Repaireable Rebuildable Salvage Lot Drives Great Project Builder Fixer Loaded on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Prototype Bentley Continental GT bears EXP10-style taillights

The latest Bentley Continental GT our spy photographer has caught happens to be in an unusual blue hue, breaking with the convention of black painted prototypes. It still features clever camouflage, including faux light covers. We already knew that the traditional quad lamps were hidden underneath, but it turns out that the true shape of the taillights were also obscured. Rather than an evolution of the current units, the new taillights seem to be slim, partial oval units similar to those on the EXP10 Speed 6 concept. We can finally see this shape since the lights are illuminated in two of the photos. Aside from the taillights, there are a couple other details that have been revealed. The car's retractable rear spoiler is seen in action. There also seem to be faux body panels covering the front and rear fenders. Upon very close inspection, you can see some odd lumpy portions in these areas that don't follow the lines of the car, and nearby are some faint seams. We can infer that the actual height of the front and rear fenders will be a bit lower and more understated than they appear in these photos. Previous spy photos have shown that there is a convertible version in the works that will likely be released around the same time as, or soon after, the coupe. The car will use the Panamera platform, and it will likely be offered with 8- and 12-cylinder engines, as it is now. Related Video:

Top London design students imagine Bentley in 2050

Imagination is the birthplace of good design. Shapes, curves, and edges are formulated inside an artist's mind before spilling onto a sketchbook page and taking shape as an automobile. The Royal College of Art in London aims to nurture this within its mobility students. In a recent project, vehicle design students of the MA Intelligent Mobility program brainstormed how the future of Bentley Motors would transpire in physical form. The challenge asked, "What will British luxury mean in 2050?" In total, 24 designer hopefuls turned in designs to a judging panel of RCA teachers and members of the Bentley design team. These same teachers also helped the students throughout the process. Of the 24, only four designs were plucked and highlighted, seen in the concept sketches above. Eunji Choi's "Elegant Autonomy," which looks like a mesh between a luxury yacht and a grand piano, took a high-class approach to what driverless cars might look like. Jack Watson's "Stratospheric Grand Touring," the teardrop pod on legs, makes note that without the worry of travel difficulties, home could be literally anywhere. Irene Chiu's "Luxury Soundscapes," seen from the overhead and cockpit views, reimagines a car's cabin as a tranquil safe space. Kate NamGoong's "Material Humanity," which most resembles a current-age car while invoking historic Bentley design, offers a future where the way to stand out from the crowd will be to occasionally drive a combustion engine like "the old days." The rarity of such an engine will form a niche for craft exposed engines, much like is true of high-end watches. We think we like that one best *wink*. The intent for the Intelligent Mobility program is to lead the proclaimed third age of automotive design. It is meant to work toward a future of interconnected megacities, flying cars, driverless vehicles, and sustainable energy and materials. The biggest problem with the future? It'll have new innovations and worse problems even the human mind not be able to imagine. Related Video: Featured Gallery Future of Bentley, Royal College of Art View 16 Photos News Source: Royal College of Art Design/Style Green Bentley Autonomous Vehicles Luxury

Bentley designer calls Lincoln Continental concept a Flying Spur 'copy' [w/poll]

When you first laid eyes on the new Lincoln Continental concept, we'd wager you were likely impressed, because it's an impressive design. But if you also thought it looked familiar, you're in good company. According to Car Design News, design chief Luc Donckerwolke over at Bentley thinks the Lincoln concept bears more than a passing resemblance to another Continental: Bentley's own Flying Spur. "This behavior is not respectable. Building a copy like this is giving a bad name to the car design world," Donckerwolke told CDN, after posting some disparaging comments on Facebook and offering in jest to send over the tooling. "It is very disappointing, especially for an exclusive brand like Lincoln," added Sangyup Lee, his deputy for exterior design. The irony is further entrenched by the name, which Bentley only dropped from its Flying Spur in its latest iteration but still uses for the coupe and convertible models. Both automakers have a deeply routed history with the nameplate, but Lincoln's stretches back further, having first used the handle in 1939 before Bentley did in 1952. However it's not the nameplate that's the subject of controversy here, rather the design of the vehicle to which it's applied. So what do you think, did Lincoln borrow too heavily from its British counterpart? Related Video: