Bentley Continental GT Design Series China & Continental Flying Spur Speed China Revealed

Bentleys China Design Specials - replete with Orange Flame and Magenta Metallic

We know that this month sees the Beijing Motor Show which will showcase all the goodies – and baddies – the Chinese motor industry has to offer. And we also know how important China is becoming to high-end Western car makers. None more so than Bentley. Which explains the reveal of two new Bentley Continentals for the Chinese market ahead of the Beijing Show.

Bentley are hoping to up sales numbers in China by offering China something the rest of the world doesn’t get. Which makes a lot of sense when China is accounting for a number that is rapidly heading for 10% of Bentley’s output.

To make sure they’ve covered the bases – at least for this year – Bentley have produced a special edition China model of both the Continental GT and the Flying Spur (and no doubt a Mulsanne next year).

The Bentley Continental GT Design Series China is a cosmetic job with unique colour and trim options. The main focus is on the interior, where Bentley designers have put together a three colour trim which blends a main leather hide colour with accent and insert colours to interior detail such as seat belts, floor mats and seat piping. Included in the options is – for the first time – magenta and orange for the highlights which can also be specified as an exterior colour – Orange Flame and Magenta Metallic. And you get badges. Of course.

The Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed China is more about pampering to China’s love of opulence. The setup on the Flying Spur Speed leans towards the sporty (a fact we’ve moaned about too – inappropriate) so Bentley are making the Flying Spur Speed China a more cosseting place to be. They’ve softened up the suspension and retuned the exhaust so it’s a chunk quieter. Thankfully they’ve left the oily bits untouched so the big Bentley still frightens supercars, but it now does so in opulent peace.

Also in the mix on the Flying Spur Speed China are a pair of Flying B badges on the C Pillars and some bespoke treadplates emblazoned with ‘Speed China’. Buyers also get a set of bespoke cushions with Bentley logos and a display case for the ignition key.

Bentley used to excel at providing bespoke cars for specific markets. It’s back playing once more, and is making the most of an important market.

Good to see.

By Cars UK