Bentley Sports Car May Be Named Barnato

Volkswagen AG’s Bentley unit may call the expected production version of its EXP 10 Speed concept car the Barnato in homage to former owner and racing champ Woolf “Babe” Barnato.

The carmaker applied to trademark the Barnato name two years ago, Auto Express reports. It notes that this was the same time Bentley registered the Bentayga name for its new crossover/SUV that is currently being launched.

Bentley has strongly indicated it’s moving forward with plans to produce the sleek EXP two-seater, but it hasn’t formally approved the program. The vehicle has been widely praised since it was unveiled more than a year ago at the 2015 Geneva auto show.

Media reports suggest the new sports car will be introduced in 2019. An electric variant also is said to be in development.

Barnato acquired the Bentley brand in 1926 and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race three straight years in a Bentley car. He was forced to sell the business in 1931 after suffering a significant personal financial loss stemming from the 1929 stock market crash. But a few years later he became a board member of the new Bentley Motors Ltd.