Bentley Le Mans Collection celebrates luxury brand’s racing heritage

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Bentley launched a special edition Continental GT coupe and Continental GTC convertible to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its last win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Bentley Le Mans collection will be limited to 48 units globally, the automaker announced last week. The special edition will feature unique exterior styling elements inspired by the number 7 Bentley Speed ​​8 Le Mans prototype, which took overall victory in 2003.

Bentley Le Mans Collection

Bentley Le Mans Collection

The Le Mans Collection cars reference the Speed ​​8 livery with Green Green paintwork and a center Moonbeam racing stripe. The number 7 is also painted on the mesh grille, a touch of throwback to a much earlier era of racing. The grille itself is black, as are the lower front bumper, side mirror caps, lower surface of the boot lid and 22-inch wheels. Red brake calipers and a smattering of carbon fiber complete the look.

The Bentley Rotating Display, which allows the central touchscreen to rotate out of view when not needed, is standard. As the touch screen disappears from view, the panel houses the valves from the Le Mans winner’s Speed ​​8 engine. A wreath representing Bentley’s six Le Mans wins is inscribed on the dashboard and door sill plates. The steering wheel upholstery and trim is a combination of leather and suede-like Dynamica fabric, with a piano black finish and glossy carbon fiber trim.

Bentley Le Mans Collection

Bentley Le Mans Collection

Le Mans Collection cars get Bentley’s soon-to-discontinued 6.0-liter twin-turbo W-12 engine producing 650 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, which propels the homage cars from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. and so on up to a top speed of 208 mph. Air suspension, four-wheel steering and carbon-ceramic brakes are also included.

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Six Le Mans wins are an important part of the Bentley mythos, but the brand hasn’t had a consistent presence at the legendary endurance race. Bentley dominated with five wins in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, and 1930, but did not return to Le Mans until 2001. It had not returned since its 2003 win, but had raced Continental GT in low-level GT3. class, even picking up a win at the Australian 12 Hours of Bathurst race in 2020. Bentley quit GT3 after the 2021 racing season.

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