
Grieves, who recently had a medical issue complete with hefty bills covered by his health insurance, said he’s concerned about debt-financed growth that creates low-wage jobs with inadequate health insurance.
He provides scholarships for his employees to Illinois Central College, but said he couldn’t afford comprehensive health insurance coverage for all his employees.
For businesses to remain competitive, Grieves said, there needs to be an overhaul of the health care system.
Katherine Reutter’s road to the Winter Olympics included a couple of side trips to Owens Center.
The Peoria Speed Skating Club was happy to accommodate the then-rising short-track star from Champaign who now trains with the U.S. national team in Salt Lake City.
“We met her at a camp, and she said she was going to St. Louis all the time,” speedskater/coach Scott Fredrickson said, recalling how Reutter arrived at Matt Savoie Rink several years ago.
“We invited her to come and skate with us. So she did.”
Reutter, now 21, is scheduled to compete in Vancouver in the 500, 1,500 and 1,000 meters and 3,000 relay.
Her presence gives the 15 or so members of the Peoria club a rooting interest in the Olympics that also includes long-track speedskating.
“I’ll watch everything,” Michael Lang said. “If I didn’t have to work, I would probably be stuck in front of the TV watching the Olympics 24-7.”
Lang, 27, is a corporate buyer for OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. The Bartonville resident usually spends Thursday nights at Owens Center, where the Peoria Speed Skating Club has its weekly session from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
“I just came and tried it out, and then I got hooked and so I kept coming,” said Lang, who now is co-president of the club along with Bob Lapke.
Lang played hockey at Owens Center before taking up speedskating.
“I wasn’t really into getting checked by other guys, and I was all into the speed,” Lang said.
“What I love about the sport is going as fast as you possibly can,” he continued. “You get as low as you possibly can, but you don’t want to touch the ice. It’s just an amazing feeling.”
Don Rulis was in charge of the PSSC when Jay Reutter drove his daughter from Champaign to Peoria for an occasional Thursday session. Reutter’s club, Champaign Regional Speedskating, has its weekly session on Tuesdays at the University of Illinois Ice Arena, where PSSC members have access.
“It’s just a small sport,” said Rulis, a Level 1 coach who continues to compete as a Masters age grouper. “And we’re like family basically where we’ve got those resources available to us.”
Rulis anticipates club members getting together Saturday at his home in Metamora to watch the short-track women’s 1,500 – Reutter is regarded a medal contender – and men’s 1,000 finals.
They’ll also be tracking Ann Winget’s participation in the U.S. Speedskating National Marathon in Bemidji, Minn.
“That’s going to be her Olympics,” Rulis said.
Winget, 65, of Peoria is scheduled to participate Saturday in the 25 kilometer and Sunday in the 50 kilometer.
“Well, I signed up for both,” Winget said with a laugh. “Whether I’ll finish the 50K in time to get my plane or not, I don’t know.”
Sen. Kirk Dillard, who trails in the unofficial results, said he wants to see the official results compiled by the State Board of Elections before he decides whether to concede defeat.
“I’d like to see an official statewide tabulation done by the people who actually determine who wins and who loses,” said the Hinsdale Republican.
His rival, Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, wasn’t pressing Dillard for a quick decision.
“That’s up to Sen. Dillard,” Brady said. “We’re confident his judgment will be good. I think it’s premature to ask him to think about that until he sees what today’s outcome brings.”
Brady leads Dillard by 420 votes in unofficial returns compiled by The Associated Press. That’s less than six one-hundredths of 1 percent.
Those results don’t include every absentee ballot; some could still be counted as late as Tuesday, as long as they are postmarked before the election. They also do not count provisional ballots — votes that were cast despite questions about a voter’s registration status, which would then be cleared up after the election.
In Springfield, for instance, authorities counted 16 absentee or provisional ballots on Tuesday, The State Journal-Register reported. Seven votes were for Dillard and three for Kirk, with the remainder scattered among other candidates, meaning Dillard trimmed the lead by four votes.
Brady estimated between 1,000 and 2,000 votes remained to be counted as of Tuesday, a number so small that he saw little chance of Dillard closing the gap.
Local election authorities have a week to double check their count of the votes and submit official results to the State Board of Elections. The state board then has until March 5 to review the numbers, check for errors and produce official results.
Illinois law doesn’t require an automatic recount in close races. A losing candidate who questioned the accuracy of the results would have to ask a court to order a re-count.
Dillard said he and Brady are “singing off the same hymnal” in their criticism of Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, so the Republican Party isn’t being harmed by this period of uncertainty about the nomination.
At a brief event billed as a “meet and greet” between Peoria School District 150’s finalist for school superintendent and members of the media, Grenita Lathan called on the community to get behind the schools.
“During the coming months you will hear me speak a lot about Team Peoria — it will take all of us working together as a team to improve our schools,” said Lathan, 40, currently an interim deputy superintendent at California’s San Diego Unified School District.
Lathan was among several candidates discovered during a nationwide search by Chicago-based Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates and made it through an interview process by a Peoria area community search committee, chaired by Illinois Central College President John Erwin. School Board members made their selection earlier this month.
Board President Debbie Wolfmeyer said final details of a contract for Lathan’s employment still are being worked out, including salary and length, but said Lathan “has the full support of the board.”
Lathan took no questions from the media and stuck to a prepared statement.
Read more about this story in Wednesday’s Journal Star.
Chicago — “I was afraid and I did the wrong thing.” That’s what former commander of the Melrose Park Police Department, Guy “Ric” Cervone, told the federal judge when he was allowed to speak.
That statement was one of more than 100 requests for the judge’s leniency during the sentencing hearing Tuesday.
Cervone, 50, was given 60 days in jail, a $5,000 fine and 250 hours of community service.
His sentence was far less than the maximum of five years in prison that his one count of obstruction charge carried and it was less than the 16 months in prison that federal prosecutors were asking for.
Cervone was indicted in July 2007 as part of ex-Melrose Park Police Chief Vito Scavo’s operation to run a private security firm using public funds.
In July 2009, the day before Cervone was to stand federal trial, he changed his plea to guilty and admitted to corruptly influence and obstruct the administration of justice.
Between March 2003 and September 2005, Scavo directed Cervone to manipulate the police department’s time due records to make it appear that certain police officers earned more time due than they actually did, according to Cervone’s plea agreement.
Prosecutors said from 1999 to 2006 police officers were often paid twice: Performing their regular police duties and also working security or running errands for Scavo.
Cervone was commander from 2000 to 2005 and was in charge of creating and maintaining the police department’s time-due records — the accounting procedures for how officers were paid.
He was the sole person at the police department during that time who created and maintained records on his computer at the police department, prosecutors said.
Cervone admitted to providing Melrose Park police officers Rocco Venute and Nello Barone with print-outs of falsified time-due records.
During the federal government’s investigation, Cervone asked Venute to lie to federal agents, according to testimony.
Cervone recited the mantra often used by other Melrose Park police officers about Scavo as to the reason for his actions: “You don’t say no to the chief.”
On Tuesday, Cervone pleaded with the judge for leniency, saying he has no children and takes care of his mother and his dogs and now is working to try to rebuild his life.
“I have lost everything,” he said, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and striped tie.
He said he is attending school to become an electrician and works as a janitor at Gottlieb Hospital in Melrose Park.
“I care for the community,” he said. “I would never do anything to hurt the community. I am doing everything to rebuild my life.”
He told the judge what he did was one mistake and it would never happen again.
“I promise this will be a one-time error,” he said.
Cervone’s plea along with about 100 letters of support from the community seemed to have an impact on the judge’s decision.
About 15 people, made up of family and friends, were in the courtroom during the sentencing.
U.S. Judge Joan B. Gottschall, who presided over the case, said she believed Cervone would never commit a crime like this again, but believed some incarceration time was necessary.
She read excerpts from some of the letters she had received in court stating the positive impact he’s made in the community where he was a School District 89 board member.
“The community understands the severity of the offense,” Gottschall said. “As far as the community is concerned he has already been harshly punished.”
Cervone seemed somewhat satisfied and relieved with his sentence, but did not make a comment to the press. His federal staff attorney, Imani Chiphe, said he is satisfied with the judge’s decision.
“I think it was a fair and just sentencing,” he said. “She gave him the appropriate sentence.”
Cervone is scheduled to begin serving his sentence July 19.
At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next month, Bentley will show the 2011 Continental Supersports Convertible, a sibling to the coupe version that debuted last year.
Power for the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible comes from the same 6.0L W12 twin-turbocharged engine powering the coupe. The engine is good for a total of 621-hp with a maximum torque of 590 lb-ft. Mated to ZF 6-speed Quickshift automatic gearbox, the Continental Supersports Convertible can go from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds (coupe does it in 3.7) with a top speed of 202 mph (coupe goes up to 204 mph). Like the rest of the 2011 Continental range, the Continental Supersports Convertible is also flex-fuel capable, meaning it can run on either gasoline or E85 ethanol.
Bentley says that the Supersports Convertible is the world’s fastest four-seat convertible and the fastest convertible Bentley ever.
Sales of the model begin mid-summer 2010.
2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible:
Press Release
NEW BENTLEY CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS CONVERTIBLE
FlexFuel technology now standard across Continental model range
• The Continental Supersports Convertible is the fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley ever
built – 0-60mph in just 3.9 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds) and a top speed of 202mph
(325km/h). It is also the fastest four-seat convertible in the world.
• The Supersports is the extreme Bentley convertible, offering a highly focussed, pure Bentley
driving experience.
• Muscular styling reflects the Supersports Convertible’s supercar personality with the
practicality and elegance of four-seat accommodation.
• The standardisation of pioneering FlexFuel technology across the 2011 Continental model
range reaffirms Bentley’s on-going environmental commitment to make all its cars biofuel-
compatible by 2012.
The Continental Supersports Convertible further strengthens Bentley’s supercar range, following the introduction of the Continental Supersports Coupé in 2009. The new Supersports Convertible, with the same 630PS (621bhp/463kW) twin-turbocharged W12 engine, is the fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley has ever built, offering the ultimate Bentley driving experience in the world’s most dramatic convertible. The inspiration for the ‘Supersports’ name is the 1925 Bentley Supersports, a race-bred version of the iconic Bentley 3-litre, that delivered 85bhp when more ordinary cars were equipped with a modest 15bhp. It was also the first production car to reach 100mph – extreme performance in its day.
The new, muscular four-seat Supersports Convertible is unmistakably Bentley in its design and craftsmanship but its interior signifies a dramatic re-interpretation of Bentley luxury. Satin-finished carbon fibre, Alcantara™ and ‘Soft Grip’ leather create a unique ambience with a distinctly sporting
and contemporary style.
All models in the Continental model range, including the new Supersports Convertible are now capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two, reaffirming Bentley’s ongoing commitment to make all its cars bio-fuel compatible by 2012. Pioneered by the Supersports Coupe, this FlexFuel technology offers a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a ‘well-to-wheel’ basis, a measure of a fuel’s net contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions.
To ensure seamless power delivery, the on-board fuel supply system detects the blending ratio of the fuel in the tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel.
Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen welcomes the new addition to the Bentley range, as well as the standardisation of the FlexFuel W12 engine on all 2011 Continental models: “The new Supersports Convertible blends thrilling performance and dramatic styling with luxury and practicality in the Bentley open-top tradition. Extreme power combines with pioneering FlexFuel technology, now shared with all Continental models, reflecting Bentley’s
ongoing commitment to more environmental motoring.”
THE NEW CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS – AT A GLANCE
The fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley ever
• 6-litre W12 engine twin-turbocharged engine produces 630PS (621bhp/463kW) at 6000
rev/min and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque at 2000-4500 rev/min
• 0 – 60mph in 3.9 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds)
• 0 -100mph in 9.6 seconds (0-160km/h in 9.5 seconds)
• Top speed of 202mph (325km/h)
• Overall weight saving of 90kg (198lb) versus GTC Speed
A highly focussed, extreme Bentley convertible driving experience
• Revised ZF 6HP26 transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by 50% and
enables double downshifts
• New 40/60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer when
powering out of bends and provides for better modulation of line and attitude by ‘throttle
steering’
• Retuned Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system, stiffer suspension bushes and uprated
rear anti-roll bar benefit body control, steering response, turn-in and balance
• Increased 50mm rear track improves grip and stability
• Lightweight, 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels offer 10kg (22lb) weight saving per car, reducing
unsprung and rotating mass and improving brake
• 275/35 ZR20 Pirelli Ultra High Performance tyres
• Advanced ESP system fully exploits potential of the most powerful W12 engine and
improved chassis
• Standard-fit carbon-ceramic brakes provide fade-free braking and contribute a 20kg (44lb)
reduction in rotating and unsprung mass from the front axle.
Muscular yet elegant styling with four-seat practicality
• Form follows function: distinctive centre air intake and vertical grilles feed larger volume of
air (+ 10%) to turbocharger intercoolers while bonnet vents extract hot air from engine bay
• Subtly curved rear wheel arches with newly tooled side panels accommodate increased rear
track of the uprated chassis and provide muscular stance
• Distinctive ’smoked steel finish’ to all exterior ‘brightware’, including the first automotive
application of ‘Physical Vapour Deposition’ to stainless steel
• Larger, twin elliptical exhaust tailpipes and rear valance with discreet vertical divider
• Fixed rear bootlid spoiler for improved aerodynamics
• Unique driver-focused, four-seat cabin
• Lightweight, carbon fibre, front sports seats, saving 45kg (99lb) per car
• Alcantara™, carbon fibre and ‘Soft Grip’ leather provide a new interpretation of Bentley
craftsmanship
• The standardisation of FlexFuel capability across the 2011 Continental model range
reaffirms Bentley’s on-going environmental commitment
• FlexFuel available on all 2011 Continental models, including the new Supersports
Convertible, from June 2010 (all markets)
• All Continental models, are now capable of running on petrol and E85 biofuel or any
combination of the two
• Power and torque remain constant whatever the ratio of petrol to E85 biofuel
• A Fuel Quality Sensor detects the blending ratio of the fuel in real time sending a signal to
the engine control unit (ECU), initiating the correct engine mapping. This ensures all
performance parameters remain balanced and consistent
• Offers a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 70% (well-to-wheel), a measure of a fuel’s net
contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions
Enhanced choice for all Continental model range customers
• The full 2011 Continental range gets a host of new exterior and interior specification
changes
• Six new colours are added to the Bentley palette (Citric, White Satin, Kingfisher, Magenta,
Orange Flame and St James Red Pearl)
• Dark Grey Metallic Hood that is available on all Continental convertible including the new
Supersports Convertible
• Automatic opening and closing Powerboot is included as standard on the new Continental
Flying Spur and GTC models (not Supersports versions)
• A new cost option Premium Pack for the Flying Spur includes veneered picnic tables with
vanity mirrors, a Mulliner alloy fuel filler cap and chrome inlay strips to the door waistrails
Convenience Packs are available for all Continental models and include features such as Adaptive Cruise Control with ‘Follow to Stop’ feature, an iPod™ interface, front seat massage function, telephone handsets, rear-view camera and Valet key
THE CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS CONVERTIBLE – IN DETAIL
The new Continental Supersports Convertible is a car that must be driven to be fully understood. Behind the wheel it is immediately clear that a Supersports Bentley is a ‘fusion of extremes’ – the ultimate in extreme performance, every day practicality and unrivalled hand-crafted luxury.
Bentley’s Supersports programme began as an ‘under the radar’ project exploring the possibilities of weight reduction on the Continental GT Coupé but with more power and torque. The largely experimental project soon crystallised into an official new car programme, driven by the passion and enthusiasm of a small group of Bentley engineers and designers. Now the Supersports Convertible has received the same focus and the results are equally dramatic. Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering explains the thinking behind the project: “The ‘extreme’ Bentley stable now has a new occupant in the form of the Supersports Convertible – a car every bit as purposeful and potent as the Coupé but with the panache of roof-down motoring.”
A highly focussed, pure Bentley driving experience
With 630PS (621bhp) and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque from its pioneering FlexFuel engine and new ‘Quickshift’ transmission, the Supersports Convertible is the fastest drop-top Bentley has ever built. It accelerates from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds) and, conditions permitting, can continue onto a top speed of 202mph (325km/h).
The increased power and torque are transmitted to the all-wheel drive system via an uprated and rapid six-speed Quickshift transmission, which more than halves shift times (to just 93 milliseconds) and maximises the new Convertible’s enormous potential. The revised gearbox also has the ability to deliver double downshifts (sixth to fourth gear, for example) and improves acceleration across the entire gear range. To cope with the additional power and torque, the planetary gear set of the ZF transmission is also strengthened.
Positive torque during downshifts is achieved through engine and gearbox electronic controller interaction for extra throttle and fuel injection during the overrun. During transmission upshifts, fuel and ignition are cut momentarily to give faster mechanical shift times through torque reduction, also
improving shift quality and durability. The extreme performance of the Superports Convertible is matched by precise, agile handling, while retaining class-leading levels of ride comfort and refinement. Developed from the GTC Speed, chassis enhancements include retuning of the electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system, stiffer front suspension bushes and uprated rear anti-roll bar. The Supersports Convertible also shares its ride height with the GTC Speed, sitting 10mm (0.4in) lower at the front and 15mm (0.6in) lower at the rear than the standard GTC.
The front suspension trailing lever features a new design of hydraulic bush, 33 per cent stiffer than those of GTC Speed, for improved steering response while the uprated rear anti-roll bar provides improved body control and turn-in response. The retuned CDC system provides enhanced control of body movement to strike the optimum balance between agile handling and ride comfort during all driving manoeuvres. Agility is further sharpened by a 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system which reduces understeer during hard cornering and allows the experienced driver to modulate the car’s line and balance via precise throttle control.
The 9.5Jx20-inch forged alloy wheels, shared with the Supersports Coupé, offer a weight saving of 10kg (22lb) per car, reducing unsprung and rotating mass while the open 10-spoke design offers superior brake cooling. The rear wheels have a 25mm (1 inch) greater offset resulting in a 50mm (2inches) increase in the rear track, further benefiting handling and stability. The lightweight wheels are fitted with 275/35 ZR 20 Pirelli Ultra-High Performance tyres, providing excellent steering response. The standard-fit tyre monitoring system allows the driver to select tyres type and speed range parameters. As well as monitoring pressures, the system warns drivers if their speed is too high for the tyre pressures or if tyre speed ratings are exceeded on winter tyres.
The Supersports Convertible features an advanced electronic stability programme (ESP) that moderates intervention at low speeds, exploiting the potential of the more powerful engine and enhanced chassis, improving driver interaction and control. The new ESP also provides faster reinstatement of engine torque after intervention, giving the spirited driver greater control. The target slip is increased at greater than 90 per cent throttle to utilise all available longitudinal grip.
Corner exit agility is thereby also enhanced for increased driver involvement. Together the chassis, tyre and track changes deliver improved grip, turn-in and agility. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard fitment and provide a reduction in rotating and unsprung mass of 20kg (44lb) from the front axle, benefiting steering response, grip and ride comfort. The large diameter (420mm front, 356mm rear) lightweight discs and eight-piston calipers offer fade-resistant
braking performance with minimal disc distortion under high thermal conditions. Pedal feel is also improved with shorter travel, high effectiveness and a precise pressure point. Designing the ‘extreme’ Bentley convertible – where form follows function The evolution of the Supersports Convertible’s design is very much a case of form following function, with new purposeful sculptural forms signalling the engineering changes beneath the skin. Key engineering-led design changes to the Supersports include:
• Revised front air intakes and new bonnet vents to improve airflow and cooling
• Flared rear wings to accommodate wider rear track
• Discreet bootlid spoiler benefitting aerodynamic balance at high speeds
The increased power and torque of the W12 engine necessitated an additional 10 per cent airflow to the twin turbocharger intercoolers and cooling system. With extensive use of Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques, Bentley’s designers responded with a purposeful and dramatic style, featuring
large vertical intake apertures. Twin bonnet vents were added to ensure positive air extraction. Similarly, all-new flared rear wings that accommodate the 50mm (2 inches) wider rear track are designed to emphasise the powerful stance of this ultra-high performance Convertible. The resultant Supersports Convertible style combines the looks of the graceful Continental GTC with a wide, low and muscular appearance that reflects its more extreme character.
The Supersports Convertible, in common with its Coupé stablemate, occupies a position within the Bentley portfolio which is all its own, as Raul Pires, Head of Exterior Design, explains. “The Supersports Convertible and Coupé are the ultimate driver’s Bentleys and that is reflected in unique design cues that provide a bold, sporting look, from whatever angle the cars are admired. Even from 50 metres behind on a dark road, you can just tell it’s a
Supersports.”
From the front, the radiator, lower grille and dual bonnet vents are finished in a striking Smoked Steel finish. Derived from an innovative technology normally used to apply a coating to luxury watches and specialised industrial tools, Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) is a complex and time-consuming process
that involves vaporised metal being deposited onto the surface of, in this case, stainless steel. Giving a darker, more solid appearance, it is the first use of a PVD finish on stainless steel in the car industry. In addition to the Smoked Steel finishes, a gloss black finish to the headlamp casings and rear
lamp clusters gives the Supersports convertible’s distinctive face and muscular rear additional visual impact.
Restyled – and more aerodynamic – door mirrors match the exterior paint choice and the window and door surrounds replace polished stainless steel with a Smoked Steel finish to match the front grille. Eye-catching, black gloss Bentley-branded brake calipers act on the carbon ceramic brakes. Surrounding the brakes are the unique 20-inch, forged alloy wheels with Smoked Steel-finish which are exclusive to Supersports models. Large diameter tailpipe trims round out the car’s purposeful stance when viewed from the rear. Beneath the bonnet Supersports badges grace the cover of the 630PS (621bhp) W12 engine.
The Supersports Convertible has an electrically operated, three-layer fabric hood with advanced acoustic insulation to provide superb levels of refinement and comfort when raised. A choice of eight hood colours are available, including a new Dark Grey Metallic option, which is achieved by weaving a ‘grey’ acrylic fibre with a semi-transparent ‘metallic effect’ fibre in a twill weave construction to create a directional colour effect.
A re-interpretation of Bentley craftsmanship
Inside the Supersports Convertible, the cockpit is a dramatic execution of iconic Bentley design displayed in its full glory every time the roof is lowered. Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design and Styling, describes the approach taken by his interior design team: “The design team has fully embraced the spirit of Supersports to create a dramatic interpretation of Bentley luxury for the new Convertible where traditional craftsmanship and fine detailing are given a very different interpretation. Leather hides combine with new materials for Bentley such as satin-finished carbon fibre and Alcantara™ to create a unique ambience with a distinctly sporting and contemporary style.” Lightweight carbon fibre is featured throughout the cabin, from the unique carbon-weave treadplates with Supersports script in both doorwells to the sculpted lightweight sports front seats, which feature a carbon fibre clamshell back and Diamond-quilted Alcantara. Each seat weighs just 21kg and, in a typical example of attention to detail, the visible weave in the carbon fibre has a ‘Bentley-specific’ density to ensure the perfect visual finish. The Continental Supersports is the first Bentley to offer a combination of soft-grip leather and
performance-enhancing Alcantara™ alongside the leather hide. Alcantara™ is favoured by racing teams for its ability to provide additional grip under extreme conditions, such as cornering. But it is also sensational to look at, as well as being immensely supportive on the road or track.
The Alcantara™ applied to the rear compartment, door panels and seat facings is quilted and in the Supersports marks the return of the much smaller ‘diamond’ upholstery pattern from Bentleys of old. To further highlight the car’s sporting nature, the steering wheel and gear lever are trimmed in new ‘Soft Grip’ leather with extra grip for a supercar feel, and drilled alloy sports pedals stand out in the driver’s footwell.
FlexFuel technology introduced on all 2011 Continental models
FlexFuel technology, pioneered on the Continental Supersports Coupé in 2009, is now extended to the complete 2011 Continental range, including the new Supersports Convertible. The W12 6-litre power unit now has the technology to run on petrol, E85 bioethanol or any mix of these two fuels – all from a single tank.Bioethanol is blended with petrol in a variety of percentages ranging from E10 (10 per cent bioethanol) to the most widely known, E85, a ratio of 85% bioethanol to 15 per cent petrol to ensure cold-start capability.
Bioethanol presents other unique engineering challenges compared with petrol, due to its chemical composition and characteristics. E85 biofuel has a very high octane rating of 105 but a lower energy content that requires a 30 per cent increase in the engine fuel flow rate. This necessitated a complete
review of the fuel system to identify and, if required, replace components deemed to be insufficiently resistant to the properties of ethanol.
Increased fuel flow is achieved through a returnless fuel system, twin variable flow fuel pumps and a new closed loop fuel rail design with pressure sensor. For the fuel system all O-rings, seals, gaskets and pipes are new while new valve coatings and hardened valve seat material provide additional lubrication. New spark plugs with a wider heat range allow for slower combustion. A sensor in the fuel supply system detects the blending ratio in real time and varies the engine mapping to ensure power, torque and emissions remain at the same levels whatever fuel is used.
FlexFuel offers the possibility of up to a 70 per cent reduction in CO2 net emissions on a ‘well to wheel’ basis, calculated by adding the CO2 emitted during the extraction and refining process (the ‘well’) with the CO2 released when the fuel is burnt during motoring (the ‘wheel’). Biofuels can be sourced from sugar cane or soyabean, or from “2nd generation” sources such as agricultural waste and forestry residues. As biofuels are not derived from fossil fuels, the CO2 released during combustion is reabsorbed by plants during the photosynthesis process, thus creating an unbroken energy cycle.
Enhanced choice for all Continental customers
In addition to the transition to all-FlexFuel engines, the Continental range receives a host of new exterior and interior specification enhancements for the 2011 models, which emphasise the unparalleled craftsmanship and materials that are used to create the exquisite interiors for which Bentley is renowned.
Six new colours are added to the Bentley colour palette (Citric, White Satin, Kingfisher, Magenta, Orange Flame and St James Red Pearl) and the Dark Grey Metallic Hood that is available on the new Supersports Convertible is also available on the Continental GTC models.
Traditional Bentley features such as seat piping and stitching options can be applied to the rich leather hides that are used to trim the cabins of every Continental. These include highly intricate fine line, cross and Z-stitching to decorate the seats, door panels and front console. A new Premium Pack for the four-door Flying Spur is available as a cost option and includes beautiful veneered picnic tables with vanity mirrors, a Mulliner ‘jewelled’ alloy fuel filler cap and chrome inlay strips to the door waistrails. Customers can also choose from lambswool rugs or deep pile carpet mats with leather hide binding to the edges.
Convenience Packs are available for both the Continental GT, Continental GTC, Flying Spur and Flying Spur Speed models. On the GT and GTC models this includes Adaptive Cruise Control with ‘Follow to Stop’ feature, an iPod™ interface linked to the Infotainment system, massage function to the front seats, a front privacy telephone handset, rear-view camera and Valet key. For Flying Spur models, the Convenience Pack also includes an additional rear privacy handset. The massage function for the front seats is already standard on this model.
Finally a new automatically opening and closing closing Powerboot is now standard on the new Continental Flying Spur and GTC models (not on Supersports versions).
A woman was critically injured and her 4-year-old daughter is clinging to life after being struck by a car Tuesday evening in the South Side Englewood neighborhood.
Two ambulances were sent to the 7400 block of South Ashland Avenue at 6:36 p.m. after a car struck two pedestrians, police News Affairs Officer Daniel O’Brien said.
A mother and her 4-year-old daughter were struck by the car, according to Fire Media Affairs Dir. Larry Langford.
The woman was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition with multiple fractures and her 4-year-old daughter was taken to University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital in “extremely critical” condition, Langford said.
Traffic closures were in effect at 7 p.m. as crews investigated the crash, O’Brien said. It was unclear whether the driver of the car stayed at the scene or was initially issued any citations.
Just a quick note for Walkman X series users in the US – it finally gets a long-awaited firmware upgrade ver. 1.10 that was initially released a few months ago in Europe and Asia. Here are the new features to look forward to if you wish to upgrade:
This utility updates the Walkman® player to firmware version 1.10 and provides the following benefits:
Reduces the time required to open Web pages
Improves Web page scroll speed
Improves Web page layout display
Improves display of Web pages using frames
Note: This utility updates the NetFront Browser as well as the firmware. After the update, Thai language fonts will not display on the player when browsing the Internet.
I just flashed mine and it turned into an Sony mini tablet. Just kidding….
