TMW - The New Bentley Coupe and the Grand Mulsanne, which if either will be produced? or maybe both !

The all new Bentley that made it's debut last year was a tentative preview of what possibly could emerge after the launch of the Bentayga, well, now that car has been launched and we wonder with bated breath what Bentley has up it's sleeve for the next all new model.

The EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept was slightly criticised for being too "Aston" like, but in my opinion that is not a problem, Aston makes some of the most beautiful cars in the world, so for Bentley to have a few design cues that mimic, loosely, the Aston, this can only be seen as a positive point.

CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer has stated "We are readying the concept for decision" and that "It would come as a two-door coupe and a roadster as well, and would be launched after the next continental", the new Conti is pencilled in for a launch of 2017, so the new Bentley could make a preview slightly after that launch, and on sale late 2018.

However, Bentley is in a quandary, they have Four models currently, The Continental, The Flying Spur, The Bentayga and Mulsanne, so space is slightly limited at the Crewe facility, and yet they have two models that are fighting it out between themselves for full scale production, the EXP and the Mulsanne based convertible, or the Grand Convertible as it is currently being named.

The Mulsanne will gain a convertible on it's next generation but thats not for upwards of five years, so, would it be worth the investment to have it now, against the new coupe that would slot below the Continental, and be a rather large seller, and with it a big income earner, no brainer, or is it !

Mulliner is capable of building the Grand Convertible, freeing up space at Crewe, they could build 20-30 units at a price that would make even Roman Abramovich wince, but it would be so rare and so wanted by those with the wedge to afford it, that it would make financial sense, and the profits from this car could go someway to productionise the new car, so, a no brainer again, maybe !

The only downpoint to the Mulsanne is that the old beast of an engine that can trace it's lieage back to the 1950's will no longer be usable, and will be replaced by the W12 unit, which Bentley is now in sole control of, and will build engines for all the VW Group that will require this stonking power plant, but the old girl will not be the same, it's like giving your nan a new heart, you know she is just as good, if not better, but she is not the same, this engine, like the original Mini and the Defender are icons of motoring past that lived way past their sell by date, but we clung on to them until the last possible second, and for Bentley the time is running out.

JON MOWER

WORLDWIDE SALES 2015 - Bentley sees large growth in a number of markets, this will only grow with new models.

• Double-digit increase for Europe; gains in UK, Middle East, South Korea and Japan
• UK established as second highest selling country
• British industrial success – 85% exported around the world

Bentley Motors delivered10,100 cars in 2015, following double-digit growth in Europe, strong performance in Bentley’s UK home market and North America retaining its position as the number one region. This helped Bentley achieve its third consecutive year of selling more than 10,000 cars.            

Record sales in South Korea, Japan and the Middle East – with United Arab Emirates establishing itself as the fifth most successful single country - further reinforces Bentley’s position as the most sought-after luxury car brand in the world.

     

Commenting on a successful 2015, Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Wolfgang Dürheimer, said:

“The positive Bentley Motors performance last year was supported by increases across key sales regions and was driven by our continued commitment to invest – in our products, in our people and in our network.     

“We have worked hard to build a sustainable platform to enable long-term growth and this will help deliver a strong 2016, with the all-new Bentayga playing an important role, with first deliveries imminent. We also have exciting plans ahead as we look to introduce future models, allowing more customers around the world to experience Bentley’s unique combination of luxury and performance.”     

Bentley increased its presence around the world to 58 markets, more than ever before, with 203 retail partners. These partners will invest over €100 million this year in newly-styled modern, luxury showrooms.

The number one customer region throughout 2015 was North America, closing the year delivering 2,864cars, slightly down from 3,186 in 2014. This accounted for 28% of global deliveries. 

In Europe, sales were up by 10% with 1,695 cars delivered against the previous figure of 1,539 cars. Bentley’s home market, the UK, continued to perform strongly establishing itself as the second highest selling country, delivering 1,457 cars, up from 1,387 in 2014, achieving an 85% export figure.

Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Kevin Rose, said: “This international success is a further indication of the strength of Bentley’s brand. Not only have we established four key sales regions – North America, Middle East, Europe, including the UK, and China - we are also seeing markets such as South Korea, Russia and Japan grow rapidly too. This will only help us grow further, without compromising our exclusivity, and providing even greater long-term stability for Bentley Motors.”

Bentley delivered 1,274 cars to the Middle East in 2015, up by eleven cars from 2014, with the success driven by the introduction of the Continental GT V8 S.      

Bentley was not immune from the current challenging sales conditions the automotive sector faces in China; however remains committed to its customer and retail partners in the region, and is confident of long-term success. Bentley delivered 1,615 cars, down from 2,560 in 2014. Excluding China sales figures, Bentley maintained its record-breaking performance in 2015 for the rest of the world.               

The Asia Pacific region delivered 455 cars, against 457 in 2014. Japan saw growth of 15%, delivering 353cars against a total of 306 cars in 2014. 

Finally, South Korea, following the introduction of the Flying Spur V8, delivered 387 cars, up 20% from the 2014 figure of 322.             

Bentley Motors today announces Stefan Sielaff as its new Director of Design.

Bentley Motors today announces Stefan Sielaff as its new Director of Design. He succeeds Luc Donckerwolke who has been with Bentley since 2012. Mr Sielaff will join Bentley on 1^st July 2015 from his current dual role as Head of Volkswagen Group Interior Design and Design Director at Volkswagen Design Center Potsdam.

In his role at Bentley, he will report to Rolf Frech, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Engineering. He will also retain his position as Head of Volkswagen Group Interior Design, reporting to Director of Volkswagen Group Design, Dr. Walter de Silva.  

Mr Sielaff has a career spanning more than 25 years in the Volkswagen group, most prominently with Audi where he started as an intern and progressed to spending five years as Design Director for the business from 2006. It was here where he led a team of over 350 design experts with responsibility for exterior, interior and colour and trim design for the full Audi product portfolio, concept and show cars.            

Starting in the industry with a Vehicle Design degree from the Royal College of Art in London, UK, Mr Sielaff, 53, has been in his current role since 2012. 

          

Commenting on his appointment, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and CEO at Bentley Motors, said: “Bentley is entering one of the most important phases in the company’s history, with significant plans for new models. With his experience, creative vision and passion for the Bentley brand Stefan Sielaff is perfectly placed to lead the design of our future models.”           

Mr Sielaff replaces Mr Donckerwolke who has decided to leave the business and Volkswagen AG.

Wolfgang Dürheimer continued: “I would like to thank Luc Donckerwolke for the significant contribution he has made in his nearly three years at Bentley, overseeing the continuation of a very successful period, and I wish him all the very best for the future.” 

2000% over subscribed for latest Bentley Apprenticeships, It shows they are a great brand to work for.

• 1,285 people apply for Bentley’s largest apprentice intake in 25 years
• Assessment centres throughout summer, leading to September start
• Job creation by Bentley grows to over 1,000 in past two years

After announcing the company’s largest apprentice intake in 25 years, Bentley has received more applications to join the programme than ever before. 1,285 people applied for 63 positions, with the successful candidates starting the three-year scheme in September.

The second stage of the recruitment process begins now, with assessment centres and interviews taking place throughout the summer.      

40 of the apprentices will be working on a newly developed manufacturing programme. A dual education system of learning, 70 per cent of time is dedicated to practical training delivered by Bentley master trainers, themselves with combined industry experience of over 100 years. The remaining 30 per cent of time will be devoted to theoretical learning within chosen professional areas. 

A further 23 apprentices will be based in business areas at Bentley’s global headquarters in Crewe, including Engineering, Sales and Marketing, Purchasing and Human Resources.     

Marlies Rogait, Member of the Board for Human Resources at Bentley, said: “There has never been a better time to join Bentley. We are the number one luxury car brand in the world and still growing, investing in our cars, our site, and our people. 

This is why interest is so high in our apprenticeship programme. It’s much more than three years, it’s a career, offering invaluable experience throughout, and then a pathway to a structured future. We look forward to welcoming the new recruits in September.”

These 63 new apprenticeship positions mean Bentley has created over 1,000 jobs in the past two years. The company was also recently named one of Britain’s top employers by the Top Employers Institute for the fourth consecutive year.

Bentley was awarded for its commitment and dedication to the 3,800 colleagues working at the Crewe headquarters and was particularly praised for its focus on the talent and personal development of its workforce.      

To support the company’s future investment in its employees and the community, Bentley is also playing a pivotal role in bringing a University Technical College to Crewe. Focused on Engineering and Design, the college will offer an inspiring education for 14-18 year olds seeking a pathway to future employment.

The Most Opulant, Sophisticated and elegant convertible ever made.

• The most sophisticated and elegant convertible
• Developed to signify Bentley’s intentions for the future
• The ultimate expression of the British luxury automobile
• On display at the Los Angeles Auto Show from 19^th November alongside the new Mulsanne Speed sedan

The ultimate expression of British automotive luxury is imagined with the Bentley Grand Convertible, the most sophisticated open-top car ever created by Bentley. Iconic yet understated in style and fashioned entirely by hand from the very finest materials, this unrivalled flagship of luxury represents the ultimate in powerful, sensuous roofless motoring.

Bentley Chairman and CEO, Wolfgang Dürheimer, who unveiled the car in Los Angeles, commented: 

“This concept demonstrates Bentley’s ability to create a pinnacle convertible Grand Tourer, while embodying elegance beyond compare. With this car we combine the opulent Mulsanne experience with the full sensory indulgence of open-air touring, continuing to unite luxury and performance in new ways.

           

“We are eagerly awaiting the response of our customers to this car. We will ensure that this car - if it reaches the roads – will be a highly exclusive, extremely limited collector’s piece.”

The Bentley Grand Convertible will be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show from 19^th November 2014.

Powerful, Refined, Exquisite

Resplendent in Sequin Blue, originally a bespoke colour created from a single sequin from a customer’s haute couture gown, the Grand Convertible features a silver “liquid metal” finish to the bonnet and windscreen frame. Contrasting the rich blue body work is the Bentley directional wheel design, handed to the left and right sides of the car and finished by hand before being polished to a high shine.

The wheels hint at the enormous power and torque that wait under the bonnet. With 537 PS (530 bhp / 395 kW) and 1,100 Nm (811 lb.ft) of torque from Bentley’s legendary 6¾-litre twin-turbo V8 engine of the flagship Mulsanne, the Grand Convertible promises the luxury of effortless performance to match its unparalleled style.

As cossetting as it is breath-taking, the interior of the Grand Convertible is a showcase for the abilities of Bentley’s master craftsmen. 14 naturally tanned leather hides are merged together with progressive-diamond quilting, with the shape of the pattern changing over the seats and doors in a cabin sized for four adults. Bright blue is used to highlight the extraordinary skill of Bentley’s trim specialists, with Sequin Blue thread cross-stitched by hand through the linen-coloured leather. The light hide is contrasted by the sleek elegance of Beluga leather around the top of the doors and extending back to the rear tonneau, framed in polished chrome.

The tonneau itself provides the most significant example of Bentley craftsmanship at its finest. Replete with book-matched, mirror-finished and dark-stained Burr Walnut, the tonneau features the largest piece of wood veneer ever applied to a Bentley. Fashioned entirely by hand, this expanse of veneer is only paralleled by the creations of the world’s best furniture makers, and is finished with elegant parallel lines of chromed steel.

Following the Los Angeles Auto Show, in December the Grand Convertible will travel to Miami for Art Basel, the world's premier international art show for Modern and contemporary work.