BENTLEY CONTI GT (2003) vs BENTLEY CONTI GT SPEED (2023)

The car that relaunched Bentley turned 20 this year. But has it actually gone anywhere?

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IS THE CONTIGT REALLY 20 YEARS OLD?

Yes, it's two whole decades since the two-door W12 coupe spearheaded the VW Group-bankrolled resurgence of the bewinged Crewe marque. The Mkl version was heavily revamped in 2010 then replaced entirely in 2018, so the only component these two share are the motors for retracting the rear side windows.

HOW MUCH DID THE CONTINENTAL REVITALISE BENTLEY?

Its effect was sensational. In 1998 Bentley sold just 414 new cars. But £500m of factory investment later, and thanks to a platform which also supported VW supremo Ferdinand Piëch's Phaeton superlimo, Bentley had a £110k bestseller shifting over 7,000 examples a year by 2004. These days one in every three Bentleys sold is a Conti. 

STILL BIG, HEAVY, AND LUXEY: WHAT'S CHANGED?