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Bentley SUV to cost over $220k, fix 'problem' of inexpensive competitors

There's no shock in finding out that a new Bentley is going to be expensive; it kind of goes with the territory. However, company boss Wolfgang Dürheimer is indicating that its upcoming SUV could create a whole new rung of pricing for luxury utility vehicles.
While speaking with Autocar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Dürheimer let slip that the company's forthcoming SUV would have a price of 130,000 pounds or more ($220,000 at current US exchange rates). Thankfully, the Bentley boss further clarified the reason for such a high cost of entry. He said that the elite players in the field like the Porsche Cayenne or Land Rover Range Rover have prices that hit the European equivalent of about $220,000 for top-trim, fully-optioned models. "We aim to solve this problem," said Dürheimer to Autocar. While it's exceedingly rare for converted foreign MSRPs to equal the actual expense in the US, it looks to be at the very top end of the class.
That is a stratospheric figure, but the Bentley SUV already has some big rumors to live up to. The company is reportedly aiming for a 200-mile-per-hour top speed and may possibly offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain, as well. It's being pretty flagrant in evaluating the new vehicle too by plastering a promotional URL on its test mules (see above). They show the model with the brand's trademark circular headlights up front, and interior photos indicate a digital instrument panel. If Dürheimer is serious about that price, the company better pack the car with every bell and whistle it can find to justify it.

Bentley builds its final 6.75-liter V8, ending a 61-year production run

Bentley has just finished its very last 6.75-liter V8. While engines come and go, this is significant because Bentley has been building this engine, known as the L-series, for 61 years. This final engine will go in the 30th and last Bentley Mulsanne, a 6.75 Edition by Mulliner, marking the end of the flagship sedan. The L-series engine was first introduced in 1959, and according to Bentley, it was developed in order to develop more power than its existing inline-six without adding weight or taking up more space. The engine in fact weighed 30 pounds less than the six-cylinder, and it made about 180 horsepower. That original engine "only" had 6.2-liters of displacement, and it wasn't until 1971 that it would reach 6.75 liters thanks to increased stroke. This final version of the engine is significantly different from its fuel injection to its twin-turbochargers, but is based on the same design. And with 530 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque, it's the most powerful iteration of the engine. At 61 years, the Bentley engine is arguably the V8 with the longest production run. While the first-generation Chevy small block V8 was introduced earlier for the 1955 model year and is still built in crate engine form, GM stopped using it in production cars in 2002. Far fewer Bentley engines were built, though, with a total over 36,000, as opposed to the millions of Chevy small blocks in the world. Of course, volume is sort of the antithesis of what makes a Bentley a Bentley. With the 6.75-liter engine out of production, all of Bentley's engines are derived from VW Group engines, from its W12 to the plug-in hybrid V6. Related Video:    

Every Bentley Continental GT No. 9 Edition has Le Mans history built into its interior

Bentley is amidst a year-long celebration of its 100th birthday, and part of the festivities is the reveal of the "ultimate collector's version" of the new Continental GT. The Number 9 Edition by Mulliner is a highly customized tribute to Sir Henry Ralph Stanley 'Tim' Birkin and his "Blower" Bentley and includes a Le Mans artifact that gives the car an unattainable rarity. As seen in the photos, this Continental GT wears its name on its nose. The large 9 in the grille is a nod to the No. 9 4.5-liter Blower Bentley that Birkin raced at the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hours. What Bentley claims to be the iconic Bentley racer of the pre-war era had a supercharger that upped power from 110 brake horsepower to 175. Now, in 2019, part of that racecar will be in each of the 100 No. 9 Edition cars. Those familiar with the new Continental GT remember it features a "rotating display" within its dashboard. It can flip between a smooth piece of trim to the infotainment screen to an assembly of three dials and/or gauges. On the No. 9 Edition, the center gauge on the rotating display has a visible piece of the wooden seat from the 1930 Le Mans car. It can be seen at the 1:30 mark in the video below. It is just one piece of the custom interior that also features turned aluminum trim, and a British Jaeger clock face inspired by the Blower's original dials. Customers have the choice between Cumbrian Green or Beluga leather, which Bentley says have increased gloss levels. The seat headrests and the door panels have been debossed with Bentley's "B" logo, and the door sill plates have plaques marking, "1 of 100." A final touch of elegance is the 18-karat gold plating on the vent pull knobs. The No. 9 Edition comes in two colors: Viridian Green or Beluga Black. The 21-inch 10-spoke wheels can be ordered with color match, and several specialty badges have been added to the car, including "1919 to 2019" centenary badges that are seen on every Bentley built in 2019. The No. 9 comes standard with the Continental GT's Black Line package and the carbon bodykit package. Bentley made no mention of price, but considering only 100 will be built, they're likely already accounted for. The No. 9 Edition will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Featured Gallery Bentley Continental GT No. 9 Edition by Mulliner News Source: Bentley Geneva Motor Show Bentley Coupe Luxury Performance limited edition Mulliner