Look too quickly and you’d swear that these two exotics are the same car. Anything longer than a glance and you start to notice the differences. Even then, the silhouette of the Bugatti and the Bentley are quite similar. Both brands are under Volkswagen’s corporate umbrella, and both cars were touched by the design fingerprint of Hartmut Warkuss. The shape of these two cars seemingly represents what VW’s design folks thought of as a supercar eight years ago. We think it still works pretty well.

Remembering our remedial lesson in how to pronounce Hunaudieres brings 1999 flooding back. Volkswagen had recently purchased Bentley, and they made a splash by debuting a supercar concept powered by a W16 engine with rumored LeMans aspirations. In fact, Hunaudieres is the name of the straightaway at LeMans. The car never made it out racing, though Bentley campaigned the Speed 8 from 2001-2003.

A few months after the Bentley was on the stand in Geneva, the Bugatti Veyron was rolled out at the Tokyo Motor Show. The Veyron was originally slated to run a W18 engine, but the production version wound up with a turbocharged W16. The Veyron has gone on to become the fastest and most powerful new car you can buy today. It looks like the Bentley team donated their engine and interior to the final car, which has turned out quite nicely, thank you.

More pictures after the jump

[Source: Sybarites]

If you would like immediate updates, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

by Alex Nunez

British buff mag CAR has posted the first photo of the Geneva-bound Bentley Havana coupe. This fixed-roof version of the Azure convertible will have big power coming from the twin-turbo V8 under its substantial hood. Figure 450 ponies and an asphalt-damaging 675 ft-lbs of torque and you’ve got the idea. As for the rest, what do you expect? Its a Bentley, so figure on an interior that’s nicer than some homes with a sticker price to match.

The Havana (no word on if that name will carry through to production) will round out Bentley’s offerings, giving the automaker a coupe/convertible/sedan showroom presence for both its car lines. It’s been a while since the boys from Crewe had a full-sized coupe, so this is one car we’re really looking forward to checking out next year in Geneva.

[Source: Georg Kacher, CAR]

If you would like immediate updates, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Posted Oct 29th 2006 8:08AM by Alex Nunez

Anyone who’s gotten married or has had to arrange for chauffeur-driven transportation for an event knows that with the hourly rates limo services charge, the bill adds up in a hurry. James Alice, a UK car-for-hire firm, built its reputation hiring out high-end cars such as the Bentley Arnage, BMW 7 Series, and an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante, primarily for wedding use, based on what’s detailed on the company’s website.

James Alise is ready to turn the conventional wisdom on it’s head, however, by adding a new service. They will provide customers with a chauffeur-driven Arnage for a week. The cost? A flat £2,000. Want the Bimmer instead (why anyone would is a good question)? That’s just £1,750. Those prices include unlimited mileage. The only cost above and beyond the stated rate is for fuel.

So if you’re heading to the St. Ives area and want to roll in ultimate style, these folks will be able to accomodate you.

[Source: Auto Industry]

If you would like immediate updates, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!