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Bentley Bentayga crossover prototype keeps on strippin'

The Geneva Motor Show is over, and the stunning EXP 10 Speed 6 concept has had its moment in the limelight. But now it's back down to business for Bentley. That means working on getting its new Bentayga crossover to market, and from these latest spy shots, it seems that's exactly what the British automaker is up to. Pictured here wearing less clothing than ever before, the Bentayga looks pretty darn near ready for its debut. The pre-production prototype even has its full leather seats in place, with plastic covers to protect them as the development drivers (like the one trying his darnedest to block the shots) do their thing. Of course there are still some parts hidden from view, with thin foil covering the headlights, taillamps and rear quarter windows. There's also something weird going on with those gills on the rear door. And the wheels are likely to be replaced as the rest of the trim is installed. But by and large, what you see here is what the production version is expected to look like, sans the polish. Related Video:

Car-crazy 5-year-old boy writes automakers for treasures, gets big response

Part of the beauty of children is that they can find worth in something adults might deem unworthy or overlook entirely. Five-year-old Patch Hurty didn't see garbage or a broken piece of a car when he spotted a Ford badge lying on the side of a road. He saw an artifact, a souvenir, a start to a collection he could only dream of. Ezra Dyer of Popular Mechanics tells the story of Patch and his quest to turn that one lost badge into a museum of manufacturer logos. According to the article, Hurty is a car fanatic through and through, even using car names as a way of learning to read. After finding the Ford badge near his Connecticut home, he and his mom put together a plan to reach out to dozens of automakers, confessing his love of things on four wheels. In each letter, Patch assembled a picture of himself standing next to one of the cars, and a penny to pay for whatever he hoped was sent his way. The response was unexpectedly and overwhelmingly positive. Of the more than 50 letters he sent out, including to obscure or defunct companies such as Bugatti, Suzuki, and Saturn, a majority responded with warm notes and some type of souvenir. Two of the coolest responses came from Lincoln and Bentley. Lincoln sent a sketch of a Continental (all car lovers enjoy drawing cars, right?), and Bentley sent a wheel center cap. How awesome is that? The story reminds us of something that can easily be lost in all of the negativity involved with the auto industry: Everybody is in this because of a common infatuation with automobiles. For more details on the souvenirs Patch received and accompanying photos, read the rest of the story. Related Video: News Source: Popular Mechanics Read This Bentley Bugatti Ford Lincoln Saturn Suzuki

The next Bentley Mulsanne could go all-electric

How many Bentleys are sold in China, anyway?* That's a question worth asking after the company said it will consider switching the powertrain of its uber-luxe sedan Mulsanne to all-electric from its current gas-guzzling V8 setup. Such a switch would be in the name of adhering to stricter greenhouse-gas emissions limits, especially in countries like China. Bentley executive Hans Holzgartner told Autocar that the company may soon have problems selling a V8-powered Mulsanne in China because government regulators are attempting to push for more zero-emissions vehicles to combat smog problems in the country's largest cities. Oddly, Holzgartner said an electric powertrain is "better suited" to heavier luxury cars than lighter sports cars because of an electric motor's smooth, instant delivery of torque. With the Mulsanne already priced north of $300,000 in the US, passing on the costs of such a huge battery pack will probably be less of an issue than for more typically-priced models. Of course, there would be a ton (almost literally) of battery cells involved. The Mulsanne tips the scales at almost 6,000 pounds, or almost twice the weight of a Nissan Leaf and about 25 percent more than a Tesla Model S. For those curious how the one-percenters live, take a look at Autoblog's recent drive of a Mulsanne Speed. Since this is just being studied at this point, it's possible the next Mulsanne could get a battery-electric or plug-in hybrid version for certain markets, while others would retain a gas engine or offer a choice. Assuming it keeps the gas option, the next Mulsanne will reportedly to switch to a twelve-cylinder engine, likely a version of the Volkswagen Group's W12. As for green cred, let's just say the Mulsanne's couldn't be much worse. Earlier this year, the Mulsanne showed up on the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's (ACEEE) annual list of "meanest" vehicles when it came to environmental sustainability. The Bentley was rated the fourth-meanest vehicle sold in the US, following the Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG, the Chevrolet G2500 Express/GMC Savana, and the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG. The EPA rates the Mulsanne's fuel efficiency at an absolutely gasoline-swilling 13 miles per gallon combined. * If you're curious, Bentley sold 1,615 cars in China last year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Bentley Mulsanne: First Drive View 24 Photos News Source: Autocar via Hybrid CarsImage Credit: Drew Phillips Green Bentley Electric