Latest news with #VolkswagenAutomotiveGroup
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Here's How Bentley Is Getting Ready for Luxury Electric Vehicles
Bentley has begun preparing its Pyms Lane site for EV production, as the next step in its electrification strategy that has already seen the debuts of several PHEV models. The British luxury brand will reveal a new battery-electric SUV in 2026, positioned below the Bentayga in size, with deliveries set to start in 2027. The premium automaker will introduce a new BEV or PHEV model every year between now and 2035, with plans to go EV-only by that year. It feels like it wasn't that long ago when Bentley first revealed its EV strategy, aiming for an EV-only lineup by 2030. These plans have since been revised, with a new target year of 2035. Of course, quite a bit still has to happen between now and 2035 to make this a reality, especially at a time when several automakers are scaling back their EV ambitions. And as a first step this includes the launch of its first EV, slated to be revealed in 2026 and to arrive in customer driveways starting in 2027. But just how much progress has been made toward that goal in recent months? The automaker revealed this month that it is now readying its Pyms Lane factory for EV production and is converting the oldest building at the site for housing an assembly line for BEV models. Bentley recently opened a new paint shop and a new Excellence Centre for Quality & Launch. "The new facilities aim to set a new benchmark in next generation, digital, flexible, and high-value manufacturing operations," the automaker said. Just what one of those EV models will look like was previewed in late 2024, with Bentley showing a shadowy profile drawing of an unnamed "luxury urban SUV," one that could be a bit smaller than the Bentayga and aimed at a more dense, urban environment. Slated to measure just under five meters, or 197 inches from head to stern, the model was described by the Bentley CEO as "compact" at the time, at least relative to the current Bentley vehicle universe. "Last year marked a milestone year in our transformation as we prepare for our electric future," Frank-Steffen Walliser, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, said this month. "We are investing at levels never seen before at Bentley, as we not only revolutionize our product cycle plan, but also transform an 85-year-old site for a new age of electrification." In its path to an all-EV lineup, Bentley plans to introduce a new electric or hybrid model every year between now and 2035—a busy schedule for what is still a relatively small automaker based on annual production. The tech and resources of the greater Volkswagen Automotive Group—Bentley's corporate parent—will certainly play a role in this ambitious debut schedule. It is expected that the upcoming Porsche Cayenne EV, due to arrive in 2026, will lend its underpinnings to the upcoming Bentley model. The electric Bentley SUV is also expected to be more nimble than the Bentayga, reflecting a subtle shift in priorities compared to the time the Bentayga was launched a decade ago, while also taking advantage of instant torque. Bentley has not officially confirmed other upcoming battery-electric models just yet, but it is expected the debut of a battery-electric Continental GT is only a matter of time. Such a model is now seen as one of the two next likely EV debuts, after the 2027 SUV, though it remains to be seen whether an all-electric Continental GT will arrive before 2030 or sometime thereafter. A new fourth generation of the internal-combustion model just arrived last year. A battery-electric version of the next-gen Bentayga, due around the end of the decade with the next major redesign, is also anticipated by some industry watchers. And between now and 2030, more PHEV variants of existing models are on the way, even after the debuts of three PHEV models over the past year. What does the rest of the year look like for Bentley? "Looking forward to 2025, of course we continue to navigate difficult global market conditions and maintained volatile political and economic environments, however our strength of sales is strong," Walliser said. "We have reached record levels of revenue per car, a well-balanced export strategy, and a clear structure to maximize personalization." Bentley has traditionally been seen as somewhat immune to annual shifts in the economy when it comes to sales. But its revenues and operating profits have fluctuated quite a bit over the past several years, with 2023 and 2024 seeing declines in revenues of 13% and 10%, respectively. Its operating profits have also seen drastic swings over the past five years, with significant gains seen in 2021 and 2022 followed by declines in the two subsequent years. The brand's electrification strategy, however, will now coincide with the emergence of a much more global audience than its lineup had seen 20 years ago. China's turn to EVs is one of the driving forces of this transformation. Can Bentley stick to its 2035 EV-only goal, or will the automaker push back the target year once again? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
At $69,995, Does This 2009 Audi R8 Quattro Rate A Look?
Today's Nice Price or No Dice R8 puts an Audi spin on the Lamborghini Gallardo. Let's see if this orange two-seater has us naval-gazing over its price. Overlanding is all the rage these days, and the 2004 Land Rover Discovery we looked at last Friday could be a solid ticket to outdoor adventure. Admittedly bit rough around the edges, the brutish Brit was touted as being otherwise in great shape. Its faded paint and rusty brush guards were considered in the $6,200 asking price, and that consideration earned the Disco a reasonably respectable 58% Nice Price win. Read more: Porsche Taycan Turbos Have Lost Up To $100,000 Value In 4 Years In September of 2003, at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi debuted a mid-engined concept car—the Audi Le Mans Quattro. The car's purpose was to celebrate Audi's three victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2000, 2001, and 2002. The show car wasn't built on top of any racer, though. Instead, it was based on the aluminum chassis and suspension of the Lamborghini Gallardo, as by that time Lamborghini had become part of the Volkswagen Automotive Group family, and VW had tasked Audi with making the Italian supercar builder a respectable member of the family. Most show cars never end up spawning production variants, but the Le Mans Quattro became one of the notable exceptions. Again based on the Gallardo, the production car was given the name R8 Quattro and was initially fitted with Audi's 4.2-liter DOHC V8 and a selection of Graziano Trasmissioni six-speed manual or R-Tronic single clutch auto/manual transmission, and standard Quattro AWD. Gaining its Hollywood credentials, the R8 was picked to be the automotive main-squeeze for central character Tony Stark in 2008's blockbuster "Iron Man" movie. According to the company's records, Audi built just a few more than 2,100 R8s in 2009. Of those, only 699 reached U.S. shores. This 2009 Audi R8 Quattro is one of those, and has a few perks on top of what it received coming out of the Neckarsulm factory. According to the ad, those aftermarket add-ons include a set of adjustable coil-overs, a Larini exhaust, and some carbon fiber trim pieces. The latter includes a garish rear wing that likely takes a few notches off the top end. Another, more obvious change from the factory is the full body wrap. That changes the car to bright orange accompanied by a black roof and side blades, and a pair of offset silver stripes. The OEM wheels have also been given a glow-up with a darker hue, and are fitted with Bridgestone rubber. The original color under the wrap is described as Daytona Gray Pearl Effect, which looks so nice, it seems a shame to have covered it up. The interior of this 39,675-mile R8 shows a bit of wear on the driver's side seat bolster, but otherwise seems in tip-top shape. There doesn't seem to be any sticky-button-itis on the controls, which afflicts many fancy cars from this era. It is also appreciably better laid out and more livable than its Italian-suited cousin, the Gallardo. This being Audi's halo car, it's fitted with every gee-gaw the company could think of, right down to the Bang & Olufsen sound system. It's what's under the glass cover in the back that makes the R8 do its thing. That 4.2 is basically the same mill as in the Allroad we looked at last week, but here it makes 414 horsepower (and isn't broken). In fact, the seller claims this Audi to have no issues with engine, R-Tronic, or Quattro AWD systems at all. It's also touted to have 20 (count 'em, 20!) service records on its Carfax, and will come with a clean title. OK, let's get down to brass tacks. Truth be told, the R8 market is a bit soft these days, and that might make for a good opportunity for anyone who has been thinking about owning one to actually pull the trigger. This car has a lot of unanswered questions, such as what the factory paint looks like under the wrap, and what did the aftermarket exhaust replace, potentially making it persona non grata in states with emissions testing. On the other hand, it looks to be in good shape and has those aftermarket updates that make it stand out. Could it then pull in the $69,995 the seller asks? Where do you stand on the aftermarket bits and bobs? Do they add value or are they little more than an unwanted distraction? More importantly, do you think this Audi is worth that $69,995 asking as it's presented? Or is this one orange that's not worth its juice? You decide! Facebook Marketplace out of Portland, Oregon, or go here if the ad disappears. H/T to Bill Lyons for the hookup! Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at robemslie@ and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your commentor handle. Read the original article on Jalopnik.
