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BENTLEY LIFE

Bentley news, social and cultural events

UAE

driving change in leadership

The Opus in Dubai’s Business Bay hosted the launch of Bentley’s Extraordinary Women mentoring programme to promote females in leadership positions worldwide. The Forces of Inspiration event included a panel talk, an exhibition and the launch of the annual scheme, part of the Women in Automotive initiative, which aims to have diverse women in 30 per cent of its key leadership positions by 2030. On the panel were entrepreneur and perfumier Amna Al Habtoor; technology entrepreneur Alanoud Al Hashmi; engineer and inventor ReemAl Marzouqi; chef and restaurateur Amna Al Hashemi; and Eman Ali Al Shorafa, the youngest female COO in UAE’s healthcare system. Joining these ‘Founding Pioneers’ were Hind Al Rabaeesi, the UAE’s first female sports photographer, and Dr Vian Ahmed, Professor in Industrial Engineering at the American University of Sharjah (AUS). Attendees included students from Bentley’s partners AUS and Heriot-Watt University. The four successful candidates will spend a week at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, England, where they will learn about the company's diversity and inclusion ambitions and gain valuable career advice and experience.

bentley at first ever #nofilter DXB

Bentley showcased its latest range, including the new Flying Spur Mulliner and Bentayga Speed, to customers in the Middle East at the first-ever #NoFilterDXB – Dubai Motor Show Redefined (the Bentley stand pictured below), held in the great outdoors of Dubai Harbour. As well as luxury cars, the event also featured art, music and a party atmosphere amid the yachts on the water.

Above: Model is in a pre-production state. Right: Bentayga Speed is available to order in all markets, except EU27, UK, Switzerland, Israel, Ukraine, Norway, Turkey, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, India or South Korea.

netherlands

michelin-star dinner

Fifty customers were invited to the Bentley Maastricht showroom for a dinner created by Viki Geunes, the renowned three Michelin-star chef whose Restaurant Zilte is located in Antwerp. Between courses, a desginer from Mulliner gave presentations about the work of Bentley’s bespoke division. Diners were also able to see two Mulliner models on display: the Continental GT V8 Mulliner and the Continental GT V8 Mulliner Convertible. Guests were also treated to musical entertainment from a leading violinist of the Brussels Philharmonic.

spain

Taking it easy

Marbella’s Boho Club was the laid-back venue for a customer event to launch the Continental GT Speed and showcase Bentayga Hybrid. Set in lush, landscaped gardens, guests of Bentley Marbella were able to admire the latest. Bentley models displayed in the grounds and enjoy a special haute-cuisine. dinner in the boutique resort’s Boho Restaurant.

Continental GT Speed WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption (petrol), mpg (l/100km) – Low 11.7 (24.1), Medium 19.3 (14.6), High 24.1 (11.7), Extra High 25.4 (11.1), Combined 20.6 (13.7). Combined CO2 Emissions – 311g/km. Continental GT Speed NEDC drive cycle: fuel consumption (petrol), l/100km – Urban 19.5, Extra Urban 9.9, Combined 13.5. Combined CO2 Emissions – 308g/km. Efficiency class G.

Pyrenees tour

Owning a Bentley is just the starting point of a much broader extraordinary journey, as Bentley Barcelona customers discovered on a two-day drive across the Pyrenees. The tour included a visit to the Museum of Leather Artistry in Vic and an overnight stay at the luxury Hotel Torre del Remei, where guests sat down to a dinner by Carles Gaig, a top Catalan chef. The following day, the convoy stopped off at the National Automobile Museum of Andorra and for lunch at Les Pardines 1819, a farm workers' shelter that has been converted into a hotel and restaurant.

uk

car couture at fashion week

Bentley collaborated with Elite Model Group during London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, bringing its own couture in the form of Bentayga Hybrids, which chauffeured guests from show to show in style. At London Fashion. Week, held in February, DJ Zara Martin (above), influencer Olivia Neill, writer Jack Guinness and musician H ir enjoyed being driven in the luxury Bentley SUVs. The supremely comfortable cabin of Bentayga Hybrid was appreciated more than ever by VIP guests as the UK capital was hit by a particularly bad storm during the fashion event.

france

parisian chic

In December, Bentley Paris-Seine invited a small group of customers to the coolly elegant Cheval Blanc Paris, LVMH’s new hotel in the French capital. Overlooking Pont Neuf and the Seine, the new five-star hotel is a cornerstone of the newly restored La Samaritaine department store complex. Guests were treated to a private hotel tour led by the architecture team behind the restoration. Then, after a Champagne apéritif, they sampled a six-course dinner in one of the private dining rooms, relishing the opportunity to experience such a new and coveted Paris hotspot.

Bentayga Hybrid in the Alps

Bentayga Hybrid has been transporting customers in cossetted style from the exclusive Cheval Blanc Courchevel to the ski slopes of the fashionable French winter resort during this year’s ski season as part of a partnership between the prestigious hotel and the British car manufacturer. The luxury SUV, with a beautiful Linen and Porpoise colour interior, features a ski- and snowboard-carrier as well as roof cross bars and heavy-duty flooring to withstand snow boots.

Bentayga Hybrid WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption (petrol), mpg (l/100km) – Combined 83.1 (3.4). Combined electrical consumption – 258Wh/km. Combined CO2 Emissions – 82g/km. Bentayga Hybrid NEDC drive cycle: fuel consumption (petrol), (l/100km) – Combined 3.4. Combined electrical consumption – 210Wh/km. Combined CO2 Emissions – 77g/km. Efficiency class A+.

russia

Car designers of the future

As part of a curriculum devoted to British car brands, students at the Children’s Automotive Design Centre at the Moscow Polytechnic Museum and Educational Centre became Bentley car designers for the day. Bentley Moscow-Volgogradskiy introduced the children to Bentayga, highlighting the SUV’s impressive construction and design, as well as teaching them about the interesting history and heritage of the brand. Pupils were then asked to draw a Bentley car from the past, present or future. At the end of the lesson, they had a chance to be driven around in a Bentayga. The children’s sketches featured in the education centre’s 2022 calendar.

italy

Milan showroom launch party

Around 100 guests celebrated the grand opening of the new Bentley showroom in Italy’s fashion capital, Milan. Attendees enjoyed Bentley hospitality as they explored the showroom, which featured displays of the latest Bentley models, including Bentayga Hybrid and the Continental GT Speed Convertible. There was also an area dedicated to Mulliner, showcasing examples of the division’s exceptional bespoke work. And, at The Macallan bar, guests tasted some of the exclusive whiskies produced by Bentley’s global brand partner.

art and fashion

Stars from the world of fashion managed by the Elite Model Group were chauffeured in Bentleys between catwalk shows during Milan Fashion Week in February. The luxury cars included a Bentayga Hybrid and two ‘Unifying Spurs’, which are colourfully designed Flying Spurs, a statement of Bentley’s diversity and inclusion strategy. A VIP passenger in the Unifying Spur was the French model and Instagrammer Didi-Stone Olomidé (right and below).

Flying Spur V8 WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption (petrol), mpg (l/100km) – Low 14.1 (20.0), Medium 21.2 (13.3), High 26.2 (10.8), Extra High 25.2 (11.2), Combined 22.2 (12.7). Combined CO2 Emissions – 288g/km. Flying Spur V8 NEDC drive cycle: fuel consumption (petrol), l/100km – Urban 16.5, Extra Urban 8.8, Combined 11.6. Combined CO2 Emissions – 270g/km. Efficiency class E.

us

golf with a pro

Bentley recently hosted the final of the Bentley Cup Championship Tournament at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, alongside guest host, professional golfer and brand ambassador Bryson DeChambeau (middle left and below). The eight two-man teams participating in the two-day event in Florida each won their regional tournaments, which were held by Bentley across the US. DeChambeau showed his skills at the famed sixth hole and offered the competitors a once-in-lifetime opportunity to engage, watch and learn from a highly skilled golfer (left and below). All of the finalists also enjoyed first-class accommodation and travel to Orlando, and were able to test drive, or be chauffeur-driven in, Bentley’s latest models. Many congratulations to the overall winners of the Bentley Cup Championship, Colin Hamilton and Fitz Woodrow (top, receiving the trophy)

taiwan

Works of art

Bentley Taiwan displayed the Continental GT Speed alongside some of the world’s most coveted artwork during Art Taipei 2021, which attracted more than 50,000 visitors to the Taipei World Trade Centre. The Bring Art to Life concept, presented by Bentley Taiwan, also featured Lobsteropolis by Philip Colbert (above right), a collection of large-scale artworks by the neo-pop artist, including this psychedelic cartoon lobster. To mark the Continental GT Speed launch, guests of Bentley Taiwan were treated to a presentation by Taiwanese underwater photographer Yorko Summer (left) at the showroom. Summer revealed a series of images that showcased the beauty and agility of the new car.

Continental GT Speed WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption (petrol), mpg (l/100km) – Low 11.7 (24.1), Medium 19.3 (14.6), High 24.1 (11.7), Extra High 25.4 (11.1), Combined 20.6 (13.7). Combined CO2 Emissions – 311g/km. Continental GT Speed NEDC drive cycle: fuel consumption (petrol), l/100km – Urban 19.5, Extra Urban 9.9, Combined 13.5. Combined CO2 Emissions – 308g/km. Efficiency class G.

AUSTRALIA

Smooth sailing

Bentley Brisbane and Bentley Gold Coast supported the annual Princess Yachts Rendezvous at Hayman Island, Queensland. The Continental GT V8 in Jet Stream joined the fleet of 11 Princess Yachts and more than 60 yachting enthusiasts for an unforgettable weekend adventure, which included a private lunch on Whitehaven Beach, gala dinners and cruising through the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands.

Apple of their eyes

Bentley Adelaide hosted a Drive & Dine experience, providing customers and enthusiasts with the opportunity to test drive the Continental GT and Bentayga through the picturesque Adelaide Hills. The group’s lunch destination was set among the apple trees of Harrisville Orchards, where guests sampled an extraordinary menu celebrating the produce and wines of the local area.

Bentayga V8 WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption (petrol), mpg (l/100km) – Low 13.5 (20.9), Medium 21.4 (13.2), High 25.9 (10.9), Extra High 23.9 (11.8), Combined 21.7 (13.0). Combined CO2 Emissions – 294g/km. Bentayga V8 NEDC drive cycle: fuel consumption (petrol), l/100km – Urban 16.5, Extra Urban 9.3, Combined 12.0. Combined CO2 Emissions – 272g/km. Efficiency Class E.

SINGAPORE

Celebrating craftsmanship

Bentley Singapore hosted a six-day Bespoke Lifestyle and Golf Experiential event at Sentosa Golf Club with the Flying Spur V8 prominently on display. Customers were invited to create their very own bespoke Mulline commissioned Bentley with guidance from James Bazun, Mulliner Bespoke Designer. There was also a whisky-tasting session of premium The Macallan single malt whiskies. To round off the experience, Bentley guests participated in a golf pitching contest using the handcrafted, high-performance state-of-the-art equipment from the luxury Bentley Golf collection.