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2019 Bentley Bentayga V8 First Drive Review | Losing cylinders but not much else

There's no such thing as a cheap Bentley. Even though the new-for-2019 Bentayga V8 is $30,000 less expensive than its W12-powered sibling, the twin-turbo V8's $165,000 window sticker still puts it well into the upper echelon of pricey luxury vehicles. Bentley is loathe to compare the two versions of the Bentayga — what parent wants to pit siblings against one another? — but does frame the V8 edition as a somewhat sportier alternative to the full-bore, glitz and glamor W12. Let's examine that line of reasoning. Under the hood of the Bentayga V8 is a 4.0-liter turbocharged engine that shares most of its bits with the latest Porsche Panamera and Cayenne Turbo. The engine is specifically tuned for use in this new application, with a unique sound signature and a cooling package that Bentley says will keep it running comfortably even in the face of the largest desert sand dunes in the world. The V8's peak of 568 pound-feet of torque hits below 2,000 rpm and stays exactly there until 4,500, with a horsepower peak of 542 at 6,000. From behind the wheel, the Bentayga's V8 engine feels a bit higher strung than the effortless W12. Instead of instant torque, there's a strong rush of power that builds nicely until it nears its 7,000-rpm redline, the highest rev limit of any engine the brand has ever installed in a passenger vehicle. If such a peaky-sounding engine seems incongruous with the intent of a luxury SUV, just know that there's plenty of stonk available any time the driver decides to push a red-bottomed Louboutin into the plush carpet. It's just a little less than what'd be on call from the W12, but there's not enough of a discrepancy to really matter. The V8 is a bit less sprightly to 60 than the W12 — 4.4 seconds versus 4.1 — and, with its 180-mile-per-hour top speed, it's a meaningless 7 mph slower at the top end, too. So, that doesn't really support the idea of sportiness. Neither too does the V8 handle any differently than the W12. There's only about a hundred pounds separating the two vehicles, with the new V8 edition weighing in at 5,264 pounds. And since only half of that weight savings is centered over the front axle, there isn't any real change to the Bentayga's driving dynamics or steering feel. That's not to say the Bentley Bentayga V8 doesn't drive well, it just doesn't drive differently than its more powerful, more expensive sibling.

Bentley Continental 24 is for those who find the Supersports too common

Bentley is no stranger to special-edition models. Some are like the Bentayga Falconry by Mulliner, a tasteful rolling tribute to the sport of kings. Others, such as the new Bentley Continental 24, are aimed at a slightly less conservative customer base. The Continental 24, built to commemorate the British automaker's return to the 24 Hours Nurburgring, is big, bright, and slightly less subdued than other Bentleys. As they say, different strokes for different folks. The entire run will be limited to 24 cars, obviously. The full allocation is slated just for Europe, but we're sure with enough cash Bentley can make something similar available stateside. The car is based on the new 700 horsepower Bentley Continental GT Supersports, the fastest road-going Bentley ever. In addition to the horsepower, the Supersports' W12 engine turns out 750 lb-ft of torque and, thanks to the titanium exhaust, enough noise to drown out all the haters at the local country club. The most obvious feature on the Continental 24 is the bright Monaco Yellow or St. James Red over Black Crystal paint scheme, done up similar to the Bentley Team ABT Continental GT3 race cars. The paintwork even carries to the 21-inch forged wheels, with body-matching paint filling the spokes. The exterior is finished with carbon-fiber mirrors, black brake calipers, and black brightware in place of chrome. The two-tone theme carries on inside the Continental 24, with either yellow or red accenting the nearly all black trim and upholstery. Black Alcantara seats are stitched with contrasting diamond patterns. Yellow or red sweep around and flank the cabin. As expected, the headrests are emblazoned with "Continental 24." Unsurprisingly, exclusivity doesn't come cheap. Deliveries begin in July with prices starting at ˆ250,000, or about $280,600. It's probably got a wider appeal than the admittedly niche Bentayga Falconry. Related Video: Featured Gallery Bentley Continental 24 View 12 Photos News Source: Bentley Design/Style Motorsports Bentley Coupe Luxury Performance

Autoblog Minute: Frankfurt Motor Show recap

We check in with Autoblog staffers in Germany for a recap of the biggest reveals from the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. Autoblog's Adam Morath reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute with commentary from senior editor, Greg Migliore. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] As the doors of the Frankfurt Motor Show open to the world's press we venture across the Atlantic for a front row seat to all the action. I'm Adam Morath and this is your Autoblog Minute. The fall auto show season kicks off this week and Germany is set to play host. We're expecting plenty of big vehicle reveals and industry news to come out of Frankfurt. [00:00:30] [Greg Migliore Interview] [00:01:00] Be sure to check in with Autoblog for tons of great photos, video and editorial coverage on all things Frankfurt. For Autoblog, I'm Adam Morath. Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals. Frankfurt Motor Show Bentley Jaguar Mercedes-Benz SUV Concept Cars Electric Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video