Bentley Gt W12 on 2040-cars

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2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S

Bentley still appeals to those with an appreciation for strong, Old World traditionalism. Cars wearing the storied Flying B have been discussed in wood-paneled drawing rooms by men wearing earthy tweeds and corduroy through clouds of fragrant cigar and pipe smoke, for decades. It is a company that has spent nearly 100 years building cost-no-object autombiles, for rich drivers who require a tremendous way to waft above the Sturm und Drang of mortal motoring.
The Bentley Continental GT, while unmistakably a party to that legacy of wooly privilege, has always seemed better suited to the nouveau riche than the landed gentry. The Mulsanne and the Continental Flying Spur still carry forward the brand's heritage of unfathomably fast, gargantuan sedans, while the GT has been busy inveigling an entirely new class of buyer with its lottery-win good looks.
A microsecond version of that analysis was all I had time for as I careened around another heroic left-hand sweeper in this Ice (white) 2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S. For a car with roots in rainy England and German-engineering genes, the V8 S felt remarkably at home while crushing the desert-strewn distance between San Diego and Palm Springs - almost the epicenter of the New World's Golden West.

Bentley Continental Flying Spur taking shape

The redesigned Bentley Continental Flying Spur has again been caught undergoing testing, though this time away from public roads while tackling the Nürburgring's 154 turns. The car we see in these new spy shots also reveals more of the Flying Spur's new lines, which we expect to largely mirror the shape already seen on the new Continental GT and GTC models.
Likewise, the new four-door Continental will probably come with the same engine options as the coupe and convertible: the tried and true 6.0-liter W12 making 567 horsepower and the new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 producing 500 hp. Its two stablemates were also updated with an eight-speed transmission for 2012, so expect the Spur to swap that many gears, as well.
Really, the only unknowns left are how Bentley will be handling the four-door specific design elements like the shape of the rear end, which is somewhat obscured by this car's checkerboard camo, as well as when the sedan will debut. We've received no indication thus far that Bentley is planning to use the Paris Motor Show, which happens later this week, for the Flying Spur's unveiling. That leaves a string of upcoming shows where it could happen, including the LA Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show and Geneva Motor Show.

2019 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid arrives at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show

It's been more than three years since the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid was announced. The British automaker's ultra-lux SUV was released with a 600 horsepower W12, though a diesel variant is available in Europe and a gasoline V8-powered model will soon go on sale. At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, Bentley finally unveiled the new Bentayga plug-in hybrid with 31 miles of range and a full charge in just 2.5 hours. The Bentayga Hybrid uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 paired with an electric motor. Details on the battery capacity, power output and fuel economy haven't been announced, but expect huge improvements over the current model's abysmal 12 mpg city and 19 mpg highway EPA rating. Like other hybrids, the Bentayga's E Motor acts as both an electric motor and a generator. Bentley says the hybrid will get 50 kilometers or about 31 miles of range on the European cycle. View 12 Photos Power is still sent to all four wheels. Four on-road driving modes — Sport, Bentley, Comfort and Custom — will be joined by three new modes. Using what used to be the start/stop switch, drivers can change between EV Drive, Hybrid and Hold modes, the latter holding battery power for later use. The instrument cluster and infotainment screens have been revised, with an EV Drive meter joining the traditional tachometer. A battery charge meter replaces the coolant temperature gauge. In order to maximize fuel economy and electric range, Bentley uses the satellite navigation to calculate the best use of the powertrain. When a destination is set, the nav system will talk to the computer to determine the best times to use the electric motor, holding the battery's charge until it's most efficient. Ideally, Bentley says the system will deplete the battery's charge completely just as you arrive at your destination. A smartphone app allows owners to remotely check the charge status or search for charging stations along a route or in an area. Other features include remote heating and cooling that will have the car at a set temperature when you're ready to go. A full charge should take 7.5 hours on a standard outlet or 2.5 with a in-home charger. Bentley has you covered here and has partnered with designer Philippe Starck on a custom charger. While it doesn't charge any faster than other chargers, it is quite a stylish piece of equipment. Visually, the Bentayga Hybrid doesn't differ much from the standard gasoline model. The charging port mirrors the fuel filler door on the opposite side of the car.