What's all this about?
It's an even more grandiose Bentley than a Continental GT Speed Convertible. This is the Mulsanne-based Grand Convertible, and Bentley's chief - Wolfgang Dürheimer - has hinted it could make it into production if there's enough positive response to the car following its Los Angeles Show debut.
How can it be any more opulent than a £200k Continental GT?
Because while the Conti is beautifully finished at Crewe, not all of it is built by hand. The Mulsanne, however, is and so the Grand Convertible represents Bentley's craftsmanship at its most exalted level.
So what's involved?
The Grand Convertible uses the time-honoured 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8 engine of the Mulsanne, with a little more power and torque; headline figures are an impressive 537hp and a gigantic 1,100Nm. The exterior is Sequin Blue, a bespoke shade created when a Bentley customer took in a single sequin from her (or his, possibly...) haute couture gown and told Crewe to colour match it. The alloy wheels are handed to the sides of the car and the contrasting bonnet and windscreen frame is a 'liquid metal' finish.
How about inside?
It's suitably opulent, with 14 naturally tanned hides used to make the diamond-quilted, linen-coloured leather interior. The Sequin Blue colour is cross-stitched by hand through the seats, while black Beluga leather and polished chrome on the door tops provides a nice counterpoint to all the lightness.
What's all that wood on the back?
That's the tonneau, which features the largest piece of wood veneer ever applied to a Bentley. It is Burr Walnut wood that is book-matched, mirror-finished and dark-stained, before parallel lines of chromed steel are added. Bentley says the veneer is only equalled in quality by creations from 'the world's best furniture makers'.
Do we know when it will go on sale, then?
Not exactly, and don't expect it to be cheap or plentiful if it does make the showrooms, either, as Dürheimer - in unveiling the car on November 19 - said this: "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."
Ah. Pricey, then?
You bet.
Matt Robinson - 25 Nov 2014