Bentley’s current Continental GT Speed model has its roots deeply embedded in the car maker’s genealogical tree, as Bentley demonstrates with its latest video.
It isn’t hard to see where the new model gets its attributes, as the Continental GT Speed is the lineal descendant of what the British car maker calls “the first grand tourer” and the first Bentley to bear the Continental name; we’re talking of course about the 1952 R-Type Continental, the fastest four-seater in the world at the time of its launch, capable of a top speed of 120 mph (193 km/h).
Only 208 examples of this terrific, automobile were produced, with the majority of them bodied by Mulliner – a name associated with the Volkswagen-owned car maker to this day – laying the foundation of future Bentleys. In fact, its elegant design and muscular styling cues have remained a fundamental part of the Continental line-up, leaving its mark on the modern GT as well.
You don’t have to be a designer to observe the similarities between the two models – separated by six decades – as even the headlights on the new car are reminiscent of the old Bentley. In other words, the modern GT Speed is the contemporary equivalent of the R-Type, being an elegant, powerful four-seater, which bears “the fastest production car ever made by Bentley” honor.
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