Bentley Motors introduced the 20th birthday celebrations of its now-iconic Continental GT to an in depth with the reveal and instant sale of a one-of-one Continental GT Velocity, with a specification impressed by that of the very first manufacturing Continental GT from 2003. The muse for the mission – VIN20001, the primary GT of the Crewe manufacturing line – was displayed alongside the 2023 model at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, additionally celebrating its 20th birthday and an ongoing a part of Monterey Automotive Week.
Having redefined the Bentley model for the 21st century when it was launched in 2003, catalyzing a ten-fold enhance in gross sales, the Continental GT continues to be the benchmark for contemporary, luxurious grand tourers. The primary manufacturing automotive – crucial fashionable automotive in Bentley’s rejuvenated Heritage Assortment – was completed in Cypress Inexperienced paint, with an inside of Saddle leather-based upholstery and Burr Walnut veneer. The bespoke 2023 Continental GT Velocity shows a specifically commissioned inside impressed by that of its illustrious forbear.
Whereas Saddle leather-based and Burr Walnut veneer characteristic in each cabins, the third-generation mannequin options delicate enhancements to the unique mannequin’s theme. The wealthy Saddle coloration is complemented by an accent conceal in ‘Particular Inexperienced’, with distinction stitching in the identical shade all through. The fascia and waist rails characteristic two completely different veneer finishes – open pore Darkish Burr Walnut over excessive gloss Darkish Burr Walnut – separated by a painted pinstripe in Cypress, connecting the inside with the outside.
An in depth listing of options consists of the Blackline, Touring, and Styling Specs – collectively bringing polished black exterior vibrant ware, a set of technical enhancements, and a carbon fiber entrance splitter, facet skirts, diffuser, and delicate boot lip spoiler respectively. Self-levelling Mulliner wheel badges completed the 22” Sports activities Wheels in distinctive Darkish Gray Satin. The inside options Naim for Bentley audio and the Bentley Rotating Show, whereas the personalised treadplates learn, ’20 years of the Continental GT by Bentley Mulliner’. Define representations of the 2003 and 2023 Continental GTs characteristic on the fascia, middle console, and outer sill. This celebratory one-of-one automotive has already been offered, was handed to its new proprietor at The Quail, and represents the spotlight of 4 months of actions and occasions to rejoice this milestone in Bentley’s historical past.
The influence of the first-generation Continental GT was seismic, not solely redefining Bentley as a contemporary luxurious model but in addition creating a brand new market sector. The primary all-new Bentley with no carried-over parts for the reason that authentic 3 Litre of 2019, the Continental GT was designed on the Crewe studio underneath then Design Director Dirk van Braeckel and Head of Exterior Design Raul Pires. The glossy strains of Bentley’s new grand tourer have been impressed by these of the 1952 R Kind Continental, with a Bentley ‘powerline’ that begins low on the entrance and follows the shoulder line of the bonnet and door earlier than assembly a muscular rear haunch. Twin spherical headlamps and a Bentley mesh grille gave a delicate nod to the corporate’s thunderous Le Mans-winning racers of the Nineteen Twenties.
Underneath the bonnet was an all-new 6.0-liter twin-turbo 48-valve W12 engine. This compact, easy, and highly effective design developed 550 bhp and 650 Nm, powering all 4 wheels through a ZF six-speed computerized transmission. Acceleration from 0-62 mph took 4.8 seconds and the highest pace was a shade underneath 200 mph. Throughout the seven years the first-generation Continental GT remained in manufacturing it sired a household of fashions together with the Continental GT Convertible, Continental Flying Spur, Continental GT Velocity, and Supersports.
The second-generation Continental GT, launched in 6.0-liter W12 type on the Paris Motor Present in 2010, additionally noticed the arrival of a second all-new Bentley engine. The environment friendly and charismatic 4.0-litre V8, which made its debut in 2012, endowed the Continental GT with an keen, agile, and responsive character, accompanied by a characterful V8 exhaust backbeat. In 2017 the line-up was joined by the restricted version 710PS Supersports, its conception impressed by the Crew Bentley racing GT3.
Bentley’s third-generation Continental GT was launched in 2018. A completely new design, its sharper, sleeker strains took full benefit of a brand new, purpose-designed platform. Even its W12 engine was all-new, paired with a brand new dual-clutch transmission. Highlights of the brand new mannequin’s specification included three-chamber air springs and 48V electrical lively anti-roll management, whereas the onboard know-how took a serious leap ahead because of all-new electrical structure. It was concurrently sooner, extra snug, extra environment friendly, and extra luxurious than its predecessors – but unmistakably nonetheless a Continental GT.
