News: BENTLEY CONTINENTAL: EVOLUTION OF AN ICON

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If it appears that MotorMartin seems to have developed a slight crush on Bentley at the moment, especially if you checkout previous posts such as https://motormartin.wordpress.com/2015/12/12/news-bentley-motorsport-set-for-sepang-debut/ or https://motormartin.wordpress.com/2015/12/11/news-generations-of-speed-bentley-continental-gt3-and-the-birkin-blower/ then you are probably correct. I understand that the focus here on MotorMartin is all about ‘real life’ motoring and it would be rather easy to argue that Bentley’s represent nothing of the sort but surely we’re all allowed to think about our dream garage every now and again.

In celebration of the latest Bentley Continental GT, one of the most iconic cars on the road today according to Bentley, it’s probably necessary to spend some time with the original. The Continental name first entered the company’s lexicon in 1952 with the R-Type Continental – arguably the world’s first Grand Tourer.

With a top speed of 120 mph it was the fastest four-seater in the world at the time of its launch and would still hold its own today. Many of the 208 examples produced were coachbuilt by Mulliner – a name that is still closely associated with Bentley to this day.

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With just three strokes of the designer’s pen, the shape of the Continental comes to life – the striking power line, muscular rear haunches and swooping, fast roof line. These three elegant styling cues have remained a fundamental part of the Continental’s DNA over six decades and are clearly visible in the Continental that you can buy at present.

Today’s Continental elegantly fulfils the same grand-touring brief as its forebear. With immense W12 power, a top speed of 206 mph and an unsurpassed ability to cross continents in total comfort, the Continental GT Speed is a truly extraordinary car.

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For more information about the R-Type Continental, visit this link. www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/heritage/r-type-continental.html it’s a fascinating story whilst those wishing for more information about the Continental range can use the following link. www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/continental.html

The Bentley Continental has style, heritage and technology in abundance. MotorMartin salutes you. The world of motoring would be a sadder and less dramatic place if you didn’t exist.

Where will you go?

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