• EXP 9 F all-wheel drive luxury Sport Utility Vehicle concept revealed at Geneva Motor Show
• Potential for third Bentley model-line alongside Mulsanne and Continental ranges
• Bold reinterpretation of Bentley design cues in a spacious, versatile and high performance SUV
• A fusion of contemporary, crafted luxury, advanced in-car technology, commanding driving position and all-terrain capability
• 6.0 litre, twin turbocharged W12 engine and 8 speed transmission

(Geneva, 5 March 2012) Bentley is offering a vision of the future with a dramatic new Sport Utility Vehicle concept, EXP 9 F, at the Geneva International Salon d’Auto. The Company’s designers and engineers have created a compelling new take on the Grand Touring Bentley – a vehicle that feels equally at home at an opera gala performance, on the sand dunes and the overtaking lane of the autobahn.

Unmistakably a Bentley – yet a Bentley like none before it – the EXP 9 F could herald a third Bentley model-line alongside the bespoke Mulsanne and the high performance Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur.

Today a global luxury brand with a network of 160 dealers from Shanghai to Beverly Hills, Bentley has an increasingly diverse customer base spanning every continent. For many customers, a dramatically styled, Bentley all-wheel drive SUV which combines a spacious, versatile cabin and commanding driving position, with Bentley’s hallmark power, performance, advanced technology and hand crafted luxury, would be a natural choice both on and off-road.

“We are very excited by the potential of a high performance, ultra-luxury Bentley SUV. We know that many Bentley customers already own SUVs, admiring their style, luxury, performance and versatility. With EXP 9 F, Bentley is making a clear statement of intent that we have both the expertise and desire to meet and exceed their expectations.”
Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors

The Audi A4 has finished top of the DEKRA Used Car Report for 2011 as the vehicle with the lowest fault rate. This means that Audi has won the report’s overall ranking for the fourth time in a row. The Audi A6 took third place.

Each year, the DEKRA experts award the title “Best of All Classes” to the model with the lowest fault rate across three mileage classes. Since the ranking was introduced in 2008, of all brands the most reliable car with the fewest faults has always been an Audi. The Audi A6 topped the overall ranking in the previous three years; this year the Audi A4 is the “Best of All Classes.” This underscores the long-term quality of this mid-size model, which is available at dealerships with a new and improved look and technology since January.

As part of the Used Car Report, which was previously called the Faults Report, the DEKRA testing organization examines the quality and safety of vehicles. From a total of 15 million cars examined, which are divided into eight different categories, DEKRA creates a specific fault profile in three mileage classes for each vehicle type. The model with the best average from all three mileage classes is named “Best of All Classes.”

Commenting on the launch of the new V8 Continental models, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors said:

“With the new 4.0 litre V8 engine we are widening the appeal of the latest generation of Continentals, introducing a completely new driving experience. The new engine will have all the exhilarating power, drama and performance you would expect from a V8 engine sporting the famous Bentley wings, effortlessly delivered with our characteristic ‘wave of torque’. This is complemented by innovative powertrain technology that delivers exceptional fuel efficiency and emissions.”

]]> http://bourgoo.be/the-new-bentley-continental-v8-range/feed/ 0 http://bourgoo.be/the-compact-audi-with-five-doors-the-audi-a1-sportback/ http://bourgoo.be/the-compact-audi-with-five-doors-the-audi-a1-sportback/#comments Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:25:21 +0000 admin http://bourgoo.be/the-compact-audi-with-five-doors-the-audi-a1-sportback/ Audi is extending the A1 family – the A1 Sportback is coming in early 2012. The five-door model is emotional and individual, communicative and youthful, sporty and efficient. The A1 Sportback hopes to build on the success of the three-door A1.

Audi is launching the next generation of the A6 Avant, the most successful business-class station wagon in Europe. The new model presents the brand’s full array of progressive technological expertise. Its lightweight body, large portions of which are made of aluminum, sets new standards, as does the wide selection of assistance and multimedia systems. The keyword for the latter is Audi connect.

The new Audi A6 Avant is available with a choice of six engines: two gasoline engines and four diesel units. Fuel consumption has been reduced by as much as 18 percent compared with the previous model. Topping the engine lineup is the new 3.0 TDI with twin-turbo technology and 230 kW (313 hp). Audi also offers numerous high-end options for the drivetrain and the chassis.

The luggage compartment has a capacity of up to 1,680 liters (59.33 cu ft) and offers a number of elegant features, including a power rear hatch that opens in response to a sensor signal.

The design of the Q3 is classic Audi: its coupe-like styling is one-of-a-kind among SUVs and symbolizes its sporty identity. Distinctive lights add a striking touch and the very flat-set rear window emphasize the sporty nature of the Audi Q3.

An intelligent combination of materials renders the body unusually light; operation is easy, despite a wealth of functionality; and the range of assistance and multimedia systems is extensive.

The new A6 series starts with five powerplants generating between 130 kW (177 hp) and 220 kW (300 hp) of output: two gasoline engines and three TDI units. The Audi A6 hybrid will follow at a later date, it combines the power of a large V6 with the fuel efficiency of a four-cylinder unit. A number of drivetrain options are also available. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system for all TFSI and TDI versions has been expanded to include an additional mode – the “efficiency” program.

(Crewe and Detroit. 10 January, 2011) Wolfgang Dürheimer (52) prepared for his new role as the Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors at the Detroit Motor Show today when he accepted the keys to one of the company’s most revered cars – W.O. Bentley’s 1930 8-litre saloon which was his official company car.

The 8-litre, now owned by Bentley Motors and still driven to this day, represented the pinnacle of W.O. Bentley’s engineering career. Capable of reaching more than 100 mph, the 8-litre demonstrated W.O. Bentley’s ambition and ability to build a grand luxury car capable of surpassing every other leading manufacturer of the day. This ability to combine stirring performance with hand-crafted luxury has been at the heart of the Bentley experience ever since.

Mr. Dürheimer, who received the keys as well as a hand-crafted model of the 8-litre from Bentley’s outgoing Chairman and CEO Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen and who will join the famous Crewe manufacturer on 1st February, commented:

“I have already had the pleasure of visiting Crewe and saw just why the company retains such a pride in its origins. The commitment to quality, craftsmanship and enthusiasm that everyone there shares, is remarkable and a tribute to the leadership of Dr. Paefgen.”

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