The Post Oak Motors team has returned invigorated from our annual excursion to the remarkable Monterey Car Week alongside our esteemed clients. Over five captivating days, our team engaged, entertained, and reveled in an up-close encounter with some of the most extraordinary vehicles the world has to offer.
Among the standout occasions during this yearly extravaganza are The Quail and the Concours d’Elegance. The Quail, an event we eagerly anticipate, holds a special place in our hearts. Running from 9 am to 4 pm, it unfolds as a complete day immersed in the unveiling and showcasing of the latest creations from major ultra-luxury and supercar manufacturers. A diverse array of classic marvels, unique specimens, and hypercars also make appearances, creating an atmosphere where luxurious dining tents, effervescent champagne, and elegant individuals seamlessly blend against the backdrop of scenic Carmel, California.
A pinnacle of the week is the prestigious Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach, culminating the sequence of events and celebrations during Monterey Car Week. For 72 illustrious years, this concours stands as the world’s preeminent ode to the automobile, a must-attend affair for any auto enthusiast.
Annually, the finest collector cars convene on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, vying for the coveted title of Best of Show – an ultimate accolade in the realm of automobiles. Elegance, technical excellence, and historical significance are meticulously evaluated by experts, drawing crowds from all corners of the globe who passionately rally behind their favorites.
Before entering the Concours, the legendary Hole 1 hosts Casa Ferrari, transforming the lawn into a grand showcase adorned with an impressive array of Ferraris spanning vintage to modern eras.
As if these two events weren’t enough to satiate our automotive appetites, the festivities overflow into manufacturer-hosted soirées at their private estates, captivating auctions, smaller-scale car exhibitions nestled throughout the town, exhilarating rallies, and more.
Monterey Car Week stands as an indispensable experience for anyone who holds a deep affinity for automobiles. To immerse yourself in this spectacular event, consider reaching out to our Head of Marketing, Diane Caplan. Secure your spot on the waiting list for Post Oak’s highly anticipated 2024 Monterey Client Experience packages, set to be unveiled soon. Join us on this unforgettable journey.
Post Oak Motor Cars is no stranger to luxury and opulence, but when it comes to the pinnacle of automotive excellence, one brand stands above the rest—Rolls-Royce. Synonymous with unrivaled craftsmanship, breathtaking design, and the epitome of luxury, Rolls-Royce has set the bar higher with the all-new fully electric Rolls-Royce Spectre. Recently, clients of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Houston were captivated by the highly anticipated launch party of the latest masterpiece.
The exclusive launch party held by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Houston was an invitation-only event that brought together clients of Post Oak Motor Cars, both current Rolls-Royce owners and those that have already placed their deposit for their very own Spectre.
As the anticipation reached its peak, Marketing Director of Post Oak Motor Cars, Diane Caplan, stepped up to the microphone to welcome the crowd and introduce the two men of the hour, President of Post Oak Motor Cars, Lonny Soza and President & CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America, Martin Fritsches.
As Martin Fritsches spoke to the Spectre’s triumphant arrival, the moment arrived to unveil the new Rolls-Royce masterpiece. The veil was removed, and there it stood—an awe-inspiring creation that seamlessly blends classic Rolls-Royce design cues with cutting-edge technology and proof that electrification is the ideal match for Rolls-Royce.
Widely regarded as the ultimate test of hypercar straight-line performance, the 0-400-0 km/h (0-249-0 mph) record is a test of acceleration, aerodynamics, top speed and stopping power. And now the Nevera is the undisputed hypercar champion, with a new record time of 29.93 seconds – over a second quicker than the previous holder.
On a test track in Germany, the Nevera secured a total of 23 independently verified speed records and – as well as its recent title for fastest top speed of a production electric car – the Nevera now holds the title for most performance records broken in a single day. It effortlessly smashed existing benchmarks, running again and again under full throttle conditions without a single reliability issue or any significant loss of performance.
The records were broken at the Automotive Testing Papenburg (ATP) facility in Germany using its 4.0km (2.49-mile) straights, and independently verified by Dewesoft and RaceLogic. Both 3rd party verifiers had on-site teams to support the record braking activities and to ensure that their equipment is in perfect running order. During its record-breaking day, the Nevera even outperformed its own official specifications, recording 0-60mph in 1.74 seconds (compared with 1.85 seconds). All acceleration records were completed with a standard one-foot rollout and equipped with road-legal Michelin Cup 2 R tires on non-prepped asphalt.
For its historic day, this particular Rimac Nevera wore a livery created by the Rimac design team, inspired by the Rimac BMW e-M3, the brainchild of Mate Rimac and the car that inspired Mate to create Rimac Automobili. Back in 2011, the e-M3 thrust Rimac into the limelight by setting a number of Guinness and FIA-approved all-electric speed records. And now history repeats itself.
Key to the Nevera’s speed is its advanced battery system, powertrain and software, all developed in-house at the Rimac Group. The front and rear powertrains – each composed of two individual motors – provide power to each wheel individually. At the rear, a 1MW dual inverter enables 900Nm and 470kW per motor, while an entirely bespoke front powertrain is designed to deliver optimum power and control. All systems are overseen by a complex web of in-house developed electronic control units, working in conjunction with an NVIDIA Pegasus-based supercomputer to calculate and send output to the four powertrain systems 100 times a second. The combination of all these systems, and the software that controls them, is known as Rimac All-Wheel Torque Vectoring 2.
The Rimac Nevera is limited to 150 units and it is currently being built on the outskirts of Zagreb, with deliveries ongoing to customers all over the world. For inquiries on securing one of these limited Neveras, please contact us Rimac Houston today for details.
On May 6th, the team from The Post Oak Collection hosted clients of Post Oak Motor Cars and several VIP supercar owners for a private morning meetup at Tilman Fertitta’s personal hangar. There was a little bit of everything from ultra-luxury Bentley and Rolls-Royce models to supercar and a couple of hypercars with a McLaren Speedtail, Ferrari 812 Competizione and Tilman’s very own Bugatti Chiron.
Guest enjoyed mixing and mingling over a cup of coffee, mimosa, and a spread of breakfast from The Post Oak Hotel and then made their way over to have a personal tour of the Houston Rockets jet and other aircraft in the Fertitta fleet.
The Post Oak Collection, Bentley & Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Houston teamed up with the LPGA for the recent Chevron Championship at the luxurious Carlton Woods country club to kick off the lady’s tournament.
Over 150 who’s who of The Woodlands & Houston came out to an evening with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, where they mixed and mingled with the President and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars America, Blake Fertitta, Lonny Soza, and executives of the LPGA.
Both Bentley and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Houston were the official transportation partner for the tournament, providing demo cars for the players to drive during the week-long stay near Carlton Woods, plus Bentley Houston was the hole-in-one sponsor for the tournament offering a new Bentley Continental GT V8 coupe.
To mark 20 years since Bentley’s sixth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 100 years since the first running of the legendary race, Bentley is creating a limited edition of Continental GT Coupés and Continental GTC’s. Each will be powered by the Bentley W12 engine, the most successful 12-cylinder engine of the modern era. The Le Mans Collection includes unique exterior and interior details that echo the design of the Le Mans-winning Speed 8 #7.
All Le Mans Collection models are specified with the three-way Bentley Rotating Display, offering a choice of touchscreen, dual veneer or analog dials – but with a twist; In place of the standard central dial is a Vitrine displaying an engine valve from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 of the 2003 Le Mans winning Bentley Speed 8. The engine was removed after the contest and preserved, and now 24 of the 32 valves from the engine have been bisected to create 48 artifacts for this exclusive collection of ultimate Grand Tourers.
In another thoughtful touch, the standard 12-hour analog clock is replaced by a digital clock with a bespoke dial design – a 24 hour one, naturally.
Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, has taken inspiration from the dark green Speed 8 racing cars that swept all before them at Le Mans in 2003. From the Verdant green exterior to the sliver of Speed 8 engine displayed in the fascia, the Le Mans Collection is a heartfelt tribute to a long and glorious shared history between Bentley and the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Tribute to Speed 8 #7
Mulliner’s designers closely studied the winning Speed 8 of 2003, surely one of the most beautiful racing cars ever to triumph at Le Mans. The limited number of Continental GT’s and Continental GTC’s in the Le Mans Collection are finished in Verdant green, with a Moonbeam racing stripe across the bonnet (and Coupé roof). The Blackline specification nods to the black and green livery of the Speed 8, while the carbon-fiber Styling specification body components are finished in black with a subtle pinstripe in Moonbeam. Beluga black is also chosen for the lower front bumper, wing mirror caps and rear ‘horseshoe’ area beneath the boot lid spoiler, while black 22-inch ten-spoke wheels shroud powerful carbon ceramic brakes and red brake calipers.
Meanwhile, the distinctive Bentley matrix grille (originally developed to protect the radiator on the unpaved Le Mans racetrack of the 1920s) features a painted #7 in Arctica white, combining the race-winning number of 2003 with the painted radiators of the Bentleys that won Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930.
Bespoke details
The interiors of the Le Mans Collection Continental GT and Continental GTC are far more luxurious than those of the Bentley Speed 8s – but there’s the same sense of sporting purpose. A bespoke 2003 wreath welcome lamp ushers you into a cockpit trimmed in Beluga hide. Performance-bred napped Dynamica fabric covers the seat faces, while the interior’s monochrome color scheme is relieved by contrast seat stitching and seatbelts in Hotspur. The steering wheel, trimmed in hide and Dynamica, also features Hotspur contrast stitching and six o’clock accent tab.
The dual-finish veneer on fascia and door waist rails is executed in Piano Black and high gloss carbon fiber, with a fine chrome pinstripe separating the two. Matching doors to the fascia so the pinstripe flows seamlessly from one side to the other is a mark of the exceptional craftsmanship in every Bentley.
The Le Mans Collection Bentleys feature many bespoke details, beginning with the Speed 8 sill plates and six-wreath treadplates that greet occupants on entering the interior. The fascia displays the six-wreath emblem inlaid into high-gloss carbon fiber, marking each of the six outright victories recorded by Bentley at Le Mans between 1924 and 2003.
Race-inspired performance
The Le Mans Collection Continental GT and GTC are equipped with Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine, delivering 659 PS (650 bhp) and an extraordinary 900 Nm (664 lb.ft) of torque.
With exceptional handling, this results in a top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h) and 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds). A combination of four chassis technologies give the new limited edition a level of agility, performance, and ride quality as expected of a car with this heritage.
Bentley Dynamic Ride and three-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping play a key role in the balance of the car and provide a formidable foundation to build upon. The optional and newly-developed Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Variable Electronic Stability Control, All Wheel Steering, and an Electronic Limited Slip Differential bolster the agility and performance even further.
Bentley and Le Mans
Bentley’s long association with Le Mans didn’t get off to the smoothest of starts. “I think the whole thing’s crazy. Nobody’ll finish. Cars aren’t designed to take that sort of strain for 24 hours.” Such was W.O. Bentley’s reaction in 1923, on hearing that private entrant John Duff planned to contest the first-ever Le Mans 24 Hour race in a Bentley 3 Litre. But the competitive fire in W.O’s soul saw him make a last-minute dash to the La Sarthe circuit nonetheless. Inspired by Duff’s 4th place (despite a lengthy stop to repair a holed petrol tank) and fastest lap, W.O and Bentley Motors returned in 1924 with a works entry – and won. It was the start of a glorious decade that saw five wins in seven years.
Bentley was back in 2001 with the EXP Speed 8, the start of a three-year program targeting a sixth outright victory. And on Sunday, June 15th, 2003, Bentley’s two works Speed 8s finished first and second in this most grueling of endurance races. Car #7 of Guy Smith, Tom Kristensen, and Rinaldo Capello covered 377 laps at an average speed of 214.33km/h, followed by the #8 Speed 8 of Johnny Herbert, Mark Blundell, and David Brabham.
For details and ordering inquiries, please contact our Bentley Specialist at Bentley Houston.
Bentley Houston announces today that Bentley Motors has made the decision as part of Bentley’s acceleration towards a sustainable future through its Beyond100 strategy which will see the company’s entire model line fully electrified by the start of the next decade, reducing fleet average emissions to O g/km CO2. This journey has already begun, with the introduction of the Bentayga and Flying Spur Hybrid models for which demand is exceeding the company’s expectations. When production of the W12 ceases next year, Bentley’s entire model line will be available with the option of a hybrid powertrain. Meanwhile, an engine first made available in the sector-defining Continental GT, which has been powering Bentley both metaphorically and literally for the last 20 years, will be consigned to history.
Bentley isn’t letting the W12 bow out without a dramatic send-off. Development work has concluded recently on the most powerful version of the W12 ever created. The ultimate iteration of this mighty engine – destined for just 18 examples of the Bentley Batur to be handcrafted by Mulliner – is now confirmed as developing 750 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque. The increased torque figure forms the typical Bentley ‘torque plateau’, running from 1,750 rpm to 5,000 rpm – with peak power at 5,500 rpm.
Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark, comments:
“Our progressive journey towards sustainable luxury mobility means making changes to every area of Bentley Motors. When we first launched the W12 back in 2003, we knew we had a mighty engine that would propel both our cars and the brand forwards at speed. 20 years and more than 100,000 W12s later, the time has come to retire this now-iconic powertrain as we take strides towards electrification – but not without giving it the best send-off possible, with the most powerful version of the engine ever created.”
“The 750 PS titan that Mulliner has created for the Batur marks the end of a development journey of which our engineering and manufacturing colleagues should be extremely proud, and when production finishes in April next year we aim to retrain and redeploy all of the skilled craftspeople who still build each engine by hand.”
Battling through an exceptionally gruelling series of durability tests, the uprated engine has proven to be as reliable as ever and so will equip the most powerful road-going Bentley ever built. While all Baturs are sold, a limited number of the 659 PS version of the W12 engine offered in the Speed versions of Continental GT, Bentayga and Flying Spur as well as the Continental GT Mulliner and Flying Spur Mulliner can still be ordered. Demand for these final W12-powered Speed and Mulliner models is expected to be high, and customers eager to secure one of the last ever 12-cylinder Bentleys should contact Bentley Houston with equal speed.
Bentley’s aim is to retrain and redeploy all 30 of the skilled craftspeople that hand-assemble and test every single W12 engine at Bentley’s carbon-neutral factory in Crewe. Meanwhile, the W12 engine production facility will make way for an expanded line for the completion of other Bentley engines used for the plug-in hybrid models.
Since the first introduction of the 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 in 2003, the engineering team in Crewe has continually improved the performance of the engine in terms of power, torque, emissions and refinement. Over the last 20 years, power has increased by 37 per cent and torque by 54 per cent, while emissions have been reduced by 25 per cent. Initially this was through evolution and optimization of the control systems, improvements in the oil and cooling designs, turbocharging technology and more effective injection and combustion processes. For the launch of the Bentayga in 2015, the W12 was completely redesigned from the sump up, and it’s that version of the engine that remains in production today – featuring cylinder deactivation, direct and port injection, and twin-scroll turbos.
Each W12 engine is hand-built over 6.5 hours by a team of craftspeople before undertaking a highly sophisticated test regime of over an hour via three specialist diagnostic machines. Every week, one engine is run over an extended test cycle and then fully stripped for inspection.
The W12 engine facility will have delivered over 105,000 engines before reaching its 20th anniversary this year.
Batur Showcases the Ultimate W12
For the final and ultimate version of the W12, Mulliner’s engineering team has reworked the intake, exhaust and cooling systems to liberate more power and torque than ever before. Under the watchful eye of Mulliner’s Chief Technical Officer, Paul Williams (who previously led the development of the second generation W12), the engine is now signed-off at 750 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque – both record-breaking figures for the engine.
The turbocharger compressors are of a new design to improve efficiency, while the ducts that feed air to them are 33 per cent larger – at peak power, the new engine ingests more than a ton of air (1,050 kg) per hour. Larger charge-air coolers, with a depth increased by 10 mm and a new core geometry, reject 35 per cent more heat from the pressurized intake air, reducing intake temperature to a greater extent meaning a denser charge for more power.
The new intake and turbocharging system is matched with a heavily revised engine calibration to liberate the extra torque available, and the complete engine system is then paired with a new transmission calibration to deploy the additional power and torque and enhance the driving experience.
The Evolution of an Icon
Bentley’s legendary 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12, created in 2002, has evolved into the latest iteration of W12 engine used across today’s current model range. The unique W-configuration means that the engine is 24 per cent shorter than an equivalent V12, benefitting packaging and maximising usable cabin space.
The latest generation of W12 was launched in the Bentayga in 2015. A thoroughly reworked engine included a crankcase 30 per cent stronger than its predecessor, while the cylinder surfaces were coated to reduce friction and improve corrosion resistance. A low-alloy steel coating is applied to the bores using an Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) process.
Improvements were also made to the cooling system, with the engine featuring three separate coolant circuits. The first is designed to bring the cylinder heads up to optimum operating temperature as quickly as possible for best engine performance and low emissions. The second cools the engine block and oil system, while the third handles the thermal load of the turbochargers. Each system has a dedicated water pump, allowing optimised individual control.
The W12 combines high-pressure direct fuel injection (200 bar injection pressure) with low-pressure port injection (six bar). The combination of these two systems maximises refinement, lowers particulate emissions and optimises power and torque delivery.
Twin-scroll turbochargers minimize turbo response time and provide a more efficient exhaust package. The exhaust assemblies for the three front and three rear cylinders are separate from one another which then feed the twin-scroll impellers. The turbocharger housing is welded directly to the exhaust manifolds and feature integrated speed sensors, allowing the engine to monitor turbo performance for maximum efficiency. Bentley’s Variable Displacement system shuts down half of the engine under defined conditions. Intake and exhaust valves, fuel injection and ignition are all shut down on defined cylinders, with the engine running as a six-cylinder for improved efficiency. The system will run in this mode in gears three to eight, below 3,000 rpm and up to 300 Nm torque output.
To secure your W12 Bentley, please contact one of our Bentley Houston brand specialist today.
It’s back for its sixth year, the NADA Women Driving Auto Retail video contest which celebrates all women who work in the country’s more than 18,000 car or truck dealerships.
Our very own Marketing & eCommerce Director Diane Caplan is competing for the honors this year and was tasked with telling other women in 90 seconds or less, who she is, what she does, why she loves it, and why the auto retail industry is a great career path.
Last year’s contest received over 150 submissions. It was nothing short of moving and served to inspire the next generation of women working in dealerships and empower those already working in dealerships nationwide.
This year’s 10 contest semifinalists will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 on NADA Headlines and on the Women Driving Auto Retail Facebook page. The grand-prize winner will be announced at Live Stage at NADA Show 2023 on Saturday, Jan. 28.
The House of Rolls-Royce reveals ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’, comprised of two prêt-à-porter collections– the bold Re‑Belle and striking Fu-Shion. These exquisite ‘objects of desire’ by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective take inspiration from vibrant hues and textures seen in the world of high fashion, reflecting the eclectic tastes and lifestyle of the luxury clientele. As works of art in their own right, ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’ will be unveiled to luxury connoisseurs and patrons of the brand at Art Basel in Miami this evening.
‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’ brings out the multifarious character of the luxury SUV and its Black Badge alter ego. “With ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’ we drew inspiration from the world of our patrons – individuals with eclectic tastes who define trends and influence current movements in the fields of art, fashion and design”, says Celina Mettang, Bespoke Colour and Material Designer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “They defy boundaries, challenge conventions and are bold in their expression of individuality. Reflective of their tastes, our ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’ models are designed as statement pieces, perfectly tailored to suit the lifestyles of our clients”.
To offer a glimpse into infinite Bespoke possibilities, for ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’ designers created eight distinctive personalities. Each collection includes two interior colourways defined by iconic accent colours: Lime Green or Peony Pink for Re-Belle and Mandarin or Forge Yellow for Fu‑Shion. Each interior style can be paired with one of two carefully selected exterior looks – either eye-catching or more discrete and understated.
‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’Re-Belle is the ultimate statement piece, reflecting contemporary colour blocking trends with its vivid hues and playful combination of textures. A splash of colour in the interior with Peony Pinkor Lime Green accents provides an irresistible contrast to the Arctic White or Cashmere Grey leather trim. The fascia is finished with extraordinarily detailed handwoven stainless-steel fabric, evocative of metallic apparel seen on this year’s catwalks. Delicate thread with a diameter as fine as 0.45 mm creates an intricate texture, which catches the light beautifully as the vehicle is in motion. ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’Re-Belle is offered in Lime Green, Gunmetal, Wildberry or Arctic White exterior colours, available depending on the selected interior.
Unleashing the daring Black Badge personality, ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’Fu-Shion reinterprets high fashion with a utilitarian edge. Reminiscent of the Spring/Summer 2023 prêt‑à-porter collections, embellished with functional elements evocative of street wear, Fu‑Shion showcases Cullinan’s personality – the pinnacle of luxury, effortless everywhere. For Fu-Shion, designers created two interior styles: an eye-catching combination of Military Green, Navy Blue and Mandarin or a blend of Arctic White and Cashmere Grey leather with Forge Yellow accents. Depending on the interior palette, ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’ Fu-Shion can be commissioned in one of four exterior colours: Military Green, Burnout grey, Forge Yellow or Tempest Grey.
For ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’, designers created the all-new Starlight Tailgate – a stunning feature which extends the magical, celestial ambience of the Starlight Headliner beyond the interior of the motor car. This Bespoke feature, which takes over 22 hours to manufacture, includes 192 softly illuminated stars incorporated into the perforated leather. The Starlight Tailgate is complemented by the Viewing Suite, creating a perfect setting to enjoy the enchanting beauty of a starry night, anywhere and everywhere.
A further innovation is to be found on the lower part of the fascia, which introduces a coloured Piano veneer for the first time: Cashmere Grey for Re‑Belle and Navy Blue for Fu-Shion. This glossy finish acts as a unifying element, bringing yet more depth to the interior.
For travel in ultimate style, ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’ is available with matching luggage sets, designed to complement each of the four interior themes. The collection comprises of the 24hr Weekender, 48hr Weekender, Holdall, Tote Bag and Organizer Pouch, offered individually or as a five-piece set.
Houston car fans had the opportunity to check out the electric hypercar the Rimac Nevera during Post Oak Motor Cars Motor Mornings. Everything from Bugattis and Paganis to a Ferrari La Ferrari was also on display to complete the supercar morning.
For members of The Collection Auto Club, they enjoyed a VIP lounge in the Bentley showroom, where Mimosas, coffee and breakfast was served.
To learn more about The Collection Auto Club, visit here.
