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2019 Bentley Continental GT: High fashion at its best

The new 2019 Bentley Continental GT has been revealed, and it is a stunner. It shows a healthy influence from the brand's recent show cars, especially the EXP 10 Speed 6. This is a very positive thing. Whereas the exterior of the second-generation car looked exactly like that of the first, the new car sports fresh surfacing that is at once more elegant and more athletic, while also delighting in technical detailing that deepens upon second and third glance. The styling of a six-figure, ultra-luxury Grand Tourer must evolve slowly for a number of reasons. Their wealthy buyers – looking for a prime valet spot at the country club more than at the night club – tend to be a bit more conservative in their tastes than those in the market for a knife-edged exotic. They also prefer their recently purchased six-figure, ultra-luxury Grand Tourer not to be rendered irrelevant in the status game by the introduction of a radically differentiated new model. This is especially true for Bentley and its Continental GT. This model, launched back in 2004, though tracing its roots back much further, brought the company's design out of the anachronistically (if delightfully) baroque and into the aerodynamically imposing modern era. It was the first true 21st century Bentley, decades ahead of the neoclassic design it replaced while faithfully harkening back to cues from the marque's venerable history, especially its long flanking body line, and conspicuous rear haunches. It immediately became Bentley's best seller, a position it has maintained until this year, when it's been outsold slightly by the gauche and indistinct Bentayga SUV. We believe this error will correct once the new GT is available. Much of the success of the design comes from its transference to a platform shared with the new Porsche Panamera. The previous-generation Continentals were built on underpinnings originally created for the VW Phaeton, a configuration that was, at heart, front-drive with all-wheel-drive capabilities, packaging that required engine placement ahead of the front axle. This new stablemate has a rear-wheel-drive bias, allowing for more traditional and gracious grand touring proportions on the surface. It reflects the movement of the engine farther back on the chassis, with a long hood and more hunkered-down and planted rear. We detect luscious shades of 1960s Ferrari Superfast cues in this tapering front-to-rear, side-to-side and along the flanks.

You can buy the Queen's Bentley Mulsanne for $285,000

Want to feel like a king or queen driving around town? You'll want a Bentley. After all, the British automaker furnished the royal household of Queen Elizabeth II with the bespoke State Limousine, and delivered the very first new Bentayga to Her Majesty as well. But if you're keen to get a little closer to that sovereign feeling, might we suggest buying the Queen's own Bentley – namely, the Mulsanne you see here. Listed for sale on Auto Trader by a dealership in Surrey, this particular Bentley Mulsanne was reportedly used exclusively by the British monarch from 2012 to 2014. She's said to have used it during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations that marked her 60th year of reign four years ago, as well as for a visit to Prime Minister David Cameron's office at 10 Downing Street for his inaugural cabinet meeting. We wouldn't be surprised if she took over the wheel from her chauffeur from time to time, either. The Muslanne is said to have only 5,826 miles on the odometer – 5,000 of which was racked up in Her Majesty's service, secret or otherwise. On that note, there is no mention of 007-esque gadgetry or basic armoring you might expect from a head of state's car. Provenance aside, this being a Mulsanne, it's motivated by Bentley's ancient 6.75-liter V8, not the gauche 6.0-liter W12 or 4.0-liter V8 in the nouveau riche Continental. It's done up in classic dark green with a tan leather interior and walnut burr veneer trim, and can be yours for GBP199,850 – or $285k at today's exchange rates. Of course you could pick up a new one for not much more, but then you wouldn't be riding around in the Queen's own wheels, now would you? Related Video: Featured Gallery 2012 Bentley Mulsanne - ex-Queen Elizabeth II News Source: Auto Trader Bentley Car Buying Luxury Sedan bentley mulsanne queen elizabeth ii

Every Bentley Continental GT No. 9 Edition has Le Mans history built into its interior

Bentley is amidst a year-long celebration of its 100th birthday, and part of the festivities is the reveal of the "ultimate collector's version" of the new Continental GT. The Number 9 Edition by Mulliner is a highly customized tribute to Sir Henry Ralph Stanley 'Tim' Birkin and his "Blower" Bentley and includes a Le Mans artifact that gives the car an unattainable rarity. As seen in the photos, this Continental GT wears its name on its nose. The large 9 in the grille is a nod to the No. 9 4.5-liter Blower Bentley that Birkin raced at the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hours. What Bentley claims to be the iconic Bentley racer of the pre-war era had a supercharger that upped power from 110 brake horsepower to 175. Now, in 2019, part of that racecar will be in each of the 100 No. 9 Edition cars. Those familiar with the new Continental GT remember it features a "rotating display" within its dashboard. It can flip between a smooth piece of trim to the infotainment screen to an assembly of three dials and/or gauges. On the No. 9 Edition, the center gauge on the rotating display has a visible piece of the wooden seat from the 1930 Le Mans car. It can be seen at the 1:30 mark in the video below. It is just one piece of the custom interior that also features turned aluminum trim, and a British Jaeger clock face inspired by the Blower's original dials. Customers have the choice between Cumbrian Green or Beluga leather, which Bentley says have increased gloss levels. The seat headrests and the door panels have been debossed with Bentley's "B" logo, and the door sill plates have plaques marking, "1 of 100." A final touch of elegance is the 18-karat gold plating on the vent pull knobs. The No. 9 Edition comes in two colors: Viridian Green or Beluga Black. The 21-inch 10-spoke wheels can be ordered with color match, and several specialty badges have been added to the car, including "1919 to 2019" centenary badges that are seen on every Bentley built in 2019. The No. 9 comes standard with the Continental GT's Black Line package and the carbon bodykit package. Bentley made no mention of price, but considering only 100 will be built, they're likely already accounted for. The No. 9 Edition will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Featured Gallery Bentley Continental GT No. 9 Edition by Mulliner News Source: Bentley Geneva Motor Show Bentley Coupe Luxury Performance limited edition Mulliner