Bentley enthusiast Mark King receives his Bentayga Apex Edition by Mulliner, in full Le Mans Collection trim and livery
This option only offered to owners of limited edition Le Mans Collection Continental GT or GT Convertible
Both vehicles feature exterior in Verdant green with Le Mans style racing stripe in Moonbeam
Interior features include Beluga hide and Dinamica fabric seat faces with contrast seat stitching in Hotspur
Apex Edition Bentayga based on 550 PS 4.0-litre S V8 with Bentley Dynamic Ride and rear-wheel steering
Special Apex Edition features include 22” carbon wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes and carbon body kit
Le Mans Collection Continental GT created to mark 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – A long-term Bentley enthusiast and collector, Mark King, has taken delivery of a very special Bentayga – the latest addition to an extensive Bentley stable. His Apex Edition Bentayga is one of just 20 handcrafted examples by Mulliner worldwide, finished in the same livery and trim as his 2023 Le Mans Collection Continental GT – itself created to mark 20 years since Bentley’s return to victory at Le Mans in 2003 after a 73-year absence from the top step of the podium.
While the Apex Edition Bentayga was also offered in six curated colour and trim themes, the Verdant green and Moonbeam livery of Mr King’s Apex Edition Bentayga was only offered to existing Le Mans Collection owners.
A thoroughbred stable
Mr King, who is based in Northern Ireland, follows a family tradition as a passionate and knowledgeable collector of high-performance vehicles. His new Apex Edition Bentayga joins a garage that holds a Bentayga Speed, a rare Continental GT3-R and a Continental Flying Spur, all of which he uses regularly. A Bentley owner since 2010 and regular attendee at Bentley’s exclusive owner events, he leapt at the opportunity to commission a Le Mans Collection Continental GT in 2023 and needed no encouragement to add the Apex Edition Bentayga in full Le Mans livery when it was announced. His existing Bentayga Speed has covered over 100,000 miles in his ownership and is often pressed into action to trailer other vehicles from his extensive collection.
The Apex Edition Bentayga
The Apex Edition Bentayga is based on the Bentayga S, the sporting flagship of Bentley’s SUV line-up. Its 4.0-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine develops 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft. (770 Nm) of torque, giving a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.5 secs) and a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti-roll control and rear-wheel steering deliver agile handling with minimal roll, while the V8’s exhilarating snarl is enhanced by a free-flowing sports exhaust.
The Apex Edition takes the performance focus to the next level, with ultra-strong 22” Mulliner carbon wheels that save 44 kg in unsprung mass for enhanced steering agility, and carbon-ceramic brakes for immensely powerful, fade-free braking. As the most performance focused and dynamic Bentayga ever, Mr King’s Apex Edition amply merits its Le Mans-inspired livery.
The Le Mans Collection Continental GT
Created in 2023 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory at Le Mans, the Le Mans Collection Continental GT’s Verdant green and Blackline specification nods to the black and green livery of the winning #7 Speed 8. The Beluga black matrix grille features a painted #7 in Arctica white, while other distinctive features include black 22-inch ten-spoke wheels, powerful carbon ceramic brakes and red brake callipers.
All Le Mans Collection vehicles feature a six-wreath emblem inlaid into a high gloss carbon fibre fascia, marking each of the six outright victories recorded by Bentley at Le Mans between 1924 and 2003. The highlight of the interior is the three-way Bentley Rotating Display, which revolves to reveal a central vitrine that holds a section of engine valve from the winning 2003 Speed 8.
Exclusive Bentayga Apex Edition by Mulliner, based on sporting Bentayga S, limited to 20 examples globally
Content includes 22” carbon wheel, carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon body kit, bespoke livery and unique interior for ultimate expression of Bentayga performance
Choice of six distinctive designs curated by Mulliner, or the option to co-create a unique one-of-one specification
Carbon wheels and CSiC brakes together save 44 kg in unsprung mass for enhanced steering agility and immensely powerful, fade-free braking
Improved wheel stiffness equivalent to 1° in camber per 1G of force
Matching Bentayga Apex Edition offered exclusively for owners of Continental GT and GTC Le Mans Edition
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, UK – Bentley Motors is extending both the visual impact and dynamic ability of the Bentayga even further through its Mulliner bespoke division, with the launch of a global 20-car collection named the Apex Edition. Featuring ultra-strong, lightweight 22” Mulliner carbon wheels teamed with carbon ceramic brakes, it will be offered in a choice of six unique specifications curated by Mulliner’s design team. All include a central painted livery stripe extending over bonnet and roof, a first for the Bentayga. Even rarer will be a specification offered only to owners of the Continental GT Le Mans Edition who will be able to commission an Apex Edition Bentayga in matching trim and livery.
With 550 PS and a specification that includes active anti roll and rear-wheel steering, the Bentayga S is the sporting flagship of Bentley’s luxury SUV line-up. Now the Bentayga Apex Edition delivers even greater agility and braking performance thanks to its carbon wheels and carbon ceramic brakes, making it the most dynamic-looking and driving Bentayga ever.
The most dynamic Bentayga ever
The Apex Edition is based on the Bentayga S, which features Bentley’s potent 4.0-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine. This develops 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft. (770 Nm) of torque, with a 0-60 mph (0–100 km/h) time of 4.4 (4.5) seconds and a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). With Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti-roll control and rear-wheel steering fitted as standard, its exhilarating performance is enhanced by the sound of its free-flowing sports exhaust.
These dynamic characteristics are further enhanced by the Apex Edition’s 22” Mulliner carbon wheels, which were developed specifically for Bentayga in collaboration with specialists Bucci Composites. Together, the four wheels save 24 kg in unsprung mass. Carbon fibre not only provides a significant weight saving, but also offers the additional benefits of increased strength and stiffness. This leads to a number of fundamental benefits:
Increased steering agility – the 6 kg weight saving and the high stiffness afforded by the properties of carbon fibre mean a more stable and consistent steering platform. In comparison, a forged aluminium rim can lose up to a degree of camber due to wheel flex, reducing grip and agility.
Improved and more responsive braking – thanks to the decrease in unsprung mass.
Increased safety – when the rim receives a high impact, the weave pulls apart leaving openings to allow gradual air loss rather than instant deflation like an aluminium rim.
Reduced tyre wear – Since the stiffer carbon rim does not suffer from the same amount of bending, it allows for greater tyre stability and a more consistent contact patch thanks to a larger tyre support surface.
Braking performance is also enhanced, with Carbon-Silicon-Carbide (CSiC) discs a part of the Apex Edition’s uncompromising specification. These provide a weight saving of more than 20 kg over iron disc brakes, offer a maximum braking torque of 6,000 Nm and are engineered to withstand temperatures up to 1,000 °C.
Six curated themes by Mulliner
The first of the six Mulliner themes features an exterior in striking Candy Red satin, with a livery of Anthracite and Arctic White stripe and pinstripes in Arctic White. Inside, Arctic White main hide and Hotspur secondary hide are complemented by Arctic White contrast stitching and seat piping. This contrast colour can also be found framing the satin carbon fibre fascia and waistrails.
Apex Edition theme two sets a darker, stealthier mood, with Anthracite exterior finish and gloss black livery stripe. Pinstripes in Mandarin provide a flash of contrast. Inside, Mandarin is revealed as the main hide, its dramatic impact framed by Beluga secondary hide. This shade also frames the satin carbon fibre veneer and overmats.
Design theme three has a bold exterior finish in Orange Flame and uses the same colour as a livery stripe on the carbon fibre body kit. Rather than a contrasting stripe colour, this design features an Orange Flame livery stripe in satin finish, creating a subtle tonal variation. Inside, Linen main hide and Newmarket Tan secondary hide are complemented by an accent hide in Charcoal, which appears on the seat wings and contrast stitching, steering wheel, and centre console.
Design theme four also features a subtle livery stripe in a satin version of the main exterior finish, in this case Alpine Green. An orange pinstripe traces the outline of the aerodynamic components. Inside, the prevalent tones are Portland and Cumbrian Green for the main and secondary hides respectively. Accents of orange appear on the contrast stitching, seat piping, veneer edging as well as on the console and steering wheel.
Theme five features an exterior in Pale Brodgar, with an Anthracite livery stripe and pinstriping in Bacalar Bronze, a shade originally created for Bentley Mulliner’s ultimate two-seat barchetta. Inside, the hide colours Linen and Porpoise set a relaxed mood, lifted by flashes of Bacalar Bronze in the contrast seat piping as well as on the steering wheel and console accent tabs.
The last design theme features an exterior finish of Extreme Silver, contrasted by a Beluga stripe running centrally along bonnet and roof. Painted pinstripes in Signal Yellow flank the body stripe and the lower edge of the aero components. Inside, Signal Yellow main hide and Beluga secondary hide create a dramatic contrast.
Finally, owners of the highly limited Le Mans Edition Continental GT and GTC, created in 2023 to mark the 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory at the La Sarthe circuit, can specify an Apex Edition Bentayga in matching livery of Verdant green with Moonbeam Le Mans style racing stripe. The interior matches that of the Le Mans Edition Continental GT, with Beluga hide and napped Dinamica fabric seat faces. The interior’s monochrome colour scheme is relieved by contrast seat stitching and seatbelts in Hotspur. The steering wheel, trimmed in hide and Dinamica, also features Hotspur contrast stitching and six o’clock accent tab.
Apex Edition specification
Every Bentayga Apex Edition is comprehensively equipped with a high degree of bespoke content. Bespoke exterior features include the Styling Specification’s aerodynamic front spoiler, rear spoiler, sills and mirror caps in satin carbon fibre. Interior appointments centre around a bespoke colour split with satin carbon fibre fascia, centre console and door waistrails and the five-seat Comfort Specification, complemented by the Naim for Bentley audio system. Additional bespoke touches include Apex Edition blind seat insert embroidery with contrast Bentley emblems, the Apex Edition namestyle on the waistrails, and Apex Edition carbon fibre treadplates. Carbon fibre Apex Edition badges also feature on the exterior D-Pillar. All Apex Edition models feature the latest advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with the inclusion of Touring specification.
Bespoke co-creation
With production limited to just 20 Apex Edition examples worldwide, exclusivity is assured. Mulliner customers are encouraged to take the curated design proposals as inspiration, and to further express their individuality throughout the personal co-creation process. Working directly with designers at the Mulliner studio, customers have the opportunity to create true one-of-one expressions of Bentayga.
