It appears the Bentley Bentayga may have ruffled luxuriant plumage over at JLR.
Head crayon-wielder Gerry McGovern has indicated to a European media outlet that a new ultra-luxurious Range Rover could find its way to the top of the polished pack.
Really? Is there room? After all, something like the $352,000 Range Rover SV Autobiography — especially in long-wheelbase format — is the dictionary definition of luxury-liner motoring.
What on earth can JLR do to add to the ambience? Onboard chandeliers?
Speaking to Automotive News Europe, McGovern indicated that overlapping Range Rover models aren’t an issue for him however, and that two similarly-sized Range Rovers could have two different personalities and audiences.
“We’ve realised that the Range Rover has this big expanse across its price range, so it’s not a very big step to get into Bentayga country,” he said.
Okay, but a Bentley Bentayga is about $390,000, which doesn’t leave a lot of breathing space between the two.
Unless Land Rover decides to pitch a super-luxurious Rangey above the Bentley and take on what promises to be the daddy of all luxury SUVs, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan (which Rolls-Royce insists isn’t an SUV but rather a “high-riding vehicle”).
He’s right about variety, however. A few years ago, monocles were dropped in outrage when the lairy Range Rover Sport dared join Vogue’s exclusive champers-and-canape soiree.
Now we have the Evoque and the forthcoming Velar, too. There’s a Range Rover for every tycoon, it would seem.
With the Cullinan on the horizon, as well as new XL-sized precious metal from Lamborghini and BMW imminent, it will be interesting to see just how lofty JLR’s ambitions prove.
Chinese whispers for F1
Rumours of Chinese-backed team enlivens F1 paddock. Photo / Supplied
With back-field mainstay and contract-absconder Rio Haryanto in the driver’s seat for Manor Racing’s disastrous 2016 Formula 1 season, the team formally known as Marussia had an Indonesian connection.
Now, however, rumours suggest that what’s left of the team has a Chinese one.
A German motorsport magazine has stated that former Manor employees have been approached by Chinese investors about forming a new F1 team, to be based in the UK.
Rather than scurrilous rumblings, personnel in lofty positions, such as Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, has also confirmed the stories, saying the mysterious Chinese-backed delegation has been sprung talent-scouting in Red Bull’s part of the paddock.
Horner’s not worried. He says any new team hoping to appear on the grid at race one of the 2018 season is — to paraphrase Darryl Kerrigan from The Castle — dreamin’.
Although the grapevine suggests former Manor employees have signed on the dotted line, F1’s new sporting director, Ross Brawn, is playing dumb, saying that no new team has made a formal request to join the circus.
The new backers would have to be made of strong stuff (and boast large bank accounts) if they did intend to take on ex-Manor.
The team’s financial woes are legion, with most potted histories detailing its brief foray into the sport ending with the words “under administration”.
Gotta get us some logs
Photo / Supplied
We don’t often cover big rigs here at The Good Oil, but we couldn’t resist bringing this retro beauty to your attention.
Its long-bonnet silhouette and sleeper cab would be good enough for BJ McKay himself. (Kids, ask your parents.)
Thing is, this is a brand spanking new truck; a special edition Kenworth Legend 900, featuring a whole heap of modern technology within its distinctly 1980s-era American custom body.
It’s the second limited-edition retro rig Kenworth has released of late, with its Legend 950 capturing trucker capped-hearts back in 2015.
The catch, however, is that it was sold for one day only. Put yer money down now, or don’t bother at all. That day was back on June 2 and 250 were sold.
Some buyers even requested specific production numbers related to trucking firms, anniversary dates and superstitions.
Of those 250 ordered, 12 will be making their way to New Zealand roads.
So look out for that distinctive long bonnet, traditional split windscreen, side-mounted exhausts and old-school flat dashboard.
Also take note of any chimpanzees riding shotgun. (Again, kids ask your parents).