(Miami, 3 December 2022) A unique, bespoke and distinctive Flying Spur Hybrid, curated by ‘The Surgeon’, has been unveiled by Bentley at the brand’s pinnacle evening event during Art Basel Miami. The exquisite car follows the launch of a limited-edition line of Bentley-inspired sneakers, by the leading force of the customized shoe industry, Dominic Ciambrone – also known as The Surgeon.
With 20 international art fairs, more than 1,200 galleries and thousands of artists in attendance, Miami becomes a magnet for design lovers during the week of Art Basel. As such it’s the perfect showcase for the artisanal artwork of Mulliner, Bentley’s in-house personal commissioning division, to celebrate the power of individuality, with three unique vehicles that fuse artistic expression and unrivalled craftsmanship – crowned by the Flying Spur Hybrid by The Surgeon.
Inspiration for Flying Spur Hybrid x The Surgeon
The Surgeon is a leader in the customised shoe industry, famed for his effortless fusion of high fashion and street culture. A visit to Bentley’s Mulliner division in early 2022 inspired him to create a limited run of ten pairs of bespoke sneakers, featuring Bentley craft signatures such as diamond quilting and cross stitching as well as his signature ‘Surgeon’ skull and scalpel monogram.
The sneakers were the springboard for a second collaboration, based upon Bentley’s recently-acclaimed Flying Spur Hybrid. Its elegant lines and handcrafted interior made it an ideal canvas for The Surgeon’s creativity. With the combination of a 2.9 litre V6 combustion engine and powerful E-Motor, it exhibits the next step in Bentley’s Beyond100 journey towards a future of electrified luxury.
The car’s specification leaves nothing to be desired. The Mulliner Blackline specification replaces exterior polished chrome with all-black brightware, while the Styling Specification includes a front splitter, side sills, rear diffuser and boot lip spoiler in carbon fibre.
Gloss, Satin and Bronze Combined
The Flying Spur Hybrid x The Surgeon uses an impactful exterior palette in a dramatic yet harmonious combination parallel to his own brand aesthetic. Ciambrone chose a duo-tone paint finish of Anthracite over Anthracite Satin, creating an understated expression of power and assurance. The monochromatic palette is relieved by the sparing use of Satin Bronze, which appears on the lower front, side and rear bumper. A bespoke Satin Bronze pinstripe draws the eye the full length of the Bentley, while the 22” Satin Anthracite wheels feature a Satin Bronze pinstripe around the outer rim. The same finish is used for the Surgeon badges on the D pillars and the Hybrid badge on the fender. The finishing touch is provided by an illuminated Flying B radiator mascot in Gloss Black.
Design and Craft in Harmony
From the moment you enter the cabin of the Flying Spur Hybrid x The Surgeon, you’re drawn into a world of individuality and creativity. The motif on the outer sill panel reads ‘The Surgeon’ while the inner sill plate conveys his personal philosophy, ‘Never Stop.’ Another delightful detail, bespoke LED welcome lamps, project the skull and crossed scalpel logo onto the ground to guide your entry.
Inside, the upholstery features Linen as the main hide on the seats, doors and lower fascia while the secondary hide colour, Beluga, features on the fascia top, centre through-console and rear parcel shelf. Contrast stitching in Bronze features on the seats, seat piping and in a cross-stitch pattern on the steering wheel. The namestyle ‘Surgeon’ is embroidered in Bronze on the seats, above which the headrests carry a blind embroidered Surgeon logo.
Walnut veneer adorns the cabin, and Ciambrone has celebrated Mulliner’s craft skills by specifying contrasting finishes; the upper veneer is open pore Crown Cut Walnut, giving a tactile satin finish, while the lower veneer is in High Gloss Crown Cut Walnut and features a laser-etched repeat motif of the skull and crossed scalpel logo. A Gloss White pinstripe separates the two veneers, stretching across the fascia from door to door and passing across the upper vanes of the bullseye air vents. The rear doors also feature Walnut inserts in ‘three dimensional’ diamond patterning.
Grand Black gloss veneer clads the front and rear centre consoles, with the Surgeon logo overlaid in chrome on the rear cupholder. Uniting the design of exterior and interior, Bronze Satin features on the B+O speaker cones, while a bespoke shade of matching Bronze hide can be seen at the six o’clock tab on the steering wheel and as a covering for the gearlever.
The Bentley rotating display in the centre of the fascia offers a choice of three faces; analogue dials, digital display or walnut veneer. When displaying the latter, the namestyle ‘Surgeon’ is seen in gold overlay. Further tactile and visual interest is provided by Bentley’s unique knurled finish on controls and touchpoints.
Three automotive artworks
The reveal of this exceptional Flying Spur Hybrid caps an evening’s celebration of the art of bespoke automotive creation at Art Basel Miami. Shown alongside the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid x The Surgeon are two very different and vibrant commissions, both with unique intentions. The Sager Strong Continental GT Speed Convertible was inspired by Hall of Famer and sartorial iconoclast Craig Sager, and specifically the jacket he wore to accept his Jimmy V Perseverance Award in 2016. Proceeds from its auction set for February 2023 will be donated to the fight against blood cancer. Meanwhile, a Continental GT V8 Convertible is inspired by the work of renowned Brazilian-born artist and Miami resident Romero Britto, encapsulating his colourful life philosophy and celebrating his pop art success.
