Over in the UK, Bentley has announced that it has received confirmation of a conditional grant allocation of £3 million from the UK’s Department for Business Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

It’s the second time this year Bentley has been successful with the UK government’s RGF, having received £1.68m in the first round to create additional manufacturing jobs and training. The new grant funding will help support the development of a new powertrain application, which will enable Bentley to exploit new export markets and safeguard over 200 jobs as well as create a small number of additional positions within the company’s 900-strong engineering department.

The company, which exports over 80% of its production says that, despite the economic uncertainties, recent investment in new models is already paying dividends as growth continues in all major markets, with China continuing to break records. By the end of September, its sales in China had exceeded 1,000 units for the first time as the country cements its position as the second biggest global market for the brand, growing at a rate of over 80% a year.

Customers in emerging markets are increasingly showing interest in the new two-door Continental GT and GTC, delivering significant sales growth, but for that to continue – and the long term future of the company be assured – the company says it has to look at new powertrains which anticipate changing demand. The grant should help take care of that.

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Another special edition of the Bentley Continental Flying Spur is coming about, and this one is set for the Chinese market. The company is working together with British design company Linley for the creation of a limited edition run of 10 units for China, which happens to be its biggest four-door market globally.

The cars will incorporate signature Linley elements, among these specially selected Linley veneers in Santos rosewood on the fascia, console, waistrail as well as the roof console, effectively covering the entire wood surfaces of the model where Bentley chestnut or walnut would normally be used.

The iconic Linley Helix motif, from the company’s Helix Furniture Collection, will be found on the waist-rails and picnic table of the Flying Spurs. The Helix pattern will feature four different types of veneer, which contrast with the Santos rosewood, to show the wave effect delivered by the marquetry. Also on, a rear console modified for a customer-commissioned Linley humidor.

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Stainless steel Linley treadplates will feature on the cars, as will a Linley for Bentley rhodium-plated plaque in the glove box. Modified fluting on the seats will have burnt oak contrast stitching, with additional burnt oak hide highlighting the storage areas and door pockets.

To remind its owner it’s not just a bog standard CFS, a Linley branded leather bag with a sumptuous cashmere blanket and other Linley items such as a leather luggage tag will be included in the boot of them limited edition cars. Yes, money won’t always buy you happiness, but it can certainly afford you a fair bit of luxury.

If everyone’s doing it, why shouldn’t we? That’s the train of thought Bentley seems to be in at the moment – the British luxury carmaker is looking at entering another segment and is targeting to build a luxury SUV, according to reports. The company hasn’t yet firmed up on things, but the reports say that its CEO, Wolfgang Duerheimer wants to build an off-road SUV and has discussed the matter with execs at Volkswagen, which owns the brand.

Duerheimer was once Porsche’s development chief and oversaw its move into SUV territory. The Cayenne has been a resounding success for the company from a business point of view – it currently accounts for half the company’s overall sales. No doubt, all this must be providing the inspiration for Bentley to venture down the same path – expect to hear more on this front developing in the future.

The combination of a crazy Bentley and a nerveless Finn has created the new world speed record on ice. Finland’s four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen drove a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible on frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, reaching 330.695 km/h (205.48 mph) to set the benchmark. The previous record was also set by Juha in 2007 when he did 321.6 km/h in a Continental GT at the same venue.

The Anglo-Finnish team used a car with minimum mods. A fully-welded, heavy-duty safety roll-cage, along with Pirelli SottoZero II 275/40R20 winter tyres and a rear bumper-mounted parachute provided reassurance. Front and rear spoilers provided optimum high speed stability. The AWD 6.0-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible was fuelled with E85 bioethanol.

Man and machine overcame temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees, sudden snow blizzards and potentially dangerous crosswinds on the 16.5 km track on a 70cm-thick layer of sea ice. The record attempt was driven on a 1000 metre long measured distance with the speed certified by officials from the Finland Traffic Police. His new world record was based on the average of two runs in opposite directions with measured speeds ratified by a representative of Guinness Book of Records.

A delighted Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s new Chairman and CEO said: “The ice speed record is an amazing feat by Juha Kankkunen, whose skill and courage in extreme conditions truly make him one of the modern-day Bentley Boys. We will be celebrating this achievement with a very special ‘extreme’ Bentley, which will be the most powerful model ever to bear the famed Winged B emblem.”

This limited edition of just 100 examples will make its global debut at the Geneva show in March. Gallery after the jump.
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