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Top horsepower-per-dollar cars in 2017

Bang for the buck. That quasi-scientific statistic is bandied about by motor heads everywhere from classrooms to barrooms, though the truth of the matter is that it's exceedingly complex to measure. A fair performance-per-dollar index would include something like cross-referencing MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) with point-to-point times on a track or driving route, which is obviously hard to do comprehensively. But, for the sheer joy of talking about cars and playing with a big spreadsheet, there's always the horsepower-per-dollar index, which is more straightforward, albeit hilariously flawed. There are vagaries even with this simple formula, of course: MSRP for vehicles can change at a moment's notice, to say nothing of the bottom-line shifting that happens with local deals or showroom negotiation. For this list we're running with the straight MSRP wherever possible, and as recently reported as we can get it. All the vehicles on this list are 2017 models, and all trims are reported where the lowest price and differing power levels intersect. Some choices were made for personal preference and some for sanity, avoiding things like all 48 trim levels of the Ford Transit, all with the same horsepower). If this list were a simple top ten, or even a top fifty, you'd be bored to tears with all the red, white and blue that is represented. Following perfectly with conventional wisdom, American cars really do lead the world where hp/$ is concerned. So, for the sake of variety (and the sheer joy of seeing a minivan 'win' one round of this thing) I've sorted out some top five and bottom five lists for broad power categories. Let's dive in. Less Than 100 Horsepower Okay, okay, this is hardly a category we'll grant you. But we've often tried to click off all the sub-100-hp cars on sale in the US, and making this list gave us an excuse. It also illustrates that none of these smallish vehicles bring cheap horsepower to the table - for that you'll need a motorcycle. The segment-leading Chevy Spark (above) asks just over $139 for each hp, and that Smart Fortwo Electric Drive has hp on sale for about the same price as its very distant family cousin, the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG (insert your favorite Smart joke here... we know you want to).

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

Bentley Continental, Mulsanne get Le Mans limited editions

Bentley is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with two special edition model. Both the Mulsanne and Continental lines can now be fitted with six new specification packages to mark the event, each named after a famous racer from the automaker's past. Each package one combines select exterior colors with with special interior combinations that pay homage to the gents who took the company's cars to victory in France.
John Duff, Dudley Benjafield, Woolf Barnato, Tim Birkin, Glen Kidston and Guy Smith all get their own namesake packages. You can see the full run down in the press release below. So far, there's no indication as to exactly how much each pack will cost, but we have a hard time imagining a dollar figure scaring off any potential buyers.