Bentley has given us a hint of a potential future model with a gorgeous show car for this week's Los Angeles Auto Show. This epic creation is called the Grand Convertible and if enough people like it following its American unveiling, Bentley's boss has hinted it could go into production.
Exterior
As you can see from the headlights, the Grand Convertible is essentially based on the Mulsanne, Bentley's flagship saloon that is hand-built in small numbers at Crewe. The main body colour is Sequin Blue, a bespoke hue created from a single sequin from a customer's haute couture gown (fancy that!), with a 'liquid metal' contrast finish to the bonnet and windscreen frame. The alloys are also specific to the left and right sides of the car, with the wheels finished by hand before being polished.
Perhaps of more interest is the tonneau, behind the passenger compartment, which features the largest piece of wood veneer ever applied to a Bentley. Fashioned entirely by hand, this Burr Walnut wood 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'.
Interior
If you think the outside is grand, wait until you get a load of the interior. Fourteen naturally tanned hides go into the sumptuous diamond-quilted cabin, while Sequin Blue is cross-stitched by hand through the linen-coloured leather. Contrasting Beluga trim around the top of the doors and stretching back to the tonneau finishes the look off nicely, as does some polished chrome.
Mechanicals
In keeping with the tradition of Bentleys past, the Mulsanne uses a 6.75-litre V8 engine, rather than the 4.0-litre V8 or 6.0-litre W12 units you'd find in Flying Spurs and Continental GTs. And therefore the Grand Convertible has 537hp and a mighty 1,100Nm. No word on performance figures - how about we just say it will be flippin' fast?
Anything else?
Bentley chairman and CEO, Wolfgang Dürheimer, who unveils the car in Los Angeles on November 19, said: "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.
"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."