The GT3-R: Bentley’s Fastest Car Ever

A derivative of the GT3 racecar, Bentley’s new limited edition GT3-R will make its North American debut this week.  Forbes Review of GT3-R

“Bentley has a very strong racing heritage,” said CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer. “Which makes this 2.4 ton vehicle a highly relevant addition to the brand’s collection. With two seats and the ability to go from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds, this isn’t your average over-sized touring Bentley.”

Looking in the racing history books, records show that Bentley Motors won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930. Now the company is working on their comeback to the prestigious world of racing. And the release of this $337,000 GT3-R will certainly put them on track for this goal.

This new Bentley model is a cross between a racecar and a touring vehicle, with a 4.0-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine, 572 brake horsepower, and 518 pound-feet of torque. The car’s front wheels feature 16.5-inch carbon ceramic brakes–the biggest on any production car in the world, which can absorb 10 megajoules of energy in one stop.

Power and performance aside, the look and design of this GT3-R is also racing inspired. The body is made from steel and aluminum, with a carbon fiber front splitter and rear wing. The bonnet also includes racecar style cooling vents and black finished 21-inch wheels.

Bentley is only manufacturing 300 of these cars, which operate on 13 mpg of gasoline. Their gas mileage might be less than ideal and the design and color customization is not even an option, but Bentley notes that the GT3-R is more of a collector’s item than a practical touring vehicle.

Tesla’s Simon Sproule named Aston Martin CMO

Simon Sproule has spent more than 25 years in the automotive world. The former vice president of communications for Tesla Motors is now serving as chief marketing officer at Aston Martin.

Sproule is reunited with his former colleague from Nissian, Andy Palmer, who is now the new CEO at Aston Martin. Until early 2014, Sproule had been chief spokesman for Nissan while Palmer, who left Nissan last month to lead Aston Martin, was the company’s chief planning officer.

Aston Martin hasn’t had a senior level marketing executive since Michael van der Sande left as chief commercial officer last year. Like Sproule, van der Sande joined Aston Martin from Tesla, where he had been senior vice president for sales, marketing and service until 2009.

Sproule will relocate from Palo Alto, California, to England next month where he will lead the global marketing and communications. He starts his official role on November 1.

Aston Martin also announced that brand communications director Janette Green would take on the role of director of Palmer's office.

Aston Martin isn’t Skidding Around

Aston Martin sports car drivers are demanding something unique from modern luxury vehicles – they want the chance to lose control.

What this translates to for the British manufacturer is making sure consumers can easily turn off certain systems. For example, turning off the electronic stability programs that keep cars from skidding on wet roads.

“Our customers want to feel the road,” said Jeffrey Scott, head of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.’s European operations. “More electronic-assistance programs are coming. But you have to be able to switch them off as well.”

While other luxury manufacturers are developing features to make vehicles more comfortable and safe, the real enthusiasts of high-end sports cars want less technology to interfere with their driving experience. “Aston Martin buyers enjoy a dynamic, active driving experience,” elaborated Scott.

He further explains that many Aston Martin customers own four or five additional cars for everyday use. This means they already have the vehicles that get them from point A to B and back again, but what they desire in this car is control, or the lack there of.

If you are interested in purchasing an Aston Martin, contact Sonny Morgan at 512.401.4607 through Late European or sonny@lateeuro.com.

2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible

In 2010, the Bentley team from Crewe delivered the fastest, most powerful Bentley ever produced with a top – the extreme Continental Supersports Coupe. The following year, 2011, Bentley introduced the Continental Supersports Convertible. Now the 2014 model year serves up the Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible – a gorgeous 500 plus horsepower droptop.

This vehicle resembles its Coupe counterpart, while adding rollover protection and torsional body stiffening in the form of strengthened reinforcements and bracings.  The convertible top features a low stack height and is controlled by a single switch. The top can be lowered or raised in 25 seconds even when the vehicle is moving at speeds of up to 20 mph.

“This Bentley Convertible is a show-stopper. It is one of the most beautiful cars to date and worthy of its place in performance history,” said Sonny Morgan, general manager at Late European. “The convertible is both fast and smooth with the ability of rapid performance and nimble handling.”

The power for this convertible comes from a 6.0-liter, twin turbo V8 capable of propelling the car from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. The engine produces 521 brake horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and generates 502 pound feet of torque at 1,700 rpm. Top speed for the Continental GT V8 S is limited to 191 mph.

In terms of appearance, the overall design exudes an elegantly gorgeous style. The front fenders are rounded to accentuate the projector-style headlamps and one-piece integrated grille and bonnet. The interior features sports seats, carbon fiber accents, chrome trim detailing and quilted leather seating with embossed Bentley logos in the seatbacks.

The 2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible is available now at Late European. The starting retail price is at $216,200 with additional options like sports exhaust, neck warmer, wind deflector and many more.

For more information regarding this Bentley convertible, contact Sonny Morgan at 512.401.4607 through Late European or sonny@lateeuro.com.