VW Steals A Lead In Luxury

James Bond didn't just drive Aston Martins before switching to BMWs. As originally written, 007 was a Bentley man. But not since the suave secret agent sped down England's country roads in that 1953 Mark VI in Moonraker has the British auto maker been so chic. Bentley's newest model, the revved-up Continental GT, is sold out through 2005. Customers who have snapped one up include Oracle Corp. (ORCL ) CEO Lawrence J. Ellison, and actors Denzel Washington, James Caan, and Jennifer Lopez.

In the language of marketing turnabouts, Volkswagen-owned Bentley has done a Gucci. In one short year, the British maker of staid and stately limousines has suddenly become the raciest fashion on wheels. Sales of the $160,000 Continental GT coupe should top 5,000 cars this year -- more than 40% higher than forecasted. "The Continental GT has a sense of exclusivity, like wearing a designer brand," says Wendy Liebmann, president of WSL Strategic Retail.