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Bentley recalls 27,640 Continental, Flying Spur models

Even the world's most luxurious automakers aren't immune to recalls. Bentley is proving this point with a campaign on 27,640 of its posh models worldwide for a loose battery cable connection, Reuters reports. The problem affects all examples of the Continental GT, GTC, and Flying Spur with build dates between February 2011 and June 2014, and there are 7,778 of them in the US, according to company spokesperson Erin Bronner to Autoblog. "On a limited number of cars, a bolted connection for a battery cable joint could be loose where it passes through the front bulkhead," Bentley said in a statement. According to Bronner, there were four incidents were this electrical joint overheated, but there have been no reports of any injuries. As a repair, dealers will install a new connection system, which will take around two hours. Scroll down below for the entire statement. Related Video: Bentley Statement: Bentley Motors is conducting a precautionary voluntary recall of all Continental GT/GTC/Flying Spur and new Flying Spur models built between February 2011 and June 2014. On a limited number of cars, a bolted connection for a battery cable joint could be loose where it passes through the front bulkhead. To address this, we will replace the components with a new connection system for all vehicles, which will take approximately two hours per car. All Bentleys built outside of these dates, and all Mulsanne models, are unaffected. The safety of our customers is Bentley's foremost priority and we pride ourselves on the highest standard of quality and service. We are working quickly to ensure that all vehicles are checked and resolved efficiently and effectively. Customers are being contacted by their local Bentley dealer to arrange an appointment. This is a voluntary recall and is in no way connected to any other recalls from other automotive manufacturers.

Rhys Millen will drive a Bentley Bentayga at Pikes Peak

Despite Bentley positioning its Bentayga SUV as a luxury vehicle, Bentley doesn't want us to forget that it's also a storied motorsport brand. Even the Bentayga can be used for record hunting, as Bentley is eager to show. It has hired two-time Pikes Peak hill climb winner Rhys Millen to take a Bentayga to the mountaintop. With the production SUV record in its sights, Bentley's Motorsport wing in Crewe has prepared a Bentayga for the attempt (which will be used as a benchmark for the Lamborghini Urus). The vehicle has been kept as stock as possible, as per the rules, and for safety reasons it features a full roll cage, a fire suppression system, racing seats and a harness. Still, Bentley has also enlisted exhaust crafters Akrapovic to give it a custom setup; Akrapovic has also done the exhaust for the Continental GT3-R. But the air suspension with its electric anti-roll control is kept stock, and the Pirelli rubber is also off-the-shelf stuff. The W12 engine's 600hp/664 lb-ft power figures also match the unmodified versions. We reported on Bentley's inclusion at the June 24 event earlier, but at that point the driver had not yet been announced. Millen, 45, from New Zealand, is reportedly the second-most-prolific Pikes Peak competitor in the world. The current production SUV record stands at 12:35.61, set by Paul Dallenbach with a Range Rover Sport in 2013. The Pikes Peak Bentayga's exterior has been finished with an unmistakable Radium Satin hue, but other than that and the carbon fiber body kit, it appears more like an everyday, run-of-the-mill Bentayga, not a wild Pikes Peak racer with a bookcase for a rear wing. Related Video:

Bentley Mulliner Batur celebrates the W12, previews EV style

Bentley has revealed its second special Mulliner coach-built model, and it represents a crossroads for the brand. It's called the Bentley Mulliner Batur, and it's a sendoff for the core engine for Bentley, the twin-turbo W12. It's also a sign of things to come. The styling you see here will be adapted for Bentley's future electric cars. The car is clearly Bentley right from the get-go. It has the long front end, the prominent, rounded rectangular grille, rearward placed cabin and wide, flowing rear fenders. But it has a more aggressive look than some recent Bentleys. The grille looks as though it's leaning more forward. Instead of round headlights, it has sweptback units that look like eagle eyes. The rear glass, instead of kicking up, stays low along the belt line. The tail has almost a boattail look and has slender taillights. It's Bentley, but it's also new. The inside is clearly closely related to the Continental GT, which is no bad thing. But it can be set apart with special materials. Buyers of the Batur will have the ability to customize almost every aspect of the car with different leathers from different locations, different interior trimmings and upholstery designs. Bentley is offering some very unique materials, too. Metal pieces such as the organ stop vent switches can be made from titanium or even 3D-printed 18-karat gold. Some of the interior trim can be made from a natural fiber composite, which is like carbon fiber, but made from naturally occurring fibers rather than synthetically created carbon. The natural fiber can be used for the front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser as well. And of course the exterior can be customized with just about any paint and graphics imaginable. Bentley says that the Batur is powered by the most powerful iteration of the twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 yet. It makes 730 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with adaptive air suspension, active anti-roll bars, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, an electronic limited-slip differential and torque vectoring to help it handle as well as it can go in a straight line. Stopping it are a set of carbon silicon carbide brakes with 10-piston front brake calipers and four-piston rears. Only 18 Baturs will be built, and they're all spoken for. Pricing started at 1.65 million British pounds, or $1.95 million. Though there will only be a few of these Baturs, keep an eye out for its design to show up in the Bentley EVs that are coming starting in 2025.