- 2019 marks 100 years of Bentley’s extraordinary story
- Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner to make Chinese debut
- Exquisite limited edition restricted to just 100 examples
- Unique model displayed alongside W.O. Bentley’s personal 8 Litre car
- Pioneering Bentayga Hybrid revealed in China for first time
- Luxury hybrid represents Bentley’s first step towards electrification
- The definition of luxury Grand Touring: third generation Continental GT and GT Convertible also confirmed at show
(Crewe, 09 April 2019) Bentley is celebrating its centenary year with an exquisite range of luxury cars at Auto Shanghai 2019.
The Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner will make its Chinese debut alongside the 8 Litre once owned by Bentley’s founder himself. Bringing the brand story up to date, the all-new Bentayga Hybrid and Continental GT and GTC models will also be on show.
The Mulsanne W.O Edition by Mulliner pays homage to W.O. Bentley – the founding father of the company. His own personal 8 Litre model – the last car he designed for Bentley in 1930 – will also be on display on the Bentley stand at the Shanghai event, which starts on 16 April.
Alongside this historic vehicle is the pioneering, all-new Bentayga Hybrid – the go-anywhere SUV that represents Bentley’s first step towards electrification. The world’s first luxury hybrid model combines an advanced electric motor with a new V6 petrol engine, and is Bentley’s most efficient model ever.
The all-new Continental GT and GT Convertible will also be making their first appearance at the Auto Shanghai show. The third generation models are the definitive Grand Tourers and have been designed, engineered and handcrafted in Britain. Each combines a bold, sculptured exterior design with an innovative, stylish interior and is the ultimate statement of luxury.
Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner – A Truly Unique Car
Bentley Motors demonstrates the beauty of bespoke with a new, limited edition Mulsanne that will be on view in China for the first time.
The Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner pays homage to the founding father of the company and incorporates a genuine piece of Bentley history inside every car. A slice of crankshaft taken from W.O. Bentley’s personal 8 Litre model is beautifully displayed inside each of these 100 very special Mulsannes.
Designed to mark Bentley’s centenary milestone this year, the W.O. Edition can be specified on any of the three-model Mulsanne range (Signature and Extended Wheelbase only in China).
Key features on every W.O. Edition include a colour split interior cut from Heritage Hide, elegant body-coloured wheels and a handcrafted cocktail cabinet in the rear, featuring the unique slice of crankshaft set into the armrest.
The Iconic Bentley 8 Litre
The 8 Litre on display on the Bentley stand in Shanghai is the car that inspired the new W.O. Edition by Mulliner. It was described as W.O. Bentley’s finest Grand Tourer when launched in 1930 and featured a saloon body crafted by H.J. Mulliner.
The most powerful and luxurious Bentley of the era, the car, originally registered GK 706, featured a 7,983cc straight-six engine that was remarkably powerful.
W.O. famously said of the 8 Litre: “I have always wanted to produce a dead silent 100-mph car, and now I think we have done it.”
Bentley’s founding father was forced to sell his own 8 Litre car in 1931 but it was bought back by Bentley Motors in 2006 and underwent a painstaking restoration. It is now one of the major attractions in the Bentley Motors Lineage Exhibition, situated at company headquarters in Crewe, England.
Bentayga Hybrid – The Pioneering Bentley
On the stand at Shanghai, making its China debut, is the Bentayga Hybrid. The world’s first luxury hybrid offers a serene driving experience and is Bentley’s first step towards full electrification.
Offering the best of both worlds, the new plug-in hybrid combines an advanced electric motor with a powerful and efficient, new-generation V6 petrol engine. The Bentayga Hybrid is the company’s most efficient model ever with CO2 emissions of 75 g/km combined (NEDC).
With an electric-only range of over 50 km (NEDC), the new Hybrid can be fully charged at home in just 2.5 hours. It feels and rides like a true Bentley, providing the refinement, effortless performance and sublimely tranquil cabin for which the luxury British brand is famed.
New Continental GT – The Definition of Grand Touring
Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Britain, the new third-generation Bentley Continental GT and GT Convertible will also make their Auto Shanghai debut.
Both models combine spirited, focused performance with handcrafted luxury and cutting-edge technology, creating the finest coupe and open-top Grand Tourers ever produced.
At the heart of the new Continental GT sits an all-new, enhanced version of Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine, mated, for the first time, to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission, for faster, more efficient gear changes. The engine delivers 635 PS (625 bhp) and 900 Nm (664 lb.ft) and 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds (0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds), with a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph). [Continental GT WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption, mpg (l/100km) – Combined 20.8 (13.6). Combined CO₂ – 308g/km.]
The interior of the new Continental GT showcases Bentley’s unrivalled expertise in the authentic use of materials, from the highest-quality natural leathers, to rare, sustainably sourced veneers – including Koa, Bentley’s newest veneer – and hand-polished chrome details.
A notable feature is the revolutionary Bentley Rotating Display. The 12.3” touchscreen is housed in a three-sided unit, which revolves at the touch of a button. It changes from an exquisite veneer frontage to reveal the advanced touchscreen, or three elegant analogue dials.
The all-new Continental GT Convertible is beautiful roof up, or down. The finely tailored roof – available in contemporary tweed for the first time – sweeps open in 19 seconds to reveal a luxurious, handcrafted interior.
The Convertible is now 20 per cent lighter and five per cent stiffer than the previous model. Performance is also enhanced, with 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds (0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds) and a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph). [Continental GT Convertible WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption, mpg (l/100km) – Combined 20.2 (14.0). Combined CO₂ – 317g/km.]
Bentley’s Centenary – 100 Years of Extraordinary
July 10, 2019 marks Bentley’s 100th year – an extraordinary milestone achieved by only a few companies. To celebrate the occasion, a year-long series of special activities has been planned, with celebrations at events around the world.
They will showcase Bentley’s motoring evolution over the last 100 years, highlighting its global success today and the exciting future ahead – all thanks to one man’s determination and drive for innovation.
