Ducati Diavel for Bentley: exclusivity, performance and craftsmanship in a true two-wheeled work of art
Batur is Bentley's most powerful production car ever, with a 740 PS twin-turbo W12 engine, coach-built in just 18 examples. More than that, the Batur combines benchmark Bentley craftsmanship with sculptured, muscular bodywork that defines a new design DNA for Bentley with previews a new design direction for the brand. The visual message communicates great power and elegance, without ostentation or excess. The 18 examples of the Batur are individually hand-crafted by Mulliner, the oldest coachbuilder in the world and Bentley’s in-house bespoke division. In addition to the 500 Diavel for Bentley examples, Ducati also offers a series of just 50 examples, called Diavel for Bentley Mulliner. The 50 Diavel for Bentley Mulliners will be available exclusively to Bentley customers, who through direct collaboration with the designers of the Centro Stile Ducati, will be able to configure their Diavel for Bentley Mulliner with different colours for the saddle, front brake calipers, carbon fibre parts and rims. They will also be able to choose the same colour as their car for the bodywork parts or one of those from the exclusive palette selected by the designers of the Crewe company. The Diavel for Bentley, like all collectible Ducatis, is delivered with a certificate of authenticity, a passenger seat and a motorcycle cover. The name of the model and the production number of the unit are engraved on a plate inserted in the carbon fibre cover of the vertical head, on the right side of the motorcycle. Both the dashboard, equipped as standard with turn-by-turn navigator, and the LED matrix of the rear light cluster offer a special animation at the key-on which makes the Diavel for Bentley even more unmistakable. Finally, each Diavel for Bentley will be delivered in an exclusive personalized wooden case.
Bentley announces strong half-year financials
This includes a transformation from a W12 and V8-centred product portfolio to fully electric within a decade, and in parallel a fully carbon neutral organisation. This as part of a €3 billion, ten-year investment programme in future models and at the Pyms Lane factory in Crewe, England, where all Bentley models are built. Half-year financial figures Financial result 2023 HY 2022 HY Revenue €1.681 billion (-2%) €1.707 billion Operating Result €390 million (-2%) €398 million Return on Sales 23.2 per cent 23.3 per cent Half-year sales figures Market 2023 HY 2022 HY 2023 HY (% of total sales) Americas 2,065 (0%) 2,068 29% Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau 1,512 (-7%) 1,621 21% Europe 1,340 (-12%) 1,524 19% Asia Pacific 963 (+5%) 916 14% United Kingdom 688 (-13%) 795 10% Middle East 528 (+11%) 474 7% Total 7,096 (-4%) 7,398 100%
Automotive history in the spotlight: Special exhibition “The Speed of Light” at the Audi museum mobile
Right at the outset of the 21st century, Audi was the first manufacturer to exploit the full potential of light-emitting diodes: in 2004, LED daytime running lights went into series production in the A8 W12; in 2008, the company revolutionized the world of lighting with the first all-LED headlights in the high-performance Audi R8 sports car; and 2014 marked another global first when the company added lasers as additional high beams in series models. Audi continues to point the way to the future of lighting technology through the digitalization of light, with, for example, digital Matrix LED headlights and digital OLED rear lights. Stephan Berlitz, Head of Lighting Development at Audi’s Technical Development unit, says: “Lighting technology continues to become increasingly important, with its outlook now changing. While safety remains the most important development aspect, in the future, car lights will be able to do more than give light. Through our digitalization efforts, Audi is pioneering a new dimension of automotive lighting technology. Lights are becoming a medium for external communication and interaction – in other words, an important means of communication with other road users.” In today’s automotive design, headlights and rear lights are now the perfect design element for car customization, for example, with digital light signatures. And the evolution of vehicle lighting is far from over. The new special exhibition illuminates the current trend of digitalization in lighting technology and offers a small yet exciting glimpse into the future. Selected exhibits: from the Audi Type C to the Audi AI:CON The oldest exhibit in “The Speed of Light” is an Audi Type C from 1919 with acetylene headlights; the 1925 Horch 10/50 PS already has electric lights. Also on display are a 1936 Horch 850 Cabriolet with Bilux high beams and a 1954 DKW F 91 with yellow fog lights.
Interview with Oliver Hoffmann: “The Audi A8 defines what premium means for the brand”
Personally, I find the 6 liter W12 engine that we’ve been using in the A8 since 2001 and the 5 liter V10 FSI with 450 PS, which powers the D3 generation of the S8, particularly impressive. The armored A8 L Security, which Audi first presented in 2005 and is popular among well known political, economic, and social figures, also makes a statement. The next big step forward is LED light technology. The A8 is the first Audi to use LED daytime running lights. We were the first to put rear LED lights into serial production. The third generation (D4) sticks in my memory because of two features: in 2009, we decided to stop pursuing a dual strategy and to equip the A8 with air suspension. That decision worked out completely: No suspension technology better embodies the balance between comfort and handling. On top of that, the D4 was the first A8 with a hybrid drive system. It blazed the trail for today’s plug-in hybrids. Incidentally, the current A8 was also the first Audi with a touch operating system with haptic feedback. The A8 represents Audi’s approach to challenging the limits of what is technically possible. To what extent is that way of thinking reflected in other series? To be absolutely clear: the Audi A8 is our innovation leader. We do everything we can to always introduce the newest technology in the A8 first and then in other series and segments. The approach that we bring to producing that car radiates into the rest of our portfolio. That's because customers’ needs aren’t only diverse and demanding in the luxury class. We have to set ourselves apart from the competition with quality and comfort in the compact class as well. That's true regardless of whether we are talking about light technology, driver assistance systems, or infotainment. We are absolutely aware that that kind of progress is expected of us. The interior experience in the A8 has always played an important role.