2008 Bentley Continental Gt on 2040-cars

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How'd we miss this incredible 24-hour enduro in prewar cars?

Even in today's 24 Hours of Le Mans, not all of the racecars finish the event. Factors like like mechanical failures, crashes and poor weather that can be the doom of any race team. Now, imagine going to a track today and competing around the clock in vehicles built before World War II. That was exactly what the Benjafield's 24 did at the Portimao Circuit in Portugal in October. Somehow, we missed this spectacular event, and so did most of you, judging by the lack of media coverage it received. The event was named after Dudley Benjafield, one of the famous Bentley Boy racers and a winner of the French race in 1927. According to Goodwood Road and Racing, 21 prewar cars entered, and astonishingly, 20 finished. Teams of three or four drivers did two-hour shifts, and more than just old Bentley racers competed. Robbert Alblas, who also made the awesome video above, told Autoblog via email, "The organization is not a allowed to call it a race because of insurance reasons." Therefore, there were no official rankings of where the competitors actually finished. That's a pity, but it doesn't take away from how awesome an undertaking this was. While you can see cars from this period briefly racing at events like the Monterey Motorsports Reunion, witnessing them go for 24 hours is almost an impossibility today. Check out Alblas' fantastic short film of the Benjafield's 24, above, and get a taste of the on-track action. News Source: Goodwood Road and Racing, Robbert Alblas via YouTube Motorsports Bentley Racing Vehicles Classics Videos portugal portimao

Aston Martin designs another house, this one overlooking Tokyo

In Japan, where so many apartments aren’t much bigger than the cabin of a Bentley, it probably doesnÂ’t makes sense that Aston Martin plans to build a luxury home with a vista overlooking Tokyo. Of course, the home, designed as it will be by Aston Martin artists, will feature an automotive gallery. And after oneÂ’s parked his car, he can enjoy the wine cellar, in-house cinema, gym, and the private spa. The four-story property, already sold (price not revealed) and due for completion in about a year, is the British brandÂ’s first collaboration with homebuilders in Asia, but it is not the first time Aston has dipped a toe into projects other than automobiles. In 2018, the company launched a power boat, the AM37, a $1.6 million toy that was the result of two years of research and development. Supposedly designed with similar proportions that Aston applies to its vehicles, the top trim level AM37S makes an estimated 50 knots derived from its twin 520 horsepower Mercury petrol engines. Aston Martin even got into the personal luxury submarine game. Aston has also partnered to build a 6,000-square foot  “house” called Sylvan Rock in the Hudson Valley in upstate New York, costing $7.7 million, and is collaborating on the construction of a 66-floor, high-rise condominium in MiIami. Top price for a unit: $50 million. But the view is very nice. For the so-called “holistic” extravaganza near Tokyo, Marek Reichman, executive vice president of Aston, said: “The influence of Tokyo culture, with its amazing history and style, holds an important creative space within our design studio. I see fashion, architectural and even culinary references being considered by our team.” Japanese luxury real estate developer firm VIBROA is working with Aston Martin on the project, with an eye toward expanding the carmakerÂ’s presence in Asia. Related video:

2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed keeps the W12 alive with 626 horsepower

Bentley has expanded the Flying Spur range with a performance-oriented variant appropriately called Speed. The sedan stands out from other members of the Flying Spur lineup with a powerful W12 engine between its fenders, a firmer chassis setup, and a specific design. The company has traditionally reserved the "Speed" designation for its driver-focused models, and the Flying Spur lives up to this badge with a 6.0-liter W12 engine that's twin-turbocharged to develop 626 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the next model down is the Flying Spur S, which uses a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 rated at 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. Bentley pegs the Speed's zero-to-60-mph time at 3.7 seconds, and the big sedan doesn't stop accelerating until its speedometer displays 207 mph. An eight-speed automatic transmission transfers the 12-cylinder's output to the four wheels via a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, and reaching the Speed's top speed requires leaving the gearbox in sixth. Seventh and eighth are overdrive gears used to keep the engine's revolutions relatively low at higher speeds. Four-wheel steering, Torque Vectoring by Brake technology, and the 48-volt Bentley Dynamic Ride system help drivers make the most of the extra power. Massive brakes are found on the list of standard features as well. Visually, the Speed gains black exterior trim, "Speed" emblems on the lower part of the fenders, and model-specific 22-inch wheels. Buyers have several options to choose from, including the Styling Specification and Blackline Specification packages. Inside, the Speed features Dinamica Pure upholstery, a redesigned instrument cluster, sport pedals, 24-way power-adjustable front comfort seats, and 14-way power-adjustable rear seats. Both rows of seats are heated, ventilated, and equipped with a massage function; Bentley argues that performance and comfort aren't mutually exclusive. Piano Black trim comes standard but other types of wood (like Crown Cut Walnut) are no-cost options. Pricing information for the 2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed hasn't been released yet.