Trends in the automobile industry facing environmental issues

In the automobile industry, there is now a strong trend toward a complete transition to vehicles called BEVs (battery EVs). The plan is to discontinue sales of new cars equipped with internal combustion engines, such as gasoline engines, by approximately 2030. Examples include Volvo, Lotus, Jaguar, and Bentley. The momentum for BEV conversion in Europe is growing more than expected.
Certain characteristics can be seen in this series of movements. It appears that smaller manufacturers with fewer units produced are more proactive in making the transition. Bentley is one of them, and although it set a record for global sales last year, it sold just over 1 units. The scale is different from a full lineup company that offers everything from compact cars to full-size cars. As a company, it will be more flexible. The company has decided to completely eliminate the internal combustion engine, which has been its main selling point.
Of course, behind this is a high level of awareness of environmental issues on the customer side. This is especially true for the wealthy people Bentley works with, and their sustainable social activities have been widely recognized. In other words, it can be said that BEV conversion can be considered as one of them.

What do a carefully selected inn that coexists with the forest and a world-class luxury car have in common?

That background probably has something to do with it. This time, as part of a project organized by Bentley Japan, I took a trip to Karuizawa in a Bentley. The destination is "Shishiwa House Karuizawa". This is a hidden inn built in the midst of deep green trees.
This facility, which consists of three buildings, was created by a famous architect. Buildings 3 and 2 were built by Shigeru Ban, and the third building, which opened this year, was built by Ryue Nishizawa. All of them are simple wooden structures, reminiscent of traditional Japanese architecture. Personally, I felt that the windows were large and had a great view, and at the same time, they valued the connection between the outside and the inside. It is an architectural method that does not block out the outside world, but makes it seem like it is connected to the interior.
One reason why I think so is related to the first drawing. The idea is not to cut down the standing trees, but to use them for viewing or as a screen between rooms. This creates the feeling that the building is literally standing in the middle of nature. This is also a kind of borrowed scenery. I can feel the Japanese way of thinking.

Bentley chose this location simply because it matched the concept of the inn. There were similarities between Bentley's environmental considerations and extraordinary travel. By the way, the fact that there are no TVs in the guest rooms may be an extension of that concept. When it's time to go to bed, you'll be enveloped in a quietness that you can't get in the city.

That is not all. I feel that Bentley and Shishiiwa House Karuizawa have a similar affinity in terms of design. As mentioned above, this place also has the aspect of being a work by a world-renowned architect. The design icon that incorporates tradition, the harmony with nature, and the efficient use of space are the two things that are in common with each other.

Taking the Flying Spur S as an example, which I took the wheel on this trip, you can see that Bentley's tradition is firmly infused into it. The round headlights and large grille are the symbolic design features of the front mask. It's an item that makes you realize that it's a Bentley even from a distance. Then, when you turn to the side, you can see the large bulging rear fender. It is an icon that continues from the Continental R type, which was born in the 1950s, to bring a glamorous impression. It is an essential part when talking about Bentley today.

Four-door saloons tend to be thought of as cars designed primarily for rear seats, but this cannot be said of the Flying Spur S. The sporty driving style that has continued since Bentley's birth in 1919 has been inherited. After all, what fits under the hood is a 4-liter V8 twin-turbo. The maximum output is 550ps, and the maximum speed can reach 318km/h. It's now a supercar level power spec. However, there are drive modes in addition to ``Sport'' and ``Comfort,'' allowing you to enjoy long drives on the highway with a soft ride. Many of the routes between Tokyo and Karuizawa are expressways, so you can fully enjoy the benefits of this. It feels exactly like an aristocrat living in London going to a manor house in the suburbs.

So, this time I enjoyed a long autumn drive in a Bentley. ``Bentley'' and ``Shishiwa House Karuizawa'' are perfect for an adult's weekend trip. Bentley Flying Spur S invites you to an extraordinary experience away from the hustle and bustle.

Photography by Toshiki Kobayashi
Text by Tatsuya Kushima

Tatsuya Kushima

Motor journalist and columnist. Currently, he is the media site editor-in-chief and media business producer for the surfing magazine "NALU." She has previously served as editor-in-chief of many men's magazines, golf magazines, car magazines, airline in-flight magazines, etc. In addition to media activities, he is a member of the Japan Car of the Year selection committee, a member of the Japan Cigar Association, a Japan Boat of the Year selection committee, and the creative director of men's golf wear ``The Duke's Golf.''