THE extended celebrations marking 20 years of Bentley’s Continental GT drew to a close last week when a specially-made anniversary baton was returned to Bentley HQ in Crewe - the birthplace of the Continental GT – after completing a lap of the world.
The Bentley baton’s global tour included stops in Europe, the Middle East, China, Asia Pacific, the US and the UK, with 20 lucky guest drivers getting the chance to enjoy a memorable drive in a Continental model along the way – one for each year of its production.
A global celebration
The completion of the relay was the culmination of a six-month anniversary programme of Bentley Continental-themed events and product launches, which began in April at the Shanghai Motor Show with the debut of a one-off Continental GT S.
Finished in Magnetic dark grey metallic, bespoke Mulliner features on this model included commemorative badging, inlays and a 20th anniversary design motif comprising superposed silhouettes of the first and third-generation Continental GTs.
At the Atlantic at Monterey Car week in August, another one-off Continental GT Speed by Mulliner was revealed: its Cypress Green finish, saddle leather interior and Burr Walnut veneer were inspired by the first production Continental GT from 2003.
Indeed, that very car – VIN 200001 – was also on display.
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Evolution of an icon
When it launched in 2003, the Bentley Continental GT became the first all-new Bentley of the modern era, its first vehicle equipped with all-wheel-drive and the first to feature Bentley’s newly developed W12 engine.
This fearsome, six-litre, twin-turbo powerplant ensured that the first-generation Continental GT became the fastest genuine four seat coupé in the world, offering a top speed in excess of 190 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds.
To celebrate two decades of Bentley’s mighty W12, July’s Goodwood Festival of Speed saw a moving showcase of W12-powered Bentleys, including the Continental GT Le Mans Collection, a bespoke Continental GTC Speed and the 740hp limited edition Batur by Mulliner.
Passing the baton
The design of Bentley’s special commemorative 20th anniversary baton for the Continental GT is certainly a talking point – not least because, at first glance, it resembles what might politely be described as an ‘intimate electronic massage device’ (stop sniggering at the back there).
However, apparently, a lot of time, thought and effort went into its creation.
And no, it doesn’t vibrate.
Finished in Cypress Green to match the exterior finish of the first-ever production Continental GT, Bentley claim the baton bears “an asymmetrical twist reminiscent of the blade of an aircraft propeller”.
A knurled cap modelled on the Continental GT’s drive mode selector allows access to the baton’s interior. Inside is a commemorative scroll which has been signed by each of the 20 guest drivers who were invited to get behind the wheel of a Continental model as the baton made its way around the world from Crewe and back again.
“Every element of the baton sculpture was inspired by the Continental GT, and there is purpose in every form,” enthuses Chris Cooke, head of Bentley Design Collaborations who were in charge of the baton’s creation.
“For example, the end cap shows a simplified graphic of the Continental GT with its three feature lines: the Bentley powerline from the front wheel arch along the car’s flanks, the flyline of the roof, and the muscular ‘haunch’ over the rear wheel.
“Hold the baton horizontally, and as you turn it in your hands you will see each of those lines in the contours of the sculpture.”
Having now completed its global relay, the 20th anniversary baton will now enjoy the stasis of retirement in Bentley’s Heritage Garage alongside the very first Continental GT as a highly significant year in the company’s history draws to a close.
Here’s to another two decades of premium GT motoring, with many more to follow.
