- Bentley kicks off celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the Continental GT
- Unveiling of a one-of-a-kind Continental GT S commemorating the milestone at the Shanghai Auto Show, featuring unique elements
- Summer festivities include driving opportunities from the Heritage Collection and a global relay of a special anniversary baton
- Goodwood Festival of Speed to honor 20 years of W12 power
- Culmination of celebrations to feature a unique GT Speed at Monterey Car Week
- First-generation Continental GT launched in 2003, becoming the first all-new Bentley under the VW Group and creating a new market segment
- The model has undergone constant evolution through three generations up to the present day
- Recent awards include Car of the Year 2022 and 2023 by Robb Report and Best Luxury Import 2022 and 2023 by Auto Motor und Sport
- Bentley releases a summary film showcasing the evolution of the Continental GT.
Bentley Motors is marking the 20th anniversary of the Continental GT with a four-month program of unique models, drives, and events.
The program was launched at the Shanghai Auto Show, where a one-of-a-kind Continental GT S was unveiled. The car features bespoke Mulliner features, including commemorative badging and design motifs that highlight the car’s 20-year legacy of defining the modern era of Bentley Motors.
The special GT S for Shanghai comes in a Magnetic dark grey metallic exterior, complemented by black chrome, black 22″ 10-spoke sports wheels, and red brake calipers. The black-and-red theme continues inside the car, with duo-tone finish in Beluga and Hotspur leather with Piano Black. The bespoke interior features unique Mulliner colorways, dual-finish fascias, waistrails, and bespoke detailing to the center console and treadplates.
The upper fascia veneer is in Granite Stone, while the lower veneer is in Grand Black and features a laser-etched overlay celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the Continental GT. A red pinstripe separates the two finishes, stretching across the fascia from door to door and passing across the upper vanes of the bullseye air vents. The treadplates proudly display silhouettes of the first and third generation Continental GTs, representing 20 years of the modern GT. The LED welcome lamp in the door has a unique design celebrating the anniversary of the iconic grand tourer.
The Continental GT was launched in 2003 as the first all-new Bentley of the modern era, featuring all-wheel drive and the innovative W12 engine. The car’s combination of stunning design, supercar performance, and unrivaled craftsmanship helped Bentley become the most sought-after luxury car brand in the world. The Continental GT quickly became a global sensation, defining a new market sector.
Now in its third generation, the Continental GT and its stablemate the Continental GTC continue to win awards and accolades. To celebrate the car’s 20th anniversary, two drive hubs will be set up in Crewe and Geneva, where first- and second-generation Continental GT models from the Bentley Heritage Collection will be available to drive alongside the latest Continental GT family.
A Bentley “baton,” designed and created in-house, will begin its global journey in May, travelling in a variety of Continental GT models across Europe, the Middle East, China, Asia Pacific, and the US before returning to Crewe. At journey’s end, the baton, now containing 20 mementoes of the tour, will become a time capsule as a permanent reminder of a unique journey.
The Continental GT’s 20th anniversary also marks 20 years of Bentley’s 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, which has powered the brand to success over two decades. With the end of production of the engine scheduled for April 2024, Bentley will celebrate this milestone at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, showcasing W12-powered cars from the last 20 years, up to and including the new Bentley Batur by Mulliner.
The program will conclude at Monterey Car Week in August, where Bentley will reveal a final one-of-a-kind Continental GT inspired by the first car off the production line, VIN number 20001, which has remained in the company’s possession as a significant milestone in the Heritage Collection’s garage.