2012 Bentley Mulsanne on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Bentley Flying Spur breaches in Beluga spec

Bentley did what it could to improve the styling on the Flying Spur, but if you're still of the impression that it's still a bit of a whale in its form, you may want to check out the new Beluga Specification. Available now to order on the eight-cylinder Flying Spur worldwide, the Beluga Specification features a number of upgrades designed to make Crewe's sedan look and feel more "athletic" inside and out. A unique set of 20-inch wheels and a gloss black grille distinguish the exterior, while the cabin is treated to piano black veneer, knurled shift paddles, contrast stitching, and finer carpets. Those looking to splurge (this is a Bentley, after all) can combine this package with the Mulliner Driving Specification and get 21-inch wheels along with other interior upgrades. Related Video: NEW BENTLEY FLYING SPUR BELUGA SPECIFICATION Jun 18, 2015 - New optional specification affords luxury four-door sedan an enhanced athletic stance - Striking exterior and interior styling cues boost visual appeal - Features 20" alloys, gloss black radiator and cabin styling highlights - Available exclusively on 4.0-litre twin-turbo Flying Spur V8 models (Crewe, 18 June, 2015) Bentley Motors is launching a new specification level exclusively for its Flying Spur V8 model – Beluga Specification. The contemporary trim level affords the Flying Spur sedan a more athletic stance and purposeful visual appeal. Featuring exclusive 20" Black and Bright machined alloy wheels, a gloss black radiator matrix and a body-coloured lower grille bar, the Beluga specification is the perfect enhancement for a modern performance saloon that perfectly blends craft and comfort. Inside the Flying Spur V8's sumptuous handcrafted cabin, buyers will find swathes of piano black veneer, knurled gear shift paddles, contrast stitching to the luxurious seats and steering wheel as well as deep pile floor mats and boot carpet with contrasting leather binding. When customers also specify the highly popular Mulliner Driving Specification, in combination with Beluga specification, the striking 21" 6-spoke Extrovert wheel is included. The Mulliner Driving Specification includes features such as diamond quilted hides, a knurled gear lever, drilled alloy pedals and an indented hide headlining. In 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 guise it develops 507 PS (500 bhp), sprinting from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds) while at the same time offering a single-tank range of 500 miles.

U.S. issues new tariff threat, this time against British-built cars

WASHINGTON — Britain is the United States' closest ally but their long friendship may be sorely tested as the two countries try to forge a new trade agreement after Britain's exit from the European Union. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday in London that he was optimistic that a bilateral deal with Britain could be reached as soon as this year. But Mnuchin gave up no ground after a second meeting with his UK counterpart, Sajid Javid. Javid has insisted that Britain will proceed with a unilateral digital services tax, despite a U.S. threat to levy retaliatory tariffs on British-made autos. Mnuchin told reporters after Saturday's meeting that such taxes would discriminate against big U.S. tech companies like Alphabet Inc's Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon. The UK Treasury declined to comment on the private meeting. The divide highlights the challenges ahead as the Trump administration seeks a new bilateral agreement with Britain, part of a broader push to rebalance relations with nearly all its major trading partners. The stakes are high — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pegged the trade deal with United States as a way to ease the pain of breaking with Europe, Britain's largest trade partner. U.S. President Donald Trump, has promised a "massive" trade deal to support Brexit, the product of a populist movement similar to his "America First" agenda. The goodwill and special relationship the two countries have enjoyed for decades may not count for much, experts say. "Trump is not going to be doing Johnson any favors," said Amanda Sloat, a senior fellow with the Brookings Institution in Washington. "He's not going to give him a trade deal without major concessions." Even before the digital tax issue arose, the Trump administration threatened to tax foreign car imports, which could hit British-made Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini, and Honda Civic hatchback cars. Stiff U.S. trade demands include increased access for U.S. farm goods, concessions that will be difficult for Britain's entrenched natural food culture to swallow. The United States also wants Britain to change the way its National Health Service prices drugs and allow in more U.S. pharmaceuticals, which could prove politically unpopular for Johnson's government. Washington's demand that London block Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co Ltd for national security reasons could also cloud talks.

2012 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn offers a tutorial in cars to come

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is a showcase for some of the world's most exquisite vintage vehicles, but if newer metal is more your speed, the Concept Car Lawn is the place to be.
This year saw models from Bugatti, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren and Bentley as well as SRT, Hennessey, Infiniti and Lexus among others. The ultimate sampler platter of exotic and concept vehicles saw the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse mingle with the Lamborghini Urus Concept and the mighty Hennessey Venom GT, though we found ourselves particularly smitten with the BMW Zagato Roadster and the Aston Martin Vanquish.
Not that we could go wrong anywhere we looked. The 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed seemed perfectly content parked on the manicured putting green, as did the McLaren MP4-12C Spider. Get cozy with the full gallery below to see the smattering of metal on the lawn.