To celebrate 60 years of hand-assembled car production at its Crewe factory, Bentley is launching ‘Diamond Series’ editions of the Continental GT and Arnage at the Geneva Motor Show. The Continental GT Diamond Series is based on the Mulliner specification GT and is fitted with a raft of exclusive features including 14-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels, quilted leather seats, solid aluminium pedals and 420mm ceramic brakes – the biggest brakes ever fitted to a production car. Only 400 of this special edition Continental GT will be built and three special colours will be available in addition to the 15 colours already offered. The engine remains the same 552bhp 6-litre W12 endowing the GT with a 0-60mph time of 4.7seconds and a top speed of 198mph.
The Arnage Diamond Series will be even more exclusive than the GT with only 60 being built – 19 of which have been allocated to the UK, 30 to the US, and the other 11 are likely to find their way to the Arab states. Distinguished on the outside from lesser Arnages by unique 19-inch alloy wheels, front bumper mesh and, for the first time since the 1970s Bentley T Series, a ‘Flying B’ mascot on the radiator. The interior is suitably opulent, with diamond-quilted leather seats – made of the only the finest leather, or of whatever material takes your fancy be it ostrich leather or West of England cloth (as chosen by The Queen for her State Limousine). The wood trim is diamond-quartered using wood with symmetrical graining. Both 400bhp and 450bhp versions of Bentley’s 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8 are available.