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Xcar asks why the W in the Bentley Continental GT

There aren't a lot of automakers producing V12 engines these days: There's BMW and Mercedes, of course, and the Rolls-Royces and Paganis they power. There's Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin. But the largest producer of twelve-cylinder engines doesn't make them in a V. That'd be Bentley, and it produces more dozen-piston engines than anyone else, but arranges them in a W configuration. It's a compelling story of innovation, one as interesting as the history of the marque itself. And Xcar tells the tale in its latest video installment, tracing it back to the development of the compact VR6 engine and the autocratic mastermind at the helm of the Volkswagen Group who made the W12 a reality. By this point it would be all too easy to consign the W12 to the dustbin of history as the smaller, more efficient and nearly as powerful V8 has slotted in below to push the W12 to the margins of relevance. But it's still the more refined option, and the more innovative one. Little wonder it's the only type of twelve-cylinder engine (the Aventador's notwithstanding) that the Volkswagen Group still makes.

Audi: record profit as 'biggest product initiative' in its history gets underway

Audi Group CEO Markus Duesmann   Even as the Audi Group (VOW.DE), VW’s luxury division, is in the midst of a huge EV transformation it still needs to perform where it counts — the bottom line. And so it is doing just that.  On Thursday the Audi Group - which is dominated volume-wise by Audi, but also includes Bentley, Lamborghini, and Ducati - posted record revenue and operating profit in 2022. That shouldnÂ’t be a surprise given what the industry has been seeing at the highest end of the market - record performances despite macroeconomic jitters across the globe. But that it's happening as the group is noteworthy.  “We are on the verge of the biggest product initiative in our history,” Audi Group CEO Markus Duesmann said at a news conference earlier on Thursday. “By 2025, we will have launched around 20 new models, more than 10 of which will be all-electric. We have set the course to go 100% electric. By 2027, we seek to offer an all-electric vehicle in each core segment.”   This is all part of Audi GroupÂ’s Vorsprung 2030 plan, which seeks to have all of the groupÂ’s new models be electric by 2026 — and to end traditional gas-powered engine production by 2033. To that end, the group saw EV deliveries jump 44% (in 2022) compared to 2021 to over 118,000 vehicles, with the share of EVs rising to 7.2% from 4.8% in the prior year. Audi is also launching its first EV using the PPE (premium platform electric), which was developed together with Porsche. That EV, the Audi Q6 e-tron, will be unveiled later this year. (Past Audi EVs shared corporate parent VWÂ’s electric platform.) “With the Audi Q6 e-tron, e-mobility is coming from Ingolstadt (Audi HQ) for the first time,” Duesmann said in a statement. “To this end, weÂ’re also building a dedicated battery assembly facility on site. This will enable us to retain important know-how here in Germany and train our employees in future fields.” AudiÂ’s German rivals of course are also leaning in hard on their EV transformations. That makes it all the more important that Audi get its EV strategy right—and launched in a timely manner.

High-end Bentley Bentayga Apex adds weight-saving carbon goodies, plus nice pinstripes

  Bentley is going on a carbon binge, by introducing the Bentayga Apex Edition, developed by its in-house Mulliner bespoke division and advertised as the Ñ’most dynamic-looking and driving Bentayga ever.Ò’ What’s novel about this crossover, which will be limited globally to only 20 units, is its reliance down low on lighter-weight carbon: 22-inch carbon rims that save a significant six kilograms each in unsprung mass over the standard items. And slotted behind those wheels, a set of carbon silicon discs, which Bentley says can offer improved braking performance, survive temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees, and shave another 20 kilos of weight compared to iron rotors. By employing weight reduction materials, the luxury British brand claims the Apex models achieve improved steering agility — that a carbon wheel does not flex on the road — as well as better braking response and less tire wear. As far as fashion elements for the limited-edition Apex, well-heeled customers will be able to choose from six ‘curated themes by Mulliner,” including Extreme Silver with Beluga stripe and Signal Yellow pinstripes, Pale Brodgar with Anthracite stripe and Bacalar bronze pinstriping, and Alpine Green with matching stripe and orange pinstripe. WeÂ’re especially enticed by Theme 1, comprised of an exterior in Candy Red satin, with a livery of Anthracite and Arctic White stripe and pinstripes in Arctic White. Bentley describes the interior thusly: “Arctic White main hide and Hotspur secondary hide are complemented by Arctic White contrast stitching and seat piping. This contrast colour can also be found framing the satin carbon fibre fascia and waistrails.” Design aside, the Apex Edition is based on the Bentayga S, which houses a 550-horsepower twin-turbo V8 with a top speed of 180 mph, with rear axle steering and active anti-roll technology. Most drivers would probably be satisfied with the common S model, which retails at a starting price of about $220,000. No pricing or availability for the Apex editions have yet been announced.