The Bentley Continental GT, the automobile that symbolizes the model’s twenty first century revival, is now 20 years outdated.

Unveiled in 2003, the Continental GT was the primary new Bentley created below the Volkswagen Group’s possession. Earlier than the VW Group takeover, Bentley had largely languished below Rolls-Royce possession, promoting rebadged variations of Rolls fashions, which themselves had been wanting more and more anachronistic on the flip of the century.

With Rolls-Royce going to BMW below an settlement between the 2 German automakers, VW needed to provide you with a brand new platform for future Bentley fashions. The automaker’s alternative for its first automobile below VW possession was an all-wheel-drive coupe powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 engine, with a reputation and styling referencing the traditional 1952 Bentley R Sort Continental.

The primary-generation Continental GT remained in manufacturing for seven years, spawning convertible and Flying Spur sedan physique types, in addition to sportier GT Velocity and Supersports variants. A serious replace, thought of a second-generation mannequin by Bentley, debuted on the 2010 Paris motor present. Essentially the most notable change was the addition of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 model to the lineup, which fashioned the premise for a Continental GT3 race automobile.

Launched in 2018, the third-generation Continental GT was a real redesign, with fully totally different exterior styling, up to date infotainment expertise, and a brand new dual-clutch transmission among the many highlights. This Continental GT, which continues to be in manufacturing immediately, additionally added the 48-volt lively roll management system first seen within the Bentayga SUV. Coupe and convertible variations stay, together with the Flying Spur, which continues to be primarily based on the Continental GT however has been additional distanced from it as a separate mannequin.

The Continental GT platform has additionally served as the premise for coachbuilt specials, together with the Bacalar convertible and Batur coupe, the latter confirmed by Bentley as its final mannequin to characteristic the W-12 engine.

To have fun 20 years of the Continental GT, Bentley unveiled a one-off construct throughout 2023 Monterey Automotive Week. The coupe was impressed by the primary Continental GT manufacturing automobile—VIN 2001—sporting that automobile’s Cypress Inexperienced paint, Saddle leather-based upholstery, and Burr Walnut wooden veneer inside. It additionally sports activities updates that embody carbon-fiber elements for the entrance splitter, facet skirts, and spoiler on the surface and inexperienced accents and distinction stitching on the within. It is set to depart on a 20-stop international tour to commemorate the Continental GT’s twentieth anniversary.

As for the way forward for the Continental GT, an up to date model of the present technology is anticipated to debut in 2024 as a 2025 mannequin. It’ll probably add the plug-in hybrid powertrain beforehand seen within the Bentayga Hybrid and Flying Spur Hybrid. An all-electric Continental GT could also be within the playing cards as effectively, as Bentley is aiming for a totally electrical lineup by 2030.