Bentley celebrates 20 years since its sixth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 100 years since the first running of the legendary race, with a limited edition of Continental GT Coupés and Continental GTC’s. Each will be powered by the Bentley W12 engine, the most successful 12-cylinder engine of the modern era. The Le Mans Collection includes unique exterior and interior details that reflect the design of the Le Mans-winning Speed 8 #7.
The Le Mans Collection models from Bentley are equipped with the innovative three-way Bentley Rotating Display, which provides drivers with a choice of touchscreen, dual veneer, or analogue dials. However, these models offer something extra special: instead of the standard central dial, a Vitrine has been added, showcasing an engine valve from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 of the 2003 Le Mans winning Bentley Speed 8. After the contest, the engine was carefully preserved, and now 24 of the 32 valves have been bisected to create 48 bespoke artefacts for this exclusive collection of ultimate Grand Tourers. In addition to the engine valve display, the Le Mans Collection also boasts a custom-designed 24-hour digital clock in place of the standard 12-hour analogue clock, further emphasizing the attention to detail and exclusivity of the collection.
Inspired by the dark green Speed 8 racing cars that triumphed at Le Mans in 2003, Mulliner – Bentley’s personal commissioning division – has crafted a heartfelt tribute to this shared history. From the elegant Verdant green exterior to the striking sliver of the Speed 8 engine displayed on the fascia, the Le Mans Collection exudes the spirit of the legendary race and the mastery of Bentley’s engineering.
The Continental GT and Continental GTC in the Le Mans Collection are finished in Verdant green, with a Moonbeam racing stripe across the bonnet (and Coupé roof). The Blackline specification nods to the black and green livery of the Speed 8, while the carbon-fibre Styling specification body components are finished in black with a subtle pinstripe in Moonbeam. Beluga black is also selected for the lower front bumper, wing mirror caps and rear ‘horseshoe’ area beneath the bootlid spoiler, while black 22-inch ten-spoke wheels shroud powerful carbon ceramic brakes and red brake calipers.
The signature Bentley matrix grille features a painted #7 in Arctica white, combining the race-winning number of 2003 with the painted radiators of the Bentleys that won Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930.
The interiors of the collection’s Continental GT and Continental GTC exude the luxurious craftsmanship and sporting spirit that define Bentley’s legacy. While they offer more opulent amenities than the Bentley Speed 8s, they share the same sense of purposeful design. A bespoke 2003 wreath welcome lamp greets driver, leading to a cockpit trimmed in rich Beluga hide. Performance-bred napped Dynamica fabric covers the seat faces, while contrast stitching and Hotspur seatbelts add a dynamic touch to the monochrome color scheme. The steering wheel, trimmed in hide and Dynamica, features Hotspur contrast stitching and a six o’clock accent tab.
The dual-finish veneer on the fascia and door waist rails showcases Bentley’s exceptional craftsmanship. Piano Black and high-gloss carbon fiber are seamlessly matched, separated by a fine chrome pinstripe. The matching of the pinstripe from the doors to the fascia is a testament to the attention to detail lavished on every Bentley.
The Le Mans Collection Bentleys are full of bespoke details, starting with the Speed 8 sill plates and six-wreath treadplates that welcome passengers into the interior. The fascia features the six-wreath emblem inlaid into high-gloss carbon fiber, commemorating each of the six outright victories recorded by Bentley at Le Mans between 1924 and 2003.
At the heart of the Le Mans Collection’s Continental GT and GTC lies Bentley’s legendary 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine, capable of delivering a staggering 659 PS (650 bhp) and an extraordinary 900 Nm (664 lb.ft) of torque. This powerhouse is coupled with exceptional handling, resulting in a top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h) and an impressive 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds). Four cutting-edge chassis technologies have been combined to provide the new limited edition with the agility, performance, and ride quality that befits a car with such a storied heritage.
Bentley Dynamic Ride and three-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping are key to the balance of the car and provide a formidable foundation upon which to build. For even greater agility and performance, the Le Mans Collection Bentleys offer a range of optional features, including newly-developed Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Variable Electronic Stability Control, All Wheel Steering, and an Electronic Limited Slip Differential. Together, these technologies elevate the performance of the Le Mans Collection to new heights, creating a truly thrilling driving experience.
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