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February 29, 2016
Exploring the Allure of the World's Foremost Driver's Car | BENTLEY
BENTLEY
Value You Can Appreciate When You Drive and Touch (1)
Bentley, a marque that offers unparalleled luxury alongside overwhelming driving performance. This is a tradition and a value that permeates all its models, from the Continental GT coupe to the Flying Spur and Mulsanne sedans, and the Bentayga SUV. Here, we re-examine the allure of Bentley, the world's pinnacle of driver's cars.
Text by OGAWA Fumio
Driver-Oriented Car Manufacturing
If enriching one's life is the primary or secondary purpose of a car, then Bentley stands at the forefront. After all, it excels in every aspect: driving pleasure, aesthetics, luxury, brand value, and service. Every drive reaffirms this conviction.
When Bentley is mentioned, the story of its early Le Mans 24 Hours race victories, first in the 1920s and then four consecutive wins from 1927 to 1930, is invariably brought up.
Naturally, there's a reason why Bentley Motors is committed to its heritage. It's likely born from the confidence that its sporting origins still meet the expectations of its fans.
Bentley's model range is diverse, encompassing coupes, convertibles, sedans, and recently, SUVs. What they all share is an abundance of passion for automobiles. The appeal of Bentley products lies in their car-making philosophy, which centers around the driver's experience.
Even in a spacious sedan, a brief drive reveals how it moves with delightful responsiveness, faithfully following the driver's intentions, eliciting involuntary exclamations of admiration. The rigid body is paired with an engine that delivers power with exquisite precision, all meticulously finished with artisanal dedication. The commitment to understanding and satisfying human senses is truly commendable.
One example is Bentley's signature matrix grille. It's a lattice of wavy metal plates, each uniquely shaped. When combined, they form a truly beautiful pattern, showcasing Bentley's meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. This approach respects human aesthetic judgment, allowing for an intuitive appreciation of quality.
Some might call it owner self-indulgence, but the true essence of a 'fine thing' lies in the deep satisfaction it brings to the owner. Items acquired for superficial reasons like conspicuousness or popularity rarely retain their value long-term. The justification for the price emerges only when the owner's satisfaction is maximized. Some argue that Bentley products are not expensive. Once you drive and touch them, you'll likely agree.
Page02.Design That Excites Before You Even Drive
BENTLEY
Value You Can Appreciate When You Drive and Touch (2)
Design That Excites Before You Even Drive
"Bentley is pouring all its efforts and endeavors into its mission to build good cars, fast cars, and the best cars in their class."
What's admirable about Bentley Motors is its consistent pursuit of clearly defined goals. This can be described as a dedication to car manufacturing.
One of Bentley's core focuses is its driving performance, exemplified by its overwhelming acceleration and smooth, stress-free starts. While some may associate Bentley with opulent, leisurely rides due to its ultra-luxury status, the true appeal lies in its agile handling and precise control. Furthermore, the adoption of all-wheel-drive systems, as seen in models like the Continental GT and Flying Spur, ensures stable performance on all types of roads, which is another significant characteristic.
Bentley Motors explains that this driving experience is supported by overwhelming power. The use of powerful powertrains with ample displacement, such as the 6-liter W12 engine, 6.75-liter V8 engine, and 4-liter V8 engine, ensures smooth acceleration that translates into a sense of refinement. Bentley vehicles truly offer a glidingly smooth acceleration experience.
Bentley Motors' dedication goes beyond simply creating cars with high horsepower and sporty suspensions. This commitment is also evident in their active participation in motorsports. Bentley has a storied history at the Le Mans 24 Hours race, with four victories in the 1920s, one in the 1930s, and a sixth overall win in 2003 after resuming racing activities in the 2000s.
Bentley continues its racing endeavors today with the Continental GT3 in the FIA GT3 category. In the automotive world, particularly in Europe and North America, participation in racing is often seen as a hallmark of a true sports car. This signifies that Bentley is engaged in the creation of genuinely sporty automobiles.
Design is another significant area of focus for Bentley. Bentley products exude a majestic presence combined with high aesthetic appeal. Coupes and convertibles, and even sedans, are imbued with a sense of dynamism that captivates the hearts of car enthusiasts. For instance, it's rare to find a large sedan that can evoke such excitement even before you get behind the wheel.
Furthermore, Bentley possesses another secret weapon.
Page03.The Pleasure of Bespoke Customization
BENTLEY
Value You Can Appreciate When You Drive and Touch (3)
The Pleasure of Bespoke Customization
A key advantage of Bentley vehicles is the availability of bespoke customization. The exterior color palette is as extensive as an encyclopedia, and Bentley can match virtually any color, provided it's not patented. This offers a significant source of enjoyment for affluent buyers.
"The speed of a supercar balanced with the luxury and comfort of an ultra-luxury car, all at a high level." This is how Bentley Motors describes its vehicles. Take the Continental GT, for example. This super coupe is equipped with a W12 engine that now produces up to 590 horsepower. Yet, its seats feature a sophisticated semi-aniline finish, treated with both pigments and dyes. It embodies both speed and luxury.
The leather used is Grade A, the highest quality automotive hide, and the stitching is meticulously handled by expert artisans. Even the leather wrapping the steering wheel is a testament to their skill. For those accustomed to luxury, the slight imperfections in hand-stitched seams can paradoxically enhance the sense of handcrafted quality. Such is the appreciation for these details.
Wood panels are also a symbol of beauty in luxury cars. As I learned from a visit to an interior specialist factory, the British have a particular affinity for wood. At Bentley, buyers can even commission the sourcing of their ideal wood materials from overseas. A further commitment to excellence is ensuring mirror matching – where the wood grain pattern is perfectly symmetrical on both sides of the interior.
The goal for the interior is warmth. Despite being a super-sporty car, a remarkable piece of craftsmanship with a chassis boasting high design standards, a meticulously controlled high-output engine, and suspension and steering precision focused on accurate control, Bentley prioritizes human comfort. This is where the value of owning a Bentley truly lies.
- "The Essence of BENTLEY" Part 2 (scheduled for release on March 7th) will discuss how to buy a Bentley.
Contact
Bentley Tokyo (Cornes Motors)
Tel.03-5413-2145
(Monday-Friday 10:00-19:00, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays 10:00-18:00, Open daily)
http://www.cornesmotor.com/bentley/











