Bentley Continental GT V8s Black Edition

Any colour you like – as long as its brightware is black. That’s the premise behind the latest Bentley Continental Black Edition, a sharp and distinctive variant on the performance-oriented GT V8S. This isn’t the first Bentley Black Edition – a GT Speed W12 version was launched in April 2016 – but it’s the first to feature the exhilarating 4.0 litre V8.

In design, small details can make a big difference. Even so, it’s surprising the effect that the switch from polished stainless steel brightware to gloss black has on the Black Edition. This finish appears on the matrix grille surround, door handles, window surrounds and side rubbing strips. Other unique features include dark tint lights and an aero bodykit that includes front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser.  A 21" Elegant alloy wheel in gloss black completes the look. Together these subtle alterations give a lower, more aggressive effect even though the chassis specification is unchanged.

But the most eye-catching feature is the accent colour, which appears on the aero bodykit – and this can be St James’ Red, Beluga black, Hallmark silver, Cyber Yellow or Orange Flame. It’s a dramatic flash of contrast colour that pulls the eye and emphasises the Continental GT’s lean, muscular lines. As a cost option, the door mirrors can also be matched to the contrast colour.