2014 Bentley Continental Gt Gt V8 Convertible on 2040-cars

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Bentley's idea of future luxury includes holographic butler

Anybody can daydream, and British carmaker Bentley is no exception. Their vision of an autonomous luxury car is taken so far into the future that it will come with a hologram of a butler. This isn't just a fan-made, Photoshopped image designed to stir a little fantasy, but an official image released by Bentley depicting what their cars might look twenty years from now. The "Future of Luxury" concept image is the work of Bentley's design team, headed by German Stefan Sielaff. Sielaff has worked with Audi and Volkswagen interior design for decades, with a short interim over at Mercedes-Benz's Interior Competence Center. Sielaff has been at Bentley since 2015, and his team is hard at work conceiving the direction of luxury cars in the semi-distant future. Even if Bentley is traditionally closer to Alec Guinness than Princess Leia, a holographic interface is an interesting glimpse into the science fiction thought process of today's car design. Other touches seen in the interior concept image have to do with mood lighting, screensaver-style images displayed on the side panels, and a touchscreen music interface that appears to display Beck's 2005 album Guero. Still, 2036 isn't that far in the future that a Bentley passenger wouldn't take the time to write a few letters by hand. Related Video: Featured Gallery Bentley Future of Luxury Concept Auto News Design/Style Bentley Technology Emerging Technologies Gadgets Infotainment Concept Cars Future Vehicles Luxury

Bentley considering smaller coupe

Only halfway through the year, Bentley reports that it's on track to post record sales. Thanks in no small part to the introduction of its new V8 engine in the Continental family, sales are up nearly a quarter over last year. And they only stand to increase even more with the introduction of new models currently in the pipeline. The upcoming SUV will surely form a large part of that, but it won't be the end of the story for the storied marque.
Car and Driver reports that, after the SUV, Bentley plans to introduce a new coupe line below the Continental to square off against the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Details are few and far between at this point, but considering how much Bentley manages to do with the relatively heft Continental GT, a lighter and more nimble sports car sounds promising.
In related news, rumors are gathering pace that Bentley is planning to introduce a new Mulsanne Speed at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, its Jurassic-era 6.75-liter V8 massaged from 505 horsepower - already the most that engine has produced in its half-century history - up to around 550.

What's that smell? It's a Bentley Boy

The modern Bentley Boy finally has something fitting to wear underneath his scarf and ulster: the fragrance in the Lalique for Bentley Crystal Edition or the Bentley for Men and Bentley for Men Intense scents. French crystal house Lalique designed a limited edition flacon shaped like the Flying B company mascot that contains an eau de parfum created by the French perfume house Robertet. That fragrance is "fine woody notes and exquisite leather" enhanced by orris butter. Only 999 flacons will be made, going on sale in April for 3,000 pounds (3,500 euro, $4,572 US) for a 40-ml bottle.
The other two options were created by French perfume house Firmenich. They also start with "fine wood and leather notes," with Bentley for Men getting an addition of cedar and patchouli, the Intense version throwing in African geranium to "take these notes to another level."
If that won't be enough to fulfill your lust for vehicular aroma, the full line also includes after shave balm and hair and body shampoo. When they go on sale in April at select retailers, prices will start at 24 pounds (27 euro, $36 US) for the shampoo and top out at 69.50 pounds (87 euro, $106 US) for the Intense eau de parfum. You can read more about them in the press release below.