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| The Java wasn't short on traditional Bentley luxury cues. Sumptuous leathers, gorgeous wood veneers and hedonistic creature comforts made sure it was seen as a true Bentley. Its production ready appearance caused many to speculate of its certain reality, causing further questioning as to what platform architecture it would borrow on its way to production. It would make sense that a 2004 or 2005 midsize Bentley would use Audi's next generation A6 as its base. |
Granted, the first concern of most Bentley owners isn't fuel economy, but that said even among select country club cliques it's now becoming gauche to guzzle. Of course, for Bentley, environmental concerns couldn't come at the cost of luxury, now or in 1994. Concept Java incorporated the hand made veneers and sumptuously soft hides the marque has made legendary, as well as all 'necessary' convenience features.
Despite its almost unanimous approval, excepting the controversial headlamp design, the Bentley Java concept never saw production. Why? Most likely the Crewe-based manufacturer's reasons for dousing the flame centered on a basic lack of funds by then parent Vickers, but it could also have been due to disagreements with the company's past engine supplier BMW.
But of course that's all far in the past. Volkswagen AG, hardly cash strapped, is currently at the helm thus new Bentley models are being announced and yet others forecast to coincide with an even more aggressive factory backed sports car prototype motor racing program this coming year. This is an exciting time for Bentley, an era soon to be ushered in by the most technologically innovative grand touring car in its illustrious history, the 2004 Continental GT.