LA show: Bentley Grand Convertible drops in

BENTLEY has taken the covers off its Mulsanne-based drop-top Grand Convertible at the Los Angeles motor show, combining open air motoring with opulent luxury.

Like the Mulsanne, the Grand Convertible packs 395kW of power and a mountainous 1100Nm of torque from Bentley's unique 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, ensuring the new convertible will have both speed and splendour aplenty.

Although what these performance figures translate to in the Grand Convertible is still unknown, the same engine will propel the Bentley Mulsanne Speed from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 305km/h.

The single example of the Grand Convertible is finished in a unique Sequin Blue colour, which Bentley says is a “bespoke colour created from a single sequin from a customer's haute couture gown.”

The custom-made convertible Bentley also receives a unique silver “liquid metal” bonnet which extends to encompass the windscreen frame and is designed to contrast with the blue body work.

However, it is on the inside where Bentley's latest open-top cruiser showcases its luxury car pedigree.

No less than 14 tanned leather hides are stitched together to cover the seats and doors, with the leather featuring Bentley's signature diamond quilting throughout and it is highlighted in special areas with hand-stitched Sequin Blue thread to match the exterior paint work.

Bentley even compares the tonneau of the Grand Convertible to “the world's best furniture,” finishing it with a dark-stained Burr Walnut colour that wraps around the car and across the dashboard.

Although just a concept for now, Bentley chairman and CEO Wolfgang Durheimer said the Volkswagen Group-owned car-maker would monitor the reaction to the drop-top to determine its production viability.

“We [Bentley] are eagerly awaiting the response of our customers to this car,” he said. “This will ensure that this car – if it reaches the roads – will be a highly exclusive, extremely limited collector's piece.”

Playing a large part in the Bentley's exclusivity will no doubt be the price.

With the Mulsanne starting at $662,857, before on-road costs, the Grand Convertible could very well be priced even higher.

Bentley has sold 102 vehicles so far this year in Australia, an increase of 18.6 per cent over the same period last year, where the British luxury car-maker shifted 86 units.