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Updated Bentley Bentayga spotted testing in the snow

It seems that the Bentley Bentayga is up for a refresh. These spy shots, fresh in from frigid-looking Europe, show us a Bentayga that’s adopted a front end thatÂ’s much closer to the Flying Spur and the slinkier Continental GT. That means larger secondary lamps up front, a revised lower fascia, and slimmer taillights with a pronounced oval element thatÂ’s echoed in the dual exhaust pipes. Unlike the last Flying Spur we spotted, which was a prototype of a likely plug-in hybrid variant, this Bentayga doesnÂ’t appear to have dual filler doors, one for gas and one for a plug. ThatÂ’s not to say one isnÂ’t coming; the Bentayga will almost certainly get an updated version of the PHEV powertrain that failed to win us over on our last drive. Hopefully that, too, will get an update to make its groaning V6 less sad-sack and provide a little more oomph to its pure EV mode. As with the expected PHEV variant, we think that the Bentayga will get the rest of the Flying SpurÂ’s engine options Â… which for now is a singular W12 sporting twin turbos. We believe a V8 should follow in both models. Inside, expect changes to mirror the tech and interior features of the latest Bentley models. Maybe itÂ’ll even get the quilted leather found on the $15,000 Mulliner package. WeÂ’ll know for sure when Bentley pulls the sheet off the revised Bentayga soon.

Volkswagen posts quarterly profit despite drop in sales

Volkswagen returned to profit in the third quarter as surging Chinese demand for luxury cars helped offset a 1.1% drop in vehicle deliveries due to the pandemic, sending its shares as much as 3% higher on Thursday. The German automaker's return to the black comes amid spiking coronavirus cases in Europe that led governments in France and Germany to order their countries back into strict national lockdowns on Wednesday. "The coronavirus remains a central problem," Volkswagen Chief Financial Officer Frank Witter said in a conference call with reporters. "This situation now is anything but relaxed." But Witter said the group expected the economic recovery to continue and did "not anticipate any nationwide lockdowns in larger markets." Witter said the takeover of U.S. truck maker Navistar International by Volkswagen's trucking unit Traton was an important acquisition, but the "current economic climate will not make this easy." Volkswagen reiterated it expects to post a profit for the full year, saying its business "recovered noticeably" in the third quarter as sales in China of premium vehicles, including Audi and Porsche sports cars, rose 3%. The quarterly performance was also aided by a series of cost-cutting measures launched earlier this year. Volkswagen said its net liquidity rose to 24.8 billion euros from 18.7 billion at the end of the second quarter. Excluding one-time items, third-quarter operating profit was 3.2 billion euros ($3.8 billion), down from 4.8 billion euros a year earlier, but up from a second quarter loss of 1.7 billion. In a note to clients, Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois described the results as a "solid performance with strong cash, but relatively muted in the context of the (auto) sector recovery." Last week, German rival Daimler reported a record 24% jump in Chinese demand for its Mercedes-Benz cars, boosting its margins in the third quarter. Italian-American Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot manufacturer PSA Group both also posted solid results this week. Witter said Volkswagen could not say for sure whether it would meet EU CO2 emissions targets this year, adding "it will be a tough race." At 1030 GMT, Volkswagen shares were up 2.9% at 129.20 euros. Related Video: Earnings/Financials Audi Bentley Bugatti Lamborghini Porsche Volkswagen

Bentley releases special Pikes Peak edition Bentayga

Hot on the heels of its SUV class Pikes Peak record, Bentley is dedicating a special Limited Edition to the hill climb-prepared Bentayga. 10 specially outfitted cars will bear the Pikes Peak Bentayga name and badging. The 10 cars will all have the six-liter twin turbo W12 engine with 600 horsepower, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a permanent four-wheel-drive system. There's adaptive air suspension and Bentley's 48V Dynamic Ride active anti-roll system. However, not all of the cars will be finished in the dazzling Radium Satin lime green, as Beluga Black paint is also an option. The carbon bodykit is standard, as is a Mulliner interior package with lime-colored accents and Alcantara on the seats, the door cards and the steering wheel. On the dash is a green motif of the Pikes Peak course, and a matching counterpart can also be seen on the front fenders. The wheels are also two-tone, painted in Beluga with lime green accents. The Pikes Peak edition Bentayga will be available to be ordered both in the United States and Europe from August onwards. We expect a majority of the limited edition cars to find owners across the pond from Crewe. Related Video: Featured Gallery Bentley Bentayga Pikes Peak Edition Image Credit: Bentley Bentley SUV Luxury Performance pikes peak bentley bentayga