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Volkswagen Group names Paefgen head of classics program

You may remember the name Franz-Josef Paefgen. Until recently, the German engineer and executive was head of both Bentley and Bugatti. Before that he was chief executive of Audi, after working for several years at Ford. He technically "retired" earlier this year, but like the cars he helped create, an executive like Paefgen could never really retire. So it should come as little surprise that the Volkswagen Group has named Dr. Paefgen head of its Classic program.
In his new capacity, Paefgen will oversee the historic automobile activities of the entire VW Group, including those of Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Audi, Lamborghini, and of course Bentley and Bugatti. It strikes us as a suitable semi-retirement for the man responsible in no small part for the Bugatti Veyron and Bentley Mulsanne, to name just two, and who was decorated in 2006 by the ACO as the "Spirit of Le Mans" for his contribution to endurance racing. Read the official announcement after the break.

Bentley designer says electric Bentley coming ‘not so far in the future’

Bentley lead designer Stefan Sielaff told Auto Express, "A full electric Bentley is something I am extremely convinced we have to do." He essentially confirms a Bentley EV by saying, "It will happen not so far in the future." We can look at the designer's comments as a near-final declaration on an undertaking the English carmaker's been considering for the past few years. Don't look for a production run of the EXP 12 6e concept shown at last year's Geneva Motor Show, though. Based on Sielaff's comments and a process of elimination, AE expects an electric four-door coupe. Instead of the PPE electric architecture Porsche and Audi are developing, Bentley would use the J1 architecture beneath the Mission E. The most powerful Mission E trim should put out close to 700 horsepower, a proper figure to begin discussions concerning an offering from The Flying B. A report from two years ago said a larger, 115-kW battery supplying two 375-horsepower motors in back and a 186-motor in front would give 936 hp and a potential 500-mile range. Beyond that, insiders supposedly spoke of a 150-kW battery to come in 2022, which would bring with it astronomical numbers. When asked what kind of vehicle Sielaff had in mind, the designer said he envisioned "a completely fresh and new development" that is "not imitating another concept." The alternative propulsion, Sielaff said, would give him and his team "a great chance to establish a completely new design language for the company." His ideal chariot would have four or five seats, "the possibility to carry a little bit of luggage," "a certain coupe style or sportivity," and definitely not an SUV. Those are about all the words one would use to describe a four-door coupe without saying the words "four-door coupe." Before the recent executive shuffle, previous brand CEO Wolfgang Durheimer told AE he expected a company EV to get around 600 hp and travel up to 310 miles on a charge. Wireless charging would be a major consideration as well, since grubby charging plugs don't mix well with white gloves. New brand boss Adrian Hallmark was told to invest in the brand instead of focusing exclusively on the numbers, and the EV initiative is about recasting Bentley as a luxury and technology brand, and appealing to younger customers. The next-generation Continental GT will get a PHEV drivetrain, and the Crewe manufacturer plans to have its entire range electrified by 2025.

2016 Bentley Bentayga in the buff [w/video]

Look, before you rush to the comments and start ranting about how ugly the Bentley Bentayga is, let's talk about how bad it could have been. Remember the EXP 9 F concept from Geneva a few years ago? You know, the one with the, as associate editor Jonathon Ramsey says, "cat anus headlights." Yeah. The production car doesn't look half bad now, does it? No matter, the Bentayga will probably be Bentley's best-selling model when it launches. And there's a lot to like, too – endless swaths of fine leather, super-luxurious seating for four or five, and a 600-horsepower, 12-cylinder engine. Plus, Bentley actually engineered the Bentayga to go off road, with various traction management modes to handle the rough stuff. Following the initial launch, Bentley will offer diesel, hybrid, and Speed versions of the Bentayga, as well as a seven-passenger version. We're also willing to bet the brand's 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 will find its way under the hood at some point, too. Get a load of the big gal in the gallery above, and scroll down for the press blast. It truly is the Bentley of SUVs. BENTLEY BENTAYGA: THE FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL, MOST LUXURIOUS AND MOST EXCLUSIVE SUV IN THE WORLD - A true Bentley, combining unparalleled luxury with sporting ability, off-road performance and everyday usability - Innovative and advanced technology – cutting-edge features with trademark exquisite luxury - Designed, engineered and built in Crewe, UK, sector-defining SUV takes Bentley luxury to new places - Sculptural design with elegant, timeless execution, balances athleticism with presence - Bentley workforce blend exceptional craft and skill with modern production techniques and materials - Intricate detailing and precision in wood, metal and leather creates a modern, luxurious handcrafted interior - Effortless Bentley performance, unrestrained by climate or terrain - A new highly advanced chassis for ultimate ride quality and comfort - All-new Crewe-built W12 offers unrivalled power and torque, efficiency and refinement, the most powerful and fastest SUV ever - Launch model is joined later by high performance, clean technology diesel and plug-in hybrid, as well as a seven seat option (Crewe, 9 September, 2015) Bentley Motors is today announcing full details of its pinnacle, sector-defining new model, the Bentayga. The Bentley Bentayga combines unparalleled luxury with effortless performance and everyday usability.