Skip advert
Advertisement

Bentley Continental GT Le Mans Collection unveiled with 650bhp W12

Just 48 Le Mans Collection models will be produced, commemorating Bentley’s victory at the infamous 24 hour race in 2003

This year is significant for Bentley, and not just because it recently announced the demise of its iconic W12 engine. The British firm is celebrating 20 years since its last Le Mans victory in 2003, and a run of limited edition Continental GTs is being produced to mark the occasion. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Dubbed the ‘Le Mans Collection’, just 48 examples will be built in total, offered in either coupe or convertible GTC form. Bentley’s flagship 650bhp W12 engine is front and centre, with each Le Mans Collection featuring a unique livery and interior to commemorate the Speed 8 prototype that took the chequered flag 20 years ago. 

In tribute to the winning car, each Le Mans Collection is painted in Verdant green with silver stripes across the bonnet and roof for coupe versions. Carbonfibre elements are picked out by silver pinstriping, with black mirror caps, 22-inch wheels and front and rear styling graphics to echo the Speed 8’s green and black livery. The Continental’s mammoth carbon ceramic brakes are standard fit, too, with 420mm discs and red ten piston calipers at the front. 

A white number 7 has been painted onto the special edition’s front grille as a nod to the 2003 race-winner, but inside, Bentley has gone further to give owners – quite literally – a piece of that success. That there will be just 48 Le Mans Collections is no coincidence; Bentley has stripped down the Speed 8’s 4-litre V8 and inserted one of its 48 valves into the Continental’s rotating dashboard display, set behind a glass panel. 

The car’s analogue clock has also been replaced by a 24-hour digital item in another Le Mans inspired detail, with the rest of the cabin adopting a motorsport-led design in place of the Continental’s usual lavish ambience.

Black leather and fabric upholstery covers the seats, steering wheel and dashboard, with carbonfibre trim inlays and red stitching throughout – given the bespoke paint scheme, extensive use of carbon and the inclusion of a genuine Speed 8 engine component, expect the Le Mans Collection to command a sizeable premium over the the standard Continental W12.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Lexus LC500 (2017-2024) review – when Japan built its own Aston Martin
Lexus LC500 – front
In-depth reviews

Lexus LC500 (2017-2024) review – when Japan built its own Aston Martin

Charismatic, distinctive and above all great to drive – the LC500 was a triumph that showed up more flashy and expensive GTs
25 Mar 2025
Used Ferrari 599 GTB (2006 - 2012): review, specs and buying guide for the V12 GT
Ferrari 599 GTB
Reviews

Used Ferrari 599 GTB (2006 - 2012): review, specs and buying guide for the V12 GT

The Ferrari 599 GTB is a front-engined V12 superstar that’s outstanding value, and an eCoty-winner to boot
20 Mar 2025
Used Aston Martin DB9 (2003 – 2015) review, specs and buying guide
Aston Martin DB9 front
Reviews

Used Aston Martin DB9 (2003 – 2015) review, specs and buying guide

A rewarding and thrilling GT for the price of a used hot hatch
19 Mar 2025
Best GT cars 2025 – the ultimate continent crossers
Best GT cars 2025
Best cars

Best GT cars 2025 – the ultimate continent crossers

The best GTs must marry the opulence, comfort, refinement and appointment of a luxury saloon, with the style, performance, engagement and sense of occ…
10 Feb 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Audi RS3 v Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes-AMG A45 S – car pictures of the week
Hot hatch test
Features

Audi RS3 v Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes-AMG A45 S – car pictures of the week

In the latest issue of evo, we test three of the most sophisticated hot hatches on sale against each other on road and track – these are our favourite…
29 Mar 2025
Honda Civic Type R (FN2) – the car world's greatest misses
Honda Civic Type R FN2
Features

Honda Civic Type R (FN2) – the car world's greatest misses

Its lineage contains some hot hatch greats, but the late-noughties Civic wasn’t one of them
26 Mar 2025
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 – front
Reviews

Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power

A screaming 296bhp Honda VTEC engine and a full chassis upgrade package turn the NC-generation Mazda MX-5 into something altogether more thrilling
25 Mar 2025