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Number 1 Edition Bentley convertible has ties to 1929 racer

Bentley has created a limited-edition Continental GT Convertible to further commemorate its centenary. The Number 1 Edition by Mulliner is done in the style of the 1929 Bentley Blower Number 1, a legendary racing car from the days when the company was just a decade old. The original 4 1/2 -liter car set an average speed record of 137 mph at Brooklands in 1932. The Number 1 Edition is car three out of three centenary editions, the earlier models being the Mulsanne W.O. Edition and the Continental GT Number 1 Edition. As well as featuring other special touches only seen on the 100 units built, each Number 1 Edition also has a direct memento from the original 1929 car: a display piece built into the dashboard, housing a small wheel spinner that has been cast from an original piston of the Number 1, sacrificed during restoration work. The dashboard trim is done in "Engine Spin"-style turned aluminum; the engine is the 6.0-liter W12. Bentley offers the Number 1 Edition cars in either Dragon Red II or Beluga exterior paint, and the interior can be specified in either Cricket Ball or Beluga color. The cars have Bentley's Black Line specification combined with a Carbon Body Kit, and the Centenary Specification pack that comes with special badging and illumination. The front grille with its large painted-on number is specific to the Number 1, the fenders have 18 carat gold badging, and the 22-inch wheels can be had in either a Cricket Ball or Gloss Black finish.

Bentley Bentayga strips a little more at the Nurburgring

Engineering its first SUV undoubtedly poses a number of challenges for the team at Bentley. It's got to ride cushy enough to satisfy upscale customers, the performance capabilities to live up to its claims, and the off-road chops to keep up with a Range Rover. It's a heck of an occasion to rise to, but the crew from Crewe is hard at work to bring it all together, as you can see from this latest batch of spy shots. Spied entering the Volkswagen Group's test facility at the Nurburgring, this pre-production prototype for the upcoming new Bentayga is still wearing some light camouflage – particularly around the head- and taillights – but looks about ready to hit showrooms. It's even got its brightwork in place. We'll still have to hold on a while longer to see all the finished details, but it's already abundantly clear that Bentley has gone to some lengths to make sure it looks better than the EXP 9 F that first dipped the company's toes in the crossover waters.

The 2020 Bentley Flying Spur has 3-D wood now, and it looks spectacular

This is the coolest wood you’re going to see today. We promise. Bentley is now manufacturing something it calls “Three-Dimensional Wood.” And yes, all wood we come into contact with is 3-D, but this stuff pops out at you like people and items do in a 3-D movie. YouÂ’ll find it in the rear door inserts of the Bentley Flying Spur, assuming the owner checked the box. One look at the photos will have you going, “how the Â… ?” Yes, itÂ’s pretty wild to see, and we can imagine the effect it has in person is even stronger. Bentley did explain how it made wood look like the diamond-quilted leather it uses in its seats, though. As one would expect from Bentley, itÂ’s a hell of a process.  Each rear door and quarter panel is crafted out of a single block of wood. Bentley uses either American Walnut or American Cherry timber. They start by machining the back of the log to match a die-cast aluminum door panel template. ItÂ’s bonded to the template, and then the difficult work begins. Skilled craftspeople carve the wood to its three-dimensional surface with a multi-axis routing machine to a tolerance of 0.1 mm. They then hand finish the cuts to achieve perfect results. Finally, a lacquer is applied to attain the color and texture that Bentley desires. Left: EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept; Right: Production Flying Spur pattern This design of wood was first seen in a Bentley concept from 2015. It was called the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 (shown above, left). After the positive reaction to that design, Bentley says it felt a production adaptation was in order.  “Three-Dimensional Wood is the next interior design element weÂ’ve taken from concept car idea to production reality,” Brett Boydell, Head of Interior Design for the Flying Spur said. “It works in perfect harmony with the three-dimensional leather quilting across the cabin of the Flying Spur and creates an even more special environment for those being driven.” If you were to count the number of carved diamonds in the wood, youÂ’d come to a total of 150 in the Flying Spur. As of now, the big sedan is the only Bentley this option is available in. We wouldnÂ’t be surprised if it expanded to others in the future. In addition to that, this is a design that could be translated into lesser luxury cars using cheaper processes and 3-D printing. Bring on the 3-D wood. Related Video: