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Bentley Continental GT takes off with Breitling Jet Team

Tue, Jun 30 2015 Of all the automakers that have co-branding deals in place with watchmakers, the relationship between Breitling and Bentley ranks among the longest-standing. But aviation aficionados will also point out that Breitling – ever the favorite of pilots – also supports a team of aerobatic pilots called the Breitling Jet Team. Now the three have come together to create a special run of luxury automobiles.

The Bentley Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series, as you might have guessed, is based on the Continental GT Speed that stands as the fastest model Bentley has ever offered. Which is a good starting point, because despite the "jet" part of the name, they have not actually put a turbine engine under the hood. Jaguar (among others) has tried that, and it has yet to work out.

What sets apart this special series is entirely cosmetic, carried out by Bentley's Mulliner customization department. It has a two-tone paint job of Hallmark and Onyx (which may look purplish in the pictures but the scheme is listed as silver and black in the Bentley catalog), matching the livery on the jets themselves. It's accented with Breitling's signature yellow. The color scheme continues inside, with carbon-fiber trim, more yellow accents, and little thematic Easter eggs throughout.

Whether the result looks like a promotional vehicle or a sleek take on the vehicle of choice for every entrepreneur who strikes it big, that's a matter of taste. And if you want to see one up close, you'll have to go to Seattle at the end of July. That's where Bentley will present the only seven examples it will make to their owners. The presentation will be made individually by the pilots at the Boeing Seafair Airshow – but only after what's sure to be the ride of their life on board one of the team's L-39 Albatros jets.
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED BREITLING JET TEAM SERIES LIMITED EDITION

- Seven limited edition Continental GT Speeds inspired by famed jets
- Handcrafted models take Mulliner customisation to new heights
- Continental GT Speed is fastest production Bentley ever
- Models to debut at Boeing Seafair Airshow, Seattle, July 31

(Crewe, 30 June 2015) Bentley is taking its fusion of luxury and performance to new extremes with the launch of the Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series. This exclusive series is limited to just seven cars, each inspired by one of the seven Breitling Jets.

Renowned for their precision, speed and daring, this summer the Breitling Jet Team will be performing across the United States and Canada in a grand tour of epic proportions. To commemorate this spectacle, Bentley's Mulliner division has re-imagined the Continental GT Speed to mirror the distinctive look of the Breitling Jets, fusing extreme customisation with immense speed.

The exterior is painted in a striking duo-tone split of Hallmark and Onyx with highlights colour matched to the exact Pantone of Breitling's unique Yellow, reflecting the trademark look of the L-39 Albatros Jets.

This bespoke colour theme is continued on the interior, with unique sculpted seats featuring accents in Breitling Yellow.

Taking customisation to new heights, each car is individually numbered and corresponds to one of the seven Breitling Jets. The dashboard's carbon fibre fascia panel displays an image of the seven planes in their signature Avenger flight formation, with the corresponding jet highlighted in Breitling Yellow.

Similarly, Mulliner has matched the hide and thread to Breitling's signature yellow and designed a series of logos and graphics for the headrests that highlight the number of each car and the jet that inspired it. The tread plate plaques are also individually numbered.

The series will debut at the Boeing Seafair Airshow on 31st July in Seattle, where the Breitling Jet Team is performing. The key for each car will be handed over to its owner by the corresponding plane's pilot, but not until they have experienced a flight in the jet that inspired their car.

Geoff Dowding, Director of Mulliner, said: "The Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series demonstrates the level of customisation Mulliner can achieve for customers. Creating this very special edition has been an exciting experience for the entire team, taking inspiration from the Breitling Jet Team's grand tour."

Mulliner – Rare by Design

Mulliner exists to respond to the requirements of Bentley's most discerning customers. The specialist division's Limited Editions reflect carefully chosen and inspirational themes. Individually these might have special significance for customers in specific markets, but what they all share is the highest standards of Mulliner craftsmanship – taking the concept of Bentley luxury and pushing it even further.

Mulliner Limited Editions are rare by design and, as a result, they all have the potential to become instant classics, desired by many but driven only by a fortunate few.

More information about Mulliner can be found at www.bentleymotors.com.

Breitling Jet Team

The Breitling Jet Team, supported by the independent Swiss watch company Breitling, is the world's largest professional civilian flight team performing in jets. The team is comprised of seven L-39 C Albatros jets that can reach speeds of up to 565 mph and fly within just a few feet of each other.

Widely recognized for their precision and seamless coordination displayed throughout high-speed aerobatic performances, the France-based team brings their unmatched flying to North America for the first time, mirroring the quality and precision of a Breitling timepiece.

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See also: Bentley debating production of either Speed 6 or smaller SUV, Bentley says Conti Supersports 'isn't on the horizon', Bentley Flying Spur breaches in Beluga spec.