Bentley produces a limited series of Continental GT coupes and GTC convertibles called the Le Mans Collection.
The special edition car, limited to a total of 48, marks the 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory at Le Mans and 100 years since the event was held. These cars are powered by Bentley’s 6.0-liter W-12 engine that produces 650 horsepower.
Sometimes resting and embracing sweet memories is enough. Other times, you build a special little car to commemorate your success. Bentley chose the latter. The manufacturer has unveiled limited edition versions of the Continental GT and GTC, marking the 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth Le Mans win and 100 years since the event began.
The edition car is called the Le Mans Collection and was produced by Bentley’s Mulliner in honor of the 2003 race winner Speed 8. Every Bentley Le Mans Collection is powered by a 6.0-liter, 650-hp W-12 engine. According to Bentley, the power will propel the collection of Le Mans with a maximum speed of 208 mph and a sprint to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
The three-chamber air springs supported by active damping from the standard GT are back for the Le Mans collection. Newly developed optional carbon-ceramic brakes provide stopping power, all-wheel drive and various electronically limited assist devices.
The standard Continental GT’s central three-way turn signal has returned with a twist. With the Le Mans collection honoring the Speed own 20 years ago 20 years ago with the Le Mans Collection, Bentley saw it as fitting to include a piece of this car in each special edition.
The Speed8 engine was removed after the 2003 Le Mans victory, with 24 of the engine’s 32 valves removed and cut in half. Each car in the Le Mans collection has a valve and central display where the central dial of the three analog clusters usually resides. The screen also displays the car’s specific production number, identifying it as a Le Mans collection car.
The standard 12-hour analog clock on the dashboard is replaced by a digital clock, displaying only 24-hour time. The cars come in two versions. The Blackline spec pays homage to the Speed 8’s black and green livery, while the Styling version uses exposed carbon fiber and stripes in a color called Moonbeam. The windshield features a “7” graphic in honor of the 2003 Speed Car’s winning number 8.
There’s no word on pricing or even availability for the Le Mans collection, but we expect them to sell out quickly, if they haven’t already. Although they come in at a premium over the regular GT Speed Coupe’s starting price of $291,225.
