Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental.
Bentley’s new boss, former Porsche R&D chief Wolfgang Dürheimer, is beginning to put his stamp on the luxury brand. His predecessor, German executive Franz-Josef Paefgen, was said to be “more British than the Brits themselves”—the former Audi chief loves classic cars and was largely responsible for Bentley’s rise since the early past decade. Dürheimer, who arrived from Porsche this February, is now poised to create a far more contemporary image for the brand.
One example of this approach is a promotional video for the new Continental GTC, which does not feature long gravel driveways and the expected country manor, but instead a young couple breezing along coastal highways. Clearly, Bentley wishes to be considered by a new set of luxury buyers looking for a modern, high-tech car. And that doesn’t go very well with the racing-green image perfected under Paefgen. The brand’s appearance will slowly be transformed: “We are moving away from the dark green suits,” describes a Bentley manager.
Product-wise, an important step in that direction is the upcoming V-8–powered Continental GT. It won’t be much cheaper than the 575-hp W-12 model, and, with 500 hp, it won’t be much less powerful. Rather, it will be the sporty alternative, characterized by a few unique visual details and a purposeful engine note. Bentley will almost certainly expand its portfolio with an SUV model that is designed to pick up buyers who wish to move beyond the Range Rover. We’ll have more on that vehicle soon.
There’s yet another VW Group brand venturing into the ultra-luxury SUV segment: Lamborghini could show a concept as early as the Geneva auto show next March. There wouldn’t be much overlap in terms of the Bentley’s and Lambo’s vehicle concepts, but the price point would be similar, at around $150,000 to $200,000. Neither project has been fully approved yet, but the Bentley is almost a certainty, backed by enthusiastic comments from the brand’s top brass.
We’ve reported that the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will definitely be built; the first 20 units will be delivered in early 2013. It will look almost exactly like last year’s Paris auto show concept, including the carbon fiber that emits a strange, reddish glow. Target weight is 2200 pounds, and it will definitely be met, a company insider promises. The current concept car tips the scales at just 2030 pounds, less than what Lamborghini officially communicated—the difference, a set of carbon wheels, might not make it into the final product. But the Gallardo-sourced drivetrain, complete with all-wheel drive, will stay. Why all-wheel drive? To somewhat balance the weight distribution, and to thus improve drivability.
BMW’s i8 plug-in hybrid, I am told, will be powered by a three-cylinder gasoline engine. Why not a four? “We don’t need a three to reach our fuel consumption targets, but we need it to keep vehicle weight below the targeted 3300 pounds.”
At the Los Angeles auto show, I had a chance to speak with Lincoln’s head designer, Max Wolff, a former Cadillac designer who joined Ford’s luxury brand last year. He aims for more flowing lines and will add horizontal elements: The integrated grille/headlight treatment will stay, but the bars will be horizontal, and you can also expect horizontal taillights to define future Lincolns. Sporty derivatives are not a major priority, although they are conceivable. “Effortless performance” is the goal, not ostentatious sportiness. And before Lincoln moves into foreign markets with a vengeance, the brand needs to “get it right in America first.” After that is achieved, the priorities are Asia first, then—perhaps—Europe.
Audi will launch a 140-hp, 1.4-liter four with cylinder deactivation in the Audi A1 Sportback next year. The “COD” (cylinder-on-demand) engine operates as a two-cylinder at low loads by closing the valves. Fuel consumption is 50 mpg, top speed is 132 mph. The technology is certain to be launched in further vehicles, and we are looking forward to test it to see whether vibration is an issue. Audi won’t be the only brand using this engine: It will be launched in the Volkswagen Polo simultaneously.
There’s been a lot of movement in the designer community recently. Peter Horbury, of Ford and Volvo fame, is moving to Volvo’s sister brand, Geely. His position at Volvo will be taken up by Thomas Ingenlath, a former Audi designer and Škoda head of design, who has led Volkswagen’s Potsdam design studio for the past five years. The role of the Potsdam studio is somewhat unclear, with a new corporate design headquarter gaining traction in Braunschweig, a historic city some 20 miles from Wolfsburg. In Braunschweig, former SEAT and Lamborghini chief designer Luc Donckerwolke will oversee all of the VW Group’s brands.
Former Mini chief designer Gert Hildebrand has been working for some time for a consortium run by Chinese carmaker Chery and investor Quantum. His aim: To create a new brand of cars, which are being engineered with heavy input from Austrian supplier Magna Steyr. Meanwhile, one of Kia’s star designers is moving from California to the U.K.: Massimo Frascella, who started his career at Bertone—and while at Kia penned the current Rio, Sorento, and Sportage—has become Creative Studio chief at Land Rover and will report directly to Gerry McGovern.
