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Bentley Continental GT celebrates 20 years Of Production With Exclusive One-Off

BY Sean Loo

Seems like every auto manufacturer is celebrating an anniversary this year, and Bentley doesn’t want to be left out.

Porsche is celebrating 75 Years, Lamborghini is reining in their 60th. Now, Bentley wants to join in on the global festivities.

The Bentley Continental GT is getting a cake for being 20 years in production. Yes, it’s already been 2 decades. This all started when a Cypress Green Continental GT, flashing VIN number 20001, rolled off the production line in Crewe, England, back in December 2003.

That coupe also introduced the world to the now-legendary 6.0-litre W12 engine. In 2003, it was making 550 bhp and 649 Nm of torque, back when the Ferrari 456M was handling a measly 442 bhp and 550 Nm from its V12, Even the Ferrari 575M was making "just" 508 bhp and 588 Nm from the same engine.

Of course, with an anniversary means an anniversary model, and Bentley has decided to launch it at the Shanghai Auto Show. It’s a special one too; a one-off celebration in the form of a Continental GT S.

This unique spec comes in Magnetic Dark Grey Metallic, sitting pretty on 22-inch black chrome and black wheels. Red accent lines highlight mirror caps and form an outline around the base of the coupe.

Inside, specialty division Mulliner was roped in to produce a unique arrangement of Beluga (black) and Hotspur (red) leather against gloss piano black trim. The bi-finish fascia puts Granite Stone above Grand Black veneer, separated by red pinstriping. Special badging and laser etching are prominent in places like the treadplates, centre console, and veneers. You know, so you have ample opportunity to brag to others you have something truly special.

This isn’t the only one-off Bentley will be producing either. After celebrating with months of themed events, ranging from the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, and a global relay of Continental GTs crossing three continents to pass a custom Bentley baton, there will also be drive hubs at the HQ in Crewe and in Geneva, Switzerland where invited guests can drive all three Continental generations.

After all of that, another one-off Continental GT inspired by the aforementioned first unit produced will debut during Monterey Car Week.