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Bentley designer hints at even faster Continental GT3-R

Does Bentley have room in its Continental GT lineup for an even more extreme version than the new GT3-R? Luc Donckerwolke seems to think so. Speaking with Autocar, the Bentley design chief suggested that an even more performance-focused Continental GT could be in the works, potentially ditching the heavy all-wheel drive system in an effort to further reduce weight, improve handling and drop even more ticks off the 0-60 time that's already down to a best-yet 3.6 seconds in the GT3-R.
To borrow a page from the same playbook used not only by sister-companies Audi and Porsche but also by Renault and Jaguar (to name just a few), we'll tentatively call it the Continental GT3-RS. Whatever the name, though, power would likely come from an even more potent version of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 co-developed with sister-company Audi. Considering that engine already produces 500 horsepower in the Continental GT V8, 521 hp in the V8 S and 572 hp in the GT3-R, we could be looking at as much as 600 horses to make it the most powerful V8 model to date. With that much juice, it would even eclipse some of the W12 models that start at 567 hp in the core Continental GT and range up to the 616 hp in the Speed, which currently ranks not only as the most powerful Conti yet, but also the fastest road car Bentley has ever made.
Donckerwolke says that Bentley has already sold the entire production run for the Continental GT3-R and that customers are already clamoring for something more focused. Younger buyers are likely to be even further drawn to the brand by the ne-plus-ultra Conti, especially if the racing team advanced from its current fifth place in the Blancpain Endurance Series standings.

First production Bentley Bentayga rolls off the line

Three-and-a-half years after we got a view of the initial concept that led us here, the Bentley EXP 9 F, the first production Bentley Bentayga has left the production line in Crewe. The Anthracite-colored crossover is the culmination of four years of work and an 840-million-pound investment that added a new bodystory, new paint shop, new assembly line, and 1,500 jobs to the company's workforce. Customer deliveries begin next month, and with the order book approaching 6,000 units, sightings of the Bentagya everywhere will commence not long after that. The brand has the segment to itself until Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, and Lamborghini can bring their efforts to market, and after having driven it and found it really rather good, Bentley should profit handsomely from its position. Next spring, the sharper, edgier, faster Bentley crossover that many were expecting should make an appearance and likely do just as well, if not better. For now, though, it's the Bentagya show. The press release below has more. Related Video: FIRST BENTLEY BENTAYGA ROLLS OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE- Sector-defining SUV designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe- Car marks significant UK manufacturing investment- First Bentayga to join Bentley's famous Heritage Collection(Crewe, 27 November 2015) The very first production Bentley Bentayga, the catalyst for one of the biggest investment programmes in the company's history, today left the assembly line at Bentley's iconic headquarters in Crewe, UK.Four years on from the initial concept stage, during which time over 1,500 UK jobs have been created, the car - part of an GBP840 million investment programme - will now enter full production, with deliveries to customers starting in January 2016.Wolfgang Durheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, said: "Bentley Bentayga will be the benchmark against which all other SUVs are measured, defining a new segment – the luxury SUV."This car is a celebration of UK manufacturing at its very best, not only reinforcing our commitment to industry in this country, job creation and significant investment, but to our home in Crewe. This is an important moment in our history, where we reflect and celebrate, but also look ahead to delivering this extraordinary car to our customers."I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues from all parts of the business for their dedication and professionalism in delivering the Bentley Bentayga.

Volkswagen breaks 40-year-old sales record in 2012

The last time Volkswagen moved this many vehicles in America in one year, Richard Nixon was still a President in good standing, Let It Be was a radio hit and each car wearing the VW badge boasted an air-cooled engine. That's right, with a grand total of 580,286 vehicles sold in the US last year, the VW Group has broken its own four-decades-old sales record by 2,899 vehicles.
Of that 580k total sold, 438k were Volkswagens and 139k were Audi products - increases of 35.1 percent and 18.5 percent, respectively, in year-over-year sales. The ultra-premium members of the VW group also fared well; Bentley delivered 2,315 vehicles for a 23.3-precent increase, and Lamborghini delivered 520 units for a 52.9-percent jump. Bugatti, we're told is "right on track."
Jetta (pictured) sales paced the marque with 170k models sold, and Passat also finished very strong with sales of 117k total. Tiguan also racked up its best year on file, with 31,731 models shifted.