Bentley Flying Spur News

I’m okay with picking pattern progressions, but begin to fall short when the pressure of upper level IQ testing starts to bring me undone. That said, even I could detect the clear sequence of super performance carmakers following one another into the world of the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8.A slew of British, German and Italian brands using the same performance vs consumption vs emissions equation to propel their exotic machines towards the horizon at warp speed with maximum efficiency.So, why did white-coated boffins from all points of the automotive globe come up with the same engine configuration, capacity and induction answer?Well, at the recent global launch of the Lamborghini Temerario (a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 hybrid) we asked Lambo’s Chief Technical Officer (and drift king) Dr. Rouven Mohr exactly that.He confirmed the broadly accepted answer that an individual cylinder volume of 500cc is the magic number.That’s right, the capacity that took the ‘Wollongong Whiz’ Wayne Gardner and ‘The Master of going Faster’ Mick Doohan to 500cc World Motorcycle Championship glory is the Goldilocks zone for an individual engine cylinder. And that’s because a cylinder of that size, ideally undersquare (with a stroke length exceeding its bore diameter), optimises the combustion process thanks to a relatively small internal surface to volume ratio (as the piston nears top dead centre) which helps improve fuel efficiency while producing optimum power and minimising C02 and NOx emissions.So, 500 times eight equals 4000, which, with the benefit of forced induction pushes the golden ratio to its maximum.And Lamborghini should know because the all-new (L411) unit it developed for the Temerario produces 588kW on its own, before a trio of electric motors tips in another 89kW for a total output of 677kW (920hp).Two turbos producing 2.5 bar located in the engine’s ‘hot vee’ optimise packaging and thermal management; titanium conrods reduce rotating mass; a flat plane crank delivers an even firing order and super hard finger followers in the valvetrain allow more aggressive cam profiles. The result? A 10,000rpm rev ceiling, which is… nuts.Other brands within the Volkswagen Group portfolio are on the same train, like Audi’s SQ7 and SQ8 with Bentley and Porsche directly sharing engine tech.And what about Mercedes-AMG with the GT63 and SL63 or McLaren just about matching Lambo for specific power output with its 750S rocketship?But hands up those who remember JLR’s ‘Ingenium’ modular engine family. Three-, four- and six-cylinder units built around 500cc cylinders. BMW Group with its triple, four- and six-cylinder engines, along with many others have also struck on the 500cc formula. But maybe Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann has the most compelling reason for joining the club.While acknowledging the capacity of the cylinder premise - “Six cylinder is usually three litres, eight is four and 12 is six” - he lets slip that the 4.0L thing “is also a matter of taxation in a lot of countries”. So, follow engine efficiency or follow the money, the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 answer is the same.

Bentley has overnight touted its enviable financial position, posting its best third quarter profits ever, while also announcing increased sales in regions across the world.The British marque, based in the town of Crewe in central England, has sold 11,316

Bentley Motors is expecting to have its biggest year on record in 2021, as it delivers on pent-up demand for its Bentayga SUV, Continental coupe and Flying Spur limousine.Speaking to Australian media at a local drive of the facelifted Bentayga, Bentley Mo

Bentley Motors believes its long-running W12 engine will finally wind down production by 2026, around the same time the brand plans to roll-out its first battery electric vehicle (BEV).Speaking to Australian journalists at the launch of the new Bentayga,

If you've ever wondered what your house would look like with a Bentley parked out of the front, the ultra-luxurious brand has just made it easier to picture.Launching a new smartphone app called Bentley AR Visualiser, the augmented reality software will p

Bentley has revealed a special First Edition variant for its all-new Flying Spur sedan range, which is slated for production before year’s end.

The New York motor show in April will see the announcement of which vehicle has won the 2014 World COTY, and there looks to be a tough -- and very varied -- field of finalists.Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf, which also took awards in pretty well every country on the globe. But this year it could be anything from the little electric BMW i3 to the offroading Jeep Cherokee and even the Citroen C4 peoplemover, judging by the shortlist.A panel of 69 motoring experts from around the world -- including Carsguide's Paul Gover and National Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling -- will choose the winner from: Audi A3, BMW 4 Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.The 10 finalists for the 2014 World Luxury Car are the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW X5, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac Escalade, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport and Rolls-Royce Wraith.Due to a tie, there are 11 finalists for the 2014 World Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ford Fiesta ST, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf GTI.A separate panel of five 'green' experts will choose the 2014 World Green Car from Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (+ Audi e-gas), BMW i3, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen XL1.Similarly, a panel of five design experts will decide on the 2014 World Car Design of the Year, from among: BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda3, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen XL1.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The arrival of a baby usually means dad has to get rid of his beloved, impractical car. So news that Prince William has recently added a £250,000 ($456,000) Bentley to his garages is likely to make him the envy of many fathers-to-be up and down the country.The Bentley Flying Spur, which the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will use for high-profile official engagements, is one of the world's fastest sedans with a top speed of 320km/h. But it's hardly economical, costing $215 to fill up and managing to use about 15L/100km.It's expensively fitted out, with a hand-crafted walnut interior, champagne cooler and the wi-fi internet capabilities. William and Kate are also understood to have opted for heated and massaging quilted-leather seats. Safety features include bullet-proof windows and super-hardened steel armour, contributing to its three-tonne weight.The couple were seen in the Bentley last week as they arrived for a reception at the Natural History Museum in London. It is being leased privately from Bentley, a common arrangement for official cars used by members of the Royal Family. Neither the carmaker nor Kensington Palace were willing to discuss how much the Cambridges' deal is worth or whether they have been given preferential rates. Read full story at www.news.com.au 

The first official pictures of the Bentley Continental Flying Spur have leaked on the internet well before the car’s official unveiling at Geneva motor show next month.While the interior strongly echoes the latest Continental GT and GTC, the images show some exterior changes from their design cues with a more upright grille, more streamlined profile and trimmed styling of the rear light clusters.Bentley is yet to release details on the drivetrains, but is tipped to be using the current Continental's 373kw/660Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and 423kw/700Nm 6.0-litre W12.This journalist is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott