It's hard to believe it, but the Bentley Continental GT is now 20 years old. The first generation was launched in 2003, just as Bentley and Roll-Royce went their separate ways under, respectively, Volkswagen and BMW ownership. The Conti GT - as it has come to be known - was an instant success, pushing Bentley's sales to levels unheard of before.
Special Shanghai car
Bentley is marking the 20th anniversary with the reveal at the Shanghai motor show of a one-of-one commemorative edition Continental GT S.
This particular Conti GT comes finished in Magnetic dark grey metallic paint, complemented by black chrome and black 22-inch, ten-spoke alloy wheels behind which lurk bright red brake calipers. Inside, there's a dramatic black and red finish with Beluga and Hotspur leather with Piano Black.
Silhouettes in the treadplates
The cabin also gets unique Mulliner colours, dual-finish fascias and waistrails and bespoke detailing to the centre console and treadplates. The upper fascia veneer is in Granite Stone, giving a unique tactile finish, while the lower veneer is in Grand Black and features a laser-etched overlay celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the Continental GT. A red pinstripe separates the two finishes, stretching across the fascia from door to door and passing across the upper vanes of the bullseye air vents.
If you look down at the treadplates, you'll see two silhouettes etched into the metal - outlines of the first and current generations of Continental GT. That twin silhouette effect is repeated on the dashboard, and the puddle lights on the door mirrors also shine a special 20th birthday logo on the ground.
Thinking back to the original 2003 Continental GT, it really was a remarkable machine. Bentley's first 12-cylinder model could push beyond 300km/h for its top speed, and hit 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds - senior figures for a turn-of-the-century car.
To help jog some old memories, Bentley is going to lay on original Continental GT models for customers to test drive, alongside new versions, at three locations - Geneva, Switzerland and Crewe in the UK (Bentley's hometown).
W12 engine is 20, too
Meanwhile, a special Bentley 'baton' will be taken on a round-the-world tour to Europe, the Middle East, China, Asia Pacific and the US before returning to Crewe, having been driven in a variety of Continental GT models. Inscribed with 20 'mementoes' of the journey, the baton will go on display in Crewe as a reminder of the 20th anniversary.
Of course, if the Continental GT is 20 years old, then that means that its astonishing W12 engine is too. Bentley will mark that birthday with a series of events at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, showcasing a series of W12-engined models including the latest limited run Bentley Batur by Mulliner.
Sadly, it will be a swansong for the W12. Bentley says that the engine will cease production in 2024, as "this iconic powertrain makes way for Bentley's electric future."
Finally, to round out the birthday celebrations (I notice no-one has mentioned cake, just yet...) Bentley will bring a special one-off Continental GT to Monterey Car Week in August. This will be inspired by the first Conti GT off the production line, VIN 20001, which was finished in Cypress Green with an interior in Saddle hide and Burr Walnut, and is still part of Bentley's heritage collection.