2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur 4dr Sedan Awd on 2040-cars

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VW Group shareholders demand Bentley return to profit

The Volkswagen Group's main shareholders are giving British ultraluxury division Bentley an ultimatum to turn around its finances and start earning a profit. The Piech and Porsche families did not say what would happen if the brand fails to return to the black, but they said it should happen within two years. "The important thing is for every (VW Group) brand to generate a reasonable contribution again," Wolfgang Porsche told the subscription-only Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, as relayed by Automotive News. "That is not currently the case at Bentley, and we are not satisfied." Volkswagen Group has not yet issued its report for full-year 2018, but Bentley had lost the equivalent of $157 million through the first nine months on an 11 percent decline in sales. In 2017, Bentley sold 10,566 vehicles globally, with revenue down 9.2 percent from 2016. VW Group apparently cites the slow rollout of the Continental GT and the British pound's lower value amid Brexit talks, which makes the many parts it sources from continental Europe more expensive, as among the reasons. A German study last summer claimed that Bentley lost a little more than $19,000 on each car. Adrian Hallmark started as CEO in February 2018 after heading global brand strategy for Jaguar. Bentley in 2018 released the all-new 2019 Continental GT after a nine-month delay, and it revealed the GTC convertible version in Los Angeles. Hallmark has said 2019 "is a conversion year to a better business model" after a year plagued by problems that also included European WLTP certification. He announced last year the luxury brand would no longer build new sports cars, though the brand says it's still committed to the idea of the two-door GT. Bentley has also said it wants electrified versions of all its models by 2025, which will be an expensive proposition and will likely including plug-in hybrid versions of current models.

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.

Bentley releases special Pikes Peak edition Bentayga

Hot on the heels of its SUV class Pikes Peak record, Bentley is dedicating a special Limited Edition to the hill climb-prepared Bentayga. 10 specially outfitted cars will bear the Pikes Peak Bentayga name and badging. The 10 cars will all have the six-liter twin turbo W12 engine with 600 horsepower, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a permanent four-wheel-drive system. There's adaptive air suspension and Bentley's 48V Dynamic Ride active anti-roll system. However, not all of the cars will be finished in the dazzling Radium Satin lime green, as Beluga Black paint is also an option. The carbon bodykit is standard, as is a Mulliner interior package with lime-colored accents and Alcantara on the seats, the door cards and the steering wheel. On the dash is a green motif of the Pikes Peak course, and a matching counterpart can also be seen on the front fenders. The wheels are also two-tone, painted in Beluga with lime green accents. The Pikes Peak edition Bentayga will be available to be ordered both in the United States and Europe from August onwards. We expect a majority of the limited edition cars to find owners across the pond from Crewe. Related Video: Featured Gallery Bentley Bentayga Pikes Peak Edition Image Credit: Bentley Bentley SUV Luxury Performance pikes peak bentley bentayga