31 Lamels chromed grill Mansory for Bentley Continental GT GTC V8

31 Lamels chromed grill Mansory for Bentley Continental GT GTC V8

The 31-lamel chromed grill is the luxury statement piece of the Mansory front-end programme for the Continental GT 2nd-gen, and within the Mansory Body Kit for Bentley Continental GT 2nd-Gen (D2A) it sits at the visual centre of the entire build. Where the performance grill goes wide-and-open, this grill goes fine-and-deep: 31 individual lamels chrome-plated over carbon substrate, packed in close pitch to read as a continuous, jewellery-like chromed wall when seen straight-on. It is the choice for owners chasing the formal-luxury direction of the Mansory catalogue rather than the cooling-first track direction.

Construction & Materials

Each of the 31 lamels is moulded as a discrete carbon part, then chrome-plated using a multi-stage automotive plating process that lays nickel and chromium over a copper strike on top of a conductive primer adhered to the carbon. The result is a chrome surface with the dimensional precision of carbon underneath, which means the lamel can be both lightweight and chromed without the weight penalty of a fully cast metal grille bar.

The frame that carries the lamels is a single moulded carbon piece, masked off and left in raw weave so the perimeter of the grille reads dark while the bars themselves read bright. The combination is what gives the part its specific aesthetic: dark surround, bright wall of vertical chrome. Each lamel is mechanically fixed and adhesive-bonded into the frame so vibration cannot loosen the bar in service.

The plating step is itself a careful sequence. The carbon lamel is first pre-treated with a fine-grit surface activation to give the conductive primer mechanical bite, then the primer is applied and cured before the part enters the plating line. From there a copper strike fills the micro-pores and gives the nickel underlayer a clean substrate; the nickel is what carries the long-term corrosion resistance, and the chromium top layer is what carries the visual brightness and the surface hardness. Skipping or skimping any layer in this stack produces chrome that looks fine on day one and lifts within a year; we run the full automotive-spec sequence so the finish is multi-year stable.

• Lamel substrate: moulded carbon, autoclave-cured, fine surface finish prior to plating
• Plating stack: conductive primer, copper strike, nickel underlayer, decorative chromium top layer
• Frame: 3K twill carbon, weave aligned vertically to echo the lamel orientation
• Lamel count: 31, evenly pitched, edge-to-edge spacing controlled to within 0.3 mm
• Total assembly weight: approx. 3.6 kg, against approx. 4.4 kg for an equivalent fully-cast metal alternative
• Mounting: OEM grille mounting pattern, no bumper modification
• Backside: open mesh layer to retain debris protection without restricting airflow more than necessary
• Finish: chrome lamels are clear-sealed with a thin protective topcoat, frame in 2K UV clear

Design & Visual Function

The visual function is the entire point of this grille. The 31 lamels create a high-density vertical rhythm that, viewed straight-on, reads as a continuous chrome wall flecked with thin vertical shadow lines between the bars. From a three-quarter angle the wall opens up and you start to see depth between the lamels, which gives the front-end a pulsing, kinetic quality as you walk around the car. This is a deliberately luxury-aesthetic choice; the performance grille at half the lamel count gives a much more open, racing read.

Aerodynamically the dense lamel pack is more restrictive than the OEM grille. In practice this is not a problem on the road because the OEM cooling pack on the Continental GT has substantial headroom on the V8 and is designed around the much more open factory frontal opening; a denser grille reduces frontal area open to flow, but the cooling pack's residual capacity absorbs the change. On track or in a heavily-tuned setup we recommend the 15-lamel performance grille instead. For the road luxury build, the 31-lamel grille's flow loss is invisible.

The geometry of the lamels themselves is worth noting. Each bar is faceted with a soft V-section rather than being a flat plate. The V catches light along two edges, which makes the grille appear more dimensional under directional light than a simpler flat-bar grille would; under overcast conditions the grille reads quieter and more uniform. Mansory's design team specifically wanted that range of behaviours from the front-end.

One last visual point that is easy to miss in photographs: the lamels are not entirely vertical, they carry a fractional rake that aligns with the rake of the OEM grille aperture. That subtle tilt is what stops the grille from looking like an aftermarket bolt-in, because the human eye reads even tiny angle conflicts at this scale. Match the rake and the grille reads as if it came from the factory; miss the rake and the front-end picks up a vague visual unease that is hard to identify but easy to feel.

Compatibility & Fitment

Fits Bentley Continental GT 2nd-generation D2A platform, V8 and W12, GT coupé and GTC convertible. Mounting is on the OEM grille pattern, so the part drops into the standard or Mansory front bumper without modification. Cars with the Mansory front bumper with front lip will already have the corresponding aperture geometry, while cars retaining the OEM bumper need no aperture change either; the grille is dimensioned to the OEM aperture as the reference point.

Installation & Reversibility

Installation requires removing the OEM grille, transferring the clip pattern to the new grille frame, and refitting. Total time is around 1 hour for the grille itself, plus optional removal of the front bumper for easier access if the owner prefers. Reversion to OEM is non-destructive. We strongly recommend that the chromed lamels not be touched directly with bare hands during installation; fingerprints on fresh chrome can micro-etch under sweat acidity if not removed promptly with isopropyl.

Pairing within the Mansory Continental GT programme

The 31-lamel chromed grille is the natural partner to the solid Mansory carbon bonnet for the formal-luxury front-end direction, to the Mansory carbon mirror housings as a discreet carbon detail set against the chrome focus, and to the rear decklid spoiler when the customer wants the rear to stay clean rather than wear a full wing.

Maintenance & Durability

Chrome wants different care than carbon. Wash with pH-neutral shampoo, never with acidic wheel cleaners, and dry promptly to avoid water spotting on the bright surface. A pure carnauba paste wax applied twice a year will preserve the chrome's depth; do not use abrasive metal polish on this finish because the protective topcoat will lift before the chrome itself shows wear. The carbon frame is treated like any other clearcoated carbon surface. Expect a clean, lustrous chrome face for around 7 to 9 years of normal road use before any considered re-detailing is needed.

Lead Time & Warranty

Lead time on this grille is 3 to 4 weeks because the plating stage adds production time over an unplated grille; the plating itself is done in a controlled-process automotive line. Twelve-month warranty against plating defects (peeling, blistering, premature dulling under normal care), against lamel-to-frame bond failure, and against lacquer defects on the carbon frame. Stone-impact pitting on the lamel face is treated as impact damage and excluded.

FAQ

Q: Will the dense lamel pattern hurt cooling on a stock V8?
A: No, the OEM V8 cooling pack has enough headroom for road use that the slightly reduced flow area of the 31-lamel grille is invisible.

Q: Can I have the lamels in black chrome instead of bright chrome?
A: Yes, black-chrome and gunmetal options are offered with a 1-week lead-time extension; ask at order placement.

Q: Are the lamels solid metal or carbon-cored?
A: Carbon-cored, plated. This keeps weight down significantly versus a fully-cast metal grille without compromising the chrome finish.

Q: What about stone-chip resistance on the chrome face?
A: The chrome face is durable but not stone-chip-proof. A clear protective film over the lamel face is available if the customer wants additional impact insurance for high-debris driving.

Q: Does the grille include a Bentley winged badge or a Mansory crest?
A: Neither is included by default, the grille is sold without a centre badge so the customer can fit either OEM Bentley or aftermarket per their build direction.

This grille pairs ideally with the solid carbon bonnet and the carbon mirror housings for a balanced, formal Mansory front-end. Configure via WhatsApp +44 7488 818 747 or [email protected].