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As October's bright blue weather approaches, Bentley wants you to know that its "new and expanded Bentley Collection range" is "perfect for the holiday period." Having recently released its Ego Lifestyle laptop computer to the tune of nearly $20,000, Bentley's custom-made wares are clearly not aimed at the countless Americans suffering nosebleeds after the Dow Jones Industrial's 777-point drop yesterday.

But what the heck, let's window shop, dream of being cosseted in white fur, cashmere, and leather, and hark back to the go-go '80s.

If you wish to keep a framed image of your beloved (or your sugar daddy) riding alongside, Ettinger of London, maker of exclusive leather goods, would be happy to sell you a "small travel photo frame, unique to Bentley and designed in association with the company." And if Daddy Warbucks really loves you, he'll buy you an Ettinger ladies' purse, handmade across six individual stages. And you'll waft forth quietly, comforted by the knowledge that your purse's maker is "a Royal Warrant holder for His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales."

Or, if you'd like to play Robber Red Baron, why not sport the Birkin Spot? No, no, not Birkenstock. Bentley explains that the nomenclature of this item "refers to the blue and white spotted handkerchief that Tim Birkin wore around his neck when racing in the glorious era of the 'Bentley Boys'." And only the "finest foulard, hand-woven and processed" silk is used in the creation of this masterpiece. Personally, we prefer to motor whilst wearing an ascot, and hope that the Birkin name will soon be applied to that jaunty piece of couture. 

Finally, not to leave the little ones out, cashmere baby gift items produced in "the English Pennies region" may also be purchased. Wasn't that where factories used child labor en masse during the industrial revolution? Or no, maybe that was Penny Lane. Get back to you on that.

The strangest part of the release, and one just as strangely devoid of explanation: "The sterling silver 'Blower' and 'Baby Blower' models are highly detailed and include moving parts." We're told that these items carry the Bentley silver hallmark and other precious metal hallmarks, but as to what exactly these are, no clue is given. Quite obviously, we are inferior, ignorant commoners.

Prices for the exclusive items above are not listed, but interested parties are encouraged to visit www.bentleycollection.com.--Colin Mathews

Bentley's storied past has been filled with exclusivity, and the firm figures that the ending of the Arnage line in its current iteration (extant some 10 years) deserves fanfare of the extra-exclusive variety. It is in this spirit that Bentley announces the aptly named Arnage Final Series, to be produced in a run of only 150 vehicles. In yet another exclusive, the announcement itself marks the first time Bentley has made mention that production of a current-generation Arnage is ending.

The Arnage Final Series marks the 50th anniversary of the company’s "iconic V-8 engine," a deliciously big motor still displacing a behemoth 6.75 "litres," but now replete with 500 horsepower due to the same twin turbochargers found in the Arnage T. Through its balanced, blueprinted life, this engine has motivated plenty of Q-ships out of Crewe with swiftness and serenity. Speaking of exclusivity, for years, Bentley wouldn't even divulge its exact displacement.

Apart from "Final Series" badging on the front wings, Bentley-philes will be able to tell the Arnage Final Series by outward cues like a retractable flying-B bonnet mascot, a Bentley "jewel" fuel filler cap, twin exhaust pipes, and body-colored headlamp bezels. Moving to the cabin, both front doors are paved with "Final Series" treadplates, both brake and accelerator are of drilled alloy, "waistrails" with an inset chrome strip and recessed Bentley marque badges make a first appearance ever on the Arnage, and, the coup de grace, you will be able to enjoy your Patron Silver from none other than "Final Series" stainless steel flask and shot glasses (and if you have any idea what a “waistrail” is, then you are a bigger Bentley-phile than I).--Colin Mathews

Listen up, corporate squashbucklers: those Guccis, Breitlings, and swollen offshore accounts may not have cured those bruises to the psyche incurred so many years ago in high school study hall. But fear not--Bentley has a little $19,800 ego boost that should set things aright.

On this very day, the 22nd of September, Bentley is proud to announce "an exclusive partnership" between Ego Lifestyle and Bentley Motors "resulting in a limited edition luxury notebook" computer. Known as "Ego for Bentley," the bespoke laptop features Bentley design cues such as matching "colour" lacquer detailing, Bentley leather and "authentic Bentley cross-over hand-stitching," knurled handle and sliding access port doors, and "pure chrome detailing" throughout.

Starting this fall, only 250 of the computers will be sold in high-end stores around the world. The craftsmen at Crewe reportedly collaborated with the Ego Lifestyle folks to ensure the computer exactly matches the demands and aesthetics of the Bentley buyer.

Sorry Mac users, Ego for Bentley comes only in PC/Windows Vista format. Poor Steve Jobs. Perhaps Rolls-Royce will take pity on him and come out with a MacBook Air Silver Spur Self-Esteem edition.--Colin Mathews

Introduced here at the London motor show today, the new 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed edition is the most powerful four-door car the company has ever produced, according to the Crewe-based automaker.

The Speed's 12-cylinder engine turns out 600 horsepower, good for a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph.

It's also ever so slightly updated from the 2008 version of Bentley's flying sedan, as is the entire four-door lineup. For 2009, Bentley's changed the front and rear ends of the Flying Spur. There's a new, more vertical grille and a more prominent air intake beneath it, while the back end gets a little sleeker. A ton of work has gone into making the F-Spur even quieter than before--there are undertrays, new acoustic glazing, and liners for the wheel wells. Speed editions get subtly tinted grilles, wider tailpipes, and special 20-inch wheels.

Fresh options include an adaptive cruise control system, new leather trim colors, new exterior colors including four two-tone choices, and a Naim audio system with 1,100 watts of power.

If only all life's tough choices were this enjoyable to make. In the past few weeks, I've driven a couple of cars from the Volkswagen Group that would make mortal flesh shiver. Both are about $200,000, give or take some custom-look options. Both spit out more than 500 horsepower through paddle-shifted transmissions, and both offer the all-weather, ass-kicking capability of all-wheel drive.

You couldn't pick two cars more exotically different than the Bentley Continental GT Speed and the Lamborghini LP560-4, though, so naturally they're the subject of TheCarConnection.com's Daily Debate.

In this corner, the four-seat Bentley Continental GT Speed—inspired by the Speed models it built in the 1920s and Bentley's most powerful vehicle ever. With lighter engine components, it makes 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Outfitted with the six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive from the Continental GT, the Speed version shoots to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds on its way to a 202-mph top speed. The suspension has been retuned to accommodate 20-inch wheels; carbon-ceramic brakes are available optionally. And like my test car this weekend, the Mulliner Driving Specification option gets drilled foot pedals and a knurled chrome/leather shifter and diamond-quilted leather trim, along with a choice of interior wood. It's hot with the sports pros and hip-hop deities in town, even though those two seats in back aren't really leggy enough for the tallest NBA drafts--but still, I'll have trouble turning it in.

On the other hand, there's the $201,000 Gallardo LP560-4. The name may be a mouthful, as much as it's a handful on the track. The LP560-4 (it's still a Gallardo, but it has 560 European horsepower and four-wheel drive) sports direct injection, a net of about 552 horsepower in U.S. trim, and a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds. It jets to a top speed of about 200 mph, or about 130 mph in my limited drive. And its two seats are as tight as the seals on a submarine--but arguably, the profiling potential is even greater than the Bentley.

So in today's debate, which one gets your $200K?