Bentley commissioned an equestrian inspired Bentayga a few years ago from its in-house coachbuilding and personalization arm Mulliner, and this new Continental GT Convertible trots down the same path. Its similar appointments are added to Bentley’s Conti GT droptop by hand in its Crewe, England, headquarters, and like the earlier Bentayga, it’s a horse lover’s haven filled with subtle nods to the equestrian lifestyle.
Mulliner gave this special GT convertible a subtle exterior on purpose, so that the interior could shine. (Not unlike actual horses, which, um, are simpler outside than in, where things get pretty complex and vascular and such—we’re just horsin’ around.) The gorgeous Spruce green paint job is barely interrupted by black 22-inch wheels and a black grille, bezels, and exhaust outlets. Like we said, subtle.
The green theme carries on inside the Mulliner-fettled Continental, with green hides mixing with saddle-colored elements, burled wood trim, and flashes of chrome for a classically upscale vibe. The headrests on all four seats feature horse and rider embroidery, matching an emblem on the dashboard, while the door inserts feature a unique tweed fabric like that you might find on a riding jacket. Look closer, and you’ll also spot gold detailing and blue stitching throughout the cabin. A head-up display, hands-free power trunk lid, and lane-keep assist are all conveniences you won’t find on, say, a horse.
Bentley offers two different engines on its Continental GT Convertible, both with plenty of horses in their stables. A 6.0-liter twin-turbo W-12 makes 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, and the entry-level V-8 version makes 542 ponies and 568 lb-ft of torque. The Equestrian Edition comes equipped with the bigger motor, because who doesn’t want the fastest horse?
In case you’re wondering how big the horse-themed ultra-luxury convertible market is, take note: The Continental GT Equestrian Edition took inspiration from the Cheltenham Racecourse in England and was photographed at the nearby equestrian training facility at Jackdaws Castle. It’s a celebration of that facility, and it is much more subdued than the yellow, roofless Bacalar that Mulliner debuted earlier this week. Unlike that limited-edition $1.9 million car, of which 12 will be built, the Equestrian Edition is literally one of a kind.
