Bentley is adding a touch of sportiness to
the Continental GT and Bentayga by introducing a new Styling Specification
package for both models, which was developed by the same engineering team that
worked on the previous-generation Continental GT3-R and Supersports models, as
well as the Pikes Peak and Ice Race Continental GTs.
The package consists of various
carbon-fibre pieces, all of which have been “crafted by hand to exact
tolerances following an extensive development programme.” It includes a front
bumper splitter, side skirts with metallic Bentley badges, a rear diffuser and
boot lid spoiler in high gloss carbon fibre. For the Bentayga, there’s also a
bi-plane tailgate spoiler and rear screen strakes, with the additional options
of front air blades, wing vents and mirror caps in a matching finish.
These components feature a carbon fibre
weave in a 2×2 twill pattern, woven in the same direction to ensure
consistency, and the material is laid-up in multiple layers, each oriented for
optimum strength and durability whilst maintaining minimal weight.
The parts are
not just meant to improve the vehicles’ aesthetics, as they have also been
designed with aerodynamics in mind. The company used computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) software to ensure the parts complemented the existing
aerodynamic performance, including front and rear lift as well as overall drag,
on the vehicles.
Additionally, the parts will not interfere
with inherent vehicle systems like PDC (park distance control), radar systems
and antennae for on-board communications and entertainment. A rigorous testing
programme with vehicles tests of 100,000 km was also carried out to ensure
durability.
The Styling Specification is available to
order through Bentley’s retailers, and can be specified with a new car or
retrofitted on an existing customer’s car. The company says that the option
will also be introduced to the new Flying Spur at a later date.
