Did you know that Indians buy approximately 50 of the 11,000 Bentleys manufactured every year? And that it takes five months to produce a single car?
The British brand has a niche clientèle that comprises car connoisseurs, and is known for its craftsmanship and exclusivity. The company displayed three of its supercars — Bentley Flying Spur, Continental GT and the Bentayga — recently in Chennai at the Queen’s birthday celebration held at the British Deputy High Commission.
Bentley India’s Amit Agarwal, a Mulsanne specialist, says the market for Bentley in India is growing by the day.
The tailor-made cars come in over a hundred colours. You can customise different shades for the bonnet, roof, boot and sides. “When one places an order and the car is in production, we request customers to visit the factory so they can witness its making,” says Agarwal, adding that this adds a special touch to the experience of owning a Bentley.
And yes, all those involved in selling the cars share a bond with their clients to build trust. Important, when someone spends a minimum of ₹3.40 crore on a car.
Says Trevor Gay from Bentley UK: “This car is not just a luxurious indulgence; it also has tremendous power. Today, luxury cars don’t focus on power and a powerful car might not spell luxury, but the Bentley amalgamates the two.” Little wonder, the Queen of England owns a Bentley State Limousine. “There are only two pieces in the world. The other is with the Prime minister of Bahrain,” he says.
Speaking of the Indian Bentley customer, he says, “If you rounded up everyone outside the country, our Indian customers are huge; they are one of the biggest buyers in the world.”
The Mulsanne remains Bentley’s flagship car, priced at ₹5.5 crore. However, what remains popular among Bentley buyers are the Bentley Bentayga, Flying Spur W12 and Continental GT V8.
BentleyBentayga
It was designed to be the world’s fastest and most luxurious SUV. This top-selling and incredibly powerful Bentley is a rugged car, which can be driven in extreme conditions. A twin-turbo 6.0-litre W-12 engine that packs a mighty 600 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque — this SUV is an eight-speed automatic all-wheel drive.
The interiors can be configured to seat four or five passengers. Only the finest leather is used for the upholstery of the interior of these cars. The core materials used are premium wood and Scottish wool carpets.
Flying Spur W12
Starting at $200,500, this is touted to be the perfect family car with a beefed-up twin-turbo W12 engine. Bentley’s mighty W12 engine has been redeveloped with new high-performance turbos and engine hardware, giving the car increased power and agility. Meanwhile, unique styling cues inside and out give a sharpened athletic appearance, highlighting its performance potential. It offers a 6.0-litre engine, with spine-straightening acceleration and 200 mph top speed. It is meant to further Bentley’s reputation as being technologically advanced.
The company is to soon roll out a V8 version — it will feel as powerful as the W12, but will be a more economical purchase.
Continental GT V8
No one could have imagined 40 years ago that big convertibles would exist at all.
The Continental GT broke the 10,000-piece barrier and went up to 10,090 vehicles. Starting at $150,200, under the cloak of Supersports, is this twin-turbo W-12, rated at a mind-boggling 700 hp and 750 lb-ft of torque.
With its sensuous lines and high-performance mojo, the GT was a game-changer for Bentley when it was introduced in 2003, and sales rose tenfold.
Along with the similarly-styled Flying Spur, the GT overturned the super-premium auto segment.
And, for the first time, it made the Bentley a plausible choice for younger movie and music stars.
