Latest news with #Mulliner
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Has Bentley Officially Surpassed Rolls-Royce?
Rolls-Royce and Bentley are tied to each other forever. As recently as the late 90s, the two automakers made vehicles that were virtually indistinguishable from one another. Each had its trademarks, badging, and in Rolls-Royce's case, the Spirit of Ecstasy and grille design. Fast-forwarding three decades, we find two brands with distinct personalities and heritage. Looking closer, we see two brands that have set out to accomplish similar things - and achieved on very different levels. But first, a quick history lesson. Bentley Motors began life in January 1919 as World War I ended, debuting its first car later that year. The company delivered its first car in the following year and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1927. Then, the brand repeated its wins in the three years following. Rolls-Royce bought the brand when it went into receivership on the heels of the Great Depression. The newly acquired now-subsidiary's first car was a Bentley 3.5-liter that appeared in 1933, powered by a Rolls-Royce engine. The latter part would prove to be a trend as all Bentley models produced after the merger until 2004 relied on Rolls-Royce engines and chassis. After changing hands in the 1970s, Rolls-Royce (including Bentley) went up for sale in the late 1990s. BMW and Volkswagen were poised to become the inheritors of the luxury crown. BMW was already providing powertrains for Rolls, and took further steps to purchase the name and logo for Rolls-Royce. For a sizable $703 million, Volkswagen purchased the designs, nameplates, and the facilities themselves. But, without the rights to the name and badging, a compromise needed to be met. Thus, VW took Bentley, and BMW got Rolls-Royce. Effective January 2003, the two brands were finally separate entities. After twenty-two years apart, how have they fared? Let's start with Rolls-Royce. The original nameplate has carried itself well into the 21st century, and 2024 saw the brand deliver 5,712 cars, its third-best recorded. Here, Bentley compares favorably. The Crewe-based automaker delivered nearly double the number of cars as Rolls, with 10,600 cars finding new homes. However, volume is only part of where these brands generate their revenue. Both place a heavy emphasis on customizability; Rolls-Royce has Bespoke, while Bentley offers Mulliner. Last year, Bentley saw revenue per car rise 10%, and a lot of that comes from the fact that 70% of the cars delivered had at least one Mulliner inclusion. Rolls-Royce says, similarly, that it saw a 10% increase in Bespoke content overall, enough to set a record for the brand. Bentley trounces Goodwood in volume, and profit is a similar story. Bentley reported a profit of $439 million. Meanwhile, BMW reported that Rolls-Royce generated around $140 million in profit, demonstrating that the brand is also very likely making less, percentage-wise, per car than the boys in Crewe. The story remains consistent no matter which arena you pick. Rolls-Royce, overall, accounts for roughly 1% of parent company BMW's profit. Bentley? Last year, despite a downturn in profits, the brand accounted for around 2% of Volkswagen's profit. We've established that Bentley is making more money than Rolls-Royce, but what does the future hold? Bentley certainly isn't resting on its laurels, just recently announcing three new stores for North America in desirable locations - Santa Barbara, California, San Antonio, Texas, and Oakville, Canada, a Toronto suburb. An exec was recently quoted as saying there's "no real limitation" on what the automaker can or would build you, even offering a pickup truck. Finally, Bentley also laid the ground for a new BEV assembly line back in March 2025. Then, in July, Bentley opened up a brand-new design studio converted from one of its oldest and most heritage-filled buildings. BMW isn't putting Rolls-Royce out to pasture yet, though. Last year, the brand added two new Private Office locations and an invite-only network for Rolls-Royce customers to configure their vehicles. Furthermore, the brand committed around $400 million to expanding manufacturing at the Goodwood facility. The numbers don't lie. It's a fairly accurate statement to say that Bentley has surpassed Rolls-Royce, at least for the time being. However, even after a century, both brands are still growing. Notably, the big B doesn't have a single all-electric model. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce has cleaned up with the Spectre, simultaneously attracting a whole new kind of buyer and moving units. It's too early to tell which of these historic luxury brands is going to come out on top, but Bentley has certainly taken the lead, and is obviously working and spending hard to maintain it. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Bentley Reveals Stunning EXP 15 Concept, My Brutally Honest Take
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. This plug-in powerhouse isn't for plebes Bentley is a storied luxury brand with a design language that is easily recognizable, but it can't remain in the past forever. News of the Bentley EXP 15 Concept recently dropped, and it shows the world an even more radical departure from the classic Bentley design than the Mulliner. It's also far more modern, far more squared-off, and far less swoopy than the EXP 100 GT concept from 2019. The electric EXP 15 points the way to the brand's electrified future as Bentley's first EV as a tall two-door grand tourer/crossover with a sloping greenhouse and an interior that befits a modern king. Let's take a look at this concept that will pave the way to Bentley's future. 0:00 / 0:09 2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line review: Is this the EV that will convert you? Watch More A bit of old, a lot of new Bentley EXP 15 Concept — Source: Bentley Bentley doesn't want to completely do away with tradition, so it borrowed a silhouette from its past. The cab-rearward shape is meant to evoke the Bentley Speed Six 'Blue Train' from the 1920s and 30s. There's also a fresh interpretation of the signature Bentley grille, this time a faux version with vivid LED illumination, capped off by a new illuminated logo (now with falcon wings instead of the old owl wings?) and a modernized Bentley hood ornament. The LED headlight shape carries over to the big taillights. Bentley EXP 15 Concept — Source: Bentley The large, three-door body (one on the driver's side, two on the passenger side, with a suicide door at the rear) is characterized by tall, slab-sided panels and enormous rear haunches, for which Bentleys are known. Ornamentation on the outside is kept to a minimum, a goal by Andreas Mindt, Bentley's design chief. Bentley refers to the EXP 15's styling approach as 'resting beast mode', communicating a readiness for the execution of power and motion. Bentley is making a big statement with a design that pushes far beyond anything it has built before. A futuristic interior that's sustainable and schmancy Bentley EXP 15 Concept — Source: Bentley Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The modernly luxurious interior is like nothing the brand has ever done before. Minimalism carries over to the interior but not in a Spartan manner. The winged dash with inset screens provides stunning symmetry, and the three-seat layout imparts a lounge-like cabin with spacious comfort for the passengers. Inside, the EXP 15 focuses on sustainability and digital minimalism. Cabin materials aren't specified, but it wouldn't be out of the question for Bentley to use environmentally-friendly textiles, beautiful veneers, and vegan leathers. The center stack's illuminated control wheel will interact with Bentley's upcoming 'self-learning AI assistant'. It looks beautiful, but it's not just a pretty ornament. It will also provide an advanced user experience that is currently in development for a production version and for future Bentley models. There are also luggage tie-down straps, fold-out tailgate seats, and a huge center tunnel with controls for the rear, including a gorgeous reading lamp mounted between the back seats. Bentley's EV roadmap Bentley EXP 15 Concept — Source: Bentley The EXP 15 is not a production car, but it may very well indicate what all future Bentley models may look like. There are no details about the EXP 15's electric powertrain, but it's definitely electric. The concept will give birth to a production version sometime in 2026, but it hasn't been revealed how closely it will resemble the concept vehicle. Final thoughts Bentley design is clearly evolving with the times and no longer resting on its laurels. While Bentley hasn't confirmed that the EXP 15 will directly morph into a production model, company execs strongly suggest that a two-door grand tourer EV will occupy its lineup sometime in the future. It's a gamble for the brand to both go fully electric and almost completely depart from its current design language. The new EV will undoubtedly be powerful, but even affluent Bentley buyers will want to know what its range will be. Only time will tell. About the Author Amos Kwon View Profile
Auto Blog
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
A Bentley Pick-Up Truck Is More Likely That You'd Imagine
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. A few years ago, if you wanted a comfortable and quick daily-driver truck, your choices were pretty limited. Maybe a Ram TRX or a Ford F-150 Raptor if you wanted power with some plushness. But what if you had a nearly unlimited budget, wanted uncompromising luxury, and still needed a bed big enough to haul more than golf bags? Believe it or not, Bentley's in-house coachbuilder, Mulliner, could be your answer. 0:09 / 0:09 2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Chevrolet Traverse: Which is America's best family hauler? Watch More Mulliner Does More Than Just Fancy Trim Levels Source: Bentley On its website, Bentley says, 'With Mulliner, the possibilities are endless.' Mulliner was the very first coachbuilder and has been reimagining Bentleys since 1923. Most of the time, Mulliner builds involve custom paint colors, personalized interiors, and bespoke details. One of their most recent projects, the Bentley Mulliner Batur, shares the majority of its mechanical parts with the Continental GT Speed, but is built from the ground up to meet its client's request. Only 18 examples will be built, and cost $1.2 million a pop. Not Just A Pipe Dream Source: Bentley In a recent interview with Australia's CarSales, Bentley sales and marketing executive, Christophe Georges, confirmed that a Bentley pickup isn't beyond the realm of possibility. When asked if Mulliner could build such a vehicle, Georges responded, 'Fundamentally, there is no real limitation.' That might sound like PR fluff, but we think it holds some real weight. All that's needed is enough customers willing to bankroll the build. Why A Bentley Pickup Might Make Sense Source: Bentley At first, the idea of a Bentley pickup sounds far-fetched. But think about how much the auto industry has changed in just a decade. Lamborghini makes an SUV. Rolls-Royce does too. Ferrari sells a V12-powered family car. Minis have grown larger than some crossovers, and Dodge makes the Charger muscle car without an engine. Bentley's current lineup includes a grand touring coupe, a convertible, a luxury sedan, and an SUV, with an electric version on the way. The next logical step would be to reinvent the pick-up truck. The name and price remain a mystery, but if history has taught us anything, it'll probably be something overly pretencious like 'Ascendant' and cost ast least $500,000. About the Author Marnus Moolman View Profile
Miami Herald
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
A Bentley Pick-Up Truck Is More Likely That You'd Imagine
A few years ago, if you wanted a comfortable and quick daily-driver truck, your choices were pretty limited. Maybe a Ram TRX or a Ford F-150 Raptor if you wanted power with some plushness. But what if you had a nearly unlimited budget, wanted uncompromising luxury, and still needed a bed big enough to haul more than golf bags? Believe it or not, Bentley's in-house coachbuilder, Mulliner, could be your answer. On its website, Bentley says, "With Mulliner, the possibilities are endless." Mulliner was the very first coachbuilder and has been reimagining Bentleys since 1923. Most of the time, Mulliner builds involve custom paint colors, personalized interiors, and bespoke details. One of their most recent projects, the Bentley Mulliner Batur, shares the majority of its mechanical parts with the Continental GT Speed, but is built from the ground up to meet its client's request. Only 18 examples will be built, and cost $1.2 million a pop. In a recent interview with Australia's CarSales, Bentley sales and marketing executive, Christophe Georges, confirmed that a Bentley pickup isn't beyond the realm of possibility. When asked if Mulliner could build such a vehicle, Georges responded, "Fundamentally, there is no real limitation." That might sound like PR fluff, but we think it holds some real weight. All that's needed is enough customers willing to bankroll the build. At first, the idea of a Bentley pickup sounds far-fetched. But think about how much the auto industry has changed in just a decade. Lamborghini makes an SUV. Rolls-Royce does too. Ferrari sells a V12-powered family car. Minis have grown larger than some crossovers, and Dodge makes the Charger muscle car without an engine. Bentley's current lineup includes a grand touring coupe, a convertible, a luxury sedan, and an SUV, with an electric version on the way. The next logical step would be to reinvent the pick-up truck. The name and price remain a mystery, but if history has taught us anything, it'll probably be something overly pretencious like "Ascendant" and cost ast least $500,000. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Miami Herald
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
How One British Firm Will Hand-Build Your Perfect Supercar
These days, some of the biggest luxury and performance marques make big bucks not just on the six-to-seven-figure cars they sell, but also on the long list of customization and personalization options they let their customers add on top. Services like Porsche's Sonderwunsch, Bentley's Mulliner, and Ferrari's Atelier and Tailor Made programs are living examples. Last year, Ferrari sold just 13,752 cars but made around €1.3 billion ($1.35 billion) from personalization, accounting for about a fifth of its overall revenues. In addition, Rolls-Royce has been hard at work making £300 million ($376 million) worth of upgrades at its U.K. Goodwood factory to accommodate more of its "bespoke" cars. But while the world's rich can configure supercars to have weird paint colors or have interiors and seats upholstered in exotic skins, they are usually restricted to the few models in the brand's portfolio and their particular body style and engine. There are a few exceptions, like Ferrari's Portfolio Coachbuilding Program, which has made special one-off cars for a select handful of its deep-pocketed and loyal clientele. One particular example is Eric Clapton, whose custom 70s-inspired Ferrari SP12 EC was rumored to cost nearly $4 million. However, a British advanced engineering company wants to change all that. Dash CAE is launching a new division called Dash Bespoke, which is dedicated to end-to-end complete vehicle programs. In short, it will make you a custom supercar from the ground up, from your ideas, without most of the risk and engineering headaches. Dash is able to create this sort of program in part due to its engineering experience and its in-house carbon fiber monocoque chassis, the TR01. Dash first released the TR01 back in 2023 as an off-the-shelf solution meant for racing teams, individuals, and firms that want to build their own low-volume production two-seater road cars. According to Dash, the TR01 platform is lightweight, stiff, and fully Euro NCAP compliant, which means it is road-legal in Europe. Additionally, they say it is a "highly adaptable platform" for race cars as well as the production of supercars and hypercars. By using this 'blank-slate' chassis, individuals can approach Dash with an idea and dream up anything, regardless of what engine powers it or what kind of body style it'll have, because all the most challenging engineering work has already been done. In a statement, Dash CEO Tim Robathan noted that there has been customer demand for a turn-key solution to small-batch performance vehicle builds, and that this would eliminate most of the hangups that prevent some cars from being made. "Bringing a bespoke or low-volume performance vehicle to life is a monumental undertaking," Robathan said. "Whether it's an OEM motorsport project or a niche hypercar, the engineering, manufacturing, and assembly challenges and associated risks are high. For many brands and visionaries, these obstacles can halt progress and project viability. That is why we have established Dash Bespoke." If you're not familiar with Dash Bespoke, it's a spinoff of Dash CAE, an engineering firm that has been working in racing since 2006. It has provided parts and various engineering and prototyping services to teams competing in Formula 1, MotoGP, IndyCar, and other aerospace, automotive, and defense solutions. Dash Bespoke has already made its first customer-built supercar, which will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this summer. It calls it the "SlipStream" and it will have a mid-engined V8 built by New Zealand-based bespoke and racing engine manufacturer Hartley, along with bespoke carbon fiber subframes, a light alloy suspension system, and hydraulic dampers from Nitron. Dash doesn't have a price tag on its website for how much a custom-built supercar solution would cost, but it is taking inquiries from interested parties. Personally, I believe in the "built, not bought" mantra; however, I could imagine this being a very effective solution for startup performance or supercar companies to get the ball rolling with their own unique creations. Theoretically, if I had the funds to commission Dash Bespoke for one of these creations, here's how I'd do mine: Honda HR35TT mated to a dual-clutch seven-speed under a body that looks like a first-generation Toyota MR2, pop-up headlights and all. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
