Bentley has unveiled its new Grand Convertible at the Los Angeles motor show.
The model, which is described as "the ultimate expression of British automotive luxury," and "the most sophisticated open-top car ever created by Bentley," is powered by the same 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the Mulsanne and Mulsanne Speed.
Bentley quotes official power output figures of 530bhp and 811lb ft - the same as the Mulsanne Speed. In that car, the engine is capable of delivering a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds.
Company officials have told Autocar the car will make production, and will retain its Grand Convertible name. However, customers willl be able to give their own 'official' name to each model, too.
It is understood that the model has taken five years to bring to production - largely because so much of Bentley's resources have been put into developing its SUV.
A coupé version of the Grand Convertible could also come to market, though has yet to be given the green light by Bentley officials. Such a model would work well in Europe, but demand in Bentley's two biggest markets - the US and China - would be small compared to demand for the open-top car.
Previewed as far back as 2012, the Grand Convertible has previously been rumoured to cost around £275,000.
Virtual concepts for the coupé have already been created, with officials saying it looks "absolutely stunning."
This Grand Convertible concept features bespoke paintwork and a 'liquid metal' finish to the bonnet and windscreen frame on the outside, while the cabin is trimmed with leather. Contrasting blue stitching also features, while the wooden tonneau at the rear is the largest ever applied to a Bentley model.
The model is entirely new from the B-pillar backwards, but shares its doors with the Mulsanne saloon.
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pauld101
Shame...
twyford
What took so long?
Tom Chet
Phantom Drophead Clone
Tom Chet
Obscure marketing stats
abkq
None of these photos shows
Maybe they are trying to hide something, the back of the Mulsanne being the worst aspect of the car (The first time I saw a Mulsanne was from the back and thought it was one of those imitation luxury saloon from China)
At least in convertible form, the clumsy heaviness around the C-pillar of the Mulsanne is nolonger an issue.
RogerGraham
Does anyone know why they
Lanehogger
RogerGraham wrote:Does anyone
I suspect it's due to the focus on torque and the ability to deliver the car's 530 bhp performance in an effortless, relaxed manner at low revs, especially in a car this heavy. More of a waft than a hurried and strained feel.
M Hooper
Why bother? Hmm...
RogerGraham
Contrary to many people's
RogerGraham
Lanehogger, just read your
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