Most of us will never own a Bentley, though we can dream, but if you happen to live in the UK, you might get the chance to build one.

How is this possible? Well, Bentley is seeking twenty new apprentices to work in its plant in Crewe. Available fields include, “…craft, technical, technician, junior engineer, commercial, and business.”

Like Bentley itself, apprenticeship – the part-work, part-study learning the job ON the job system – is an English classic, and this program combines work for Bentley with classes at local colleges. After completion, some apprentices will be invited to fill full-time positions with the automaker.

Think you have the “right stuff?” Find out more here.

VW Golf | Photo Credit: Volkswagen | Click to enlarge

Automotive News reported yesterday on an announcement from Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, who said that the Volkswagen Golf R will be returning to the U.S. market as a limited edition model early in 2012. According to Browning, the high-performance Golf will come with a 256 hp, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The European model has been on sale for a year.

In 2004 a previous version of the Golf, the R32 was sold in the U.S. for a single year. VW spokespeople told Automotive News that about 5,000 were sold. In a second appearance of the high-performance Golf arrived on American shores for the 2007=2008 model year, and was based on the fifth-generation version of the car. That model had a 240 hp, 3.2 liter V-6 engine, and was ultimately discontinued in favor of the sixth-generation version. The 2008 Volkswagen Golf R32 had an MSRP of about $30,000.

VW’s most powerful Golf model currently on sale in the United States is the GTI, which went on sale last year, as a 2010 model.

Browning said that the new Golf R, which features improved brakes, the latest of VW’s all-wheel drive systems, electronic stability control and a sport-tuned suspension, “…raises the benchmark for sports performance, with breathtaking torque and road-hugging ride and handling.”

He said that other features of the car include 18-inch alloy wheels, and a special body kit, door sills, and a sport steering wheel and shift knob.

Automotive News reported over the weekend that Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM), the company that makes BlackBerry phones has agreed to the aquisition of QNX Software Systems from Harman International Industries, Inc. Why are they doing this? It’s to gain access to technology for wireless connections in cars.

The tech that RIM will gain will specifically aid Acura, Audi, and BMW cars with connections to cell phones, navigation systems, and music players. RIM is expanding into new markets, in an attempt to offset slowing sales growth and decreasing prices, as well as the heavy competition from Apple, Inc.’s iPhone and Google’s DROID systems.

RIM has not disclosed the terms of the deal, but the Waterloo, Ontario, Canada-based company expects the deal to close in mid-to-late May. QNX’s current owner, Harman, bought the software company in 2004 for $138 million in cash, and also assumed some debt.

Speaking at an event on February 5 to promote the all-electric Nissan Leaf, Houston mayor Annise Parker said, “We are the Petro Metro, but we are also a car city. To have an electric vehicle that appeals to a car culture will make the real difference for market penetration.”

The Leaf, a five-passenger vehicle that can travel 100-miles on a single charge, hopes it will be that car, not just for Houston, but for other cities like San Francisco, that are actively forging alliances with car makers and power companies. These metropolitan areas don’t just want to bring EVs to their streets, they want to see electric charging stations to their street corners.

In Houston, Nissan has brokered a deal with both the city and Reliant Energy to construct public charging stations. These efforts are key in overcoming the doubts of would-be buyers fearful of being stranded with no juice under the hood.

General Motors will be debuting its much-anticipated Chevrolet Volt later this year, and partnerships like the one Nissan has struck with the city of Houston could be key to the car’s success. The Houston metropolitan area has about 4.5 million cars and trucks ticking off approximately 86 driving miles a day.

Promoting the EVs in tandem with charging stations is a win/win for all concerned. Thanks to the recession, power utilities in the United States have seen demand drop off about 5% over the past two years. Widespread adoption of electric vehicles serves multiple masters:

• It gives the auto industry exciting new products.
• Electric vehicles cater to environmental concerns.
• EVs will help lessen our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.
• Charging stations will generate jobs in cities where they are located.
• Cities like Houston with air-quality problems will gain access to more federal funds if they can cut emissions.
• A new area of electrical use will reclaim some lost profits for the power utilities.

Critics of electrical vehicles have long pointed to the lack of infrastructure as a significant stumbling block to the cars’ practicality. Partnerships with cities and power companies who have their own problems to solve could make that criticism go away, and give products like the Leaf and the Volt the leg up they need to be real contenders in the world of alternative-powered vehicles.

In his article, Kurczewski reports a zero to 50 mph time of around 16.4 seconds (Tata claims closer to 15) and a turning radius of a mere four meters. There are three models: the base, CX and LX with the price actually ranging from $2,200 to $3,360.

Engine noise is apparently suprisingly low and the model Kurczewski drove had AC and power brakes, but no power assist steering. Still he said the control was “nice” and the ride stable and comfortable even with a fifth person in the car. (He said acceleration suffered with a 700 lb. load, a little better than half of the Nano’s own 1,322 lbs.)

The brief review (with photo) makes for an interesting read and, of course, we all wonder if the Nano will ever see our fair shores. It looks a bit like the Smart car, already selling briskly in the United States and in these tough economic times, the price tag is — well, mouth watering.

One thing is for certain, the very fact that the Nano exists and that the Smart car is rapidly becoming a favorite, is proof positive that the automotive form factor has undergone a radical transformation in a relatively short period of time. The era of the gas guzzler, if not yet dead, is on its last legs.

In announcing the price level, Jim O’Sullivan, Mazda North American Operations CEO said, “Bringing any new car to market at a competitive price has always been critical, but seldom more so than today. Customers are looking for that rare combination of style, dynamics, economy and a great price, and the all-new 2009 Mazda6 delivers on all levels.” (Buyers of the Mazda6 are also supporting the national economy since this is the only model Maza builds in the U.S. at a plant in Flat Rock, Michigan.)

So how’s Mazda6 doing for sales this year? Not all that poorly. In the first half of 2008 the company moved 33,063 units, a climb of 1.2 percent over 2007. As to performance, you can expect to get about 17 to 21 mpg around town and anywhere from 25 to 29 out on the road. Not the best available, but reasonable. Certainly worth of a test drive if you’re in the market for new wheels.

The 2009 still has a Hemi engine, but they’ve taken it back to the bench and added fuel saving variable valve timing for peak efficiency. Similar modifications to the cylinder cutoff system open up the rpm range. Better compression, better air and fuel flow — all equal better performance. (And they worked on the aerodynamics.) As opposed to the 2008s, you’re looking a 4% better fuel economy. No mpg estimates released, but Chrysler did point to improved horsepower up to 390 and a zero to sixty leap in six seconds.

At the same time the company confirmed a hybrid of the Ram with a two-mode gasoline-electric power train. That one is going for a 40 percent gain in fuel economy in town and a 25 percent improvement on the highway. Now those are numbers headed in the right direction. As for right now, in 2008, the Ram is getting 13 mpg in town and 19 on the highway — numbers that are just not going to cut it in the new reality of high fuel costs and deep set environmental concerns.

The V6 has 3.8-liter V6 putting out 290 hp. It should get 18 mpg around town and 17 out on the highway. The V8 uses a 4.6-liter, 32-valve engine putting out 375 hp. Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg city and 25 highway.

Price wise the Genesis is a good competitor for the Chrysler 300 or the Pontiac G8, but when the engineers were working on its design they were looking at the Lexus GS, Mercedes E-Class, and Infiniti M. The whole idea was luxury paired with value and the results are impressive.

- electronic stability contol
- SM NavTraffic
- adaptive headlights
- radar-based active cruise control
- Lexicon audio (17 speakers, 500-watts)
- electronic active head restraints
- leather-wrapped, dash, door panels, console lid
- heated and cooled seats
- steering wheel wrapped in ultraviolet reflective leather to keep it cool
- ultrasonic sensors (8) front and rear for parking in close quarters
- power rear sunshade
- automatic electronic parking brake
- proximity key
- push button start
- eight airbags (side, roof, and curtain)

And that doesn’t even consider all the available options. The Genesis is luxury for the rest of us and well worth a test drive come July.

Smart ForTwo

The insurance industry is regarding the Smart car as small, but safe although — as only insurance agents can do — the pros are quick to point out that smaller vehicles are riskier than big ones.

Uh, duh?

Hummer vs. Semi
ForTwo vs. Semi

You do the math.

Ford Focus Spiffier for 2009

The Focus SE coupe will get a sportier exterior for the new model year with a lower front fascia in a bid to European-esque design. There will be a new roofline spoiler and the standard wheels will be 17″ aluminum. The idea is to make the car more attractive to younger buyers. It’ll go on sale in August with a price take of $16,615 for the SE and $18,035 for the SES.

Ferrari GT California – Always Speedy

Ferrari is showing off a new eight-cylinder GT available as a convertible only with a hand-formed aluminum body. Under the hood look for a 4.3-liter V8 in the mid-front position. Estimates put the 0 to 62 mph rating at under 4 seconds. There’s a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, Brembo brakes, and a F1-Trac traction control system. The public debut is scheduled for the Paris motor show in October.