Bentley teases Mulsanne drop-top

Tellingly, Bentley hasn't revealed any sketches of the front of this, the Mulsanne Convertible concept. No, it has chosen to reveal its later über-drop top via the side flanks only.

On the third anniversary of the launch of its saloon sibling - itself launched at Pebble Beach - Bentley has proclaimed its desire to offer the world a luxury, full-bodied big boy convertible based on the Mulsanne. And these are the first sketches.

Looks good, no? As we noted when we first drove the Mulsanne a couple of years back, where the front might be a bit controversial to some, the side flanks offer a solid slab of granite gracefulness. Mix this up into a two-door convertible concept and you've got a very cool car.

See more sketches of the Bentley Mulsanne Convertible Concept

Because it's still at the concept stage, there are no details on the engine or drivetrain, but you can expect the familiar 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8 to be nestled under that long bonnet, together with the saloon car's surprisingly capable chassis. With a bit of added heft, mind.

The interior has been treated to much refinement and attention to detail, as you would expect, with inspiration coming from "luxurious, high-performance boats". Says Mr Dürheimer, Bentley chief: "The modern, luxurious, high-tech Mulsanne saloon provides a perfect foundation on which to create the world's most elegant convertible."

How do you think this fits in with the older generation Bentley Convertibles? Don't forget, the company has a rich heritage in this arena, from the 3.0-litre of the ‘20s, the S1 Drophead Coupe from the ‘50s, the Corniche and of course, the Azure (which former heavyweight world champ Lennox Lewis used to own).