Autoblog

The debate as to whether Bugatti was going to create a second model eventually led to former Bugatti head Thomas Bscher's resignation. Bscher wanted another car, Martin Winterkorn, head of VW, said that a second car would remain nothing more than Bscher's dream.

Somewhere, minds have changed. Although Bugatti isn't meeting original sales projections, new Bugatti CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen assures the continuation and growth of the brand. Not only that, but it has been decided that the second model won't be one priced in the thick-growth band of ultra luxury vehicles, around $150,000 to $200,000. No, it will be just as much, and be just as exclusive, as the current $1.4 million Bug. According to Paefgen, it will have "lifetime volumes in the hundreds."

No one has any idea what such a vehicle will be. And if Bugatti keeps losing money in the amounts rumored, no one knows if VW won't have another change of mind and shut it down. So until then, I guess we'll just have to be happy with Veyron variations like the Pegaso, Pur Sang, and convertible.

[Source: The Car Connection]

UPDATE: Due to a reporting error in the source material, we had the wrong North America sales total for Bentley. The correct number now appears below.

Coming off a record year in 2006, Bentley says that we shouldn't expect similar stellar figures in the near future. After building 10,087 units last year (more than any other ultra-luxury marque), Bentley acknowledged that it's at full production and will probably see a leveling off of sales in the next few years. CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen told reporters in Detroit that they are still investigating adding new models to the Bentley lineup, but that the decision process is incredibly difficult because the image of Bentley must remain intact. That means no SUVs or small sedans, most likely.

Other tidbits that came out of the meeting were that the North American market accounted for about 40% of Bentley sales last year (4,017 units sold), the wait list for a new Bentley is still about 18 months in most markets, and that the company will no longer use the VW Phaeton plant in Dresden that was temporarily used when they launched the Conti Flying Spur. On a partially related note, we had another brief spin in a GTC a couple of days ago and can attest to the fact that chopping the top off does nothing to the driving dynamics of this ultra luxury coupe. Hopefully we'll be able to provide more details soon.

[Source: Automotive news, sub req]

This past Sunday at Le Mans, Bentley Chairman Franz-Josef Paefgen was presented with the Spirit of Le Mans award by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the host organization for the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. The Spirit of Le Mans is reserved for personalities whose actions relating to the race have left a lasting, positive impact

In Dr. Paefgen's case, he has been recognized for bringing Bentley back to Le Mans after a 71-year hiatus. It was Paefgen who resurrected Bentley's factory racing program when he took over as chairman and Chief Executive, and in three short years, Team Bentley went from contender to champion, finishing first and second overall in the sublime EXP Speed 8 prototypes.

In recognition of this achievement, an exact replica of the #7 car that won Le Mans in 2003 will take up residence at the Musée Automobile de la Sarthe, home to over 100 other cars, including several past Le Mans winners. And while the Speed 8 will be the newest Bentley to join the museum, it won't be the first. That distinction belongs to a 1924 Bentley 3 liter that will be there waiting for its grandchild to roll through the doors.

I guess you could say that victory loves company.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Bentley Motors]