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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 EXP 10 Speed 6 gets positive reactions on auto show circuit

Bentley is in the midst of a world tour with its EXP 10 Speed 6 concept. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last month, the concept subsequently appeared in New York and now in Shanghai, and will stop in the Middle East on its way back home to England. The purpose: to gauge reactions from potential customers. And so far it's reportedly been pretty good. Speaking with Autocar in Shanghai this week, Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer said most of the potential buyers who spoke to the company after seeing the concept have encouraged Crewe to build it. The only adjustments it's been asked to make were to the front end. Those LED ring headlights look interesting, but would be unlikely to make production. And the grille would likely be more swept back than upright. The process is similar to how Bentley is evolving the EXP 9 F crossover concept into the production Bentayga. The company is listening to customers about what they like and don't like, and adjusting accordingly. Of course none of that means that the EXP 10 Speed 6 will actually see production. It would still need the green light from parent company Volkswagen, which has been cutting back on development spending lately. And with the Bentayga yet to reach showrooms, Bentley has its hands full at the moment. But the segment in which this luxury GT would compete – against the likes of Aston Martin and Maserati – is not one where the VW group really participates at the moment. Neither Lamborghini, Audi nor Porsche have a front-engined sports car in this segment, with only Bentley's own Continental GT coming close. The potential to take a slice of a different pie could prove enough to convince the powers in Wolfsburg to sign off on the EXP 10 Speed 6, especially if it can be based on an existing architecture and shared with other divisions. Related Video:

Bentley shows plug-in hybrid concept ahead of Beijing, will power SUV in 2017

From its more mainstream, popular origins in the original Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, the hybrid powertrain has worked its way up to the the corner office, the big chair, the top slot in the corporation. Bentley has announced that it will introduce a plug-in hybrid option on its SUV due in 2017. Before then, we'll see what an electrically assisted Bentley looks like at the Beijing Motor Show when the Crewe automaker shows off a copper-accented Mulsanne that's been reworked into its Hybrid Concept, pictured above.
We don't have any official specs just yet, the only major announcement being that any Bentley hybrid will be able to travel at least 50 kilometers (31 miles) on pure electric thrust and get a power boost of "up to" 25 percent from its electric side. We use the phrase "any Bentley hybrid" because the company's CEO says "we will gradually introduce this powertrain across our model range" to 90 percent of the brand's lineup.
We'll know more when the Beijing show commences. For now, there's the press release below and the high-res gallery above.