10 Ice White 6l W12 Awd Speed *red Diamond Pleated Seats W/ Contrast Z Stitching on 2040-cars

Auto blog

VW Group to split brands under four holding companies

The Volkswagen Group is planning a tremendous shift in its internal structure that will decentralize operations by splitting its 12 brands into four different holding companies. Here's the breakdown. Things will be split logically, considering the inter-sharing of parts, platforms, and engines. The Volkswagen brand, Seat, and Skoda make up a passenger vehicle division led by former BMW man Herbert Diess. Audi, which is tightly intertwined with Lamborghini and motorcycle manufacturer Ducati, will be managed by current Audi exec Rupert Stadler. Porsche and Bentley, which are already quite close, will be joined by Bugatti and run by Matthias Mueller. Finally, a commercial vehicles division will include Volkswagen Commercial, Scania, and Man. Former Daimler exec Andreas Renschler will take care of the big vehicles. The massive move, according to Automotive News Europe, is part of an internal VAG effort to move away from the structure established by ousted Chairman Ferdinand Piech, who favored a compact, but highly centralized, management structure to oversee the independent actions of the company's brands. Criticism of Piech's arrangement stemmed from the company's slow responses to changes in the market, ANE reports. The new structure should make for a more efficient, streamlined company that's better able to make crucial decisions. What are your thoughts? Should VAG decentralize, or did Piech have the right idea? Have your say in Comments.

Bentley offers very small ride for very small drivers

There’s a new Bentley on the horizon. It has no motor, no transmission. No touchscreen, no windscreen. In fact, it's a convertible, sort of, and instead of zero-to-60 times, thereÂ’s a zero-to-whatever time, depending on the age of the driver; five years old is about right. Considering its a Bentley, the price of its Mulliner Tricycle on sale in the UK—about $750--is a bargain, at least in Bentley terms. Of course, consider that a Big Wheel “Rally Racer” edition costs $112 at WalmartÂ….well, a Big Wheel hasnÂ’t got leather seats, a plush, quilted handle bag, a sun canopy and—deal-maker—a Bentley-badged seat-belt buckle. The so-called “6-in-1 Trike” was inspired by the brandÂ’s Mulliner bespoke division, which allows buyers to customize a Bentley with gold organ-stop buttons, “pinstripe” wood veneers or to upholster seats in “Cherry Blossom hides.” The three-wheeler may lack those exotic options, but it does include air-pumped wheels, anti-slide metal pedals, and a safety seat with “soft inserts” that “simulates the shape of the car seat and ensures extra comfort for children.” Advertised as accommodating kids aged from six months, the tricycle converts—see? We told you!—to a stroller, with the seat facing the designated adult driver. No word yet on the vehicleÂ’s availability in the States. Toys/Games Bentley

2022 Bentley Continental GT Mulliner steps to the top of the line

The shifting in the lineups coming out of Crewe continues with the reveal of the Bentley Continental GT Mulliner. The English luxury maker introduced the most recent GT Mulliner two years ago when there were still a 626-horsepower standard W12 and a 650-horsepower GT Speed. With the GT Speed now the only W12, the introduction of the indulgent Azure trim "for those prioritizing wellbeing and on-board comfort," and the arrival of the coming V8-powered S models, the new Mulliner steps in at the head of the pack. Starting from the bottom, the current Continental Range is the V8, Azure, S, Speed, and Mulliner. What does a buyer get with the flagship Conti? The GT Speed chassis dressed in Mulliner jewelry and coachwork. The 6.0-liter W12 makes 650 horses and 664 pounds of twist, clocking 3.5 seconds from standstill to 60 miles per hour, acceleration unwilling to relent until 208 miles per hour. Dynamism at less furious speeds benefits from adaptive dampers, an electronic limited-slip differential on the rear axle, all-wheel steering, and brake-based torque vectoring.  The cosmetic package is effectively handed down from the previous version, which we can't find fault with. The double diamond matrix grille stands proud up front, wearing either bright chrome or the Mulliner Blackline Specification gloss black. The are also specific 22-inch Mulliner wheels, satin silver mirror caps shrouding Mulliner welcome lamps, and illuminated treadplates. The interior picks up unique three-way colorways that rearrange the way primary, secondary, and tertiary colors are split throughout the cabin. Mulliner offers eight standard combinations all lashed up with diamond quilting, paired with 88 choices in Piano wood veneers and heaps of thread options for the contrast and accent stitching. Gauges in the digital instrument cluster have been designed with a technical finish to go along with the diamond milling on the center console. Even the occupants' feet get treated to floor mats edged in complementary piping. Overhead, roofs without the panoramic glass get trimmed with indented hide, roofs with the glass top get smooth hides. For now, the Continental GT V8 Mulliner remains available. The new model debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed along with the S trim and the first historic Blower Continuation, called Blower Car Zero, and it can all be livestreamed here.