BENTLEY has launched a comeback for its most iconic race car ever – but drivers are warned it will break the bank.
A road-legal version of the racing legend has been released with a couple of major tweaks and a hefty price tag.
Cover ImagesThe Baby Blower is modelled on Bentley’s most iconic racecar[/caption]
Cover ImagesThe original Blower was an icon of pre-war racing[/caption]
The beloved British manufacturer has put out an updated version of the 1929 Bentley Blower, which took part in Le Mans and came second in the French Grand Prix in 1930.
The new “Baby Blower”, or Bentley Jnr., is a roadgoing, all-electric version of its pre-war big brother, created in partnership with The Little Car Company.
Clocking in at just 85% the size of the original, it is powered by a 15kw electric motor which puts out the equivalent of 20 horsepower.
This gives it a top speed of 45mph, while the range is around 65 miles.
The driver can choose from three performance modes using a button disguised as the racing giant’s fuel pressure pump.
These are Comfort, Bentley and Sport, the latter of which provides the full power complement to the drivetrain.
But who cares about power when it looks that good?
Lavished in a gorgeous racing green and capped with a glistening chrome front end, it is dripping with prestige and style.
Only 99 of the “first edition” models are set to be sold.
Each comes with its own racing number embossed on the grill and driver-side rear panel, while driver’s door is stamped with a crisp Union flag.
A mock turbocharger designed to mimic the original’s aspiration system discreetly houses the charging port, flanked by two retro, big-bulb headlamps.
It may not be a daily driver but classic car fans could barely dream of travelling in greater style.
In fact, the Blower is so cool that Ian Fleming chose it as James Bond’s original car in his books long before Britain’s greatest spy began his love affair with Aston Martin.
The new version was designed using the actual car from 1929, which is insured for a whopping £25 million.
And the Baby Blower isn’t much cheaper, with each retailing at £108,000.
However, when you consider that all of them are handmade using traditional techniques, this becomes a little less mind-boggling.
That’s not to say it doesn’t have mod-cons, though, with a USB port, sat nav and reversing camera all discreetly included.
Bentley said: “Blower Jnr is crafted by hand to the same standards as any Bentley, and adorned with beautiful details all inspired by the original Team car.”
Cover ImagesThe new version is 85% of the size[/caption]
Cover ImagesIt is powered by a 45kw electric motor[/caption]
Cover ImagesThe classic design is dripping with style and class[/caption]
Cover ImagesWhile it might not be a daily drive, a quick spin around town has rarely looked this good[/caption]