The unlikely partnership between adult beverage companies and automotive manufacturers continues to run strong, as proven by a recent partnership between Bentley Motors and Scotland's famous The Macallan distillery. Nascar racecars bedecked in light beer ads have nothing on what British coachbuilders can cook up with their Scottish friends, however—just look at the DB5-inspired bottling from Aston Martin and Bowmore for proof (get it?). And now, in a somewhat dubious celebration of sustainability inspired by the Flying Spur's recent expansion into the eco-conscious hybrid arena, Bentley announced a once-in-a-lifetime road trip experience through the United Kingdom ending at The Macallan Estate in Speyside.
A New Era For Bentley
The transition away from massive twin-turbocharged W12 engines took another step this year with the unveiling of the new hybrid Flying Spur, which uses a 410-horsepower twin-turbo V6 paired with a 134-horsepower electric motor that produces a combined 536 horses and 553 lb-ft of torque. Sent to all four wheels, that grunt allows the 5,600-pound sedan to sprint to 60 miles per hour in only four seconds. The EPA has so far not released an official all-electric range estimate but the figure should come in at around 21 miles.
Sustainability In Cars And Scotch
Scotch distilleries jumped aboard the highly marketable sustainability train years ago, touting their reused barrels and even trucks powered by leftovers from the process of making whisky. But Bentley's new trip sounds likely to double-down on the green message, with meals served with locally sourced ingredients throughout the course of the five-day trip which starts in Cheshire at the brand's flagship showroom.
Michelin Restaurants And Yoga At Castles
Other highlights include optional guided yoga practices, a night at 100% green hotel The Treehouses at Lanrick, a visit to the Fife Arms in Braemar that Spirited Zine calls "a pioneer in recycling and upcycling," and then on to Speyside and The Macallan Estate. Bentley hopes guests will choose their ride, though it appears that chauffeurs will do the driving, an important detail when visiting a country like Scotland where the legal limit is 0.0 BAC. Of course, a five-day road trip complete with luxury accommodations, flights to and from the start and finish, and the likely use of a 5,600-pound uber-luxury limo probably doesn't fit into most environmentalists' vision of sustainability—but those environmentalists probably can't afford the $15,350 price tag, either.
Sources: bentleymotors.com and spiritedzine.com.