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Bentley collectors upset about planned run of 12 continuation cars

Bentley's grandiose plan to recreate one of its oldest and most emblematic race cars has summoned a dark cloud of disapproval from a group of wealthy collectors, including some who own the real thing. Several high-profile enthusiasts, like Ralph Lauren, jointly sent company boss Adrian Hallmark a letter to voice their concerns. The project started in 2019, when Bentley announced it would make 12 replicas of the four 1929 Team Blower models built and raced by Sir Tim Birkin. The dozen racers were spoken for in record time, and owners-to-be are currently working with the company's Mulliner division to configure their car. Bentley isn't the only carmaker dabbling in continuation cars — Jaguar and Aston Martin have notably brought back classics in recent years — but its project is the only one that has generated strong, vocal opposition from the enthusiast community. The recreation cars threaten to "dilute that special admiration and awe that can only come from viewing and embracing the genuine article," according to the letter sent from Hallmark. It was signed by Lord Bamford, Evert Louwman, and William Connor, among other collectors. Simon Kidston, a classic car specialist whose uncle won the 1930 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans behind the wheel of a Bentley Speed Six, opined the recreations will devalue the real cars they're modeled after. He also accused Bentley of turning into a poacher. Bentley isn't overly worried about the complaints. "After much research and discussion with a number of the stakeholders (vintage Bentley owners, restorers, specialists, plus a selection Bentley Drivers Club and Benjafield Club members), we tested the idea of making an official Continuation Series based on our plans for a sole recreation, and were overwhelmed with the positivity of the response. While we heard some similar concerns to those expressed in the letter, the vast majority of feedback was hugely supportive of the project," a company spokesperson told Autoblog. The firm added the continuation cars will not be painted in the same color combinations as the four original racers so they'll be instantly recognizable as replicas. Production and deliveries will carry on as planned, then. Related Video:

Bentley debuts the first Bentayga Hybrid in Geneva

Transcript: Bentley unveils the "world's first" luxury hybrid. Bentley revealed the Bentayga Hybrid at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show. This is Bentley's first step toward eventually going fully electric. The Bentley Bentayga Plug-in Hybrid will include a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and the "E Motor." The E Motor acts as a generator and electric motor with 3 E Modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Mode, and Hold Mode. It has an electric range of 31 miles with a charge time of 2.5 hours using an industrial connection. Or 7.5 hours using domestic household sockets. The Bentayga Hybrid will also include: traffic sign recognition, rear crossing traffic warning, top view, a 360 view of your surroundings, and park assist detection. What do you think of Bentley entering the electric world? The luxury automaker Bentley unveiled its first ever Bentayga Hybrid SUV at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show. It's Bentley's first step into going fully electric. The 'E Motor' in the vehicle will provide an electric range of 31 miles with a charging time of 2.5 hours using an industrial connection. Want more coverage of the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show? Head over to www.autoblog.com/geneva-motor-show Green Geneva Motor Show Bentley Hybrid Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video

Ferdinand Piech (1937-2019): The man who made VW global

Towering among his peers, a giant of the auto industry died Sunday night in Rosenheim/Upper Bavaria, Germany. Ferdinand Piech, a grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, who conceived the original Volkswagen in the 1930s, was the most polarizing automotive executive of our times. And one who brought automotive technology further than anyone else. Ferdinand Porsche had a son, Ferdinand (called "Ferry"), and a daughter, Louise, who married the Viennese lawyer Anton Piech. They gave birth to Ferdinand Piech, and his proximity to two Alfa Romeo sports cars — Porsche had done some work for the Italians — and the "Berlin-Rome-Berlin" race car, developed by Porsche himself, gave birth to Piech's interest in cars. After his teachers in Salzburg told his mother he was "too stupid" to attend school there, Piech, who was open about his dyslexia, was sent to a boarding school in Switzerland. He subsequently moved on to Porsche, where he fixed issues with the 904 race car and did major work on the 911. But his greatest project was the Le Mans-winning 917 race car, developed at breathtaking financial cost. It annihilated the competition, but the family had had enough: Amid growing tension among the four cousins working at Porsche and Piech's uncle Ferry, the family decided to pull every family member, except for Ferry, out of their management positions. Piech started his own consultancy business, where he designed the famous five-cylinder diesel for Mercedes-Benz, but quickly moved on to Audi, first as an engineer and then as CEO, where he set out to transform the dull brand into a technology leader. Piech killed the Wankel engine and hammered out a number of ambitious and sophisticated technologies. Among them: The five-cylinder gasoline engine; Quattro all-wheel drive and Audi's fantastic rally successes; and turbocharging, developed with Fritz Indra, whom Piech recruited from Alpina. The Audi 100/200/5000 became the world's fastest production sedan, thanks to their superior aerodynamics. Piech also launched zinc-coated bodies for longevity — and gave diesel technology a decisive boost with the advent of the fast and ultra-efficient TDI engines. Less known: Piech also decided to put larger gas tanks into cars. Customers loved it. Piech's first-generation Audi V8 was met with derision by competitors; it was too obviously based on the 200/5000.