Bentley Motors
Press Release
www.bentleymedia.com
@BentleyMotorsPR 

(Crewe, England. 20 August 2012). Since its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2009, the Mulsanne saloon remains a pure example of the Grand Touring Bentley, combining coach-built elegance and hand-crafted luxury with immense power and sportiness at the pinnacle of British luxury motoring.

Now with the Mulsanne Convertible Concept, Bentley’s designers are providing a glimpse into the potential future of the marque’s flagship family. Appealing to automotive connoisseurs seeking the ultimate in contemporary design, prestige and exclusivity, the Mulsanne Convertible Concept will be the world’s most elegant and sophisticated convertible, providing a supremely powerful and refined luxury grand touring experience for four adults.

The graceful form of the Mulsanne Convertible Concept is a fusion of sportiness and coach-built elegance, its sculpted lines and muscular haunches conveying a sense of power and movement.

The spacious yet intimate cabin design is inspired by luxurious, high-performance power boats. With its unrivalled combination of chic, contemporary design, sumptuous materials, painstaking attention to detail and supreme refinement, the Mulsanne Convertible Concept reinforces Bentley’s position as the undisputed benchmark in handcrafted automotive luxury.

Commenting on the Mulsanne Convertible Concept, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive said: “The modern, luxurious, high-tech Mulsanne saloon provides a perfect foundation on which to create the world’s most elegant convertible. The Convertible Concept will extend the appeal of the Mulsanne family, while enhancing the profile of the Bentley brand, particularly in new and emerging markets.”

Open-top cars have been an intrinsic part of the company's heritage since its formation in 1919. From the race-bred 3-litre of the 1920s to the Park Ward S1 Drophead Coupe of the fifties through the Corniche and, most recently, Azure, Bentley has created an array of glamorous and desirable convertibles at the zenith of luxury motoring.

ENDS

For further information about this press release please contact:

Michael Baumann – Communications Director
Michael.Baumann@Bentley.co.uk + 44 (0) 1270 535 189

Martin Broomer – Head of Product Communication
Martin.Broomer@bentley.co.uk + 44 (0) 1270 535 044

Mike Sayer – Product Public Relations Manager
Mike.Sayer@bentley.co.uk +44 (0) 1270 535 133

For further information on Bentley please go to www.bentleymedia.com

Twitter – @BentleyMotorsPR
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Note to Editors

1. Bentley Motors is the third largest R&D investor in the UK's automotive sector and the 18th largest nationally. The company employs around 4,000 people in Crewe which is home to all its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury vehicle manufacturers such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley exports over £500m worth of goods every year to established markets like the US, as well as emerging markets such as China and South America.
2. Bentley’s global sales for the first half of 2012 increased by 32% with 3,929 cars delivered to customers and all global regions up on the same period in 2011. The Americas regained their position as Bentley’s largest market, with sales up 25.7% (1,140 cars delivered), but the China region continues to follow closely behind with sales up 55.7% (1,059 cars delivered). Sales in Europe increased by 22.9% (607 cars delivered) and UK sales are also up by 4.5% (557 cars delivered).   In the Middle East sales continued to recover with an increase of 47.9% (346 cars delivered).  Japan also saw an increase of 114.3% (75 cars delivered) and sales were up 52.6% (145 cars delivered) in the Asia Pacific region.