Latest news with #HedleyStudios
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Bentley to BRING BACK iconic model 100 years after it was discontinued – and this time it will be fully electric
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BENTLEY is bringing back its legendary model nearly 100 years after it was discontinued but it will be in limited numbers. The recreation of the iconic Bentley Blower has now completed 18 months of on-road testing and is ready to enter production. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Bentley is bringing back its iconic Blower model after almost 100 years Credit: Bentley Media 5 The new model will be fully electric Credit: Bentley Media 5 There is only 349 examples that will be sent into production Credit: Bentley Media But only 349 lucky drivers will get a chance to get their hands on the Bentley Blower Jnr. After driving 650 miles over three days on the Channel Island of Jersey, the new Blower has proven its on-road driving potential. The car was signed off for production where skilled engineers will put together the fully electric 48-volt powertrain while the craftspeople at Hedley Studios will hand-beat the panels of the Bentley Blower Jr.'s exterior. Mike Sayer, Head of Product Communications and the Bentley Heritage Collection for Bentley Motors, adds: 'From the moment that we first took the original 1929 Bentley Blower Team Car #2 to Hedley Studios, we knew this project was going to deliver something truly special. 'Years later, and with thousands of road miles under the wheels of the development prototypes – appropriately called EXPs as the first Bentleys were – we're ready to put the car into production.' The new motor is an 85 per cent scale of the original car which was first manufactured in 1929. The Blower Jr is fully electrically powered and slightly smaller than its predecessor - with the car measuring 3.7 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. But it is handcrafted to the same standards as any Bentley and is embellished with exquisite details all inspired by the original car. The Blower Jr can reach a top speed of 45 mph in the UK and an anticipated range of about 65 miles, with tandem seating for two adults. An actual chassis specification is connected to the painted steel frame. A smooth ride is provided by leaf springs and reduced, period-appropriate friction dampers, while stopping power is supplied by Brembo disc brakes up front and drums down back. The batteries and driving electronics are kept under a concealed undertray, and the electric motor is positioned across the back axle. Marcus Rashford buys £200,000 Bentley to be chauffeured around in Ben Hedley, CEO and Founder of Hedley Studios, said: 'Heading into production of the Bentley Blower Jnr marks a seminal moment for our brand, as we bring to life our very first road-legal piece of automotive art. 'Our team of engineers and craftspeople have worked tirelessly to design and craft the Bentley Blower Jnr, and in close collaboration with clients around the world, they have begun the design process of some wonderfully unique examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr. 'We're anticipating that the first customer deliveries will commence in just a matter of months, and we're just as excited as our clients are to see them behind the wheel and out on the road.' The lucky few who will purchase the Bentley Blower Jr will be able to customise it to their preference with Hedley Studios' team making their fantasies into reality. 5 The car kept its original design but to 85 per cent scale Credit: Bentley Media
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Bentley to BRING BACK iconic model 100 years after it was discontinued – and this time it will be fully electric
BENTLEY is bringing back its legendary model nearly 100 years after it was discontinued but it will be in limited numbers. The recreation of the iconic Bentley Blower has now completed 18 months of on-road testing and is ready to enter production. 5 Bentley is bringing back its iconic Blower model after almost 100 years Credit: Bentley Media 5 The new model will be fully electric Credit: Bentley Media 5 There is only 349 examples that will be sent into production Credit: Bentley Media But only 349 lucky drivers will get a chance to get their hands on the Bentley Blower Jnr. After driving 650 miles over three days on the Channel Island of Jersey , the new Blower has proven its on-road driving potential. The car was signed off for production where skilled engineers will put together the fully electric 48-volt powertrain while the craftspeople at Hedley Studios will hand-beat the panels of the Bentley Blower Jr.'s exterior. Mike Sayer, Head of Product Communications and the Bentley Heritage Collection for Bentley Motors, adds: 'From the moment that we first took the original 1929 Bentley Blower Team Car #2 to Hedley Studios, we knew this project was going to deliver something truly special. read more on motors 'Years later, and with thousands of road miles under the wheels of the development prototypes – appropriately called EXPs as the first Bentleys were – we're ready to put the car into production.' The new motor is an 85 per cent scale of the original car which was first manufactured in 1929. The Blower Jr is fully electrically powered and slightly smaller than its predecessor - with the car measuring 3.7 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. But it is handcrafted to the same standards as any Bentley and is embellished with exquisite details all inspired by the original car. Most read in Motors The Blower Jr can reach a top speed of 45 mph in the UK and an anticipated range of about 65 miles, with tandem seating for two adults. An actual chassis specification is connected to the painted steel frame. A smooth ride is provided by leaf springs and reduced, period-appropriate friction dampers, while stopping power is supplied by Brembo disc brakes up front and drums down back. The batteries and driving electronics are kept under a concealed undertray, and the electric motor is positioned across the back axle. Marcus Rashford buys £200,000 Bentley to be chauffeured around in Ben Hedley, CEO and Founder of Hedley Studios, said: 'Heading into production of the Bentley Blower Jnr marks a seminal moment for our brand, as we bring to life our very first road-legal piece of automotive art. 'Our team of engineers and craftspeople have worked tirelessly to design and craft the Bentley Blower Jnr, and in close collaboration with clients around the world, they have begun the design process of some wonderfully unique examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr. 'We're anticipating that the first customer deliveries will commence in just a matter of months, and we're just as excited as our clients are to see them behind the wheel and out on the road.' The lucky few who will purchase the Bentley Blower Jr will be able to customise it to their preference with Hedley Studios' team making their fantasies into reality. 5 The car kept its original design but to 85 per cent scale Credit: Bentley Media 5 Future owners will be able to customise their model to their preference Credit: Bentley Media
The Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Bentley to BRING BACK iconic model 100 years after it was discontinued – and this time it will be fully electric
BENTLEY is bringing back its legendary model nearly 100 years after it was discontinued but it will be in limited numbers. The recreation of the iconic Bentley Blower has now completed 18 months of on-road testing and is ready to enter production. 5 5 But only 349 lucky drivers will get a chance to get their hands on the Bentley Blower Jnr. After driving 650 miles over three days on the Channel Island of Jersey, the new Blower has proven its on-road driving potential. The car was signed off for production where skilled engineers will put together the fully electric 48-volt powertrain while the craftspeople at Hedley Studios will hand-beat the panels of the Bentley Blower Jr.'s exterior. Mike Sayer, Head of Product Communications and the Bentley Heritage Collection for Bentley Motors, adds: 'From the moment that we first took the original 1929 Bentley Blower Team Car #2 to Hedley Studios, we knew this project was going to deliver something truly special. 'Years later, and with thousands of road miles under the wheels of the development prototypes – appropriately called EXPs as the first Bentleys were – we're ready to put the car into production.' The new motor is an 85 per cent scale of the original car which was first manufactured in 1929. The Blower Jr is fully electrically powered and slightly smaller than its predecessor - with the car measuring 3.7 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. But it is handcrafted to the same standards as any Bentley and is embellished with exquisite details all inspired by the original car. The Blower Jr can reach a top speed of 45 mph in the UK and an anticipated range of about 65 miles, with tandem seating for two adults. An actual chassis specification is connected to the painted steel frame. A smooth ride is provided by leaf springs and reduced, period-appropriate friction dampers, while stopping power is supplied by Brembo disc brakes up front and drums down back. The batteries and driving electronics are kept under a concealed undertray, and the electric motor is positioned across the back axle. Ben Hedley, CEO and Founder of Hedley Studios, said: 'Heading into production of the Bentley Blower Jnr marks a seminal moment for our brand, as we bring to life our very first road-legal piece of automotive art. 'Our team of engineers and craftspeople have worked tirelessly to design and craft the Bentley Blower Jnr, and in close collaboration with clients around the world, they have begun the design process of some wonderfully unique examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr. 'We're anticipating that the first customer deliveries will commence in just a matter of months, and we're just as excited as our clients are to see them behind the wheel and out on the road.' The lucky few who will purchase the Bentley Blower Jr will be able to customise it to their preference with Hedley Studios' team making their fantasies into reality. 5 5
Forbes
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Bentley's First EV, The Beautiful Little Blower Jnr, Begins Production
The original 1929 Bentley Blower, surrounded by four of the 2025 Blower Jnr EVs. The latest Bentley car has been signed off and is ready to enter production. But instead of being an update to the Continental GT, Flying Spur or Bentayga, the British brand's newest car is a scaled-down recreation of a legendary 1920s racer. It's called the Blower Jnr and, although a product sold by Bentley, it's actually built by a company called Hedley Studios. It's also fully-electric – and as such is the first Bentley EV to enter production. An 85 percent scale replica of the famous Bentley Blower race car from 1929, the $115,000 Blower Jnr is street legal in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. Limited to just 349 examples, the two seater is powered by a 48-volt electrical system and a single, 15 kW (20 horsepower) motor on the rear axle. It has a claimed top speed of 45 mph in the UK and Europe (and 25 mph in the US, owing to local legislation), and an expected range of around 65 miles. The driver and passenger are seated in a tandem formation, one behind the other, and there's a small trunk inside what was the original car's fuel tank. Technical highlights include a steel painted frame, scaled-down leaf spring suspension and period-correct friction dampers, plus modern technology like Brembo brakes from a Ducati motorcycle and a rear body structure made from carbon. Only the two seatbelt posts, sprouting upwards from the cabin, give away that this car isn't really ... More from the 1920s. Bentley says the Blower Jnr completed 18 months and thousands of miles of on-road testing to refine and prove its design, culminating in a 650-mile, three-day driving event on the island of Jersey, located off the south coast of England and with a uniform 45 mph speed limit. Its makers say more than 100 examples have already been bought or reserved, and that buyers are invited to put their cars through Bentley's Mulliner personalization program, should they wish to commission something truly unique. Ben Hedley, founder and CEO of Hedley Studios (formerly The Little Car Company), said, 'Heading into production of the Bentley Blower Jnr marks a seminal moment for our brand, as we bring to life our very first road-legal piece of automotive art. Our team of engineers and craftspeople have worked tirelessly to design and craft the Bentley Blower Jnr, and in close collaboration with clients around the world, they have begun the design process of some wonderfully unique examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr.' Hedley says his company expects the first customer cars to be delivered in a matter of months. The street-legal EV (right) is an 85 percent scale replica of the 1929 original (left). Mike Sayer, who oversees Bentley's heritage collection and regularly drives the original 1929 Blower Team Car #2, worth $33 million, said, 'The Blower Jnr may be smaller in scale, but its presence, performance and sense of occasion invoke the spirit of the original. We can't wait to see these cars on the road soon, and look forward to taking delivery of the first car to join our heritage collection.' I was fortunate enough to drive an early development car back in 2024 and it remains, without doubt, one of the most entertaining driving experiences of my life. Despite being smaller than the original, the Blower Jnr is still a proper-sized car, at about 12 feet long and almost five feet wide. I've never known a car to turn as many heads as the Blower Jnr did that day, even on the streets of Chelsea and Battersea – areas of London familiar with all manner of super- and hypercar. It's unlikely that another Blower Jnr will be spotted in London any time soon, since it's expected that almost all cars sold will head abroad, no doubt to warmer climates than that of the UK. With that in mind, I can only imagine the fun Blower Jnr owners will have driving their pint-sized electric Bentleys in Beverly Hills, Dubai, Verbier and Antibes.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Private Maldives island comes with one-of-a-kind Ferrari - but it'll cost you
The Ferrari Testa Rossa J has been brought to the Maldives island for guests who exclusively hire Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi - but it will cost you a pretty penny A private island stay in the Maldives, costing a whopping £55,000-a-night, has just upped its luxury game by importing a Ferrari for guests to drive around the resort. The Ferrari Testa Rossa J is a 75% reproduction of the iconic Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa – a model that holds a significant place in the annals of Ferrari and motor racing history. This exclusive vehicle, the only car on the island, has been shipped over for the use of guests who hire Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi exclusively. Only 299 of these £110,000 cars were ever produced. The full-sized version, which can fetch a staggering £28,000,000, famously became the first car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times. The EV Ferrari Testa Rossa J will be available exclusively for private island guests to test drive during their stay - and is included in the price when guests hire the island. Ithaafushi, the largest private island in the Maldives, spanning over 344,000 square-feet, can ordinarily accommodate 24 guests. However, those hiring the island privately can use the EV Ferrari to travel between private yoga sessions, the five pools and numerous restaurants. This comes after Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, also known as Pearl Island in the Maldivian language Dhiveh, partnered with Hedley Studios - formerly The Little Car Company. The scaled-down electric icon Ferrari will be there for a year. It was developed from the original drawings of the original - which conquered the 1000km in Buenos Aires and the 12 Hours of Sebring with the driving duo Phil Hill and Peter Collins. In addition to the car, guests can also savour customised menus and have close encounters with wild turtles and whale sharks. The price for a night's stay on the island varies, but it is believed to be around £55,000. The world of mega-exclusive holidays is a fascinating one, even if most of us can only ever dream of affording one. Philippe Brown has been organising incredible trips for society's uber wealthy for decades, having spent 13 years as a location scout and then tour guide in some of the world's most exotic destinations. During the past ten years he has been "challenging the status quo of luxury travel" at Brown and Hudson. Incredibly wealthy people in search of something special contact the firm before Philippe and his colleagues attempt to work out their hopes, fears and secret dreams. These are then used as the basis for weird and wonderful holidays they create by throwing huge amounts of cash at the issue, and using their connections to pull some strings. We spoke to Philippe about the stranger trips he has arranged. You can read all about them here.
