Bentley to show Mulsanne Le Mans Limited Edition at Pebble Beach

Tue, 13 Aug 2013

We already knew Bentley was planning a new Le Mans Limited Edition for its flagship Mulsanne, but we finally have our first info and images for this new model that celebrates the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Fortunately, since these two studio images surely don't do the Mulsanne proper justice, it will be unveiled this week at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and we'll be there to check it out.

As a refresher, the Bentley Mulsanne Le Mans Limited Edition stands out with diamond-quilted leather on the seats and door panels, sport-tuned steering and suspension, special quad exhaust finishers and two-piece alloy wheels with a dark accent and triple-spoke design. Along with this commemorative Mulsanne, Bentley will also have the Continental Le Mans Limited Edition and the Continental GT3 racecar on hand for the festivities in Monterey.

Scroll down for more info on the Mulsanne, as well as some information on a few of the ultra-rare Bentleys that will be auctioned off this weekend.

MULSANNE LE MANS LIMITED EDITION MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT PEBBLE BEACH

Continental Range of Le Mans Limited Edition models on display

1931 Bentley 4½ Litre Supercharged Le Mans headlines a series of vintage Bentleys to be auctioned during the Monterey Classic Car Week

(Pebble Beach, 13 August 2013). The past meets the present for Bentley this year as California's Monterey Peninsula is primed for a week of the world's most coveted historic automobile displays and events. Bentley continues to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race, as it debuts the Le Mans Limited Edition Mulsanne. This model complements the Continental range of Le Mans Limited Edition models which are available exclusively to North America.

"2013 is the 90th Anniversary of the first Le Mans 24 Hours race, in which Bentley was the only British marque to participate, and also the 10th Anniversary of the most recent win for the Speed 8 in 2003," said Christophe Georges, COO of Bentley Motors America. "Pebble Beach, for us, is the ideal place to debut and display our Le Mans Limited Edition Mulsanne model and to showcase our flagship vehicle in its Limited Edition livery to a very knowledgeable audience of automotive enthusiasts and Bentley owners from around the world."

The Le Mans Edition specifications are a blend of sportsmanship and heritage matched to the highest standards of technology and craftsmanship. The specifications, each inspired by a driver from Bentley's six victories at the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race, will feature diamond-quilted hide seat covering, diamond-quilted hide door panels, drilled alloy foot pedals, sports tuned suspension and steering, 'Quad' Effect Tailpipe Finishers and two-piece five spoke dark tint alloy wheels.

The iconic Bentley Blower and the 2003 Le Mans winning Speed 8, along with its driver Guy Smith, join Bentley at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Friday. The Flying Spur, Bentley's new luxury four door sedan and the Continental GT Speed, Bentley's fastest production model ever, will also be on display at this exclusive gathering set upon the rolling greens of The Quail Lodge and Golf Club.

Following its world debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, Bentley will present the Continental GT3 race car at The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion held at the Laguna Seca Raceway. The car, together with members of the Bentley Motorsports team, will be on display in the Laguna Seca Raceway paddock from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th August. Following this appearance, the Continental GT3 will continue its programme of developmental track work ahead of the planned return to competitive racing in 2014.

Auctions of Vintage and Classic Cars

Pebble Beach is renowned for its car auctions and the highlight of the series of vintage Bentleys to be auctioned during the week is the 1931 Bentley 4½ Litre Supercharged Le Mans. This car is one of only three Original Le Mans Specification production Supercharged cars built and it is perhaps a quirk of fate that this car is to be auctioned at the same time as the new Le Mans Limited Edition debuts in the United States.

In 2013, the following classic Bentleys are being auctioned, including some of the most significant Bentleys in the marque's history.

Bonhams will auction one Bentley on Friday, August 16th -

1931 Bentley 4 ½ Litre Supercharged Le Mans

Gooding and Company will auction three Bentleys between Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th -

1929 Bentley Speed Six Grafton Coupe

1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback

1958 Bentley S1 Continental Saloon

RM Auctions will auction two Bentleys on Saturday, August 18th -

1932 Bentley 8-Litre Saloon

1937 Bentley 4 ¼ Litre Concealed Head Coupe

By Jeffrey N. Ross