all-wheel – All about car

The third-generation Bentley Flying Spur will be the first model from the marque to receive all-wheel steering, as the car maker seeks to make its four-door luxury saloon the most dynamic yet. Alongside this, it will also feature active all-wheel drive and Bentley’s Dynamic ride system, as found on sibling model, the Continental GT. Bentley said the trio of systems promises “unparalleled agility in the segment,” which includes the Rolls Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Maybach S 600. It added that the introduction of all-wheel steering will “enhance both stability at highway speeds and manoeuvrability around town”. The last two generations of Flying Spur used all-wheel drive, but the new model’s active system means drive is sent to the rear wheels in normal road conditions for a sportier feel. This latest image and video (below) shows the model undergoing final testing at Nardo test track. Bentley has also shown an image (above) of the door card which features three-dimensional, textured leather upholstery, a claimed world-first. The final clue Bentley has shown ahead of the Flying Spur’s full reveal is a video (below) of the car’s bonnet and Flying B emblem, which appears to have illuminated wings. The Crewe-based firm hopes that the upcoming Flying Spur, which will be unveiled on June 11, will appeal to a new generation of Bentley buyers. It will also aims to better distinguish the model from its two-door sibling, the Continental GT by having a more distinctive design with more defined surfaces. It is, however, based on the same MSB platform as its sibling, and uses familiar Bentley engines, including the 6.0-litre W12 and V8. It’s also expected to be the next Bentley to receive a V6-powered plug-in hybrid. An electrified version will be crucial to bolster Bentley sales in China, among other markets. Bentley said: “Both sports sedan and luxury limousine, Bentley’s all-new Flying Spur owes only its historic name to the preceding model and will deliver an unparalleled touring experience for the driver and passengers alike.” It added that the model is “ground up development that pushes the boundaries of both technology and craftsmanship to deliver segment-defining levels of performance and refinement”. Following the launch of the Flying Spur, the firm will turn its focus to what Autocar understands will be a next step in its design, promising a more radical change to something more fresh and modern. It is Bentley’s centenary year, and a host of celebrations in July will include a concept reveal showcasing “the future of grand touring”. Bentley, under the tenure of boss Adrian Hallmark, who joined last year from Jaguar Land Rover, is finalising its broader model strategy for the next few years, which is expected to focus on grand touring models and SUVs rather than sports
Origin: New Flying Spur will be first Bentley with all-wheel steering

2014 E63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC Wagon. Mercedes-AMG plans to switch all of its vehicles to all-wheel drive, according to company boss Tobias Moers. In an interview with Britain’s Autocar, the head of Mercedes’ performance division said that all rear-drive configurations would be eliminated in next-generation models, in favour of powering all four wheels. According to the publication, Moers said that customers are asking for such systems, and when the AMG E-Class was offered with both rear- and all-wheel drive, more than 90 per cent of buyers opted for all-wheel. He said it doesn’t make sense to invest money in developing a separate rear-drive system when all-wheel is a clear preference. In the new E63, which has drift mode that disengages the front driveshafts, “you have a real rear-wheel-drive car, but with four-wheel drive also.” While it’s a popular choice in countries like Canada, where drivers like its stability in bad weather, Moers said that customers in Munich “always ask for four-wheel drive.” The all-wheel configuration is expected to be included in the next generation of the C63, S63, and the AMG GT supercar. Moers said that customers for that flagship model are also asking about all-wheel. Moers also confirmed that Mercedes-AMG will be discontinuing its V12 engines, with the S65 “Final Edition” model being the last to carry one. However, it will still make them for Maybach as required, for vehicles such as the next-generation S-Class. The company may also drop its V8 engines from some of the smaller AMG cars, such as the C-Class. Rather than develop a more powerful version of the company’s 4.0L bi-turbo V8 engine, the company will use electrification to boost power with plug-in hybrid powertrains, especially in the face of tightening European emissions
Origin: Mercedes-AMG will switch exclusively to all-wheel drive