The All-new Bentley Continental Gt – The Definition Of Luxury Grand Touring

The All-new Bentley Continental Gt – The Definition Of Luxury Grand Touring

The All-new Bentley Continental Gt – The Definition Of Luxury Grand Touring

Bentley Motors is today announcing full details of its new Continental GT, the definitive Grand Tourer.

Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Britain, the new third-generation Bentley Continental GT combines spirited, focused performance with handcrafted luxury and cutting-edge technology, to create the finest Grand Tourer ever produced.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: “Bentley has been at the forefront of luxury Grand Touring for nearly one hundred years. The new, third-generation Continental GT is the pinnacle of our design and engineering achievements and marks the next step in Bentley’s journey.

“We are the world leader in luxury mobility and our products and services define new luxury in the automotive world. The new Continental GT encapsulates our desire to innovate as well as celebrate our heritage and take the Bentley ownership experience to the next, unparalleled level.”

At the heart of the new Continental GT sits an all-new, enhanced version of Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine, mated, for the first time, to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission, for faster, more efficient gear changes.

A new, technically advanced, adaptive chassis uses Bentley’s intelligent
48-volt Dynamic Ride System to ensure a responsive ride and exceptional handling and refinement in all road conditions. The new system controls ride comfort and lateral roll, cushioning passengers from excessive movement as well as making the car feel effortlessly precise.

The muscular exterior design, created using revolutionary technology, results in a lightweight, yet stiff, body. The engine is positioned further back to improve weight distribution, resulting in driver-focused, dynamic performance.

Offering four seats and improved luggage capacity for genuine real-world usability, the new Bentley Continental GT’s luxurious cabin is packed with exquisite details such as a new ‘diamond in diamond’ leather design. In addition, significant work has gone into harmonising the extensive portfolio of 15 colours across hides and carpets.

The new Continental GT also showcases major evolutions in Bentley’s unique application of technology. An advanced, fully digital, driver-focused instrument panel and Bentley Rotating Display for the driver are among the suite of innovations. The latter features an impressive 12.3” touchscreen housed in a three-sided unit, which revolves the veneer to reveal the touchscreen as well as three elegant analogue dials.

The interior design of the Continental GT is tailored specifically to the modern luxury customer, with unrivalled attention to detail that creates an effortless ownership experience. The cabin seamlessly integrates cutting-edge onboard technology with the finest handcrafted natural materials. The result is an exquisite, harmonised, connected and luxurious space.

The new Continental GT will make its global debut at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show between 12 and 24 September, 2017.

The All-new Bentley Continental Gt – The Definition Of Luxury Grand Touring

The Evolution of Bentley’s Famous Design DNA

The exterior design of the new Continental GT is based on a bold new vision that is unmistakably Bentley. The all-new body and materials save more than 80 kg over the previous Continental W12 body.

While the Continental GT retains the classic elegance that made its forebear so popular, the form of the new car is more sculptural and sharply defined and takes much of its inspiration from the critically acclaimed EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car.

To allow for such a bold reimagining of the Continental GT, the aluminium skin has been crafted using Super Formed technology – a precision technique working with aluminium heated to 500°C which has previously been used on Bentley fenders. This method allows designers to invoke more complex, sharply defined body lines and a deeper, sculpted haunch muscle.

The Continental GT is the first production car ever to have an entire body side made from the Super Formed process.

The Continental GT’s profile is longer and lower due in part to the positioning of the front wheels 135 mm further forward, which in turn allows the bonnet to be extended and the nose to be lowered. However, the key signature lines of the original Continental still dominate, with the ‘power line’ travelling from the headlights to the muscular rear haunch.

The rear of the car is a radical styling departure, with the taillights now shaped into ellipses, reflecting the silhouette of the exhaust tail pipes below them.

The lighting on the Continental GT uses the latest LED Matrix technology, but it is the design of the head lamps that truly sets them apart. Inspired by the finest cut-crystal glasses, the internal surfaces are transparent with sharply defined edges that catch the light like a diamond.

The result is similar to that of an illuminated gem – an effect which is magnified when the optional welcome sequence gradually illuminates the headlights as you approach the car. The taillights also feature the cut-crystal effect, highlighting the three-dimensional depth of the optics.

The new Continental GT has 21” wheels as standard, with two styles available, reflecting in turn the model’s elegant and sporting characters. A 22” lightweight, forged wheel is also offered, alongside a hand-finished option, which allows for a twisted polished finish.

In another example of Bentley’s exacting attention to detail, and the unique way in which Bentley design often serves a dual engineering purpose, the elliptical exhausts have a complex perforated sleeve which adds visual detail but also reduces the exhaust temperature.

The new Continental GT customer has a class-leading portfolio of 17 exterior paint colours to choose from – carefully selected to complement the character and lines of the car. In addition, a limited extended range of colours will be offered at launch, as well as the option of full bespoke colour-matching for Bentley customers.

The All-new Bentley Continental Gt – The Definition Of Luxury Grand Touring

The Finest Handcrafted Cabin: A World of Hidden Delights

The interior of the new Continental GT showcases Bentley’s unrivalled expertise in the authentic use of materials, from the highest-quality natural leathers, to rare, sustainably sourced veneers – including Koa, Bentley’s newest veneer – and hand-polished chrome details. For the first time, unique dual-veneer options are offered. Over 10 square metres of wood are used in each Continental GT, and it takes nine hours to create and fit the wooden inlays by hand.

The exquisitely styled dashboard of the new Continental GT is sculpted by long, flowing wings that mirror the shape of the Bentley badge. A floating leather top flows seamlessly to the doors.

The centre console is finished to match the lower fascia, but can be specified in a new technical finish that is inspired by the delicate mechanical surfacing inside the finest automatic Swiss watches, known as Côtes de Genève. This surface – a first in the automotive world – is machined onto 0.6 mm-thick aluminium and is created by machining from side to side to create a linear pattern. Each row is 5 mm wide and machined at an angle to give a truly three-dimensional finish, with each pass of the machine making a minute step of 0.5 mm.

New types of luxurious haptic finishes adorn the interior of the Continental GT for greater sensory, as well as visual, enjoyment. In some areas, pillow knurling replaces the traditional mechanical knurling, for a softer, more refined feel on switches and controls, while diamond knurling adds a luxurious touch using a detailed three-dimensional faceted surface.

The new knurling design is available on the iconic Bullseye vents, bezels and other primary control rotaries, and not only gives a finely faceted visual impact but provides a precise technical feel when operating the controls.

Another hidden delight is the addition of bronze inserts between surfaces on the primary controls, which adds a level of fine detailing never seen before.

The 20-way adjustable seats in the new Continental GT set new industry standards in comfort and refinement. Smooth centre panels allow maximum efficiency for the cooling, heating and massage functions, while the bolsters retain the signature Bentley quilting.

A new, unique quilt is also available: called a ‘diamond in diamond’ quilt, the effect is of a floating quilted surface in a sea of leather, which is extraordinarily soft to touch. The new interior pattern features both stitching and embroidery. The inner diamonds are embroidered, using a specially-designed machine that balances high speed with quality. Eighteen months were spent developing the embroidery, individually optimising and programming the exact alignment of each one of the 712 stitches that make up each diamond shape – an unrivalled attention to detail.

A choice of three audio systems is offered in the new Continental GT. The standard system features 10 speakers and 650 Watts, while a Bang & Olufsen 1,500 W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles is aimed at lifestyle-oriented customers. The new Bang & Olufsen installation benefits from the first automotive application of the BeoSonic system – a new way for tone setting with a simple, intuitive one-touch user interface.

A Naim 2,200 W, 18-speaker system with Active Bass Transducers built into the front seats and eight sound modes is offered for the true audiophile.

In order to ensure optimal audio enjoyment, laminated acoustic glass is used for the windscreen and side windows, resulting in a nine-decibel reduction in exterior noise ingress versus the outgoing model.

Behind the wheel, the technological advancements in the new Continental GT are striking. The driver-orientated instrument panel is now fully digital and configurable by the driver. While the main dials appear to be real, they are in fact digital graphics designed to look three-dimensional. This display can show information from across the infotainment system including satellite-navigation information.

The Continental GT features the innovative and industry-first Bentley Rotating Display. At first glance there appears to be no screen in the centre of the dashboard. Instead, the veneer flows uninterrupted across the dashboard, while a thin chrome bezel behind the steering wheel surrounds a digital instrument display.

When the engine start button is pressed, however, the veneer in the middle of the dashboard glides silently forward and rotates to reveal Bentley’s largest-ever touchscreen, a 12.3” retina-quality digital MMI display, elegantly designed by Bentley with a customer-configurable home screen with three windows able to display the driver’s preferred functions, for example, navigation, media and telephone.

The user interface is designed to be akin to a modern mobile phone and menus are structured to be instantly intuitive.

The third side on the Bentley Rotating Display reveals three elegant analogue dials displaying outside temperature, a compass and chronometer. Such an innovative use of traditional elements underscores Bentley’s unique commitment to the past and the future, and offers customers the choice of digital or analogue display or clean, calm cabin.

The new Continental benefits from features designed to keep both driver and passengers connected at all times. Apple CarPlay, the smartest and quickest way to integrate the functionality of Apple devices in a car is connected via a USB port.

Customer journeys are streamlined with features designed to improve navigation. Google point of interest search makes finding unusual destinations simple, while real time traffic information keeps the driver informed of current length or changes in congestion. In emergency situations, Private eCall provides instant access to emergency services for ultimate peace of mind when travelling.

Sublime Power: The Beating Heart of Bentley

The new Continental GT is offered at launch with an enhanced version of Bentley’s peerless 6.0-litre, W12 TSI engine that sets a new benchmark in performance.

Designed, developed and handbuilt in Crewe, the W12 TSI engine is the most advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world. The unique ‘W’ configuration means that the engine is 24 per cent shorter than an equivalent V12, benefitting weight distribution and maximising usable cabin space.

The new powertrain uses the very latest engine management technology, with 300 million software calculations per second. It produces 635 PS (626 bhp) and 900 Nm (664 lb.ft.) of torque, and accelerates the new Continental GT to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds (0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds), and on to a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph)*.

A dedicated Sport Launch mode delivers maximum acceleration through careful clutch pressure sensing and pre-loading when a race-style start is required by the driver.

The W12 TSI combines high-pressure direct fuel injection with low-pressure injection. The combination of these two systems maximises refinement, lowers particulate emissions and optimises power and torque delivery. At 278 g/km CO2 (a 16 per cent improvement over the previous Continental GT), the engine also meets Phase 2 of Euro 6 and US ULEV 125 (LEV3) emissions targets.

The new engine utilises Start-Stop technology and, in Bentley’s advanced application, coasting is also made possible. The engine rests not only when the vehicle is stationary but also at near-to-stop speeds.

Bentley’s Variable Displacement system shuts down half of the engine under defined conditions. Intake and exhaust valves, fuel injection and ignition are all shut down on defined cylinders, with the engine running as a six-cylinder for improved efficiency.

Significantly, a new dual-mass flywheel replaces the torque converter, to dampen out the oscillations of the driveline and provide a fittingly smooth power delivery for luxury touring.

The dual-clutch eight-speed transmission provides smooth acceleration, and impressively quick gearshifts, both hallmarks of the Continental GT’s dynamic character, as well as improved combined fuel economy (23.2 mpg or
12.2 L/100 km versus the previous model’s 19.9 mpg or 14.2 L/100 km).

Shift times are variable and depend on the selected driving mode. In Sport mode, shifts are seemingly instantaneous to deliver uninterrupted torque delivery and maximum acceleration performance. In Comfort mode, shifts are deliberately relaxed to allow for a seamless and imperceptible gear change.

Maximum speed is reached in seventh gear, with eighth gear acting as an overdrive gear for relaxed cruising.

A new Active All-Wheel-Drive System replaces the traditional 40:60 power delivery split between front and rear wheels respectively, instead varying the front-to-rear torque split dependent upon the driving situation. The vehicle will use rear-wheel drive as much as possible during normal driving for optimum efficiency and dynamic performance.

Based on the conditions and the driver’s behaviour, the system will send drive to the front axle as required. This reduces the understeer effect from fixed all-wheel drive, as well as increasing driver engagement for those who revel in the dynamic attributes of the Continental GT.

Unrivalled Grand Touring Ride and Handling

The third generation of Continental GT features Bentley Dynamic Ride, an advanced 48-volt roll control system for unrivalled car control. The system controls and adjusts the electronic actuators on the anti-roll bar of each axle and so improves handling and ride comfort, as well as making the car feel lighter and more precise.

This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre-to-road contact to deliver class-leading ride comfort and exceptional handling.

While conventional anti-roll bars present a compromise between body control and ride comfort, Bentley’s active system provides variable torsional resistance, allowing the Continental GT to be both dynamically capable and comfortable for all occupants at all times. The use of a 48-volt system results in silent, instantaneous responses and sufficient power on hand to deal with all road surfaces.

Through Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Control different modes can be selected: Comfort mode, Bentley mode or Sport mode; the suspension, engine, gearbox and other chassis systems will modify to match the selected drive mode. Alternatively, the driver can personalise his or her own dynamic settings.

The air suspension on the new Continental GT is revised and uses three-chamber air springs which give the car 60 per cent more air volume in the softest setting than the previous model. This allowed Bentley’s engineers more scope for tuning the suspension to improve the ride comfort and dynamic character of the car. The system offers the scope to vary from sporting spring stiffness to luxury limousine refinement depending upon which mode the driver has selected.

Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) is also featured on the Continental GT. The new system improves feedback to the driver, while providing isolation from unwanted road disturbances. The steering system features a variable rack ratio, allowing increased response with higher steering angles to aid manoeuverability whilst maintaining excellent stability at high speeds. The introduction of EPAS also allows the Continental GT to be offered with a wide range of Driver Assistance features including Active Lane Assist, Traffic Jam Assist and Park Assist.

Another key feature is the latest-generation Continuous Damping Control (CDC), which constantly adjusts the damper forces to optimise comfort. The system continually measures the velocity and distance between the wheels and the body at each corner and also adjusts the air volume in the springs if necessary to ensure the optimum balance of comfort and handling. Both front and rear axles are of a lightweight aluminium construction, with multilink design at the front and rear.

The brakes, as always on the Continental GT, are bigger on the front axle, with a 15 mm increase in size to 420 mm to match the increased performance.

The exhaust tail pipes have also been revised, and now have an adaptive valve for greater tuning potential.

Bentley Personalisation Options and Mulliner Bespoke

The all-new Continental GT redefines personalisation and bespoke luxury. Paint, leather, veneer and lifestyle options are virtually unlimited and tailored to the individual.

The standard palette alone comprises 17 exterior paint colours, with up to
70 hues available in the extended range. There are also 15 luxurious carpet options, eight different handcrafted veneers (with a further four dual-veneer options) and 15 choices of interior trim hide, which means that customers are able to specify their own choice of luxury finish.

Two technology option packs are offered at launch: City Specification for urban journeys and the Touring Specification for long-distance driving, both curated to optimise the customer experience. City Specification includes hands-free boot opening, pedestrian warning, traffic-sign recognition and city braking systems as well as a top-view camera. The Touring Specification pack, meanwhile, offers adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, active lane assist, a heads-up display, night vision with an infrared camera, and pre-sense braking.

The Mulliner Driving Specification adds a more sporting look to the car with 22” lightweight forged alloy wheels, unique ‘diamond in diamond’ quilting, embroidered Bentley emblems, additional veneer options, a jewelled-finish fuel filler, sports pedals and indented leather headliner. Customers can also choose personalised stitching in the front and rear of the car and personalised treadplates.

As with all Bentleys, the Continental GT can also be handed over to the highly skilled and dedicated craftspeople at Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, who will respond to bespoke customer requirements.

Extreme Conditions: Global Testing for the Perfect Grand Tourer

Bentley’s highly skilled engineers have put the new Continental GT through the extraordinary rigours of extreme hot and cold weather testing – as well as durability tests – around the globe to ensure the new Grand Tourer triumphs in all driving conditions, covering nearly one million kilometres.

A demanding and thorough development drive programme put the new Continental GT through cold-climate testing in polar areas, hot-weather testing in America and durability testing on the grueling roads in South Africa; as well as tests in the Middle East, China and Europe.

A team of expert Bentley development engineers led the testing in Sweden for serious sub-zero driving on frozen lakes and in snow. In America, testing also took place in the below sea-level ‘oven’ of Death Valley with temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius for a trial covering thousands of kilometres.

Energy-Efficient Production Using Sustainable Materials

Since 2003 more than 66,000 Bentley Continental GTs have been handcrafted in the factory in Crewe, England. Over that period the style, technology and engineering behind the car have been constantly evolving, and the vehicles produced in Crewe have become ever more efficient.

Similarly, the production techniques utilised in Crewe have become significantly more efficient over that time. The all-new Continental GT is being produced in a factory where up to 40 per cent of the electricity needs are met by 20,815 solar panels covering over 34,500 square metres of factory roof space. The installation was the largest of its kind in the UK when first put in place. The solar panels provide a capacity of 5.1 megawatts and contribute to a CO2 reduction of 2,500 tonnes per year.

Following significant reductions in key environmental areas, Bentley has become the first UK automotive manufacturer to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standards for carbon, water and waste respectively. The Crewe headquarters was the first UK automotive plant to achieve the internationally recognised ISO 14001 environmental and ISO 50001 energy management standards.

Bentley’s desire to offer customers the very best cars in the world – with unsurpassed levels of luxury and performance – goes hand-in-hand with a determination to enhance significantly fuel economy, reduce emissions and develop highly advanced, sustainable drive technologies for the future.

courtesy: www.bentleymedia.com

Bentley Motors is announcing the North American debuts of three extraordinary models: the Continental Supersports, Bentayga W12 editions and EXP 12 Speed 6e concept, at Monterey Auto Week

Bentley Motors is announcing the North American debuts of three extraordinary models: the Continental Supersports, Bentayga W12 editions and EXP 12 Speed 6e concept, at Monterey Auto Week

Bentley Motors is announcing the North American debuts of three extraordinary models: the Continental Supersports, Bentayga W12 editions and EXP 12 Speed 6e concept, at Monterey Auto Week

  • New Continental Supersports on show: the fastest Bentley ever built for the road, and the ultimate Grand Tourer
  • EXP 12 Speed 6e concept: the future of electric luxury, and the pinnacle of Bentley design, makes US public debut on Concept Lawn
  • Bentayga luxury SUV: North American debut of new Mulliner, Black and Activity editions
  • Bentley Design Studio, Bentley Home Collection and Bentley Boutique join current model range at the Home of Bentley

Bentley Motors is announcing the North American debuts of three extraordinary models: the Continental Supersports, Bentayga W12 editions and EXP 12 Speed 6e concept, at Monterey Auto Week, 17-20 August.

The luxury British brand will showcase five extraordinary models – the Supersports coupe, Continental GT V8 S, Bentayga W12, Flying Spur W12 S, and Mulsanne Speed at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, on 18 August. The line-up will sit in front of the Clubhouse, offering the best view for the day.

Exquisite British craftsmanship will be demonstrated in the Bentley Design Studio, Home Collection and Bentley Boutique, all situated at the Home of Bentley, an elegant sanctuary adjacent to The Lodge at Pebble Beach.

Three Extraordinary Models Make Public Debuts

The powerful new Continental Supersports makes its North American public debut in Monterey. The world’s fastest four-seat car, with 710 PS (700 bhp) and acceleration of 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, is the ultimate grand tourer.

The Bentayga makes its appearance in three new guises: Mulliner, Black and Activity editions. The world’s only true luxury SUV incorporates intricate detailing and precision in wood, metal and leather creating a modern, luxurious handcrafted interior.

The future of luxury and performance is captured in the Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e, a stunning electric concept which takes pride of place on the Pebble Beach Concept Lawn, located in front of The Lodge, on Sunday, 20 August.

The EXP 12 Speed 6e is the modern manifestation of Bentley’s design and technical craftsmanship. The electric sports car concept brings together sustainable materials with sumptuous finishes, and battery-driven performance, for the ultimate statement on the future of the luxury sports car.

Bentley Motors is announcing the North American debuts of three extraordinary models: the Continental Supersports, Bentayga W12 editions and EXP 12 Speed 6e concept, at Monterey Auto Week

Exquisite Bentley Craftsmanship on Display

The manicured lawns of Pebble Beach create the perfect backdrop for Bentley to showcase the expert craftsmanship of Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division.

The Bentayga Mulliner and Mulsanne Speed Hallmark editions both exemplify the hidden delights and special detailing by Mulliner that allow discerning customers to add bespoke touches to their Bentleys.

Visitors to the Home of Bentley will also find the Home Collection, as well as handbags and other luxury accessories from the British brand in the Bentley Boutique.

In the Bentley Design Studio, experts are on hand to demonstrate the finest hides used in Bentley cars, and to show up close the attention and detail that go into creating a world of luxury for Bentley customers.

courtesy: www.bentleymedia.com

Bentley Opens All-new Showroom In Mannheim

Bentley Opens All-new Showroom In Mannheim

Bentley Motors is today celebrating the grand opening of its latest showroom in Mannheim, Germany.

The all-new location in south-west Germany features a 410 m² showroom and a state-of-the-art workshop and aftersales centre. Following nine months of construction and substantial investment, the Bentley Mannheim showroom features the same luxurious wood, leather and polished metals that are used in Bentley cars, and showcases the craftsmanship and attention to detail that are reflected in all aspects of the luxury British brand.

Bentley Opens All-new Showroom In Mannheim

Commenting on the opening, Robert Engstler, Regional Director, Bentley Europe, said: “Bentley Mannheim, represented by Bach Premium Cars, has been our partner since 2000. We value their continued commitment to the Bentley brand and we are confident that with the opening of the new showroom and aftersales centre, this will continue our success in the region.”

Albrecht Bach, Bentley Mannheim Manager Director, added: “It is our priority to ensure our customers have a uniquely Bentley experience. In our newly opened showroom they will enter an exclusive world of unparalleled design, personalised service, automotive passion and unmatched attention to detail.”

BENTLEY OPENS ALL-NEW SHOWROOM IN MANNHEIM

The showroom is located in the Graudenzer Linie Strasse 113, in Mannheim. Customers will have the opportunity to view the entire Bentley model range. The personalisation area showcases the brand’s broad palette of exterior paints and leather options in an exclusive atmosphere.

Germany is Bentley’s largest market in Continental Europe, representing 37 per cent of sales. The second biggest market is Switzerland (10 per cent), with Russia the third largest (7.5 per cent).

courtesy: www.bentleymedia.com

Flying Spur Design Series By Mulliner: Inspired By Extraordinary Design

Flying Spur Design Series By Mulliner: Inspired By Extraordinary Design

Flying Spur Design Series By Mulliner: Inspired By Extraordinary Design

  • Design Series takes inspiration from the finest details: the flash of colour on a suit lining, or the vibrant stitching on a leather saddle
  • Sumptuous Mulliner interior features a rich palette of Designer’s Choice colour splits
  • Exquisite interior materials include carbon-fibre enriched with Titanium – a first in the automotive industry

Bentley Motors is announcing full details of the new Flying Spur Design Series by Mulliner.


Comprising a selection of five interior and exterior accent colour splits – Mandarin, Pillar Box Red, White, Kingfisher and Azure Purple – this new limited edition delivers a unique and exclusive design take on Bentley’s luxury sedan, curated by Bentley’s personal commissioning division, Mulliner.

Only 100 examples of this exclusive limited edition will be produced by Mulliner. The Design Series is available across the four-car Flying Spur range – V8, W12, V8 S and W12 S.

The new Flying Spur Design Edition has been created by Mulliner for the Bentley driver who seeks a more extreme, bespoke interpretation of the performance-oriented sedan.

The new Flying Spur Design Series by Mulliner is characterised externally by bright-coloured fine lines contrasted with blackened brightware (W12 S only), to enhance the dynamic, performance-oriented nature of the Flying Spur.

Inside, the hallmarks of Mulliner – Bentley’s personal commissioning division – include fine leather detailing picked out in bold colours, new materials and technical precision.

Flying Spur Design Series: A Dynamic Purpose

The new Flying Spur Design Series takes its inspiration from the finest details: the flash of colour on a suit lining, or the vibrant stitching on a leather saddle.

The exterior of the Flying Spur Design Series is marked out by a bold, front-bumper design (V8 S and W12 S models only), a lower fine line and LED Welcome Lamps. The front bumper detail and the lower fine line, which runs along the doors to the rear, are highlighted with a striking colour accent. At night, the Welcome Lamps reflect the word ‘Mulliner’ on the ground.

The Flying Spur Design Series W12 S has the significant design additions of black brightware around the headlamps and grille, for a more dramatic appearance. The 21” Directional Sports Wheels are painted in Gloss Black, further enhancing the powerful, aggressive nature of the W12 S engine.

The sporting Flying Spur Design Series V8 S sits on 21” six twin-spoke wheels which have been black-machined to reflect the unrivalled dynamic character of the V8 engine.

Flying Spur Design Series By Mulliner: Inspired By Extraordinary Design

The Mulliner Interior: Beauty Comes with Bespoke

Inside the Flying Spur Design Series, Mulliner has handcrafted a unique, luxurious space in which to travel.

The perforated hide on the leather seats reveals a vibrant secondary colour underneath, which echoes the bold colour accents throughout the limited-edition Flying Spur. The steering wheel also features a coloured 12 o’clock stripe. The hide on the seat bolsters, and on the door inserts, is exquisitely quilted by Mulliner.

There is a new, bespoke contrast colour split on the inside of the top roll and waist rail tops, creating a palette of three hide colours inside the luxury sedan. The centre console is finished in Piano Black.

In an automotive first, Mulliner has also showcased the technical precision and sporting prowess of Bentley with the use of Titanium-enriched carbon fibre on the waist rails and fascia panel. Previously, this highly technical finish was only used in the aviation industry. The treadplates are finished in one of the five accent colours and feature a ‘Mulliner’ illumination.

courtesy: www.bentleymedia.com

Bentley Exp 12 Speed 6E Concept: The Luxury Electric Vehicle

Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e concept

Bentley Motors is sharing its ambition to define the electric luxury segment with the EXP 12 Speed 6e concept at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show.

Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e concept

Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said:

“The EXP 12 Speed 6e is a concept to show that Bentley is defining electric motoring in the luxury sector, with the appropriate technology, high quality materials and refinement levels you’d expect from a true Bentley. This concept enables us to engage with luxury customers and gather feedback on our approach.

“Bentley is committed to offering an electric model in its future portfolio and we are interested to receive feedback on this concept,” Dürheimer concluded.

The Luxury of Electric: Effortless, Exclusive and Exhilarating

Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e concept

An all-electric Bentley will not compromise the quality, refinement and high performance levels expected of the luxury brand. These renowned Bentley characteristics such as immediate, effortless surge of torque and grand touring range will be combined with new high performance technology such as rapid inductive charging and state-of-the-art on board concierge-style services for an effortless ownership experience.

Bentley’s vision is for customers to benefit from high-speed inductive charging and provide a range sufficient for grand touring requirements. An electric Bentley would, for example, be able to drive between London and Paris or Milan and Monaco on a single charge and the on board experience will be enhanced for both driver and passenger thanks to the integration of state-of-the-art technology.

A fusion of cutting-edge technology and beautiful materials is evident right throughout EXP 12 Speed 6e’s luxuriously appointed cabin, ensuring that the brand’s use of technology is not cold or emotionless. The entire central console, for example, is hewn from a solid piece of elegantly curved glass encompassing a high-definition OLED screen. All of the car’s principle onboard controls are accessible from here, including navigation, entertainment and climate control.

Handmade, cut-glass sections on the steering wheel contain the controls for media, communications, navigation and car set-up. There are also two buttons featured at the top of the cut-away steering wheel, one offering an instant performance boost and the other the ability to limit speed, in urban areas for example.

The passenger, meanwhile, has their own control panel on the front fascia with access to social media, email and entertainment.

Exquisite copper elements around the gear selector, Bentley Dynamic Drive dial and in the door veneer panels are integrated into the cabin to highlight the electric performance potential of the concept’s advanced new powertrain.

The car’s intelligent infotainment system is the central brain to access many real world services using connected-car Apps.

Designing the Future of Luxury

On the outside, the iconic Bentley mesh grille features a complex 3D geometry and smoked finish with copper highlights that identify the Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e as a fully electric vehicle. When the car is running the ‘6e’ logo illuminates in a striking, vibrant white.

The exterior design is an expression of muscular, athletic surfaces inspired by contemporary architecture, the natural world and the aerodynamic shapes of aircraft fuselages.

It represents a natural evolution of Bentley’s design DNA and signifies future design direction, taking the famous powerline and haunch to new levels of drama and tension. When combined with muscular proportions and an athletic stance through the use of a short front overhang, long bonnet, low grille and wide rear, the exterior styling hints at the high-performance potential of the car.

The twin bonnet scoops act as highly effective heat sinks that supply additional cooling to the battery and powertrain.

The wing mirrors – which are cameras rather than traditional reflective glass – are exceptionally sleek and were inspired by the sculptural form of stealth aircraft fuselages.

When rapid inductive charging is not available, EXP 12 Speed 6e can be connected to a mains AC power supply via the auxiliary charging point, subtly concealed behind the rear number plate.

A Commitment to an Electric Future

Bentley believes that the concept will open discussions with luxury car buyers of the future – millennials, members of Generation C and the rising affluent in developing economies – to understand the desired expectations from a future electric luxury car ownership experience.

The luxury brand’s electric car strategy includes the introduction of PHEV models across the Bentley model range over the next few years, starting with the Bentayga in 2018.

courtesy: www.bentleymedia.com