Tongue-twisting headline aside, Mulliner and Bentley Sydney have created a pair of special Continental GT S offerings, inspired by the gruelling Bathurst 12 Hour, where the car maker was victorious in 2020 with its Continental GT3 racer.
Focused on driving performance and visual presence, the Continental GT S shares a number of characteristics with its track based counterpart, thereby providing the perfect foundation for the pair of specially-commissioned road cars.
The two cars have individual specifications. The first takes inspiration from the livery of the winning race car, with an exterior in bright Apple Green, contrasted by a Beluga black roof, wing mirrors, lower bumper and rear boot silhouette.
The unique front visual also includes a number seven painted on the grille matrix, as per the racer. The contemporary performance theme continues with the inclusion of the Blackline Specification – replacing all exterior bright chrome work.
A Styling Specification (front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser in carbon fibre) provides a more aggressive visual stance. The cabin is far more luxurious than the race car counterpart though, with a mix of Leather and Dinamica.
Offered in Beluga with Apple Green accents via micro-piping and contrast stitch, the interior complements the exterior perfectly. ‘BATHURST’ has been stitched into the headrests and ‘One of Two’ can be seen on the treadplates.
A unique metal overlay depicting the track has been included in the carbon fibre technical finish fascias on the passenger side, and the names of the victorious drivers together with the winning number seven can be found on the centre console.
“They ‘brought the thunder’ to the Mountain and their 2020 victory remains one of the most popular in the history of the race, creating iconic scenes that will long be replayed,” Bathurst 12 Hour event director Shane Rudzis said.
The second car is painted in Silver Tempest to reflect the introduction of the second-generation Continental GT3 in late 2017. Car number two mirrors the first, with a black chrome and the carbon fibre exterior and bespoke cabin.
Each car will be supplied with a commemorative framed artefact and a 1:18 scale model of the winning car. It’s been a big year for the Mulliner team too, with 500 unique commissions created in 2022, a first for the coach building arm of Bentley.
The new S range retains the 404kW and 770 Nm 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivering a time of just 4.0 seconds for 0-100km/h. For the GT and GTC S, the engine is enhanced by the fitment of a sports exhaust to amplify the crossplane V8 beat.
The eager, free-revving and lighter 4.0-litre V8 engine gives the Continental GT S models a responsive and agile character, and this is amplified by Bentley Dynamic Ride – an advanced 48V electric active anti-roll control system.
By generating up 1300 Nm in 0.3 seconds, motors within the anti-roll bars actively compensate for cornering forces to minimise body roll under hard cornering, while also improving ride comfort at cruising speeds.
In 2020, Bentley won the Bathurst 12 Hour in its Continental GT3, with Maxime Soulet (BEL), Jordan Pepper (ZAR) and Jules Gounon (FRA) at the wheel. The trio battled soaring temperatures and the threat of rain to take the chequered flag.
Bentley Motors offers 5-year factory service plans on its 2023 models and all vehicles in its range come with a 3-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
