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Bentley Arnage and GT "Diamond Series"

Celebrating 60 years of production at their historic factory, Bentley Motors is launching limited editions of both its Arnage and Continental GT range. Both feature bespoke features more commonly associated with the 'Mulliner Programme' such as special colours and interior finish. The 'Diamond Series' cars will be limited to just 60 Arnages and 400 Continental GTs.

The Arnage Diamond Series features the use of diamond-quartered marquetry - a first for Bentley’s craftsmen and women and is unique in the motor industry. Mirrored straight-grain woodwork, as specified on most Arnage models, however the diamond design uses four pieces of straight grain woodwork in a symmetrical pattern. This feature is used on the waist rails and folding rear picnic tables of the Diamond Series.

The diamond pattern is created in mirrored straight-grain oak veneer within a band of maple inlay. It is surrounded by burr oak veneer. “The European oak is perfect for the diamond pattern,” says Doug Dickson, Bentley’s Member of the Board, Manufacturing. “It has a nice tight grain and naturally, the wood all comes from the same tree.”

Bentley Arnage and GT "Diamond Series" Bentley Arnage and GT "Diamond Series"

The hides of the Arnage Diamond Series also feature a diamond-quilted pattern and seats may be piped in contrasting or co-ordinating colours. Twenty-seven standard hide colours are available, but any colour may be specified by the customer to match a favourite personal hue or item of clothing.. Materials other than cowhide can also be used, such as ostrich leather, cavalry twill, West of England cloth (as specified by Her Royal Highness The Queen for the Golden Jubilee State Limousine) silk and velvet.

The Arnage Diamond Series also sees the reintroduction to series production of the ‘Flying B’ mascot, a feature that last adorned the radiator of the Bentley T Series in the late 1970s.

The Continental GT Diamond Series, based on the 2007 model year Mulliner Driving Specification, features an exclusive package of enhancements. Many of these features are unique to this special model including carbon ceramic brakes, a production-first for Bentley, and new 20-inch, 14-spoke alloy wheels.

Boasting 420 x 40 mm carbon-silicon carbide, cross-drilled front discs and 356 x 28 mm rears, the new brakes are even larger than the standard GT. The new brakes offer significant performance benefits together with a 23 kg reduction in rotating unsprung mass benefiting steering response and handling. The Continental GT Diamond Series features new open-design 9J x 20-inch, 14-spoke forged alloy wheels giving a good view of the new brakes and their black, 8-piston front callipers.

The Continental GT Diamond Series features derived from the Mulliner Driving Specification include quilted rather than straight-fluted leather seats, quilted door casings, solid drilled alloy brake and accelerator pedals, leather and chrome sports gear lever – with knurled top – and dark stained walnut or piano black wood, for a sportier appearance. Externally, the Diamond Series is distinguished by unique tread plates and badges and a Mulliner alloy fuel filler cap.

The three additional Continental GT Diamond Series colours are Moroccan Blue (bright blue), Anthracite (grey black) and Meteor (steel blue grey).

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Bentley


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