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Set your Bentley Bentayga apart with Mountain Marquetry trim

One of the best things about the ordering process at Bentley has got to be the sheer level of customization on offer. We're especially fond of the wood veneers. But if none of them meet your high standards, the company's Mulliner division now offers this intricate Mountain Marquetry dashboard design. The hand-crafted artistic vista depicts the Roque Bentayga, the mountain formation located on Gran Canaria in Spain's Canary Islands from which the company took the name for its new sport utility vehicle. The time-intensive installation is made of 32 layers of wood taken from six different species of tree. We don't know just what woods Bentley's artisans use to weave the wooden tapestry, but as it is, the Bentayga alone is available with an array of seven such options, including chestnut, eucalyptus, ash, madrona (a type of Ericaceae indigenous to our West Coast), two types of burr walnut, and a piano-lacquered walnut. If you're not into the whole wood thing, Bentley has also been known to offer trim in alternative materials like carbon fiber, aluminum, and even stone. It goes without saying, of course, that all of this comes at a price. We wouldn't be surprised to discover that said price could get you an entire second automobile. But cost is seldom an object for many Bentley customers who want their automobile to stand out from all the other Bentleys parked at the country club, racquet club, yacht club, or whatever other kind of club the rest of us probably haven't even heard of. Related Video: News Source: Bentley via YouTube Bentley Luxury Videos bentley bentayga Mulliner

VW Group to split brands under four holding companies

The Volkswagen Group is planning a tremendous shift in its internal structure that will decentralize operations by splitting its 12 brands into four different holding companies. Here's the breakdown. Things will be split logically, considering the inter-sharing of parts, platforms, and engines. The Volkswagen brand, Seat, and Skoda make up a passenger vehicle division led by former BMW man Herbert Diess. Audi, which is tightly intertwined with Lamborghini and motorcycle manufacturer Ducati, will be managed by current Audi exec Rupert Stadler. Porsche and Bentley, which are already quite close, will be joined by Bugatti and run by Matthias Mueller. Finally, a commercial vehicles division will include Volkswagen Commercial, Scania, and Man. Former Daimler exec Andreas Renschler will take care of the big vehicles. The massive move, according to Automotive News Europe, is part of an internal VAG effort to move away from the structure established by ousted Chairman Ferdinand Piech, who favored a compact, but highly centralized, management structure to oversee the independent actions of the company's brands. Criticism of Piech's arrangement stemmed from the company's slow responses to changes in the market, ANE reports. The new structure should make for a more efficient, streamlined company that's better able to make crucial decisions. What are your thoughts? Should VAG decentralize, or did Piech have the right idea? Have your say in Comments.

Bentley Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner is a six-passenger mouthful

Automakers that specialize in low-volume, hand-built cars really listen to their customers. That's why we're looking at this, a super-sized, customer-commissioned Bentley Mulsanne, called the Grand Limousine, that's been built by the company's in-house coachbuilder Mulliner. The most notable change, of course, is the size. Mulliner adds an extra three feet to the Mulsanne's overall length and three inches to its height for uncompromised interior space. As you can see by looking at the gallery, that change allowed Bentley to fit a second pair of rear-facing seats. The actual cabin itself is entirely bespoke, but there's more than some hand-picked hides and wood trim here. The windows are made from electrochromatic glass that can change from clear to opaque with a single button press, not unlike the Mercedes-Benz SL's Magic Sky Control. Backseat passengers will also have access to an updated HVAC system, fold-out wood tables, iPad docking/charging stations and a full array of drinks storage, including a bottle cooler with a frosted glass and champagne flutes. And if you'd rather pass on alcohol, there's a special soft drink cabinet so that you can take your Mountain Dew addiction on the road. Naturally, there's also an intercom so that the one-percenter in back can talk to the 99 percenter in front. Check out the Mulsanne Grand Limousine in the official gallery, and stay tuned for live images of this gorgeous luxury sedan from the floor of the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. BENTLEY UNVEILS THE MULSANNE GRAND LIMOUSINE BY MULLINER – THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF BESPOKE, COACHBUILT LUXURY MAR 1, 2016 Privately-commissioned, bespoke Mulsanne is perfect showcase of Mulliner's skill and vision One metre of additional length and a new higher roof affords passengers luxury of space and comfort Luxurious private-aviation-inspired rear cabin with face-to-face seating 'Smart glass' assures privacy; in-car technology enhances experience Hand-crafted in Crewe by Mulliner, Bentley's coachbuilding division (Geneva, Switzerland. 1 March 2016) Bentley unveils the Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show today, showcasing the ultimate expression of bespoke automotive luxury, craftsmanship, individualisation and refinement. The Mulsanne Grand Limousine is one metre longer and 79 mm taller than Bentley's new Mulsanne and features a unique interior with private-aviation-style seating configuration in the rear cabin.