Autocar confidential: Bentley, Bugatti, BMW and Ssangyong

This week's gossip from the automotive industry has news of the Bugatti Chiron, Ssangyong's pick-up name change, BMW's Formula 1 future and a Bentley Continental GT successor. 

Bugatti Chiron outsells the Veyron 

Orders for the Bugatti Chiron – of which 200 have already been sold – have greatly outstripped those of its Veyron predecessor at the same stage, according to insiders, who reckon it had racked up only 40 sales six months after going on sale.

“Of course, the Veyron was re-establishing Bugatti after a period of total inactivity,” said Autocar’s source. “It is normal that such a journey takes time and that we would build on it.” 

Read more: Bugatti Chiron will not get roadster version, Bugatti Chiron targets new speed record

Ssangyong's Korando Sports pick-up name change

Ssangyong's Korando Sports pick-up will now be called Musso, a name formerly attached to one of the firm’s SUVs. The change reflects the pick-up market’s preference for ‘tough’ model names (‘Musso’ is Korean for ‘rhinoceros’). 

The Musso goes on sale next month and will get a newly developed 2.2-litre diesel with more power and lower emissions.

Read more: Ssangyong Korando Sports pick-up to go racing in Britain in 2017, Ssangyong Chairman W luxury saloon makes first UK appearance 

BMW's Formula 1 future

BMW M CEO Frank van Meel has said the car maker has no interest in returning to Formula 1, despite rumours of a future McLaren tie-up.

BMW’s last stint in the sport ended in 2009, when it sold its share of the BMW Sauber F1 team.

Read more: 2017 BMW X2 to make debut at Paris motor show, 2017 BMW M4 to inherit GTS parts

Bentley's Continental GT replacement 

Bentley will finally show the replacement for the long-serving Continental GT towards the end of 2017, with sales beginning in early 2018.

The car will be built on a new aluminium-intensive structure, which is likely to drop the entry-level V8 petrol model’s weight below 2000kg.

The car will also be launched with a 500bhp 3.0-litre V6 hybrid powertrain and a 6.0-litre W12 engine. A new 4.0-litre V8 diesel engine is “under consideration for the car” but not yet approved.

Read more: Bentley Continental GT Review, Bentley Bentayga Fly Fishing edition created by Mulliner