A Bold New Design Language
Bentley's Mulliner division, responsible for the brand's bespoke creations, has unveiled a new styling package for the Continental GT Supersports called the 'Design Theme by Mulliner'. The standout feature is an industry-first side-to-side paint fade,
a dramatic finish that sees one color flow seamlessly across the car's width into another. This isn't a simple two-tone split; it's a gradual, asymmetric blend that creates a stunning visual effect, making the car appear to shift its personality from one side to the other. This treatment will make its public debut at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed, signaling its importance.
A Driver-Focused Statement
The asymmetry is entirely intentional and serves a distinct purpose. The brighter, more vivid highlight color always adorns the driver's side, whether the car is configured for left- or right-hand drive. This detail cleverly reinforces the Supersports' identity as a grand tourer built around the person behind the wheel. To further emphasize this, a single, off-center accent stripe runs the length of the car, but it's deliberately aligned over the passenger side, leaving the driver's domain to be defined by the bold color fade. It's a powerful, visual declaration that this Bentley is, above all else, a driver's car.
Curated Artistry by Mulliner
To introduce this unique finish, Bentley's designers have curated three distinct themes that extend from the exterior into the cabin. The 'Dragon' theme is the most dramatic, pairing a Dragon Red to Black Crystal fade with a Hotspur and Beluga leather interior. The 'Electric' theme offers a sophisticated transition from Electric Blue to Dark Sapphire, complemented by vibrant Klein Blue accents inside. For a more understated look, the 'Brodgar' theme blends Pale Brodgar into a standard Brodgar finish, with a classic Camel and Beluga interior. While these three combinations are offered, buyers seeking ultimate personalization can work directly with Mulliner to create their own custom fade.
The Pinnacle of Hand-Craftsmanship
Achieving such a flawless gradient is no simple task. While Bentley has previously offered an 'Ombre' fade that runs the length of the car, this new side-to-side application presents a different challenge. The process is done entirely by hand by highly skilled technicians in Bentley's state-of-the-art paint facility. Creating these fades can take nearly 60 hours of meticulous work, as technicians hand-spray the colors and carefully blend the transition in stages. This level of handcrafting ensures that while every car meets a standard of perfection, each one is also inherently unique—a true one-of-one masterpiece.
More Than a Car, a Collector's Item
The Continental GT Supersports is already an exclusive vehicle, with a limited production run of just 500 units. It stands as the most driver-focused model in the Continental GT lineup. The addition of the Mulliner Design Theme, with its groundbreaking asymmetric paint, elevates it from a mere performance car to a piece of rolling automotive art. This feature isn't just about color; it's about pushing the boundaries of personalization and celebrating the human skill involved in creating a truly bespoke object. It's a testament to a level of luxury where the finish on a car is as significant as the engine that powers it.
