Welcome to the Hooniverse News! This is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or the bull. I also throw in a little opinion of mine, just because I can. This week:

• Bentley announces six Le Mans Edition models just for North America

• Tesla Model S scores big with Consumer Reports

• Jaguar considering new entry-level sedan and crossover(!!)

• Meguiar’s wants to give you a digitized custom Scion FR-S  

Bentley Mulsanne and Continental Le Mans Editions

Well all know how eager many auto manufacturers are to release some sort of special edition, and Bentley is no exception, as this week the British manufacturer is releasing six. Six new Le Mans specification models are being released only in North America to celebrate the company’s six wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the inaugural running of the race 90 years ago, and the company’s most recent victory ten years ago. The six new specifications will be available on the Continental and Mulsanne and they’re all inspired by the six drivers who put a Bentley in the winner’ s circle.

48 examples of each specification will be produced and each one will come with a Le Mans Edition number plate for authenticity and unique Le Mans Edition wheels. That’s where the similarities between the six end, because each car comes with a different exterior paint color and interior treatment.

First up is the John Duff specification, who was the first to give Bentley a Le Mans win. This car comes with Moonbeam paint, two-tone Linen and Beluga interior with contrast stitching, and a piano black/bright aluminum veneer. Dudley Benjafield took Bentley to victory in 1927, and his special edition Bentley (pictured below) features Verdant paint (the same color as the Speed 8 which won in 2003) over a two-tone Linen and Cumbrain green interior with a dart stain Burr Walnut/bright aluminum veneer.

Woolf Barnato, who won in 1928, 1929, and 1930, gets a special Bentley with Granite paint over a “Hotspur” interior with Beluga stitching and a carbon fiber veneer in the Continental or dark stain Burr Walnut with dark aluminium in the Mulsanne. Tim Birkin’s Bentley gets to show off with Glacier White paint, a Beluga interior with white stitching, and piano black/bright aluminum veneer.

Glen Kidston, who also claimed first place in 1930, gets a special edition in his name with Dark Sapphire paint, two-tone Newmarket Tan and Imperial Blue interior, and a dark stain Burr Walnut and Dark Aluminum veneer. Get this specification on the Continental GT convertible and Bentley will give you a blue cloth top as well. Guy Smith, who drove the Bentley Speed 8 across the finish line in 2003, is honored with Beluga (black) paint, a Beluga interior with Hotspur stitching, and a piano black/dark aluminum veneer. 

Continental GT models will be available with these specifications sometime in the second quarter of this year, while the Mulsanne will get them in the third quarter. Pricing is not available yet.

[Source: Bentley]

Tesla Model S earns highest score from Consumer Reports 

Consumer Reports has given the Tesla Model S the highest score in the magazine’s long history, with a 99 out of 100 rating. That high rating came as a result of a nearly five-month review with extensive performance tests and overall quality tests.

Testers loved the Model S for its great performance, sublime handling (thanks to its low center of gravity), comfort, and practicality – all of which they associate with the fact that the Model S was built from the ground up as an electric car, rather than just a repackaged car with extra batteries thrown in. “In all, the Model S worked better than we expected—especially being the first home-grown model from a brand-new car company”. It’s hard to get praise higher than that from Consumer Reports. 

The magazine was also appreciative of Tesla’s Supercharging stations set up in parts of California and the North East which help owners cope with the car’s range limitations by offering free 30-minute charges that fill it up by half (because that’s all the batteries can handle), but they did recognize that not every buyer will be close to one of those. They also pointed out the obvious, which is that you can’t simply just jump in a Model S and go anywhere the same way you can with another car, but the excellence of the Model S in other areas makes it all worth it according to them. That is, if you can afford to drop nearly $90,000 on one like they did. Given all the speed bumps alternative energy vehicles have been hitting lately, this is a great accomplishment for Tesla, but other factors like the car’s long-term reliability and resale value are yet to be determined, and until they are, Consumer Reports isn’t ready to deem the Model S as a “must buy”.

[Source: Consumer Reports | Image: Tesla Motors]

Jaguar considering new crossover and sedan

Since these two cars don’t exist yet, have a photo of the F-Type

[Filed under inevitable] According to various reports, Jaguar has submitted two trademark applications for “XQ” and “Q-Type”, which are believed to be the names of a new crossover and entry-level sedan. Jaguar has made it clear that it wants to expand its attractive new lineup with new offerings, but haven’t mentioned any specifics. 

It’s important to note that these trademark applications could just be for concepts or design studies and not necessarily a production model. For all we know, those could even be the names of revolutionary concepts that use Bovril for fuel and won’t turn on until you’ve sung “Rock Lobster” in its entirety out in public. Or they’ll be the names of an Evoque-based crossover and a new BMW 3-series fighter to increase sales and remain competitive in the growing luxury car market, but I like the first one better.

But what about you? Any hopes or totally accurate predictions about these new possible Jags?

[Source: Autoweek | Image: Jaguar]

Meguiar’s Scion FR-S coming to Forza

This week, anyone who owns Forza 4 or Forza Horizon can redeem the custom Meguiar’s Scion FR-S in-game for free. Forza 4 players must have the August Playseat Car Pack purchased and installed to redeem this, as that car pack is what adds FR-S to the game.

This FR-S is based off the real FR-S that was created by Meguiar’s and Scion for the 2012 SEMA Show to highlight Scion’s personalization-friendly FR-S and Meguiar’s passion for car care. To help bring that passion into the digital world, Meguiar’s is sponsoring a Forza Horizon photo contest with real prizes from Meguiar’s and Xbox 360 up for grabs. All you have to do is take an in-game photo of your Meguiar’s FR-S and upload it to the Forza Horizon storefront with the tag “Meguiar’s FR-S” before May 17th. Five winners will be chose, but really, everyone wins in a way because you still get a free [digital] car.

[Source: Meguiar’s Car Care]