Celebrating with a lap of the world

(Crewe, 1 December 2023) A novel international relay, marking 20 years of the Continental GT, has reached its conclusion with the arrival in Crewe of the specially-made 20^th anniversary baton. The baton’s lap of the world included stops in Europe, the Middle East, China, Asia Pacific, the US and UK, visiting 20 journalists and content material creators in the course of as half of 20 memorable drives – one for annually of Continental GT manufacturing.                  

The launch of the first-generation Continental GT in 2003 marked a seismic change in the fortunes of Bentley Motors. The first all-new Bentley of the trendy period, the first with all-wheel drive and the first to function the revolutionary W12 engine, the Continental GT swiftly propelled Bentley to its present standing as the most sought-after luxurious automotive model in the world.

ALSO READ: Audi RS Q e-tron for 2024: Innovative prototype and new particulars

Continental GT twentieth anniversary Baton: Designed and crafted in Crewe

The design of the 20^th anniversary baton was developed in the Crewe design studio and acquired the similar degree of meticulous refinement as any manufacturing mannequin function. Finished in Cypress Green (the exterior end of the first-ever manufacturing Continental GT) the baton has an intriguing, asymmetrical twist, like the blade of an plane propellor. A knurled cap, modelled on the Continental GT’s drive mode selector, permits entry to the baton’s inside the place the scroll is carried.

Head of Bentley Design Collaborations, Chris Cooke takes a deep dive into the particulars: “Every element of the baton sculpture was inspired by the Continental GT, and there is purpose in every form. For example, the end cap shows a simplified graphic of the Continental GT with its three feature lines; the Bentley powerline from the front wheel arch along the car’s flanks; the flyline of the roof; and the muscular ‘haunch’ over the rear wheel. Hold the baton horizontally, and as you turn it in your hands you will see each of those lines in the contours of the sculpture.” In the subtlest of touches, every profile additionally strains up completely with its corresponding line on the cap graphic. 

The 20^th anniversary baton will now discover its house in Bentley’s Heritage Garage, collectively with the very first Continental GT, as a extremely important yr in the firm’s historical past attracts to a shut.

ALSO READ: 25 visitors violations in SA with stricter penalties than you assume

Evolution of a trendy icon

At the time of its launch in 2003, the first-generation Continental GT provided a distinctive mixture of gorgeous design, supercar efficiency and unrivalled craftsmanship. It was hailed as the quickest real 4 seat coupé in the world with a prime pace in extra of 190 mph (300 km/h), and a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds). With no comparable rivals at its worth level, the Continental GT grew to become a international sensation, defining a new market sector.

Now in its third era, the Continental GT and its stablemate the Continental GTC proceed to garner awards and accolades. In 2022 the Continental GT Speed gained the revered Robb Report Car of the Year award; remarkably, the Continental GT V8 S succeeds it as Car of the Year winner for 2023. The Continental GT additionally achieved back-to-back wins at the Auto Motor und Sport awards in February 2023, profitable the luxurious class import class for the second yr in a row in a ballot of greater than 101,000 readers.

ALSO READ: Important INFO if you happen to renew your automotive licence in SA this December

Continental GT 20^th anniversary celebrations

Bentley celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the Continental GT household with a six-month programme of occasions and launches, starting in April at the Shanghai Motor Show with the debut of a one-of-one Continental GT S. Bespoke Mulliner options of this mannequin, which was completed in Magnetic darkish gray metallic, included commemorative badging, inlays and a 20^th anniversary design motif comprising superposed silhouettes of the first- and the third-generation Continental GT.

2023 can be the 20^th anniversary of Bentley’s mighty 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12, the engine that powered Bentley to international success over the previous 20 years. July’s Goodwood Festival of Speed noticed a shifting showcase of W12-powered Bentleys, together with the Continental GT Le Mans Collection, a bespoke Continental GTC Speed and the 750PS restricted version Batur by Mulliner.

ALSO READ: Tesla Cybertruck drag races electrical Hummer bakkie… which EV will in?

Across the Atlantic at Monterey Car week in August, one other one-of-one Continental GT Speed by Mulliner was revealed. Its Cypress Green end, Saddle leather-based inside and Burr Walnut veneer have been impressed by the first manufacturing Continental GT from 2003, and that very automotive – VIN 200001 – was displayed alongside it.

Meanwhile the 20^th anniversary baton continued its progress round the world, giving 20 invited visitor drivers the alternative to expertise a succession of fashions from the Continental GT secure. At the conclusion of their time behind the wheel, every signed the scroll as a document of a distinctive journey earlier than passing it on to the subsequent participant.

Published by Bentley on Newspress

CLICK HERE FOR MORE AUTOMOTIVE NEWS FROM GARY DUNN