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Bentley Project Hunaudieres - A Sports Car Study Copyright Bentley Motor Cars
The Hunaudieres in all its glory - art for the sake of art?

In March 1999 Bentley wowed the world at the Geneva Motor Show with its latest sports car study - Project Hunaudieres. This study explores the future of the Bentley marque. It combines uncompromising technical standards and traditional British craftsmanship. The name Hunaudieres refers to the famous high-speed straight at Le Mans where the Bentley legend was born in the 1920s with five victories in the "vingt quatre heures du Mans".

The power and charisma of the Bentley marque, which have grown over the years, are reflected in the contrast between two themes - a powerful sports car and extraordinary luxury. The classic British racing green, so typical for Bentley sports cars, has been newly interpreted. New pearlescent effects lend the study an unmistakable lustre.

Project Hunaudieres has a 16-cylinder engine with an 8.0-litre capacity. The engine has an output of 623bhp and a maximum torque of 561lb.ft. Thanks to variable camshaft timing, 85% of the torque is available at as low as 1,500rpm. The engine is made up of two banks of eight cylinders which are fitted at 72 degrees to form a "W", based on VW's VR principle with a cylinder angle of 15 degrees.

The body - a combination of alloy and carbon fibre
The state of the art carbon fibre and alloy materials make up the basic elements of the body of Project Hunaudieres. The dimensions, (length: 4432mm, width: 1985mm, height: 1192mm) allowed the designers scope to create a unique body style. The wheelbase is 2650mm, thus guaranteeing high levels of driving comfort. The track contributes to the aggressive stance of the vehicle (1738mm at the front, 1645mm at the rear) as well as providing an excellent footprint on the road for exhilarating handling.

The conceptual basis for project Hunaudieres is the mid-engine construction hich has been used in a Bentley for the first time. The engine was located in the middle of the vehicle as a result of the positioning of the passenger compartment. This can clearly be seen in the design of the body.

A noble heart both inside and out - an engine shows its power
The heart of the Hunaudieres, the 16-cylinder engine, is the centre of the extraordinary power of this vehicle and this power has also been reflected in the exciting design of the body parts. The surfaces and lines are permanently interrupted by a change of radii. In this way, a focus is set which emphasises the power and dynamics of the vehicle.

Emphasis on design - an arched body
The mid-engine concept can also be seen in the design of the roof. It is arched in design, starting at the windscreen which is set far forward, reaches its highest point in the driver's area and then continues in a flowing line to the rear of the vehicle.

A continuation of the dynamics of form and line characteristic of mid-range sports cars is linked to an interpretation of the classic Bentley radiator. The familiar picture of a Bentley radiator can be seen in the air inlet opening and the honeycomb shape of the grille which have been adjusted to suit the proportions of the flat front end.

The diameter of the pair of modern headlights has been reduced to a minimum - nothing in the design of the front end distracts from the joint effect of the powerful form and the dominating grille motif. This link between tradition and innovation is a hallmark of the Bentley design. In the roof area, an understated window frame and the tank flap made from aluminium bear witness to the harmony achieved between a powerful sports car and extraordinary luxury. The end of the flowing line is at the rear, the upper part making a nearly symmetrical shape with the aluminium bumper and framing the tail light cluster.

The interior - a composition in threes
The interior is made up of a combination of three colours and materials. Nobuck and Connolly leather in dark green and tan and engine-turned aluminium which mirrors the aluminium used for some of the external parts such as the spoilers, bumpers and the entry area. The instrument panel, with a dark green leather trim, repeats the exterior colour in the interior.

The instruments are located behind the six-spoke steering wheel in an engine-turned aluminium surround. Two colour displays are fitted in chrome rings to the left and right of the display for engine revs and speed. They are linked to two small cameras behind the front wheels and thus replace the exterior mirrors.

The aluminium central console, which is a centrepiece of the interior, contains the classic Bentley "bullseye" vents as well as a completely new form of display and operating elements for the control of the air conditioning and radio. The desired control unit is moved into position at the push of a button.

The running gear - two aims: sportiness and comfort
The running gear offers high levels of comfort - with anti-roll bars and double wishbones at the front and rear. Additional transverse links on the rear axle fulfil the requirements for a high level of driving comfort and excellent sports car characteristics. The running gear is made up of a steel space-frame with carbon fibre plates. A permanent four-wheel drive with a central viscous coupling guarantees smooth power transmission. The 20 inch tyres have been specially produced (265/30 at the front and 335/30 at the rear).

Special thanks to Bentley for the information and the photograph
Cylinders:
Maximum Power:
Construction:
Bore x Stroke:
Capacity:
Compression Ratio:
Maximum Torque:
16
623bhp @ 6000rpm
W: 2 x 72 degrees
84.0mm x 90.3mm
8004cc
10.75:1
561lb.ft @ 4000rpm

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