2004 Bentley Continental W12 Coupe

Description

Made by Bentley Motors since 2003, the Continental GT is a grand tourer that was the first new model produced after its acquisition by Volkswagen AG in 1998. Under VW’s auspices it was also the first Bentley to employ mass production manufacturing techniques. Rolls-Royce, which owned Bentley at the time, previewed a convertible concept car at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show – the Java. Designed to be a smaller, more affordable Bentley, the Java never went into production in the form seen at Geneva, however the Continental GT realised the concept of a more affordable Bentley, manufactured in much larger volumes. The Continental GT debuted in 2003 at the Geneva Motor Show wearing a stylish coupe body (different to the Java) and equipped with a 6.0 litre twin turbocharged W12 engine, which produced 412 kW and 650 Nm torque. A Torsen permanent four-wheel drive was standard, enabling the big Bentley sports coupe to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 318 km/h. Early models had a choice of six body colours – Diamond Black, Burnt Oak, Cypress, Neptune, Spruce, and Umbrian Red – while inside the dashboard design was clearly influenced by the Java and featured a clock was made by Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling. Eight leather trim colours – Beluga, Burnt Oak, Laurel, Nautic, Portland, Saffron, Savannah, Saddle – were available, along with four carpet and seatbelt colours – Beluga, Burnt Oak, Laurel, Nautic – and there were even five wood veneer types – Burr Oak, Burr Walnut, Dark Stained Walnut, Madrona, Piano Black. The Continental GT differed from previous Continental R & T models in that it was not a coach-built car. Although much of the car was still hand assembled, it was a mass-produced car made in significantly larger numbers than previous Bentleys. Celebrity owners were many, including American musician Prince, who owned a 2006 Continental GT in Baby Blue. Upon his death in April 2016, the car was placed on permanent display at his famous Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota.