Bentley is commemorating 20 years since its historic sixth victory at Le Mans, the world’s oldest active endurance race, held in its namesake town in France. Rather than the typical race, which is won by minimum time, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is won by the car that covers the most distance over a period of 24 hours.
To mark the occasion and the 100th edition of the race itself, Bentley has created a special edition of its flagship Continental GT model, dubbed the Le Mans Collection.
The Bentley Continental GT Le Mans Collection is a limited run of 48 units, available in both coupe and convertible body styles, each powered by the mighty 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine that produces 650bhp and 900Nm of torque. The performance figures are impressive: 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 208mph. But what sets these cars apart from the regular GT Speed variants are the bespoke details that pay homage to Bentley’s racing heritage.
The most striking feature is the Verdant green paintwork, contrasted by a white stripe that runs over the bonnet and roof (or tonneau cover on the convertible), and a white number ‘7’ on the black mesh grille. These elements are inspired by the livery of the #7 Speed 8 that crossed the finish line first in 2003, driven by Tom Kristensen, Rinaldo Capello and Guy Smith. The car also features black 22-inch wheels with red brake calipers, carbon fibre exterior trim, and a black ‘horseshoe’ section on the boot lid and lower front bumper.
The interior is equally lavish and distinctive, with a combination of leather, Alcantara, walnut and carbon fiber materials. The unique feature is a small window on the dashboard that displays half of an engine valve from the actual #7 Speed 8, surrounded by ‘Le Mans Collection’ lettering and the car’s chassis number. This rare and authentic piece of motorsport memorabilia connects the owner to Bentley’s glorious past. Another nod to Le Mans is a digital clock with a 24-hour face, replacing the standard analog one. The car also boasts a rotating infotainment screen, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and polished stainless steel sills with six silver wreath emblems and the silhouette of the Speed 8.
The Le Mans Collection is not only a celebration of Bentley’s most recent victory at Le Mans but also a tribute to its glorious past at the legendary race. Bentley has a long and proud history at Le Mans, dating back to the race's first edition in 1923, when a Bentley 3 Litre Sport finished fourth overall and first in its class.
Bentley’s first outright win came in 1924, with John Duff and Frank Clement behind the wheel of another 3 Litre Sport. This was followed by four consecutive wins from 1927 to 1930, with the legendary Bentley Boys dominating the race with their 4 ½ Litre, Speed Six and Blower models. The Bentley Boys were a group of wealthy and adventurous British drivers who shared a passion for racing and a loyalty to Bentley. They included Woolf Barnato, Tim Birkin, Glen Kidston, Dudley Benjafield and Sammy Davis, among others.
The Bentley Boys were not only fast and fearless but also flamboyant and charismatic. They lived a glamorous lifestyle of parties, gambling and romance, and often drove their Bentleys on public roads as well as on the track. They also displayed remarkable courage and sportsmanship, such as when Birkin helped to rescue his rival Mercedes driver from a burning car in 1930, or when Barnato bet £100 that he could beat the famous Blue Train from Cannes to Calais in his Speed Six (he won).
The Bentley Boys’ exploits made them heroes in the eyes of the public and cemented Bentley’s reputation as a maker of fast and reliable cars. Their last win at Le Mans in 1930 was also Bentley’s last appearance at the race for over 70 years, as the Great Depression forced the company to sell its assets to Rolls-Royce in 1931.
After decades away from the track, Bentley returned to racing – and to Le Mans – in 2001. As part of a three-year quest to recapture the 24-Hour Trophy, an all-new Bentley track car, the EXP Speed 8, entered the race. Despite torrential rain, the team secured third place.
