Latest news with #BentleyBlower
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Can It Be A Blower Bentley Without A Blower?
The 4½-Liter Blower Bentley is, perhaps, the most iconic Bentley ever built. It's a car created by W.O. Bentley himself in response to the increasing power of race cars. A mere 54 were built from 1929 through 1931, with four fitted as race cars. Despite having never won an international race, they've become the stuff of legend and a favorite of many, including author Ian Fleming. Street-legal versions of the supercharged car produced 175 horsepower, while track models generated a considerable 240 horsepower. In recent years, Bentley has revisited its famous model, including in 2019, when the company commenced a continuation series of 12 Blower Bentleys, based on the 1929 Bentley 4½-Liter Number Two Team Car, shown below. Late last month, Bentley Motors announced that it is working with Hedley Studios in Oxfordshire, England, to produce the Bentley Blower Jnr, a street-legal 85% scale recreation of the 1929 Bentley Blower. Measuring 146 inches long and 59 inches wide, it features tandem seating for two and is built by hand, much like the original. "With only 349 examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr to be built, we're very excited to embark on this production process and see these pieces of handcrafted art out on the roads," said Ben Hedley, CEO and Founder of Hedley Studios, where the car is built. Calling it a Bentley Blower is a bit misleading, since the Bentley Blower Jnr lacks a blower, aka a supercharger. Instead, the Bentley Blower Jnr uses a fully-electric 48-volt powertrain with a 15-kWh (20 bhp) electric motor that has an estimated range of 65 miles and a top speed of 72 kph. That's 45 mph to us Yanks. It employs a steel frame, rather the original's ash frame. The rear body structure is made of carbon fiber covered in impregnated fabric, like the original. The hood is aluminum and finished with leather straps and a nickel-plated radiator. Underneath, it's fitted with a leaf-spring suspension, friction dampers and, in a nod to modern-day safety, front disc/rear drum Brembo brakes. Inside, an engine-turned aluminium instrument panel looks much like the original, although with the addition of a drive mode selector featuring a choice of Comfort, Bentley or Sport. A Forward, Neutral and Reverse switch takes the place of the original's fuel pressurization hand pump, while a battery charge gauge replaces the original ammeter. With a starting price of $115,000, the Bentley Blower Jnr represents a reimagining of an automotive icon for the modern age. Its small size and relatively low range and top speed ensures that it remains a novelty at best, without the visceral thrills and driving challenge characteristic of a true 4½-Liter Blower Bentley. Accepting it for what it is means you'll enjoy what few other vehicles that can provide: a modern-day link to the past. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
TimesLIVE
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Hedley Studios reveals scale replica of classic Bentley Blower racer
The aluminium dashboard looks like a scaled-down replica of the original. The fuel pressurisation hand pump has been repurposed as the drive mode selector, with a choice of Comfort, Bentley or Sport. Forward, neutral and reverse are selected via a lever that looks like the ignition advance control from the original Bentley Blower. 'Hedley Studios has reimagined a car that sits at the very heart of Bentley's history and heritage, with extraordinary attention to detail and craftsmanship. The Blower Jnr may be smaller in scale, but its presence, performance and sense of occasion invoke the spirit of the original,' says Mike Sayer, head of product communications and the Bentley Heritage Collection for Bentley Motors. The price is about £90,000 (R2.15m).
Scottish Sun
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Bentley to BRING BACK iconic model 100 years after it was discontinued – and this time it will be fully electric
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BENTLEY is bringing back its legendary model nearly 100 years after it was discontinued but it will be in limited numbers. The recreation of the iconic Bentley Blower has now completed 18 months of on-road testing and is ready to enter production. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Bentley is bringing back its iconic Blower model after almost 100 years Credit: Bentley Media 5 The new model will be fully electric Credit: Bentley Media 5 There is only 349 examples that will be sent into production Credit: Bentley Media But only 349 lucky drivers will get a chance to get their hands on the Bentley Blower Jnr. After driving 650 miles over three days on the Channel Island of Jersey, the new Blower has proven its on-road driving potential. The car was signed off for production where skilled engineers will put together the fully electric 48-volt powertrain while the craftspeople at Hedley Studios will hand-beat the panels of the Bentley Blower Jr.'s exterior. Mike Sayer, Head of Product Communications and the Bentley Heritage Collection for Bentley Motors, adds: 'From the moment that we first took the original 1929 Bentley Blower Team Car #2 to Hedley Studios, we knew this project was going to deliver something truly special. 'Years later, and with thousands of road miles under the wheels of the development prototypes – appropriately called EXPs as the first Bentleys were – we're ready to put the car into production.' The new motor is an 85 per cent scale of the original car which was first manufactured in 1929. The Blower Jr is fully electrically powered and slightly smaller than its predecessor - with the car measuring 3.7 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. But it is handcrafted to the same standards as any Bentley and is embellished with exquisite details all inspired by the original car. The Blower Jr can reach a top speed of 45 mph in the UK and an anticipated range of about 65 miles, with tandem seating for two adults. An actual chassis specification is connected to the painted steel frame. A smooth ride is provided by leaf springs and reduced, period-appropriate friction dampers, while stopping power is supplied by Brembo disc brakes up front and drums down back. The batteries and driving electronics are kept under a concealed undertray, and the electric motor is positioned across the back axle. Marcus Rashford buys £200,000 Bentley to be chauffeured around in Ben Hedley, CEO and Founder of Hedley Studios, said: 'Heading into production of the Bentley Blower Jnr marks a seminal moment for our brand, as we bring to life our very first road-legal piece of automotive art. 'Our team of engineers and craftspeople have worked tirelessly to design and craft the Bentley Blower Jnr, and in close collaboration with clients around the world, they have begun the design process of some wonderfully unique examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr. 'We're anticipating that the first customer deliveries will commence in just a matter of months, and we're just as excited as our clients are to see them behind the wheel and out on the road.' The lucky few who will purchase the Bentley Blower Jr will be able to customise it to their preference with Hedley Studios' team making their fantasies into reality. 5 The car kept its original design but to 85 per cent scale Credit: Bentley Media
The Irish Sun
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Bentley to BRING BACK iconic model 100 years after it was discontinued – and this time it will be fully electric
BENTLEY is bringing back its legendary model nearly 100 years after it was discontinued but it will be in limited numbers. The recreation of the iconic Bentley Blower has now completed 18 months of on-road testing and is ready to enter production. 5 Bentley is bringing back its iconic Blower model after almost 100 years Credit: Bentley Media 5 The new model will be fully electric Credit: Bentley Media 5 There is only 349 examples that will be sent into production Credit: Bentley Media But only 349 lucky drivers will get a chance to get their hands on the Bentley Blower Jnr. After driving 650 miles over three days on the Channel Island of Jersey , the new Blower has proven its on-road driving potential. The car was signed off for production where skilled engineers will put together the fully electric 48-volt powertrain while the craftspeople at Hedley Studios will hand-beat the panels of the Bentley Blower Jr.'s exterior. Mike Sayer, Head of Product Communications and the Bentley Heritage Collection for Bentley Motors, adds: 'From the moment that we first took the original 1929 Bentley Blower Team Car #2 to Hedley Studios, we knew this project was going to deliver something truly special. read more on motors 'Years later, and with thousands of road miles under the wheels of the development prototypes – appropriately called EXPs as the first Bentleys were – we're ready to put the car into production.' The new motor is an 85 per cent scale of the original car which was first manufactured in 1929. The Blower Jr is fully electrically powered and slightly smaller than its predecessor - with the car measuring 3.7 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. But it is handcrafted to the same standards as any Bentley and is embellished with exquisite details all inspired by the original car. Most read in Motors The Blower Jr can reach a top speed of 45 mph in the UK and an anticipated range of about 65 miles, with tandem seating for two adults. An actual chassis specification is connected to the painted steel frame. A smooth ride is provided by leaf springs and reduced, period-appropriate friction dampers, while stopping power is supplied by Brembo disc brakes up front and drums down back. The batteries and driving electronics are kept under a concealed undertray, and the electric motor is positioned across the back axle. Marcus Rashford buys £200,000 Bentley to be chauffeured around in Ben Hedley, CEO and Founder of Hedley Studios, said: 'Heading into production of the Bentley Blower Jnr marks a seminal moment for our brand, as we bring to life our very first road-legal piece of automotive art. 'Our team of engineers and craftspeople have worked tirelessly to design and craft the Bentley Blower Jnr, and in close collaboration with clients around the world, they have begun the design process of some wonderfully unique examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr. 'We're anticipating that the first customer deliveries will commence in just a matter of months, and we're just as excited as our clients are to see them behind the wheel and out on the road.' The lucky few who will purchase the Bentley Blower Jr will be able to customise it to their preference with Hedley Studios' team making their fantasies into reality. 5 The car kept its original design but to 85 per cent scale Credit: Bentley Media 5 Future owners will be able to customise their model to their preference Credit: Bentley Media
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Bentley to BRING BACK iconic model 100 years after it was discontinued – and this time it will be fully electric
BENTLEY is bringing back its legendary model nearly 100 years after it was discontinued but it will be in limited numbers. The recreation of the iconic Bentley Blower has now completed 18 months of on-road testing and is ready to enter production. 5 5 But only 349 lucky drivers will get a chance to get their hands on the Bentley Blower Jnr. After driving 650 miles over three days on the Channel Island of Jersey, the new Blower has proven its on-road driving potential. The car was signed off for production where skilled engineers will put together the fully electric 48-volt powertrain while the craftspeople at Hedley Studios will hand-beat the panels of the Bentley Blower Jr.'s exterior. Mike Sayer, Head of Product Communications and the Bentley Heritage Collection for Bentley Motors, adds: 'From the moment that we first took the original 1929 Bentley Blower Team Car #2 to Hedley Studios, we knew this project was going to deliver something truly special. 'Years later, and with thousands of road miles under the wheels of the development prototypes – appropriately called EXPs as the first Bentleys were – we're ready to put the car into production.' The new motor is an 85 per cent scale of the original car which was first manufactured in 1929. The Blower Jr is fully electrically powered and slightly smaller than its predecessor - with the car measuring 3.7 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. But it is handcrafted to the same standards as any Bentley and is embellished with exquisite details all inspired by the original car. The Blower Jr can reach a top speed of 45 mph in the UK and an anticipated range of about 65 miles, with tandem seating for two adults. An actual chassis specification is connected to the painted steel frame. A smooth ride is provided by leaf springs and reduced, period-appropriate friction dampers, while stopping power is supplied by Brembo disc brakes up front and drums down back. The batteries and driving electronics are kept under a concealed undertray, and the electric motor is positioned across the back axle. Ben Hedley, CEO and Founder of Hedley Studios, said: 'Heading into production of the Bentley Blower Jnr marks a seminal moment for our brand, as we bring to life our very first road-legal piece of automotive art. 'Our team of engineers and craftspeople have worked tirelessly to design and craft the Bentley Blower Jnr, and in close collaboration with clients around the world, they have begun the design process of some wonderfully unique examples of the Bentley Blower Jnr. 'We're anticipating that the first customer deliveries will commence in just a matter of months, and we're just as excited as our clients are to see them behind the wheel and out on the road.' The lucky few who will purchase the Bentley Blower Jr will be able to customise it to their preference with Hedley Studios' team making their fantasies into reality. 5 5
