More multimillionaires’ marvels materialise in Monterey
BENTLEY FLYING SPUR MULLINER
Bentley’s Mulliner coachbuilding division has turned its hand to the Flying Spur saloon to create the third member of the Mulliner Collections line-up, joining similarly conceived versions of the Continental GT coupé and convertible.
Available with all three Bentley powertrains (V6 plug-in hybrid, V8 and W12), the new range-topping model is described as the flagship of the Bentley range. It’s marked out as such by way of a subtle makeover and a raft of bespoke features. Exclusive two-tone 22in wheels with self-levelling centre caps, a ‘double diamond’ mesh pattern for the front grille and silver-capped wing mirrors are the most obvious visual differentiators, but the changes are more extensive inside.
There are deep-pile mats, illuminating tread plates, embroidered seats, a range of bespoke upholstery colour schemes, ‘3D’ leather on the door panels, a brushed silver Mulliner clock and electrically folding picnic tables for rear passengers.
Prices for the PHEV haven’t been confirmed, but the V8 costs from £220,100 and the W12 from £230,400, making it the priciest series-production Bentley yet.
PININFARINA BATTISTA
More than two years after its Geneva motor show debut, Automobili Pininfarina’s first model, the Battista, has made its production-specification debut in California.
The Battista is described as “the most powerful road-legal Italian car ever built”, and it will take on its Rimac Nevera sibling and the Lotus Evija in the increasingly competitive electric hypercar segment.
As promised, it takes 1900bhp and 1696lb ft from its Rimac-sourced quadmotor powertrain. As such, it offers similarly astounding performance capabilities: 0-62mph in less than 2.0sec and a top speed of 217mph, while its 120kwh battery supplies a range of 311 miles and can be rapid-charged at rates of up to 180kw.
The design is unchanged from last year’s prototype, inside and out, as is the dual focus on “driver-centric” high-speed thrills and long-distance refinement.
Just 150 examples of the Battista will be produced, five of which will be specified in Anniversario trim – revealed at Monterey – which brings exposed carbonfibre bodywork featuring grey, white and blue flourishes.
LOTUS EVIJA
Lotus headed to the West Coast primarily to show off the new Emira sports car to the American public for the first time, but it also celebrated its motorsport heritage with a specially decorated version of its Evija electric hypercar.
Finished in a striking yellow livery with blue accents, the show car pays tribute to the Camel-liveried Lotus Type 99T Formula 1 car in which Ayrton Senna won the Detroit Grand Prix in 1987 – his final victory for the British manufacturer.
This race was of particular significance to Lotus, because the tight street circuit around Motor City proved the worth of its novel computer-controlled active suspension – a technological innovation mirrored by the technical make-up of the new 2000bhp EV, of which customer deliveries are set to begin later this year.
The Emira, meanwhile, took to the nearby Laguna Seca race circuit for its first dynamic performance in the US, where it’s expected to attract a significantly wider target market than previous Lotus models.
BUGATTI BOLIDE
Bugatti has at last confirmed that it’s taking its outlandish Bolide hypercar into production, nearly a year after it was unveiled as a digital experimental concept.
Just 40 examples of the Chiron-based skeletal track car will be built over the next three years, priced at €4 million (£3.4m), following “a great deal of enthusiasm and intrigue” for the concept at its unveiling.
Owners will initially be invited to sample its performance at dedicated track events so they can be gradually introduced to its “breathtaking performance”.
The Bolide will be the most powerful car that Bugatti has ever built, with output from the French company’s venerable 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 engine ramped up to 1825bhp and 1180lb ft (when using 110-octane race fuel).
Molsheim officials said the concept would be capable of more than 311mph and lap the 12.9-mile Nurbürgring Nordschleife in just 5min 23.1sec, and although the production car weighs 210kg more, at 1450kg, it can be expected to record a broadly similar time.
RADFORD 62-2
The new 62-2 is a highly exclusive, retro mid-engined sports car from Radford, the historic British coachbuilding marque that has been revived by F1 champion Jenson Button, celebrity mechanic Ant Anstead and designer Mark Stubbs.
Created with support from Lotus itself, the 62-2 is based on the 1960s Type 62 sports racer and shares the bulk of its underpinnings and powertrain with the nowretired Evora sports car, including its 3.5-litre V6. This is available in two states of tune – 430bhp and 500bhp – and can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
Despite its modern look, the 62-2 is dimensionally similar to the original car, at just 1133mm tall with prominent raised front wings and an optional ducktail spoiler.
Radford has yet to reveal the interior but describes the cabin as “uncluttered” in line with the exclusive creation’s “day-to-day” billing. It receives a 6.0in digital gauge cluster, wi-fi connectivity, integrated LED lights, Bluetooth connectivity and customisable digital switches.
ACURA NSX TYPE S
Honda has boosted the output of the NSX to 592bhp for the Type S variant that serves as the “ultimate” version of the V6 hybrid supercar. The 350 examples will conclude the production run of the NSX, which is sold as an Acura in the US. It will cost from $171,495 (£124,000), and 300 will go to US buyers. It won’t be sold here.
Reworked front and rear ends increase downforce and engine cooling, and a new carbonfibre roof and bespoke internal and external styling elements also feature.
The extra power produced from the 3.6-litre V6 has been achieved through new fuel injectors and intercoolers and turbochargers from the NSX GT3 racer. Those upgrades also increase torque to 492lb ft. The battery has been uprated to boost usable capacity by 20% and output by 10%, while the nine-speed dual-clutch gearbox has been retuned for faster upshifts and more aggressive downshifts.
The Type S also gains bespoke Pirelli P Zero tyres, while the optional Lightweight Package adds a high-gloss carbonfibre engine cover, carbon-ceramic brakes and interior carbonfibre elements, cutting the weight of the car by 26.2kg.