Car reviews 2011: Bentley Dresses Up New Continental GT with Mulliner Styling Specification Accessories (Read: Lots of Carbon Fiber)

Monday, June 27, 2011

Bentley Dresses Up New Continental GT with Mulliner Styling Specification Accessories (Read: Lots of Carbon Fiber)

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Bentley's redesigned Continental GT is hardly unbecoming, but even with its squared-off mug, defined deltoids, and beveled behind, the majority of the bourgeoisie might never guess that behind that shiny mesh grille reside 567 horses capable of launching the two-and-a-half-ton Conti to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 198 mph.

To help ensure that the new Continental's prodigious potency does not go unappreciated, Bentley has introduced a suite of accessories under the—noses up, everyone!—"Mulliner Styling Specification" banner. One might expect the kit to include 24-carat-gold pinstripes, diamond-tipped lug nuts, or a mink-lined landau roof, but save for the 21-inch, black-painted "Elegant" wheels, everything in the new catalog is glossy carbon fiber, and it’s even "bookfaced," just like the wood veneer trim available for all of Crewe’s finest.

The starting point of the new Mulliner accessory suite is the "Classic Pack," which includes a thin front splitter, single "blades" for the outboard grille vents, side-sill extensions, and a full-width rear diffuser. From there, spendier customers may also direct Bentley to swap out the Continental GT's standard mirror caps and deployable rear spoiler blade for carbon-fiber versions of same. Completing the package (and ensuring the nameplate's continued popularity among flashier types) are a set of fender vents rendered in carbon fiber surrounding black chrome mesh. If that sounds like a lot of accouterments, the Bentley-provided images assure that the Continental GT still manages to remain tasteful even with all the toppings. (Only the top image shows most of the kit installed.)

To what extent the Mulliner Styling Specification bits are actually functional is unclear, though Bentley claims that all pieces have been subjected to wind tunnel testing to ensure that they at least don't hinder performance. But let's not get hung up on the silly matter of functionality when the real goals—style for customers and profit for Bentley—have clearly been realized.

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