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Bentley Motors Teases Third Coachbuilt Masterpiece

Bentley Motors is set to unveil its third coachbuilt creation on May 7, 2024, following the remarkable Bacalar Barchetta and Batur coupe. Crafted by Mulliner, Bentley’s renowned in-house bespoke division with a rich heritage in coachbuilding, this new addition to the exclusive family of Bentleys will uphold Mulliner’s tradition of creating truly unique cars tailored to the desires of its discerning clientele.

Limited to just 16 units, this new coachbuilt Bentley will be among the final units to be powered by Bentley’s iconic W12 engine, featuring its most potent iteration.

While specifics on the power output of this new creation have not been revealed, it’s anticipated that it may not match the 730hp and 1,003Nm of torque seen in the Batur coupe. Instead, output could align more closely with the 650hp of the Speed Edition 12 model.

Bentley first introduced the W-12 engine in 2003 with the debut of the first-generation Continental GT. With production coming to a close this year, Bentley estimates that over 105,000 examples of this engine will have been produced. While Bentley has yet to announce the powertrain that will succeed the W-12, speculation suggests a plug-in hybrid configuration featuring a turbocharged V-8.

Looking towards the future, Bentley envisions a transition from plug-in hybrids to electric vehicles (EVs), albeit with a revised timeline after postponing its previous goal of completing this shift by the decade’s end. The automaker now aims to debut its inaugural EV in 2026. Given the resounding success of past offerings like the Bacalar and Batur, which sold out swiftly, there’s ample potential for coachbuilt Bentleys to thrive in the forthcoming EV era.

Four Legendary Bugatti’s Connected to 1MDB Seized

The excitement of Munich’s Motorworld was shattered by a Friday morning raid, as law enforcement descended on the luxury event space to seize four legendary hypercars. These weren’t your ordinary cars but rather part of Bugatti’s ultra-exclusive “Les Legendes de Bugatti” series, each fetching a hefty price tag of $12 million (RM57,234,000) when they first hit the market.

The raid, conducted by a dozen officers and investigators, is believed to be connected to the infamous 1MDB scandal. This scandal involved the embezzlement of billions of dollars from a sovereign wealth fund, leading to the conviction of former Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2020.

Specifically, the four Bugatti Veyrons seized represent rare editions: Rembrandt, Black Bess, Jean-Pierre Wimille, and Meo Constantini, with only three units of each produced. In total, Bugatti crafted just 18 cars in this exclusive series, all based on the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. While their original value was around $3 million each, their current worth is difficult to determine.

The ownership of these cars remains a mystery, as authorities have been tight-lipped about revealing any details. The raid was conducted as part of ongoing criminal proceedings, and further information is not available at this time.

The fate of the seized hypercars is uncertain, but it’s unlikely that owners will be allowed to ship them out of the country, as has been permitted in previous seizure cases unrelated to criminal activity.

Rec Watches 98T/4: A Timepiece Tribute to Ayrton Senna and Lotus’ Iconic Formula 1 Era

The Rec Watches 98T/4 timepiece is a stunning tribute to the iconic black and gold John Player Special Formula 1 cars campaigned by Lotus, particularly the Lotus 98T chassis number 4 driven by Aryton Senna in the 1986 season. Crafted in collaboration with Classic Team Lotus, this limited-edition watch encapsulates the spirit of that legendary era in motorsport.

The watch features a striking black and gold colour scheme reminiscent of the iconic JPS livery. Constructed primarily from stainless steel, it incorporates reforged aluminium from the car’s original plenum tubes into the Chapter Ring surrounding the dial, adding a tangible connection to the historic F1 machine. The top glass is crafted from sapphire crystal for durability, while the leather strap ensures comfort and style. With a water resistance rating of 100 meters, it’s a timepiece designed for enthusiasts both on and off the track.

Limited to just 989 examples, each watch is priced at $3,995 (RM19,048), with pre-order buyers receiving a discounted price of $3,195 (RM15,233). However, eager collectors will need to exercise patience as the watches won’t be available until March 2025. Despite the wait, the demand for these pieces of F1 history is high, with the majority of the limited production already spoken for. As of April 26, only 173 pre-orders remain available, making it imperative for enthusiasts to act swiftly to secure their piece of racing heritage.

Nissan Unveils Four NEV Concepts Developed with Dong Feng

At Auto China 2024, Nissan made a significant splash under the theme “A new Nissan for a new era in China,” unveiling four new energy vehicle (NEV) concepts and showcasing a robust lineup of electrified models. This move underscores Nissan’s latest achievements and future direction in electrification, aligning with its commitment to sustainable growth in the rapidly evolving Chinese market.

The four NEV concept models, developed in collaboration with local partner Dong Feng, cater to various future mobility needs in China:

Nissan Epoch Concept

An EV sedan designed for urban and suburban lifestyles, featuring an AI-expanded Internet of Things and a virtual personal assistant for enhanced comfort and convenience.

Nissan Epic Concept

An EV SUV tailored for adventurous city couples, equipped with autonomous driving capabilities, mobile power source functionality, and advanced onboard technologies for a relaxing driving experience.

Nissan Era Concept

A plug-in hybrid SUV catering to urban lifestyles, particularly appealing to young businesspeople. It offers an interconnected entertainment system, zero-gravity seats, and advanced driving technologies for comfort and confidence.

Nissan Evo Concept

A plug-in hybrid sedan ideal for weekend getaways and family moments, featuring advanced driver support functions and an AI-enhanced virtual personal assistant for a tailored driving experience.

Additionally, Nissan showcased the Nissan Hyper Force Concept and Nissan Hyper Punk Concept, previously premiered in Tokyo. The Hyper Force Concept offers ultimate driving pleasure with high environmental performance, targeting racing enthusiasts and eco-conscious individuals. The Hyper Punk Concept aims to inspire self-expression with AI and biosensors for mood detection, enhancing energy and creativity.

Further underscoring Nissan’s commitment to electrification, the displayed Formula E Gen3 race car represents the Nissan Formula E team’s participation in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Nissan’s China strategy focuses on corporate value and overall competitiveness, with initiatives like the “Excitement by Ni” brand campaign embodying the commitment to innovation and enriching lives. Nissan aims to lead in providing exciting mobility experiences, leveraging intelligence and AI-based services through strategic partnerships.

Amidst rapid market changes in China, Nissan remains dedicated to driving innovation, enriching lives, and delivering exciting future mobility experiences in collaboration with local partners.

Lotus Evija X: Fastest Production Chassis Around the Nürburgring

Lotus has unveiled the Evija X, a track-focused, record-chasing version of its all-electric hypercar. Designed as a one-off technical showcase rather than a production vehicle, this remarkable machine boasts an impressive Nürburgring lap time of 6 minutes and 24 seconds.

This achievement positions the Evija X as the third fastest non-homologated racing car around the Nürburgring, trailing only the Volkswagen ID.R (6:05) and the Porsche 919 Evo (5:19), the current record holder. Lotus claims that this lap time makes the Evija X the fastest car around the Nürburgring with a production car chassis. Moreover, Lotus suggests that this record-setting performance is just the beginning, as it was achieved in less-than-optimal damp conditions in October.

Visually, the Evija X stands out with its extreme aerodynamic package, reminiscent of Pikes Peak rather than traditional Nürburgring styling. The front features a massive splitter and canards, while the rear sports an enormous wing with DRS (Drag Reduction System) atop a minimalistic diffuser. Other aerodynamic enhancements include openings above the front wheels to dissipate turbulent air and revised side skirts. Additionally, the Evija X boasts new suspension components, carbon brakes, and special Pirelli race tyres.

Powering the Evija X are four electric motors, which together produce an impressive 2,000PS at full throttle. However, details about the range provided by the 70 kWh battery during flat-out Nürburgring runs have not been disclosed.

Mazda Unveils the Arata SUV Concept – EV and PHEV Options

Mazda made a splash at Auto China 2024 in Beijing with the debut of the rear-wheel-drive EZ-6 sedan, stealing the spotlight at their stand. However, another notable premiere was the introduction of the Arata, a sleek electric SUV concept destined for production by the end of the following year.

Developed by Changan Mazda, a joint venture between Changan Automobile and Mazda, the Arata is likely to receive a different name for its production version, possibly an alphanumeric designation echoing Mazda’s other SUVs. The “EZ-60” nameplate has already been trademarked in China and could be a potential choice.

The Arata, meaning “new” or “fresh” in Japanese, offers a glimpse of an attractive electric SUV that may share a platform with an existing model. While the EZ-6 sedan is expected to be based on the Changan Depal SL03, the EZ-60 could derive from the Changan Deepal S7. However, significant design differences suggest that Mazda’s versions will appear more upscale and justify a potentially higher price tag.

As a concept, the Arata is an all-electric vehicle which will also offer a plug-in hybrid variant just like the EZ-6. It features Mazda’s signature Kodo design language, with sleek lines, illuminated grille, and distinct lighting elements front and rear. The concept incorporates cameras in place of traditional mirrors, eliminates door handles, and foregoes a rear wiper for a cleaner aesthetic. A spoiler with a vertical third brake light extends to the roof panel, while the quarter panel design creates the illusion of flying buttresses.

While Mazda has not confirmed plans to sell the sedan and SUV outside of China, where they will be manufactured, the vehicles are sure to generate excitement with their innovative designs and electric powertrains.