Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition: The ‘Blower’ Celebrates 100 Years

• Limited edition model pays homage to the Bentley Blower of 1929 for the automaker’s 100th birthday.
• Bespoke treatments include 18 carat gold-plated fender badging and “Number 1” painted front grille.
• The Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition is limited to just 100 examples worldwide.

I was going to say having this beast painted red, even a rather fetching shade of red, is an affront to traditional British sensibilities. However, two things prevent me from saying that with the Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition. One, the original Bentley this pays tribute to was painted that color; and, two, if you typically get in a snit about that sort of thing, Bentley, now being owned and run by Germans, is more than snit-inducing enough for you.

That aside, this is rather a beast of a car.

What Is The Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition?

July 10th marks Bentley’s 100th year in the business of making cars. Big, fast, luxurious cars. Back then, they were faster than you’d expect, and these days, they are still faster than you’d expect. This particular car here, known as the Number 1 Edition, is a tribute to the first Bentley hotrod.

The new Number 1 Edition (which I am still ambivalent about, name-wise) draws its inspiration from the original No. 1 Blower, i.e. the thing had a supercharger about the size of a toilet tank hanging off the front end of its 4.5-liter engine. The original No. 1 Blower set the Outer Circuit record at Brooklands in 1932. How fast, you ask? An average of 137 mph, which is pretty surprising, given that most airplanes still had two wings back then. Yes, in case you’re wondering, it was driven by the legendary Bentley Boy Tim Birkin.

Power is amply-provided by an enhanced version of Bentley’s big 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine. Said mill is mated to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission. The bodywork is done up by Mulliner in Crewe, England, and the Bentley Rotating Display has a small wheel spinner, reminiscent of those found on the original No.1 set in resin, a nice touch.

That was then, and today, we have this fitting tribute: the Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition by Mulliner.

Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition by Mulliner. Photo: Bentley Motors.

Merging Past & Present

The Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition by Mulliner – which you could call the CGTCN1EbM (if you were weird) – will be limited to only 100 examples. The Number 1 Edition is the last car in Bentley’s Centenary trilogy of specials, joining the Mulsanne W.O. Edition and the Continental GT Number 9 Edition.

In addition to the trick bits from the Bentley Black Line Specification and Carbon Body Kit, this Limited Edition comes in Dragon Red II or Beluga paint, with a Claret or Beluga folding top. Personally, go with the dark red color, just like original.

There is, of course, more stuff that ties the modern version with the original. This Number 1 Edition features the Bentley Centenary Specification Pack, including Centenary badges on the rear and wheel centers; gear lever and steering wheel; even the keyfob gets a Centenary badge. There’s a ginormous Number 1 painted on the grille (which is so choice), an 18 carat gold-plated fender badge, jeweled fuel filler and oil caps (because you’re rich), and big, stonking 22-inch MDS wheels in either Cricket Ball or Gloss Black.

Photo: Bentley Motors.

Interior Treatments: Gold & Wood

On the inside, you will find a new color split of either Cricket Ball or Beluga complemented by Heritage hide on the seats and door pads. There’s a debossed B insignia on the headrests and door inserts. To answer your questions: no, I don’t know what color “Cricket Ball” is exactly; no I don’t know what color “Heritage hide” is either.

I do know debossed is the opposite of embossed, so I’m one out of three.

Welcoming you into this luxurious cabin is a special Number 1 tread-plate. The cabin is a literal forest’s worth of wood veneer with a Grand Black finish; plus 18 carat gold-plated organ stops, and an Alcantara steering wheel and gear lever. There’s a British Jaeger clock (Jaegers are British?) and a Turned Aluminum dashboard as a nod to the typical race car finish of the 1920s and ‘30s.

For you? Of course it is, if your bank account measures up.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 

Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition Gallery

Photos & Source: Bentley Motors.

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2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe: When Having Four Doors Is More Fun

Destiny has spoken. If you want a sporty and luxurious grand touring car, but can’t stand the thought of spending $220,000 on a Bentley Continental GT, the new BMW 8 Series – in coupe or convertible body style – is the next best thing. Then again, if you want to get your hands on the new BMW 8 Series, the Gran Coupe version will make you pause. Even though the two-door version of the 8 Series is a massive car, there isn’t enough room for adult passengers in the back. I don’t mind having my dog in there when I’m alone, but what if I want to share the driving experience with friends and family?

Hence the 8 Series Gran Coupe. This is why having four doors is more fun in the real world.

Make no mistake about it. The 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe remains a niche car for a niche set of buyers. Yet it manages to stir the pot and add flavor to a market dominated by the Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz CLS.

The 2020 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe: Offering More For Less

The good thing is the original design of the 8 Series two-door is also evident in the Gran Coupe version. In fact, both cars are almost identical from the front bumper to the A-pillar, but that’s where the similarities end. Beyond that, everything is unique to the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

Obviously, the Gran Coupe has four doors, so BMW had to make it bigger still. The 8 Series Gran Coupe is nine inches longer and 2.2 inches taller than the original 8 Series Coupe/Convertible. It also happens to be 1.2 inches wider for a more planted look. Enhancing the stance is a rear track measuring 65.8 inches which, mind you, is the widest track of any BMW automobile in existence.

The result is a 7.9 inch longer wheelbase versus the coupe. This means having the proper room for five adults, or maybe four adults and a large dog. The windshield is taller to raise the roofline too. This means 3.4 inches more rear headroom. If you consider the rear legroom increasing by 7.2 inches and shoulder room by 7.7 inches, then you have a spacious and practical GT car with enough cargo space to easily carry a set of golf bags.

2020 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Gran Coupe: First BMW 8-Series With An Inline-Six

But don’t think for a second you’re getting a so-so inline six. It’s the latest iteration of the German automaker’s TwinPower 3.0-liter six-cylinder mill. It comes with direct-injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger to churn out 335 horsepower and 368 lb. ft. of torque.

More importantly, all that torque is accessible from 1,600 all the way to 4,500 rpm. This essentially means having the pull of a large, high-tech diesel motor without pushing the pedal to the floor. This new inline-six is unique; the exhaust manifold is integrated into the cylinder head while the charge air cooler is incorporated into the intake system. This design improves flow in all stages of the combustion process. BMW’s fully variable valve-timing system (VALVETRONIC) also helps in improving power delivery. The motor uses a new integral heat exchanger and oil module with a split cooling valve to keep everything cool.

With this mill, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is no slouch. It pulls steadily to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive. The xDrive AWD version achieves the feat in 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph. You can raise that to 155 mph if you ask nicely for high-performance tires.

To reduce weight, aluminum is used for the doors, hood, roof, front bulkhead, engine subframe, and rear bumper. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

V8 Power FTW

The inline-six is good and all but what if you want more power? The good news is, the marvelous, 4.4-liter twin-turbo monster in the 8 Series Coupe and Convertible is also available in the Gran Coupe.

The M850i xDrive Gran Coupe produces 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft. of torque and is bristling with technology. The twin-scroll turbochargers are found between the V-shaped cylinder banks of the motor. With high-precision fuel injection, variable valve control, and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing, the mill ensures abrupt power delivery throughout the rev range. On the inside, the cylinder walls are treated with an iron coating and the pistons are further reinforced with a coating of Grafal to eliminate frictional losses. The engine block is crafted from aluminum alloy to reduce weight.

And since the new 8 Series Gran Coupe is a luxury car, BMW included a viscous damper on the crankshaft. This improves the smoothness of the motor even as it strains at higher speeds. With this powerful mill, the new 8 Series Gran Coupe sprints from zero to 60 mph in a supercar-threatening 3.7 seconds.

Related: The big boss gets overhauled: an in-depth look at the 2020 BMW 7 Series.

Transmission & All-Wheel Drive Technology

Both the inline-six and V8 receive an eight-speed Steptronic automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive. The former has an optimized hydraulics control unit for faster and smoother shifts. The transmission adapts the shift parameters to the current driving conditions using the standard navigation system, which is similar to the transmission of a Rolls-Royce.

Meanwhile, the xDrive is a rear-biased system that feeds power strictly to the rear wheels in normal driving mode. It redirects power to the front wheels as needed, courtesy of an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch. It sounds complicated for sure, but it works seamlessly in the background to ensure the best traction on any type of road.

In the SPORT and SPORT+ modes, throttle response and the engine’s acoustics take on a particularly distinctive flavor. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Chassis, Suspension & Steering

Without a doubt, the 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is essentially a four-door sports car. It was honed and developed together with the 8-Series Coupe and M8 GTE endurance race car. This means a carbon fiber-infused chassis using BMW’s proprietary Carbon Core technology. Suspension-wise, the 8 Series Gran Coupe receives an adaptive M suspension with double-wishbones in the front. The rear consists of a five-link setup with bi-elastic bushings. According to BMW, this enables a balance between sporty handling and a comfortable, silent ride.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe also comes with Integral Active Steering technology. This feature is standard on the 840i XDrive and M850i xDrive while optional on the base 840i RWD. This tech utilizes the electro-mechanical and Servotoronic speed-sensitive steering of the front wheels with the variable steering ratio on the rear axle. The result is better agility at higher speeds and a reduction of the turning circle when maneuvering or parking the vehicle.

Related: 35 years of Bavarian goodness: meet the 2020 BMW M5.

Luxurious Interior (And Then Some)

Without question, the luxury theme is eminent inside the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe. The dashboard and upper door panels are covered in Nappa leather. The seats are wrapped in premium Vernasca leather in ivory white, black, or cognac. Two-tone leather seats are available as well. The extended center console – unique to the Gran Coupe – continues to the rear and divides the individually-styled right and left seats without obstructing the center seat. This center console houses climate controls, air vents, a storage tray, and USB ports for the rear occupants.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe 840i and 840i XDrive come standard with just about everything: 18-inch wheels, remote engine start, and a panoramic moonroof; the seats, armrests and steering wheel are heated; LED headlights with BMW Laserlight and a heads-up display are also standard. In addition, the 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, wireless charging, and Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard. BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7 and Apple CarPlay round out the long list of tech features.

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe rear layout. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Safety & Security

The driving assistance package is optional on all trim models of the 8 Series Gran Coupe. This includes a surround view 3D camera, active park control, active driving assistant, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and parking assistant plus. Upgrading to the Driving Assistance Professional Package gives you more yet: active cruise control with stop & go, active blind spot protection, frontal collision warning, active lane keeping assist with side-collision avoidance, and an emergency stop assistant system.

Wheel & Kit Upgrades

The M Sport Package increases the wheel size to either 19 inches with all-season run-flat tires, or 20 inches with high-performance run-flats. This package also throws in a new M steering wheel, multi-functional seats, and an aerodynamic kit among other things. The M850i xDrive with the V8 motor gets even more kit, including 20-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension and M sport differential, sport brakes and exhaust, and ventilated seats.

Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe: Pricing & Availability

The 2020 BMW 840i Gran Coupe starts at $84,900. The 840i XDrive Gran Coupe has a base price of $108,900. Compare this with the $112,000 base price of the 8 Series Coupe with the same V8 engine and xDrive AWD, you get more doors, more space, and a car that still looks awesome despite paying less.

Meanwhile, the M850i xDrive starts at $108,900. Expect the first deliveries to commence in September.

Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

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2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e Review: A Welcome Addition

91

Solid

2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e

Overall Impression

Easy to maneuver.
Lots of safety features.
Tremendous fuel efficiency.

Pros

Fuel Economy

All-Wheel Drive Capability

Cons

Rear Visibility

Quirky Instrument Panel

The Toyota Prius is (and has been) a good vehicle, unless you live in colder climates. But that changes with the new XLE AWD-e model the Japanese automaker brings for 2019. If you live in an area where snowy and icy roads are the norm, the all-wheel drive will provide extra traction. Fuel economy suffers slightly with the 2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e, but it’s worth the loss in efficiency, especially when the weather gets rough.

This week, we’ve been driving the 2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e, which is the top of the Prius line.

2019 Toyota Prius: What’s New?

The fourth-generation Prius is built on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA). The platform introduces a new body structure, multi-link rear suspension, and a lower center of gravity. It’s on this platform the Prius AWD-e makes its debut, with refreshed styling and new black interior elements. Two new colors, Supersonic Red and Electric Storm Blue, are on offer for 2019. New trim level names include L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited. The AWD-e model comes in LE and XLE with new, two-tone 15-inch alloy wheels.

The “e” in AWD-e stands for “electric.”

2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e Hybrid: Features & Options

The new Prius XLE AWD-e ($28,820) comes standard with automatic LED headlights, LED running lights and taillights, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, and automatic climate control. Other standard features include dual, 4.2-inch driver information screens, adaptive cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

The XLE trim adds automatic wipers, keyless entry for the front passenger door and rear hatch, SofTex simulated leather upholstery, wrapped steering wheel, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The XLE also includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror, semi-gloss black center console, and a wireless charging pad. All 2019 Prius models, including the Prius AWD-e, come standard with Toyota Safety Sense P.

Options included the Advanced Tech Package with a heads-up display, adaptive front lighting, auto-leveling headlamps, and the aforementioned 15-inch alloy wheels. Total MSRP including destination: $32,146. By comparison, the 2019 Toyota Prius starts at $23,770.

2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e.

Interior Highlights: Quirky But Helpful

The Toyota Prius has always been a bit quirky in terms of exterior styling and interior configuration, and the new XLE AWD-e is no different. The shifter and center gauge cluster are still odd, and I don’t like when my wife can easily see the speed I’m going without straining her neck! Overall, the cabin is surprisingly roomy and practical for commuting. Even for those occasional longer trips, it’s comfortable enough.

The Prius feels solidly-built, and Toyota uses nice materials throughout the cabin in this new all-wheel-drive model. The touchscreen is user-friendly and responsive, and most controls are simple and well-placed. Within the menu of displays are various driver support systems for the hybrid model. These include things like an Energy Monitor, Hybrid System Indicator, Eco Score, and Eco Wallet among others.

2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e interior layout.

Interior Highlights: Plenty of Room, Visibility Suffers

It’s hard to believe, but we enjoyed the heated seats and steering wheel this week. It’s been cold in Denver even up to the first days of summer! We found the back seat is okay for short trips if you are are carrying adult passengers. Kids will ride just fine on longer trips. Visibility out the front is excellent, but rear visibility is still an issue with the split in the glass cutting through the sightline. Over-the-shoulder visibility is also hindered by the raked roofline.

The hatch provides plenty of space with the rear seats up or down. We carried some larger boxes this week and the cargo area with the rear seats folded down swallowed the boxes with no problem. The XLE AWD-e offers 24.6 cubic feet of cargo volume, expanding to 62.7 cubic feet of space with the rear seats lowered.

The second row folds down easily if you have larger items to carry.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs

The 2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder and a pair of electric motors/generators. Their combined 121 horsepower is sent through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to the front wheels. The electric motors send power to the rear axle when all-wheel drive is needed. Toyota says they use an independent electric, magnet-less rear motor to drive the rear wheels to improve traction between zero and six mph; re-engaging them when front tire slippage is detected up to 43 mph.

EPA fuel-mileage estimates come in at 52 city/48 highway and 50 combined with all-wheel drive. Helping aid fuel economy are the active grille shutters and a 0.24 coefficient of drag (Cd), among the lowest of any current production passenger cars.

Hot-stamped and high tensile steels make up the body of the new Prius. As a result, the XLE AWD-e feels stable on the open road.

Driving Dynamics: Lively & Fun

You don’t buy a Prius for its superior driving dynamics, but rather for its fuel efficiency. Yet Toyota has taken the dull out of this hatch as it’s a competent and efficient urban commuter. We enjoyed the solid handling of the AWD-e and its easy-to-drive nature. When we pulled away from the stop light, we punched gas and the electric motor, coupled with the engine, delivers surprising acceleration.

In full-EV mode, we experienced a quiet and comfortable ride but it still feels lively around town.

The front seats are better than the previous generation, although our only compliant is the buzzy engine noise. We pushed hard while driving uphill into the mountains west of Denver, and the noise was apparent. We chucked the small car around the tight mountains corners and it responded well for an economy vehicle. Body roll was marginal and we felt confident in its abilities.

Related: The history of the Toyota Prius.

Driving Dynamics: Smooth & Secure

As the hybrid synergy drive system makes the shift from EV to hybrid mode, we did not notice the transition. It was seamless and unobtrusive for our entire drive. The electric all-wheel drive is there when you need it, and is perfect for those who live in colder climates. This added hardware opens up new possibilities and it’s less likely to leave you stranded when snow and ice covers the road.

Given how the Prius can operate on the battery alone, every model comes with a Vehicle Proximity Notification System to help alert pedestrians and cyclists.

The addition of all-wheel drive to the Prius line is a good move for Toyota.

Conclusion: A Solid Choice

The 2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e is a good commuter, especially with the added capability of all-wheel drive. It makes a good choice for those needing a fuel-efficient hatch for their daily lives. In addition, independent studies continue to verify the Prius’ reliability and longevity for owners.

Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his firsthand reviews are archived on our test drives page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy

2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e Gallery

Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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