1998 Bourget Low Blow Chopper on 2040-parts.com

One Lap of the Web: Wax that woody; Bentley gets high-tech

-- Bentley comes striding into the 21st century with a Mulsanne souped up with no fewer than two keyboard-equipped iPads in the backseat, hidden behind veneered wood inlays. In a short film titled "Intelligent Details" -- one must assume Bentley marketers had to resist the urge to call it "Intelligent Design" -- Luc Donckerwolke, director of design, and Sang Yup Lee, head of exterior design, go for a ride in black-and-white Manhattan. Naturally, they are not driving.

Range Rover: why it is already battling Bentley

Land Rover is already planning for the 2016 arrival of Bentley’s new SUV – and intends to make the Range Rover even more exclusive and expensive in order to do battle. “We are benchmarking Bentley quite closely,” admitted Range Rover vehicle integration manager Lynfel Owen. “The gap to the (expected £150,000) Bentley and today’s Range Rover (£71,310-£98,430) leaves lots of margin.” Why Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin and Jaguar are going SUV crazy Bentley SUV production confirmed Already, Land Rover has rolled out the new Long Wheelbase Range Rover and, next year, will launch a super-exclusive Autobiography Black trim line, with twin rear massaging captain’s chairs, electric business tables and champagne chiller.

Volkswagen E-Bugster

The Volkswagen E-Bugster concept is a show car preview of the upcoming Beetle cabriolet. The E-Bugster is essentially the same Beetle that debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show last year below its beltline but above it a more steeply raked and shallower windscreen determine its new character. This, in combination with the hard top fitted to the show car creates a silhouette 400mm lower than the standard car, giving it a hint of SoCal speedster.