While we don't usually report on cars outside the exotic/high-performance category, this particular story strikes a chord of elegance and elicits a stroke of nostalgia. Maybe it'll even inspire us to spread our coverage wings a little wider.
When you're in the business of reporting on high-end products and services, it's always great to see a collaboration that blends very different products in a harmonious way. When two or more giants of their respective trades come together, you usually end up with something special.
That's what can be seen in the joint effort between English luxury carmaker Bentley and one of the best-known names in piano making, Steinway & Sons. The occasion is an exclusive event in Hamburg, Germany, where both celebrated brands showcased their take on design and precision.
So, what do you get when a luxury car brand and grand piano maker collaborate on design? In this case, you get an immaculate (not the official moniker) white Bentley Flying Spur Speed and two Steinway & Sons grand pianos.
The powertrain of this special version of the Flying Spur Speed remains the Ultra Performance Hybrid V8. There's no news there. What's interesting is the Arctic White exterior (with black wheels and other subtle accents in black) with a black veneer interior, a nod to the Steinway & Sons black and white limited edition grand pianos.
The exhibit evokes thoughts of the 1982 'Ebony & Ivory' song by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. The video of that song also happens to feature a grand piano shared by both legends (no Bentley, though).
To be clear, the Bentley and Steinway & Sons' announcement makes no reference to the song or the noble cause behind it, but if you're a member of the age range who would remember the hit song, you can draw parallels between both events (at least on the artistic side). It's easy to assume many customers of both brands will fall into this category.
Just looking at the elegance exhibited by the products in the photos, you'll be impressed by how alluring they look together, even though there's practically no color variation. It's monochrome at its most elegant, and as the press release puts it, with luxury products, "less is more" when it comes to color choices.
Only 52 of these grand pianos, all made in Hamburg, Germany, will be available to musicians and collectors (chances are you'll find more collectors than musicians in that mix).
Following their appearance at the special event in Hamburg, the three products will go on tour in Europe for a set of concerts for Bentley and Steinway & Sons customers.
While the performers haven't been named, if you're expecting Stevie and Paul, chances are you'll be disappointed, but who knows? After all, we are talking about two of the top luxury product brands on the planet. They could easily have an ace up their sleeve.
As far as purchases go, that Flying Spur Speed and one of those grand pianos will go very well with a Bentley condo in South Florida.
