First Look: Bentley Unveils China-Only Continental Models

China Is Bentley's Third-Largest Single Market, With 421 Cars Sold In 2009 In preparation for the Beijing Auto Show, which kicks off tomorrow, more automakers are giving sneak peeks of their newest models. Today, Bentley unveiled two China-only special editions of its flagship Continental model, the Continental Flying Spur Speed China and the Continental GT Design Series China, both of which were developed exclusively for the Chinese market. Although these models lack the distinctly "Chinese" cultural or historical elements we saw last fall in Ferrari's one-off Lu Hao GTB 599, certain low-key color elements and name badges conspicuously displayed on the treadplate and center console. Additionally, the Continental GT Design Series China will be the first-ever Bentley model to include the option of orange and magenta exterior color schemes. From Bentley: The Continental GT Design Series China , which will debut at the 2010 Auto China Motor Show, highlights the creativity of Bentley’s stylists working in partnership with the company’s colour and trim experts to create some vibrant, design-led interiors. The Design Series China cars will be the first Bentley’s to feature Orange and Magenta as accent colours and the vast Bentley paint palette is further extended with the introduction of Orange Flame and Magenta Metallic. As well as creating a ‘talking point’ with the imaginative use of three contrasting hide colours, Bentley’s styling team has selected some striking wood veneers including Piano Black and dark-stained Burr Walnut. The rare Amboyna veneer, usually only available as a cost option, has also been reserved for the Design Series China editions. These cars will be further distinguished by some subtle exterior and interior ‘Design Series China’ motifs. These include an exterior wing badge, treadplate and name badge positioned on the centre console – all bearing the Design Series China signature. Bentley is also launching the Continental Flying SpurSpeed China which retains all the potent performance of the company’s Continental Flying Spur Speed, the world’s fastest luxury four-door saloon, but with a range of engineering upgrades developed for the Chinese market. A bespoke ‘comfort’ suspension setting has been developed for the Speed China which emphasises the car’s superior ride quality for both driver and passengers, whilst ensuring the class-leading performance of the W12 6-litre engine is in no way diminished. The car is capable of achieving a potential top speed of 200mph/322km/h and a 0-60mph sprint time of just 4.5 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds). The Flying Spur Speed’s distinctive, sporty 20-inch multi-spoke Speed wheels are retained to emphasise the car’s athletic character but for the Speed China, this performance is balanced with greater refinement through the re-tuning of the exhaust to produce a quieter note. A selection of press photos of the new China Continental models, making their debut tomorrow at the Beijing Auto Show:

First Look: Bentley Unveils China-Only Continental Models

China’s luxury interlude that never really was

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First Look: Bentley Unveils China-Only Continental Models

China’s luxury interlude that never really was