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2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed keeps the W12 alive with 626 horsepower

Bentley has expanded the Flying Spur range with a performance-oriented variant appropriately called Speed. The sedan stands out from other members of the Flying Spur lineup with a powerful W12 engine between its fenders, a firmer chassis setup, and a specific design. The company has traditionally reserved the "Speed" designation for its driver-focused models, and the Flying Spur lives up to this badge with a 6.0-liter W12 engine that's twin-turbocharged to develop 626 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the next model down is the Flying Spur S, which uses a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 rated at 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. Bentley pegs the Speed's zero-to-60-mph time at 3.7 seconds, and the big sedan doesn't stop accelerating until its speedometer displays 207 mph. An eight-speed automatic transmission transfers the 12-cylinder's output to the four wheels via a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, and reaching the Speed's top speed requires leaving the gearbox in sixth. Seventh and eighth are overdrive gears used to keep the engine's revolutions relatively low at higher speeds. Four-wheel steering, Torque Vectoring by Brake technology, and the 48-volt Bentley Dynamic Ride system help drivers make the most of the extra power. Massive brakes are found on the list of standard features as well. Visually, the Speed gains black exterior trim, "Speed" emblems on the lower part of the fenders, and model-specific 22-inch wheels. Buyers have several options to choose from, including the Styling Specification and Blackline Specification packages. Inside, the Speed features Dinamica Pure upholstery, a redesigned instrument cluster, sport pedals, 24-way power-adjustable front comfort seats, and 14-way power-adjustable rear seats. Both rows of seats are heated, ventilated, and equipped with a massage function; Bentley argues that performance and comfort aren't mutually exclusive. Piano Black trim comes standard but other types of wood (like Crown Cut Walnut) are no-cost options. Pricing information for the 2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed hasn't been released yet.   

Bentley unveils Continental GT ice racer

Bentley has unveiled a new special edition of its Continental GT coupe with photos taken high in the Austrian Alps. On Monday, we were shown teasers of a Conti GT swathed in an eye-popping blue done up to look like an all-wheel-drive backcountry snow eater, and now all has been revealed. This particular Continental GT will be running in livery that pays homage to its fraternal twin, which won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2019 and shares the same factory-built, twin-turbocharged W12. The 6.0-liter engine offers 626 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Bentley says it'll do 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 207 mph. Bentley says the the car’s three chamber air springs, 48V active anti-roll control system and iron brakes are entrusted with the cool running of the Continental GT on the purpose-built ice track — their pun, not ours.  Going further, a number of clues points toward an off-road-ish variant of the Continental GT. ThereÂ’s the more rugged-looking treatment of the lower front fascia, where the fog lights are now encased in black trim that also lines the wheel arches, and Pirelli tire logos are displayed prominently at each front quarter. ThereÂ’s also a ski rack on the roof, which may also feature front-illuminating LED lamps, and the coupe looks to have been lifted ever so slightly. Junior World Rally Championship driver Catie Munnings will take to the wheel of the Bentley Continental GT at the 2020 GP Ice Race in Zell am See. The FIA European Rally Championship Ladies Trophy winner will be the first woman to race a Bentley in the modern era, the automaker said.  Bentley teased the new racer Monday on twitter: Spotted today in Kitzbuhel, Austria...anyone want to guess what this is? WeÂ’ll reveal all on Tuesday...#Bentley #ContinentalGT pic.twitter.com/u3ltMdw4LI — Bentley Motors Comms (@BentleyComms) January 25, 2020 This is the latest fruit of BentleyÂ’s collaboration with Italian ski-maker Bomber Ski, with whom Bentley recently partnered to offer limited-edition co-branded $2,750 skis and a ski-and-drive experience in March in Telluride, Colorado and Park City, Utah, starting at a cool $17,950. Bomber Ski counts former U.S. skiing phenom and Olympic gold medalist Bode Miller as one of its principals. WeÂ’ve seen the No. 9 on a Bentley before, with the limited-edition Number 9 Edition by Mulliner unveiled last March as part of BentleyÂ’s centennial celebration. The number nods to the No.

Audi CEO's Dieselgate arrest threatens fragile truce among VW stakeholders

FRANKFURT — The arrest and detention of Audi's chief executive forces Volkswagen Group's competing stakeholders to renegotiate the delicate balance of power that has helped keep Audi CEO Rupert Stadler in office. Volkswagen's directors are discussing how to run Audi, its most profitable division, following the arrest of the brand's long-time boss on Monday as part of Germany's investigations into the carmaker's emissions cheating scandal. The supervisory board of Audi, meanwhile, has suspended Stadler and appointed Dutchman Bram Schot as an interim replacement, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. Schot joined the Volkswagen Group in 2011 after having worked as president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Italia. He has been Audi's board member for sales and marketing since last September. The discussions risk reigniting tensions among VW's controlling Piech and Porsche families, its powerful labor representatives and its home region of Lower Saxony. VW has insisted the development of illegal software, also known as "defeat devices," installed in millions of cars was the work of low-level employees, and that no management board members were involved. U.S. prosecutors have challenged this by indicting VW's former chief executive Martin Winterkorn. Stadler's arrest raises further questions. Audi and VW said on Monday that Stadler was presumed innocent unless proved otherwise. Munich prosecutors detained Stadler to prevent him from obstructing a probe into Audi's emissions cheating, they said on Monday. Stadler is being investigated for suspected fraud and false advertising. Here are the main factors deciding the fate of Audi. Background: Audi's role in Dieselgate Volkswagen Group was plunged into crisis in 2015 after U.S. regulators found Europe's biggest carmaker had equipped cars with software to cheat emissions tests on diesel engines. The technique of using software to detect a pollution test procedure, and to increase the effectiveness of emissions filters to mask pollution levels only during tests, was first developed at Audi. "In designing the defeat device, VW engineers borrowed the original concept of the dual-mode, emissions cycle-beating software from Audi," VW said in its plea agreement with U.S. authorities in January 2017, in which the company agreed to pay a $4.3 billion fine to reach a settlement with U.S. regulators.