Bentley have been very open about their intention to produce a convertible version of the Mulsanne, and their concept car has been doing the rounds for a few years now. Recently, however, Bentley have confirmed that production will finally begin, and the finished product will be demonstrated at the 2016 LA Auto Show – according to Automobile Magazine, anyway. Before this, however, Bentley will unveil a facelifted Mulsanne at Geneva next year, perhaps giving a sneak preview of what we might expect.
Although it is based on the Mulsanne, the car will be named the Bentley Grand Convertible. According to the marque, it will be “the ultimate expression of British automotive luxury, the most sophisticated open-top car ever created by Bentley.”
It’s a bold claim, but Bentley certainly know what they’re doing when it comes to luxury. The car will be entirely handcrafted in Crewe, using only traditional coachbuilding methods and the finest materials. For example, the interior features no less than fourteen leather hides adorned with the new ‘lofted’ diamond quilting, which is stitched by hand. Outside, meanwhile, the car’s signature feature is truly striking: it has the largest book-matched tonneau ever created, in burr walnut veneer that is shaped to be reminiscent of yacht design.
Powered by a 530hp version of the Mulsanne’s 6.75 litre V8, this is set to be a truly grand car, in every sense of the word. While we await further news, you might also be interested to know that Bentley will roll out a brand-new Continental GT in 2017 – there’s always something exciting on the horizon from this brilliant marque!