Bentley celebrates 100-years with Limited-Edition Continental GT No.9
This year marks 100 years of Bentley and the English brand decided to celebrate this milestone a little differently by unveiling the Bentley Continental GT No.9 at the Geneva International Motor Show. It’s a throwback to the four-and-a-half litre Bentley ‘Blower’ that secured a win at Le Mans, driven by Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin, back in 1930.
The GT No.9 will be built by Bentley’s bespoke Mulliner division and will be limited to just 100 models. The feature that really makes it a big deal for collectors is a showpiece on the dashboard that houses a wood insert from the seat of Bentley’s 1930 Le Mans race car.
The rest of the interior is finished in either Beluga or Cumbrian Green leather, while the centre console is finished in turned aluminium, also inspired by the Le Mans racer. The inspiration doesn’t end there. Seat logos, a British Jaeger clock as well as an 18-karat gold switchgear are based on the ‘Blower’, too.
The Bentley Continental GT No.9’s exterior is available in either green or black, with complementing 21-inch alloy wheels. A carbon fibre aerodynamics package adds to the handling dynamics of the coupe, while a collection of ‘No.9’ badges and a ‘No.9’ graphic on the grille remind you of the heritage behind the exclusive model.
Under the bonnet lies a massive 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol W12 engine, capable of delivering 467kW of power and 900Nm of torque without breaking a sweat. An 8-speed automatic transmission feeds drive to all four wheels, propelling the Continental GT No.9 from 0-100km/h in 3.6-seconds before reaching its top speed of 333km/h.
Pricing hasn’t been released for the exclusive model, but considering Bentley’s previous special editions we can expect a premium over the regular Continental GT. The festivities also don’t end with the limited-edition No.9. Bentley has confirmed that every car sold in its centenary year, 2019, will be equipped with various special touches, including a gold finish to the bonnet, boot and wheel badges.
