Bentley And Lamborghini Reveal Chinese Specials

Luxury makers have Chinese money firmly in their sights

By Riggers / Friday, 23 April 2010 / Loading comments

Both Bentley and Lamborghini have revealed China-only special editions at the Beijing motor show.

Following the example set last year by Ferrari's dozen or so China Limited Edition Ferrari 599s based on the 599 HGTE, Bentley and Lamborghini have come up with Chinese versions of the Continental and Murcielago respectively.

Lamborghini's pithily named LP 670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition (or the LP 670-4 SV CLE for the sake of brevity and sanity) is, in essence, a LP670-4 SV. To that, Lamborghini adds on orange stripe on grey paintwork (meant to represent an erupting volcano, we're told).

Inside, the car's serial number and the owner's name are displayed on a plaque. And that's it - but then there's not much you can add to aMurcielago SV to make it better.

Lamborghini says that the car has been "designed and manufactured exclusively for China's most discriminating super sports car enthusiasts" and that "not more than 10" examples will be made.

Bentley's angle on a Chinese special edition is two-pronged. First is the Continental GT Design Series China, which gets a three-tone interior, an exterior wing badge, a special kickplate and a centre console name badge.

Continental Flying Spur Speed China gets similar subtle design tweaks. Its suspension has also been retuned for the enhanced comfort that Chinese tastes demand, and the exhaust system has been quietened-down.

Bentley's and Lamborghini's Beijing show stands are further proof - if any were needed - of the increasing importance of the Chinese market for high-end makers: China is now Bentley's third-biggest market, with the winged B shifting 421 cars in 2009.