The Series 51 Continental models represent Bentley exterior and interior styling at its most vibrant, and will enable customers to order 'off the peg' from an exclusive range created by Dirk van Braeckel's renowned team of Crewe, England-based designers.
Series 51 is named after the year the first official styling department was established in Crewe by John Blatchley, who shaped the original and iconic 1950s Bentley Continentals.
Every Series 51 car will feature a highly-distinctive interior color palette and unique exterior design cues.
Bentley's Color and Trim team, managed by Melinda-June Jenkins, have designed some bespoke three-tone interiors which demonstrate the full potential of leather hide colors and showcase the creative application of contrast stitching and piping. The first example of their work will be the Continental GTC displayed at Frankfurt, which features Imperial Blue as a main and secondary hide, Linen seat and door inserts and Newmarket Tan as the accent color.
Series 51 cars will also feature several unique interior details including the use of non-indented hide for diamond quilting, contrast piping for the seats and doors as well as bespoke Series 51 tread plates.
Bentley's designers have selected a range of premium-quality materials for the dashboard and center console to complement the three-tone interiors. The Dark and Bright 'Engine Spin' aluminum options provide a striking contrast with darker and lighter hide color choices and a special, limited-edition Amboyna veneer reserved for Series 51.
A belief that even the smallest detail presents an opportunity to delight and surprise customers has always be a key element of the Bentley design story. Series 51 follows this principle, where even the mats and trunk carpets are now color-matched and given contrast binding.
Both the Continental GT and GTC offer a powerful road presence and the Series 51 cars further accentuate these sporting credentials with some eye-catching exterior styling. A 20" 14-spoke polished Diamond wheel with a dark center cap provides Series 51 cars with a stylish appearance. A signature '51' badge on the front fenders will further distinguish the cars.
To enhance and personalise the Continental GT, a new two-tone paint can be commissioned which complements the contrasting interior configuration. This highly distinctive color split (with one color running over the hood, roof and flowing down to the trunk) is a classic design used on many sporting Bentleys of the past.