Archive for the ‘Bentley’ Category

Early last month, we reported on surprising rumors that less-than-green Bentley is developing a hybrid powertrain for 2011. Not wanting to be left out of all the eco-fun, Bentley's high-end rival, Rolls-Royce, now says that it's also working on a hybrid powertrain -- one for the new Rolls-Royce Ghost. There's no official drop date, but reports indicate that the powertrain will be of the gas-electric variety, borrowed from the BMW ActiveHybrid 7. Described as a "mild" hybrid, it will marry a lithium ion battery pack and 27 hp electric motor to the Ghost's twin-turbo V-12. Since the setup won't allow for an electric-only mode, the Ghost's...

Here at TCC, we don't put much faith in astrology, phrenology, or any other system that assigns personality traits based on birthdays, hat sizes, or anything else that hasn't been chosen. Instead, we prefer data that stems from personal preferences: what does your favorite color, website, or rock band say about you? The New Vehicle Experience Study recently released by Strategic Vision applies that sort of analysis to car purchases, and the result are fairly interesting.

For example, the study found that Honda owners are, on the whole, practical and well-educated: about 70% hold college degrees, whereas only 35% of Chevy owners and 45% of ...

Bentley isn't known for making gas-sippers. In fact, some of its current models rank among the least fuel-efficient in the country (down to the single digits). But that reputation may change a bit when Bentley launches its new, top-secret powertrain in 2011. There's speculation that the engine may be a hybrid and that it will be capable of running on E85 bioethanol like the new Continental Supersports. No word yet on efficiency, but we know that it's set to reduce CO2 from 396 g/km to under 240 g/km -- still far above the industry average, but hey, a 40% cut is a 40% cut. [AutoExpress]