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Bentley designer says electric Bentley coming ‘not so far in the future’

Bentley lead designer Stefan Sielaff told Auto Express, "A full electric Bentley is something I am extremely convinced we have to do." He essentially confirms a Bentley EV by saying, "It will happen not so far in the future." We can look at the designer's comments as a near-final declaration on an undertaking the English carmaker's been considering for the past few years. Don't look for a production run of the EXP 12 6e concept shown at last year's Geneva Motor Show, though. Based on Sielaff's comments and a process of elimination, AE expects an electric four-door coupe. Instead of the PPE electric architecture Porsche and Audi are developing, Bentley would use the J1 architecture beneath the Mission E. The most powerful Mission E trim should put out close to 700 horsepower, a proper figure to begin discussions concerning an offering from The Flying B. A report from two years ago said a larger, 115-kW battery supplying two 375-horsepower motors in back and a 186-motor in front would give 936 hp and a potential 500-mile range. Beyond that, insiders supposedly spoke of a 150-kW battery to come in 2022, which would bring with it astronomical numbers. When asked what kind of vehicle Sielaff had in mind, the designer said he envisioned "a completely fresh and new development" that is "not imitating another concept." The alternative propulsion, Sielaff said, would give him and his team "a great chance to establish a completely new design language for the company." His ideal chariot would have four or five seats, "the possibility to carry a little bit of luggage," "a certain coupe style or sportivity," and definitely not an SUV. Those are about all the words one would use to describe a four-door coupe without saying the words "four-door coupe." Before the recent executive shuffle, previous brand CEO Wolfgang Durheimer told AE he expected a company EV to get around 600 hp and travel up to 310 miles on a charge. Wireless charging would be a major consideration as well, since grubby charging plugs don't mix well with white gloves. New brand boss Adrian Hallmark was told to invest in the brand instead of focusing exclusively on the numbers, and the EV initiative is about recasting Bentley as a luxury and technology brand, and appealing to younger customers. The next-generation Continental GT will get a PHEV drivetrain, and the Crewe manufacturer plans to have its entire range electrified by 2025.

Bentley Mulliner Bacalar will be inspired by the EXP 100 GT

On March 3, 2020, at the Geneva Motor Show, Bentley and in-house customization shop Mulliner will unveil a new limited-edition vehicle that is billed as the "future of coachbuilding." Ahead of the debut, the official name has been announced: Bentley Mulliner Bacalar.  Thus far, there are few official details about the vehicle. Bentley says it will use ethically sourced and sustainable materials and will have a design inspired by the electric and autonomous EXP 100 GT concept that debuted in 2019. It is described as representing grand touring "at its most exhilarating," so it sounds like it'll be focused more on luxury rather than performance.  If a previous report is true, the Bacalar could be a two-seater with absolutely no roof. In the unconfirmed proposal, the supposed vehicle would be similar in looks to the EXP 100 GT, would be limited to roughly 12 examples, and would cost in the millions of dollars. Only time will tell how accurate this report proves to be, but considering other manufacturers such as McLaren, Aston Martin, and Ferrari have recently released similar windshieldless vehicles, we know the interest for this type of vehicle currently exists in high-end circles. It's anybody's guess as to what Bacalar references or means. Quick Google sleuthing shows nothing more than an extremely nice-looking vacation destination in Mexico. It's home to Lago Bacalar, or "The Lake of Seven Colors." Translated to Latin, bacalar is bacalao, which is salted and/or dried codfish eaten in Spanish and Latin American cultures. Maybe it will somehow tie into the sustainability aspect, but it's unclear. Expect small teasers and more information to drip before the full deluge in March. Related Video:

Jay Leno's 1930 Bentley GJ 400 is a 27-liter monster

Jay Leno's Garage never fails to impress - and by that we mean both the YouTube channel and the actual place. The latest online bit features another truly insane vehicle. Leno's 1930 Bentley GJ 400 isn't actually a classic car and has few Bentley parts on it. It's really a modern custom with vintage looks and a 27-liter Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 engine for power. This machine is absolutely immense, and weighs over three tons.
The Merlin engine was one the workhorses of World War II-era planes. In the GJ 400, Leno believes the V12 is making around 650-700 horsepower. Although, he admits that it could probably be pushed to over 1,000 if someone wanted to. However, he clearly loves this behemoth just the way it is.
While the design is classic, the mechanicals are relatively modern. The engine is fuel injected, and power routes through an automatic transmission to the rear wheels. Many of the updated pieces are hidden as well. For example, what looks like a blower at the front actually disguises an oil cooler.