2006 Bentley Gt Coupe. 51k Miles. Radar Detector. Mansory Steering Wheel. Tuned. on 2040-cars

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Jay Leno's 1930 Bentley GJ 400 is a 27-liter monster

Jay Leno's Garage never fails to impress - and by that we mean both the YouTube channel and the actual place. The latest online bit features another truly insane vehicle. Leno's 1930 Bentley GJ 400 isn't actually a classic car and has few Bentley parts on it. It's really a modern custom with vintage looks and a 27-liter Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 engine for power. This machine is absolutely immense, and weighs over three tons.
The Merlin engine was one the workhorses of World War II-era planes. In the GJ 400, Leno believes the V12 is making around 650-700 horsepower. Although, he admits that it could probably be pushed to over 1,000 if someone wanted to. However, he clearly loves this behemoth just the way it is.
While the design is classic, the mechanicals are relatively modern. The engine is fuel injected, and power routes through an automatic transmission to the rear wheels. Many of the updated pieces are hidden as well. For example, what looks like a blower at the front actually disguises an oil cooler.

Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 coming, but not before hotter CUV

Bentley appears closer than ever to giving the green light for production to the curvaceous EXP 10 Speed 6 concept, but expect to see a hotter, more stylish crossover before the coupe arrives in showrooms. During the Bentayga launch, company CEO Wolfgang Durheimer hinted that both models would be perfect additions to the luxury brand's lineup, according to Car and Driver. The EXP 10 Speed 6's shapely design received glowing reviews when Bentley unveiled it at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, and customers prodded the automaker to manufacture the coupe. "We want to build on this and make it a reality," Durheimer told Car and Driver about the positive buzz, but the boss said he couldn't put a production date on the two-seater yet. Durheimer has made positive statements about the EXP 10 Speed 6's production chances before, but it might be 2020 before the coupe goes on sale because the company's board still needs to approve the model. Rumors suggest the possibility of an electric version with 400 to 500 horsepower from tech similar to the Porsche Mission E concept and a more traditional variant with a 600-hp twin-turbo V8. In the nearer term, we could get the first look at Bentley's high-performance crossover as a concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March, according to Auto Express. The model allegedly shares the Bentayga's platform but features a revised body with an arching, coupe-like roofline. The company would also add more power to the twin-turbo W12 to match the exterior's more aggressive look. Related Video:

VW makes $23K on every Porsche sold, more than Bentley or Lamborghini

It's a good time to be in the luxury car business. In Volkswagen Group's financial report for the 2013 fiscal year, it is revealed that that Porsche enjoyed an operating margin of 18 percent. That means the Stuttgart brand made on average about $23,200 per car sold, according to BusinessWeek. Bentley wasn't far behind, and Audi (which was combined with Lamborghini) posted a 10.1 percent margin. This compares to only around 2.9 percent for the Volkswagen brand.
"Luxury brands are on fire," said Dave Sullivan, an industry analyst at AutoPacific. He said that the average profit margin is between six and eight percent. Brands like Porsche and Bentley have the benefit of competing in rarefied markets. Buyers looking at one their vehicles have fewer models to shop against and don't care as much about price. They can also charge more for options, which further boosts income, according to BusinessWeek.
In a way, we should be more impressed by the continued success from Audi. Its models generally have direct competitors in every segment from the other premium automakers. Plus, their buyers aren't the captains of industry who are shopping for a Bentley. Still, the Four Rings is leading rivals in sales so far this year.