The ultimate open-air luxury vehicle.
There are luxury convertibles and then there are the vehicles that Bentley and Rolls Royce produce that are in a league of their own. The former is taking the open-air luxury motoring experience to a new level of opulence and refinement with the new Bentley Grand Convertible. The convertible concept made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show and just may be coming the roads as a strictly limited-edition collector’s vehicle.
“This concept demonstrates Bentley’s ability to create a pinnacle convertible Grand Tourer, while embodying elegance beyond compare. With this car we combine the opulent Mulsanne experience with the full sensory indulgence of open-air touring, continuing to unite luxury and performance in new ways,” said Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors. “We are eagerly awaiting the response of our customers to this car. We will ensure that this car – if it reaches the roads – will be a highly exclusive, extremely limited collector’s piece.”
The most sophisticated and luxurious open-top model ever produced by Bentley will be powered by the same 6.75-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 engine seen in the rest of the lineup and produce 530 bhp and 811 lb-ft. of torque, making acceleration and speed effortless with the top down.
The new Bentley Grand Convertible concept shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show wears a bespoke Sequin Blue that was created after a color of a customer’s haute couture gown. The smooth, vibrant blue paint is contrasted by a silver “liquid metal” finish applied to the hood and windshield frame while polished accents adorn the sides, front fascia, and rear of the ultra-luxury convertible. Special five-spoke Bentley direction wheels are fitted to each side and correspond with the movement of the Bentley Grand Convertible. Each wheel is finished by hand before receiving a high-shine polish.
The opened top exposes the wealth of luxury and craftsmanship surrounding passengers in the Bentley Grand Convertible concept. A total of 14 naturally-tanned leather hides are combined with progressive-diamond quilting, the shape of which changes as it moves over the seats and doors. Craftsmen use Sequin Blue thread that is cross-stitched by hand through the linen-colored leather while Beluga leather on the door tops adds some contrast. The trim specialists add even more contrast with bright blue trims throughout the cabin.
One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of the Bentley Grand Convertible is the rear tonneau. The tonneau features rich, mirror-finished, dark-stained Burr Walnut that has been book-matched and framed in polished chrome. The feature is the largest piece of wood veneer ever applied to a Bentley vehicle and has been fashioned entirely by hand.
If the Bentley Grand Convertible Concept is received well by prospective customers, the model could be released as a strictly limited-edition model for collectors. The new concept will be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show starting November 19th alongside the new Mulsanne Speed. The Grand Convertible will be making its way to the Art Basel international art show in Miami, FL, in December after the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Bentley Grand Convertible Concept Gallery
Source: Bentley
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