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Bentley shows Mulsanne Speed 'Blue Train' by Mulliner

Bentley is honoring its racing heritage with a new, very limited-edition version of its Mulsanne Speed sedan. It's called the Blue Train, and it was created to remember the victory of the company's iconic Speed Six in 1930. In that contest, Bentley Chairman Woolf Barnato accepted a challenge to not only beat the high-speed Le Train Bleu from Cannes to Calais, but that he could be in London by the time the train reached the English Channel. Barnato won the race, and from then on, the car he drove was known as the Blue Train Bentley. The spiritual successor to that Speed Six, just four Mulsanne Speeds were handed to Mulliner for another of the coachbuilder's Limited Edition treatments. Exterior upgrades are kept simple, with unique black wheels, a menacing, almost steel-blue paint and grilles that look slightly darkened. In all, it's pretty simple. Interior changes are limited, with Bentley saying the fluting on the door panels is based on the Barnato's Speed Six, while the wood veneer on the dash has an image of the race winner on it. In back, there's a personalized "hamper" (picnic basket, to us Yanks) that's been finished in Burnt Oak and Camel leather, so that it matches the interior. Inside, demanding owners are treated to "Robbe and Berking silver plated cutlery, Haviland Limoges porcelain crockery, Linley crystal champagne flutes and a 100-percent Angora picnic rug, woven in Scotland." Naturally, there are Blue Train details on things like the silverware holders. "The fact that we are producing just four of these Limited Editions is highly significant, as Barnato famously made it to the club in London four minutes before the train arrived in Calais," Bentley's regional director for Europe, Robert Engstler, said in a statement. "The unique design elements bring back nostalgic memories of one of the most legendary Bentleys of all times." We only have a pair of images of the newest Blue Train Bentley right now, and just one of the actual exterior of the vehicle itself. It's a looker, to be sure. Check it out, and then scroll down for the official press release from Bentley.

Former Lamborghini designer reportedly headed to Hyundai

Luc Donckerwolke (pictured above) only left his position as the Director of Design for Bentley in early June, but he might have already had a new gig lined up as he was walking out the door. Donckerwolke is reportedly teaming up with former Volkswagen Group styling bigwig Peter Schreyer at Hyundai Motor, in a position to eventually take over the look of all of the Korean brands' vehicles. At the moment, this major hire for Hyundai and Kia is still just a rumor, though, and the Korean automaker is playing it close to the vest. Company spokesperson Jim Trainor tells Autoblog, "We do not comment on speculation concerning potential appointments." However, insiders tell Automotive News that the deal is the reason for Donckerwolke walking away from his long career among VW's brands. In Korea, Donckerwolke would hold a position under Schreyer at first, and he would take over Hyundai and Kia's design duties when Schreyer retires, which is expected in about two years. Donckerwolke joined the German automotive giant in 1992 and eventually came to define the modern look of Lamborghini by penning both the Murcielago and Gallardo. In 2011, he became the Head of Advanced Design for VW Group and took over styling duties at Bentley in 2012. Schreyer left a fruitful career at VW Group, including penning the original Audi TT, to join Kia in 2006. He gained the overall design duties for the Hyundai and Kia brands in 2012. Ousted VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech once said that he was regretful of losing the talented stylist. Related Video:

Bentley testing new SUV in Audi Q7's clothes

Sure, this looks largely like an Audi Q7. What if we told you, though, that it was actually a Bentley? This may be one of the very first sets of images we've seen of the aristocratic brand's SUV. Based on the borrowed Audi bodywork, however, testing appears to be in the early stages.
While it may look like an Audi Q7, there are a number of giveaways. One of the more subtle are the British number plates, in place of the traditional German plates that would be found were this a mule for the next Q7. Other changes are more noticeable. According to our spies, this mule is much wider, while its fenders have also been enlarged to accommodate larger wheels and tires.
Out back, four exhaust pipes jut out from the lower fascia, while larger brakes are hidden behind black wheels. The big indicator that this is something special, though, can be seen in the front fascia. The heavily modified front clip is home to two massive intakes below the headlights. According to our spies, these conceal a pair of intercoolers. Whether they are for Bentley (and Audi's) twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 or the 6.0-liter W12 is unclear.