How to make a supercar even more super? Cover it in diamonds of course.
A Swiss company has manufactured a diamond-encrusted bonnet and grill for a Bentley Continental GTC, which is being sold by a Dubai dealer for Dh2 million (US$544,414).
"We are very proud because they came one day into our showroom and told me we want to put diamonds on the car," says Christopher Baer, a senior salesman at Centurion Cars. "I thought what a freaky idea, let's do it."
The paint includes 101 carats of tiny diamonds and the car even comes with a certificate of authenticity to prove the jewels are real.
"If you go very closely you will see this is not a flat surface," says Mario Steglegger, a GCC sales consultant for the company that produced the paint, Luxury Refinish.
The bonnet and grill is covered in 31 layers of paint, creating a structure that allows the diamonds to settle at different heights and shine and making it stronger than ordinary paint.
"You can even go into a car wash," says Mr Steglegger. "I'm not saying you would take this car into the car wash but we have 31 layers of coating here with a lot of clear coating on the top to make it proof for daily use."
Centurion has had "a lot" of inquiries about the supercar, according to Mr Baer, but it is not necessarily aiming to sell it with the diamond-encrusted bonnet and grill attached.
"You can also take the parts and put it on your Bentley. We don't care. First of all we want to sell, and if we sell it separately it's no problem for us."
The bonnet and grill cost Dh1m, he added.
But what if you own a Rolls-Royce?
That is no problem either, as Luxury Refinish is happy to make a bonnet for any make or model.
"We want people to come with their high-end products and we will make them a little bit more high-end," added Mr Steglegger.
gduncan@thenational.ae
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA
Twenty20 International series
Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com
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North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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