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Note added at 2 hrs (2023-02-26 12:07:43 GMT)
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Note added at 5 hrs (2023-02-26 15:03:32 GMT)
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While I agree that side skirts are also add-on 'tuning' items, they can also be part of the original equipment. In the latter case I am more prepared to believe they make an actual difference to performance, in the former I tend to think they serve to make the car look as if it goes faster slash cost more slash pulls the girls slash boys better.

"Besides more aggressive front/rear bumpers and gloss black trim, M Sport also comes with side skirts, body-coloured wheel arch trim and five double-spoke rims. "
https://paultan.org/2017/12/06/driven-g01-bmw-x3-m40i-same-s...

"The Avante N is the first sedan to be launched under the carmaker's high-performance N brand.
The sporty sedan comes with side skirts, which minimize the amount of air that goes under the car from the sides and a wing-type spoiler that helps reduce sound and air resistance, Hyundai said in a statement."
https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210622000242

"Our P600 Side Skirts give the Porsche Panamera 970 more dynamic and highlight the sporty line of the vehicle. The material is made from the highest-quality fibreglass mix, carefully laminated by hand, and then processed.
The P600 Side Skirts replace the original Side Skirts and give the Porsche Panamera 970 an individual character and racing flair with a touch of class.
https://prior-design.com/tuning/porsche/panamera/970-p600-bo...

I am terribly disappointed Bentley plays this silly game, but they have been playing to the new / ill-come-by money market for decades now. I shall not buy one if only for this behaviour.

"Bentley customers can add an extra sporting edge to their Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible or Bentayga with the addition of the Styling Specification. Crafted by hand to exact tolerances following an extensive development programme, the Styling Specification includes a front bumper splitter, SIDE SKIRTS with metallic Bentley badges, rear diffuser and boot lid spoiler in high gloss carbon fibre. The Bentayga package also includes a bi-plane tailgate spoiler and rear screen strakes, again all in high gloss carbon fibre, with the additional options of front air blades, wing vents and mirror caps in a matching finish.
The progression of design, development, testing and sign-off of these components is a smaller-scale facsimile of the process that Bentley goes to across every aspect of a new model, and showcases the attention to detail for which Bentley is renowned.
Like the veneer that adorns the cabin space, the carbon fibre exterior components are mirror-matched across the centreline of the car for precise visual appeal. The carbon fibre weave is a 2x2 twill pattern, woven in the same direction for all components to ensure consistency. The carbon fibre is laid-up in multiple layers, each oriented for optimum strength and durability whilst maintaining minimal weight.
The SIDE SKIRTS include an exquisite detail with the inclusion of a three-dimensional electroformed Bentley badge. The profile of the badge was developed specially for the Styling Specification, to minimise the risk of air bubbles forming in the lacquer overcoat while still providing the eye-catching faceted appearance.
[...]
The Styling Specification is available to order through Bentley’s network of retailers, and can be specified when a new car is ordered or retrofitted at a later date to enhance a customer’s existing car. The option will also soon be introduced to the new Flying Spur."
https://www.bentleymotors.com/en/world-of-bentley/news/2020-...