By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Bentley's 'entry-level' Flying Spur sedan - if there is such a thing as an entry-level Bentley - has proved to be a reasonable success. A twin-turbocharged W12 engine, all-wheel drive and a sumptuous leather, metal and wood-lined interior just drip with excess, but the exterior? Uh, more a mess than drop-dead gorgeous. But we'd gather laying claim to the title of world's fastest sedan and the flying 'B' that comes with it play larger roles in its popularity.

Thankfully, judging from the photos released today, Bentley's taken the criticism to heart and delivered on a much more flowing design for the second-generation 2014 version. The front still shares most of its parts with the Continental GT coupe, but from the sides and out back, the shoulder line and rear lights crib styling cues form the range-topping Mulsanne. It's a significatnly more coherent package that we'd love to examine more closely.

The interior is still the same hide-covered cocoon as before, although updated with Bentley's current dash, technology and steering wheel. We'd guess the Flying Spur does the whole 'biz-jet' cross-continent high-speed travel thing very well.

Especially since the 6.0-litre engine produces a ridiculous 616 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, which means the standard car now has more power than the previous top-end Speed. The 0-100 km/h run should take just 4.4 seconds, while top speed is rated at 322 km/h (200 mph). All this performance plus a 2,475-kg curb weight and Bentley still figures it'll improve fuel efficiency compared with the old one.

Price? We'd bet just under $200,000 before options...

What do you think? Like where Bentley's going with the latest Flying Spur? Wish it were more subtle? Let us know in the comments.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Bentley is one of the few auto manufacturers to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans more than once, including a string of four-in-a-row between 1927-'31. It successfully returned to Le Mans in the early '00s with help from corporate parent Audi, winning overall in a Speed 8 EXP prototype after three years of trying.

Things have been quiet on the Bentley racing front for almost a decade, until now. The company is embracing the FIA's popular GT3-spec class that currently sees cars like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Audi R8 BMW Z4, Porsche 911, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ford GT, Chevrolet Camaro, McLaren MP-12C, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and more. And the vehicle it's picking to convert to racing spec?

The Continental GT Speed.

Confused about how a ginormous GT car is going to mix it up with the smaller and more nimble sports cars? Well, in some ways it makes sense. The original 'Bentley Boys' used hulking Bentley 4½ Litre models as their steeds, which were like locomotives compared to the lithe machines from Bugatti and Alfa Romeo.

Now, there are most definitely serious modifications needed to make Bentley's heavyweight cruise missile suitable for track action, but the most serious is a weight reduction of nearly 2,000 pounds. I guess all the inch-thick carpets and hand-sewn leathers - not to mention the rear seat - are missing in action. Lightweight construction, body modifications, vents, new suspension, brakes, transmission, etc. Oh, and that wing...

The biggest change will be the adoption of rear-wheel drive, something mandated by the series and adopted by rivals like the R8 and Nissan GTR. No word on how much power the 6.0-litre W12 engine will produce, but the FIA goes through a painstaking parity process before every season to ensure that it'll be the drivers who make the difference.

Chances are we'll see them back at Le Mans in the not-so-distant future... Can't wait!

By Davey G. Johnson, AutoWeek

In the last year, we've spent time in two of VW's north-or-south-of-200k twin-turbo machines. The Bentley Continental GT is more stately and attractive, while the still-controversial Porsche Panamera Turbo S is more dynamic, engaging and, well, our pick.

As such, the news that the next generation of Bentleys will be built upon the same bones as future Panameras is heartening. Quite heartening. Britain's Autocar reports that Porsche's in-the-works MSB platform will underpin both the next Panny and all future Bentley products, from the Contis to the big boys. Expect a hybrid construction of aluminum und schteel and what we imagine to be a fundamentally more enjoyable driving experience from the entry-level Bentleys. That's the good news.

By John LeBlanc for MSN Autos Canada

Despite the lack of praise that sometimes deviated to outright derision, the Volkswagen Group’s ultra-luxury Bentley brand is moving ahead to put its EXP 9F SUV into production. The question is, should it?

By Julian Rendell, AutoWeek

The range-topping 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed is the fastest production model ever from Crewe, England. Barely. Capable of 330 km/h (with a little rounding) it noses out the Continental Supersports by less than two km/h.

Still, it is the fastest, and it's a formidable entry set to face off against another British rival, the Aston Martin Vanquish, and, to a lesser extent, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. At the heart of the Speed is a significantly more powerful twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 making 616 hp and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. It works with an eight-speed automatic and permanent all-wheel drive and can sprint to 100 km/h in four seconds. All of this muscle allows the Speed to nose out the 328 km/h top speed of the Continental Supersports, Bentley claims.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

If the eye-wateringly ugly Bentley EXP9F concept from last month's Geneva show wasn't enough to make you question the need for premium manufacturers from getting into the SUV game, then the new Lamborghini Urus planned for the Beijing Motor Show will certainly push you over the edge.

The Urus has all the drama of current Lamborghini's in its face, but then it's attached to an angular, kinda hunchbacked body. The giant rear wheelarches convey what is certain to be a ginormous amount of power to the wheels, although side-on the Urus shares a similar profile to the BMW X6 and Range Rover Evoque.

Given that Lamborghini is owned by the Volkswagen group, the Urus would share its platform and mechanicals with the newest Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, along with the revised Bentley offering (because you know it's coming) and new Audi Q7. Five luxury 'utes coming from one platform almost makes General Motors' old Buick Rainier/Chevrolet Trailblazer/Isuzu Ascender/GMC Envoy/Oldsmobile Bravada/Saab 9-7X mechanicals a run for its badge-engineered money.

At least the Urus has some precedent: the Italian company's first SUV, the '80s-era LM002 - or the Rambo Lambo - set the bar for outrageous off-roaders more than two decades ago with its enormous and thirsty V12 engine lifted straight from the Countach.

What do you think? At least the Maserati Kubang won't be the only Italian SUV with German underpinnings being sold in the world...

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Just when you thought that whole luxury SUV thing was soooo over with, here comes another premium manufacturer coming in way late to the party, taking aim at the firmly established winner, the Range Rover.

The latest is Bentley, maker of fine uber-powerful luxury sedans and coupes, introducing its plans for a $200,000 W12-powered sport-ute that'll certainly become the most expensive and profitable model yet. Based on Volkswagen's common SUV architecture with the Porsche Cayenne and Touareg - although no one at Bentley admits it - the 12-cylinder will headline the party while the newly introduced twin-turbo V8 from the Continental GT and probably a VW-sourced V8 turbodiesel will be brought in later.

So what do you think? Heresy or hot? Which is a bigger affront to the brand: this or the upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee-based Maserati Kubang? Or the inevitable Lamborghini version coming soon?

By Davey G. Johnson, AutoWeek

While the official line from Christophe Georges, Bentley Motors president and COO is, "We are exploring the potential, but the vehicle has not been approved," we hear that Bentley is scrambling to ready its new SUV for an unveiling at the Geneva motor show next month.

While Bentley is keeping mum on the new ute's moniker for the moment, we're going to go ahead and suggest that the company call it the Bentley John o' Groats.

Our pie-in-the-sky naming wishes aside, we have word that the new machine reportedly will ride on the same wheelbase as its Audi Q7 corporate cousin, will feature a W12 powerplant and will have "legitimate off-road capability." The potentates of nations with janky infrastructure wouldn't have it any other way, after all.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Stricter fuel-economy and emissions regulations are prompting carmakers around the world to downsize in the name of efficiency, but Bentley is the only one offering a 500-hp V8 as the solution. That's because downsizing is a relative term for the British luxury-car maker, which will reveal Continental GT and GTC variants with eight-cylinder power in January at the Detroit auto show.

The twin-turbo engines displace 4.0 liters and pump out 500 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque. The cars are expected to be able to sprint to 96 km/h in less than five seconds and clock a top speed of more than 290 km/h. A variable-displacement feature allows the engines to run on four cylinders when less power is needed. They'll be paired with a close-ratio eight-speed gearbox.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Bentley will team up with bespoke furniture maker Linley to make an extremely limited run of 10 Continental Flying Spurs for the Chinese market.

The move highlights the increasing importance of China and its growth potential for luxury makers racing to stake a foothold in the market.

Related link: 2012 Bentley Continental GT first drive

The Flying Spurs are customized using the expertise of Linley's design and furniture background, and the interior gets a special veneer and a box in the rear console with a humidor, a cigar cutter and an ashtray. There's also a built-in refrigerator in the rear armrest and console.

The companies said the collaboration could be extended in the future.