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Bentley builds a Continental GT as tribute to the car that inspired the model

Bentley is staying quite busy with its tribute models. It's built yet another 2023 Continental GT, in Azure trim, that's based on a notable past model. But unlike the Bathurst cars, this one appears to be just for Bentley, and it's based on a much older car: a 1953 R-Type Continental. More specifically, it's based on the 1953 R-Type Continental Bentley keeps in its historic fleet. It's a car that was purchased by the company in 2001 and has been maintained and preserved. The R-Type Continental is an important model for Bentley for a couple of reasons. It's a neat model on its own as a coupe version of the R-Type sedan that got a relatively light aluminum body, and its 4.6-liter straight-six could propel the Continental to nearly 120 mph. But it also was the inspiration for the first-generation Continental GT launched in 2003. So this special Continental GT Azure brings everything full circle. It's painted Old English White with a Cricket Ball leather interior to match the white-over-red of the '53 example. Bentley says the Burr Walnut wood trim with boxwood inlays was given a natural finish lacquer to match the aged wood on the old car. And as an Azure, this Continental GT comes with a variety of comfort-oriented features such as the active anti-roll bars and ultra-adjustable seats with massage. Under the hood is the standard twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 making 542 hp. Related video:

Bentley to unveil zero-emissions EXP 100 GT on July 10

Some people take part in excessive celebrations with a birthday week. Bentley went the extra mile and has been celebrating a full all-out birthday year, with a variety of special-edition models and events. The British manufacturer has been milking its centenary leading up to July 10, 2019, when it will unveil the EXP 100 GT, a zero-emissions autonomous car that Bentley bills as "the future of grand touring."  During the past year, Bentley has released Centenary Specifications for all of its models, a $250,000 book, the Continental GT Convertible No. 1 Edition by Mulliner, a Bentley Continental GT No. 9 Edition, and a Mulsanne W.O. Edition, all in honor of 100 years of the company. These special products have created a build-up toward one of Bentley's biggest launches ever in the EXP 100 GT.  The EXP 100 GT is expected to be Bentley's first electric car, but the EXP nomenclature indicates it will only be a concept, for now. It will also be autonomous, as the ultimate level of grand touring is supposedly having the choice to drive or be driven.  Bentley says it will be "a physical embodiment of the future brand," and will "set the new benchmark for luxury craftsmanship." This will be accomplished with "a fascinating array of materials," all of which are handcrafted to Bentley's over-the-top standards.  The unveiling event will be livestreamed on BentleyMedia.com, or enthusiasts can register for the event on a microsite called Extraordinary Journeys. The sheet is expected to be pulled at 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, July 10. 

Audi spearheads development of an ultra-luxurious EV code-named Landjet

The rumors claiming Audi wants to release a model positioned above the A8, and the reports of an ongoing electric car development program called Artemis internally, have seemingly converged. Citing sources inside the carmaker, a German media outlet reported the firm is busily creating a super-luxurious EV code-named Landjet. Audi is leading the development process, but sister companies Bentley and Porsche will reportedly receive their own version of the Landjet. All three models will likely take the form of three-row SUVs with generous dimensions. They'll be so big that none of Audi's production facilities will be able to manufacture them, according to an anonymous insider who spoke with German newspaper Handelsblatt. Luckily, Volkswagen makes vans, too. It's too early to tell what will power the Landjets. Audi assigned some of its most brilliant engineers to Project Artemis, and the technology they develop will permeate the three EVs before trickling down into cheaper models in the group. Expect high performance, a high driving range, and semi-automated driving technology. If the report is accurate, the Landjet vehicles will enter production in Hanover, Germany, by the end of 2024. The facility currently makes the Volkswagen Transporter, which is a direct descendant of the rear-engined Bus sold for decades, and it will start manufacturing the production version of the ID.Buzz concept in the coming years. Volkswagen hasn't commented on the report, and car companies rarely address speculation, but its Commercial Vehicles division released a statement in November 2020 that confirms the Hanover site will begin building SUVs about halfway through the 2020s. It's a major shift for a factory normally tasked with manufacturing vans. "Our main plant in Hanover is becoming the production site for three completely new premium electric vehicles in the Group. These D-SUVs are genuine flagship projects: premium, 100% electric, and highly automated," said Carsten Intra, the head of Volkswagen's Commercial Vehicles division, in a statement. He added the firm will invest about 680 million euros (about $807 million) to build a new assembly line, among other upgrades.