In March 1999, at the Geneva Motor Show, the Bentley Hunaudieres made its debut. This was the first time since Volkswagen had bought the English motor car manufacturer. The public got a glimpse of what probably might become a future Bentley model. It remained a question though whether or not following further development, this concept would be added to Bentley’s model range. It remained a question too whether or not a more sensible choice of designation might have been appropriate - to spell Hunaudieres correctly is near impossible for those who happen to live in the English-speaking areas of our world.
In any case, the Bentley BY8.16 Hunaudieres was an answer to the question of Bentley would continue their tradition of exhibiting so-called “Concept Cars” after the company had become part of Volkswagen’s empire. Here was a clear indication that Bentley should play a significant role. By presenting the Bentley Hunaudieres, Volkswagen nailed their colors to the mast with a through and through super sportscar.
The coachwork was made from highly advanced components produced from Carbonfibre and aluminum. The design chief of the Volkswagen Group, Hartmut Warkuss, had been responsible for the lines of this car. With its interior dominated by exquisite leather and a thoroughly modern outward appearance, fine ingredients from the marque’s tradition had been amalgamated on this bold project car. Focke of Brunswick had built it. Particular emphasis was on the entirely newly developed engine: a 16-cylinder engine with a capacity of 8,004 ccm! Two-cylinder blocks with eight cylinders were arranged in W-form, and the power output was estimated at 463kw/630hp. Maximum torque of 760 Nm at 4,000 rpm should have impressed as an exclamation mark! - Fair consideration, however, might have resulted in checking the engine for other inherent qualities. As regards sheer power with fewer cylinders and less capacity, the well-proven Rolls-Royce 6.75 liter V8-engine fitted into the Bentley Continental T provided a maximum of 875 Nm - and that figure was achieved at a mere 2,100 rpm.
The launch of the Bentley Hunaudieres might have been to gauge market reactions for a future model and gain tremendous publicity from occupying prominent media space.
Source: K.-J. Roßfeldt - www.rrab.com; Photo Courtesy of Bentley Motors
