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Bentley to unveil plug-in hybrid SUV concept in Geneva

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:50:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Bugatti, Geneva Motor Show

The legendary Ettore Bugatti once famously (and derisively) referred to Bentley cars as "the world's fastest lorries" - the British term for heavy trucks. Fast-forward a few decades and Ettore's proclamation is edging toward the truth, as the British brand is rumored to be launching its first-ever SUV - at least in conceptual form - at next week's Geneva Motor Show.

The model - which would expand the Bentley range from two models to three - is earmarked by Bentley/Bugatti Chief Exec Wolfgang Dürheimer (pictured at left with his predecessor, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen) to account for some 3,500 to 5,000 units annually, or a total of about 25,000 units in the vehicle's lifecycle. But the SUV from Crewe isn't just about expanding sales figures, it's also about innovation, as the model is rumored to incorporate what would not only be the company's first hybrid propulsion system, but a plug-in one at that, relegating the engine (which you can bet will still be Bentley big) to also-ran status.

We're eagerly anticipating the results when we get to the Geneva Palexpo, but while the show car is expected to be a concept still several years away from production, one thing's for sure: Bentley won't be alone in jumping from high-end cars to SUVs. It's a path forged by its sister company Porsche (where Dürheimer long served as a senior executive) with the Cayenne, set to be followed by sister marque Lamborghini with a concept car at the Beijing Auto Show in April (not to mention its original SUV, the LM002), and currently being pursued by rival Maserati with the Kubang now being groomed for production.

Bentley to unveil plug-in hybrid SUV concept in Geneva originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Bugatti Galibier to be available with hybrid power

Chris Paukert — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:49:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Bugatti

Bugatti Galibier 16C concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Bugatti models have never lacked ambition, from the company's original incarnation under founder Ettore Bugatti to its present-day operations under the Volkswagen Group. That unbridled moxie looks poised to gather pace with the brand's forthcoming Galibier super sedan.

Not only will the Galibier be very exclusive and very costly, British magazine CAR is reporting that the W16 engine from the Veyron will be ported over with its dual-clutch gearbox, albeit with a twist - it will also be available with optional hybrid power. The dual-power system is being developed because an increasing number of metropolitan city centers are taking steps to curb or ban internal combustion cars firing up in downtown areas, and Bugatti owners aren't exactly the type to take mass transit.

In an interview with the marque's new president and CEO, Wolfgang Durheimer, CAR confirms the project is still in its early stages, with the final dimensions of the car and its chassis construction not yet settled upon. The design is expected to be finalized this fall, and the leading architectures in contention are a carbon monocoque like the Veyron or possibly an aluminum spaceframe.

While the Veyron's production run has been earmarked at 300 units, the Galibier is to increase that tenfold to 3,000 units, but the price will still be steep - CAR estimates the privilege of ownership will cost upwards of £1 million ($1.62M dollars).

[Source: CAR]

Report: Bugatti Galibier to be available with hybrid power originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Bugatti developing battery-powered 800 hp supercar - but range might be minuscule

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 28 May 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Bugatti

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Battery-powered supercar introductions are becoming something of a regular occurrence at the Volkswagen Group. Last year Audi introduced the E-Tron at the Frankfurt Motor Show and now Bugatti is reported to be working on an even more powerful electric sports car and a development mule is reported to be running around based on a Bentley Continental chassis. The Bugatti is apparently powered by a pair of motors with a combined output of 800 horsepower and over 1,600 pound-feet of torque. It's not clear if that is the torque at the wheels (after going through the reduction gears) as it was with the E-Tron or the direct output.

It's not known if such a car will ever be built or if this development car is just a technology demonstrator. The problem with such a powerful car is range - or rather a lack of it. Power is the rate at which energy is converted. The more power you use, the faster the battery is depleted. In this case, full acceleration could drain the battery in just a few minutes, making it essentially useless. Fortunately, petroleum-powered Bugattis are built in such small numbers that their effect on the environment is absolutely negligible.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Report: Bugatti developing battery-powered 800 hp supercar - but range might be minuscule originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 28 May 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drunk on the power output? Bugatti Galibier concept runs on ethanol

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Ethanol, Bugatti, Green Daily

Bugatti Galibier concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

After months of speculation, Bugatti has finally pulled the wraps off its new four-door supercar concept just ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show at an event for past customers and Bugatti-intenders. Up to this point, we've been referring to the French über-sedan as the Bordeaux, but it seems the actual car's moniker will be Galibier - the name of a difficult Alpine pass along the Tour de France.

Powering the Galibier concept will be a version of Bugatti's ridiculously powerful eight-liter W16 powerplant. Unlike the mill propelling the Veyron to ludicrous speed, this version is mounted up front and is capable of running on ethanol fuel, which may or may not allow the automaker to squeeze a few more ponies out of the engine... not that it needs it, of course. Plus, when swilling as much alcohol as the Galibier would be likely to ingest, it's hard to think of a car like this as eco-friendly.

One of the Galibier's most striking features is undoubtedly its two-tone outer shell, which is comprised of both polished aluminum for the doors and front fenders and a unique dark blue carbon fiber weave that shines through when illuminated. We also note a prominent center spine that recalls past Bugattis like the Type 35 and the classically beautiful Type 57.

Current reports peg the Galibier's top speed at 217 miles per hour (350 kilometers per hour), which, while slower than the Veyron's epic terminal velocity, is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Check out our gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: Bentley Galibier concept

[Source: Net Car Show]

Drunk on the power output? Bugatti Galibier concept runs on ethanol originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Does Simon Cowell own the least eco-friendly fleet of cars in the world?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:42:00 EST

Filed under: Green Culture, Bugatti, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Green Daily, UK, USA

City Car Club, a carshare operator established in 2000 and based in the U.K. operates a fleet of vehicles including many Honda Civic Hybrids. The carshare group recently polled celebrities to find out what kind of vehicles they drive. Afterwards, the average CO₂ emissions of their fleets were summed up and the celebs were ranked. The worst of the worst turns out to be Simon Cowell, the judge you know and love from American Idol. Apparently, the Bugatti Veyron, Ferrari F430 and Rolls Royce Phantom in his garage average 457 g/km of CO₂, with the Veyron emitting the most at a whopping 574 g/km.

Jay Kay, "that bloke what wears daft stuff on his head" and frontman for the funk band Jamiroquai comes in at second place, followed by soccer star David Bekham. We're not really sure just how exhaustive the City Car Club's list is, but check out the ~~top~~ bottom ten after the break. American celebs appearing on the list include rapper ~~fiddy~~ 50 Cent and singer Justin Timberlake.

Continue reading Does Simon Cowell own the least eco-friendly fleet of cars in the world?

Does Simon Cowell own the least eco-friendly fleet of cars in the world? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 02 May 2008 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Indy 500 pace car to be E85-fueled Corvette Z06

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:06:00 EST

Filed under: Ethanol, Flex-Fuel, Bugatti, Chevrolet

Click the photo for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Indy pace cars

On Memorial Day weekend in 2008, General Motors is taking their ethanol promotional campaign to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For the tenth time, a Chevrolet Corvette will be leading the racers around the track for the Indy 500. This time around, however, the 'Vette won't have only gasoline in the tank. Instead, the bright green car will be running on E85. The ethanol-fueled Corvette Z06 pace car will be driven on race day by two-time World Champion and two-time Indy 500 champ Emerson Fittipaldi. In addition to the E85 Corvette, Chevrolet will be providing a special black and silver Corvette commemorating the 30th anniversary of the first pace car 'Vette. Chevy will build 500 replicas of the anniversary pace car for sale in both coupe and convertible forms.

Gallery: 2008 Indy 500 Pace Car E85 Corvette Z06

[Source: Chevrolet]

Continue reading 2008 Indy 500 pace car to be E85-fueled Corvette Z06

2008 Indy 500 pace car to be E85-fueled Corvette Z06 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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