The past weekend saw an extraordinary event at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, as part of Monterey Car Week, where Bentley Motors celebrated 20 successful years of the Continental GT with a one-of-one GT Speed edition. The car was revealed and promptly sold, marking a momentous milestone in the grand tourer’s history.
Inspired by the first production Continental GT of 2003, this unique GT Speed represents Bentley’s commitment to modern luxury and heritage. Its Cypress Green exterior and Saddle leather interior evoke the original model’s design, while subtle enhancements and technical specifications reflect Bentley’s evolution.
This specific car features various bespoke touches, including Blackline, Touring and Styling Specifications. Polished black exterior brightware, carbon fiber details, and Dark Grey Satin-finished 22″ Sports Wheels add an exquisite touch. Naim for Bentley audio and the Bentley Rotating Display elevate the in-cabin experience.
The Continental GT has always been an emblem of luxury. Launched in 2003, it redefined Bentley as a contemporary brand, leading to a ten-fold increase in sales. It not only reshaped the luxury car market but also impacted car enthusiasts around the globe. Over the years, several iterations, including the Continental GT Convertible, Flying Spur, GT Speed, and Supersports, kept Bentley at the forefront of grand touring excellence.
Under the hood of the original Continental GT lay a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine, delivering 550 bhp and 479 lb/ft of torque. The following generations continued to introduce new engines and design cues, all the way to the current third-generation model, which debuted in 2018.
The celebration at Monterey also initiated a 20-stop global tour, with a Bentley ‘baton’ traveling in various Continental GT models across continents. This unique journey symbolizes Bentley’s ongoing commitment to innovation, luxury, and connectivity in the automotive world.
Reflecting on two decades, Bentley’s Continental GT has successfully evolved, offering unprecedented levels of performance, luxury, and technology. It’s not just a car; it’s a story of how a model can redefine a brand and create a new market sector. The one-of-one Continental GT Speed encapsulates everything that Bentley represents – heritage, innovation, and above all, an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Monterey Car Week’s 20th birthday was the perfect stage for Bentley to bring its 20th-year celebration to a grand finale. The brand’s rich history and promising future were captured in a moment, a car, and a celebration that won’t soon be forgotten by those who witnessed it. Here’s to many more years of Bentley’s Continental GT and its defining role in the world of luxury automobiles.
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Sources: Bentley