A huge gigapixel image of Dubai that lets you explore the city’s skyline and landscape in intricate detail has been unveiled by Bentley Motors.

Comprising 57.7 billion pixels, the picture was taken used technology derived from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) of the US.

The picture is Bentley’s second gigapaxel offering. It follows the incredibly detailed picture of a Bentley Mulsanne car crossing the iconic Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, which was revealed in all its glory last year.

At the heart of the new photograph sits a Bentley Flying Spur W12 S in the luxury marina of Dubai. Zoom out, and the groundbreaking technology allows you to explore and experience the city panorama in intricate detail, while beyond it the curvature of the earth is visible.

Zoom in and the image will take you in sharp focus, through the landscape, right up to the bonnet badge of the Flying Spur. 

The extraordinary new image is testament to Bentley’s renowned attention to detail.  

With the image, viewers can also explore the Flying Spur W12 S inside and out with a 360-degree film narrated by John Paul Gregory, Bentley’s Head of Exterior Design. 

Gregory talks to the audience from inside the car, the stunning Bentley Suite in The St. Regis Dubai, and the new flagship Bentley showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road.


EXTRAORDINARY CRAFTSMANSHIP

The same attention to detail that is applied to the 130 man-hours it takes to build each Flying Spur went into creating the extraordinary image.

Bentley suspended a camera 264 m up the Cayan Tower – one of Dubai’s tallest buildings – to capture one of the world’s most detailed landscape images. The innovative technology used had to withstand 40-degree heat that created a haze and 25-kmph winds that threatened to disrupt stability.

An incredible 57.7 billion pixels were carefully stitched together to create a single image that also balanced light levels painstakingly across each pixel. The intricate process took 48 hours and 1,825 frames to create. Downloading the image took a further 18 hours.


UNRIVALLED ATTENTION TO DETAIL 

At the heart of photograph sits the Bentley Flying Spur W12 S. Like the image that surrounds it, the flagship of the Flying Spur range is full of extraordinary attention to the most intricate detail and hidden delights.

The Flying Spur W12 S features enhanced power and torque outputs from the mighty 6.0-litre, twin-turbo W12 engine. Through precise calibration and tuning, engine power is increased from 625 PS to 635 PS (626 bhp) and torque from 800 Nm to 820 Nm (605 lb. ft.) for a dynamic and effortless drive.

This increase in power means that the car achieves a top speed of 325 kmmh (202 mph) – the first four-door Bentley to exceed the 200 mph performance barrier.

Bentley’s design team has created an athletic character that combines traditional Bentley styling cues with a sporting stance. Sharp feature lines complement muscular rear haunches, while LED daytime running lights, subtle blackware elements and a choice of stylish alloy wheels afford the Flying Spur W12 S a modern, contemporary feel.

From new gloss-black detailing on the bodywork, to the unique leather stitching, the new exterior and interior styling reflects the more assertive, darker character of the Flying Spur W12 S.

The Bentley Suite at The St Regis Dubai in Al Habtoor City reflects the bespoke craftsmanship of the British brand’s pinnacle Mulsanne model. This latest creation is part of the growing collection of acclaimed signature Bentley suites – currently also located at The St Regis New York and The St Regis Istanbul.

Bentley Emirates is largest Bentley showroom in the world. It is a 75,000-sq-ft retail development on Sheikh Zayed Road and the result of a multi-million pound investment by Al Habtoor Motors, the luxury brand’s exclusive retail partner in the UAE. 

The flagship retail space features an advanced luminary façade, six floors of customer environment including a personal commissioning area, a roof garden, VIP suite and specialised water feature with number plate recognition.

Bentley Motors is one of the most sought after luxury car brands in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production of the company’s four model lines – Continental, Flying Spur, Bentayga and Mulsanne.