Bentley Continental GT Convertible Feels the Need for Tweed
Bentley taps into its British roots to elevate its already stylish ride.
Bentley has combined modern luxury with vintage design with the tweed hood of the new, stunning Bentley Continental GT Convertible. It is a contemporary take on classic tweed fabric that perfectly harmonizes old and new to appeal to both lovers of classic heritage and modern texture and color.
Continuing their tradition of creating truly one-of-a-kind convertible styles, Bentley’s designers wanted to build something no one had done before — a tweed effect hood. However, as aesthetically pleasing as the decision was, adapting tweed for use as roof material posed a few challenges.
Designing the tweed hood
Tweed’s weave structure was simply not conducive to designing a convertible roof. To meet and exceed technical and engineering requirements, manufacturers went through multiple rounds of dying both yarns to find the right combination. The resulting product achieves a balance of color and contrast between dark brown and cream. As customers approach the vehicle, the tweed changes from dark beige to reveal individual strands of fabric — creating a unique look and feel.
Personalized palettes
The tweed hood instantly enhances personalization as part of a suite of paint, lifestyle and veneer options. So, color and texture combinations are virtually endless. The standard palette includes 17 exterior paint colors, with up to 45 hues. Customers can also choose from 15 different carpet options, eight veneers and 15 interior trim hides. Also offered is a choice of seven different colors to decorate the roof.
The tweed roof, then, is the icing on the proverbial cake. Development of the tweed hood worked conjointly with all the GT Convertible’s interior and exterior color options. The balance of the hood’s yarn colors paired with paint and interior fabric color options creates a unique look that defines the pinnacle Continental GTC.
Showcasing style
Whatever hood option one chooses, drivers will ride in style by deploying or stowing the z-fold convertible roof, which folds in just 19 seconds — even while driving at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour. This is a big improvement for both efficiency and refinement. Transforming the Continental GTC from a luxurious coupe to an open-air Grand Tourer has never been easier.
Even with the beautifully woven hood down, the convertible exudes luxury. The exquisite interior incorporates natural, high-quality leathers. Sustainably sourced veneers, such as Koa and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus, showcase artisanal craftsmanship and skill. Even the steering wheel, which can be made of polished wood, radiates elegance. Additionally, you can choose designs including unique dual-veneer, with more than 10 square meters of wood used in every convertible.
The Continental GT Convertible also heightens the sensory experience of open-top cruising. A powerful 6.0 liter twin-turbo W12 engine and dual-clutch eight-speed transmission can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in only 3.7 seconds.
The future of luxury
Bentley designers are confident the Continental GT Convertible will become a significant and long-standing trend with tailored personalization and heritage fabrics. Certainly, the GTC epitomizes classic Bentley elegance and sophistication. The detailed design captures both the essence of modern retro and edgy energy. And, its unique style sets it apart as one of the finest vehicles of open-top luxury Grand Touring.
Photos: Bentley