Skip advert
Advertisement

Bentley Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet - extreme handover for aerobatic-inspired special

Terrifying flight with display team pilot is prelude to handover of the keys to Bentley's special edition

Further up the automotive ladder, the worlds of cars and aerospace seem inexorably linked, as indicated by the launch of seven new Bentley Continental GT Speed models from Bentley’s Mulliner department.

The Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series takes its inspiration from the Breitling Jets, the world’s largest professional civilian flight team performing with jet aircraft – specifically, seven Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The limited run of seven GT Speed models don’t quite have the aerobatic capabilities of the jets, but each car features distinctive features that mirror the appearance of the aircraft.

Each is painted in the widely known two-tone split colours of Hallmark and Onyx, with highlights in Breitling’s unique yellow – colour matched exactly on the Pantone scale. Bentley carries this bespoke colour scheme into the cabin of the car, with Breitling accents covering the interior and sculpted seats.

The cars have logos and graphics in the headrests, corresponding to the individual jet that inspired the car. The car will also get its own uniquely numbered tread plates.

A striking carbonfibre panel on the dashboard features an image of the aircraft in the Breitling Jets’ signature ‘Avenger’ flight formation. This too corresponds to an individual jet, with one aircraft picked out in Breitling Yellow.

This summer the Breitling Jet Team will be touring across the USA and Canada. The cars themselves will debut at the Boeing Seafair Airshow on July 31 in Seattle, one of several venues where the display team will perform.

The handover process is suitably special, too – the key for each car is to be handed over to the owner by the pilot of the corresponding plane. But not before they’ve been taken for a flight in the jet at the airshow – surely as exciting, and terrifying, as handovers get.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Bentley Continental GT review
Bentley Continental GT – action
In-depth reviews

Bentley Continental GT review

About the most capable GT on sale at the time, with few rivals more opulent and cosseting with their own unique appeal
5 Nov 2024
Bentley Continental GT Speed 2024 review – driving the most powerful Bentley yet
Bentley Continental GT – front
Reviews

Bentley Continental GT Speed 2024 review – driving the most powerful Bentley yet

The latest Continental GT is the beginning of a new plug-in hybrid era for Bentley. Is it still a benchmark grand tourer?
30 Sep 2024
Bentley Continental GT W12 (Mk1, 2003-2010): the car that saved Bentley
Original Bentley Continental GT
Features

Bentley Continental GT W12 (Mk1, 2003-2010): the car that saved Bentley

The Bentley Continental GT is now exclusively hybrid V8-powered. We revisit the original W12, the car that changed Bentley forever
27 Sep 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman 2.0 four-cylinder – the car world's greatest misses
Porsche 718 four cylinder
Features

Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman 2.0 four-cylinder – the car world's greatest misses

Downsizing the engine of Porsche’s entry-level sports car was an embarrassing flat-four fiasco
18 Feb 2025
BMW X3 M50 2025 review – 393bhp six-cylinder SUV previews the X3 M
BMW X3 M50
Reviews

BMW X3 M50 2025 review – 393bhp six-cylinder SUV previews the X3 M

The new, fourth-generation BMW X3 has arrived, with the B58-powered M50 leading the pack (for now)
20 Feb 2025
Used Porsche 911 (991, 2011 - 2018) review – should you buy the unloved 911?
Porsche 991 Carrera rear
In-depth reviews

Used Porsche 911 (991, 2011 - 2018) review – should you buy the unloved 911?

For better or worse, the 991 was a huge moment of change for the Porsche 911, as it passed the half-century mark. We look back at the black sheep of t…
17 Feb 2025