Car and Van News

Bentley is continuing its rocketing sales success, with the Crewe-based luxury brand boosting its figures by a third in the first half of 2012.

Sales are up in every region, leading to a global increase of 32 per cent, with 3,929 cars delivered to customers.

Audi has set another precedent at the Le Mans 24 hours, adding the first-ever victory of a hybrid-powered car to the first diesel victory it achieved in 2006.

The Audi R18 e-tron quattro of Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer finished a lap ahead of the second Audi hybrid.

Lamborghini has followed the example of fellow VW-group brand Bentley by unveiling an SUV concept.

The Lamborghini Urus apparently derives its name from the world of bulls, relating to the Italian automaker’s badge.

On the eve of the Geneva Motor Show Bentley has revealed a likely highlight – its long-expected SUV.

Currently the brand is describing the car as a concept and a production version is apparently yet to win board approval.

Audi is to take on Toyota in this year’s Le Mans 24-hour race with hybrid-powered race cars.

Two cars in the four-strong Audi team seeking to score the brand’s eighth win in 10 years of the classic race will use a diesel-electric engine.

Luxury car maker Bentley has announced major sales growth in 2011 topped in December by its best month since before the recession.

Global sales climbed 37 per cent in the year, to 7003 cars sold, and according to the Crewe, UK-based manufacturer accelerated as the year went on.

Volkswagen claims that its eT! concept, unveiled at the Design Centre of Potsdam this week, reinvents the delivery vehicle.

The electrically-powered van can drive itself while unoccupied, and even responds to external commands.