BENTLEY'S Le Mans limited edition Continental GT Coupes and Continental GTCs are truly an exceptional collection in today's world of motoring.
Not only are there only 48 units globally, but they are also one of the last few to feature Bentley Motors' iconic W12 engine following the announcement of its discontinuation last year.
One of Continental GT units has made its way to Malaysia.
The two models in the collection boast unique exterior and interior details that echo the design of the Le Mans-winning Speed 8 No. 7.
This is to mark the 20th year since Bentley's sixth victory at the 24-hour Le Mans, and 100 years since the first of this legendary endurance race.
Mulliner, Bentley's personal commissioning division, took inspiration from the dark green Speed 8 racing cars that swept all before them at Le Mans in 2003.
Most striking is the Verdant green exterior to the sliver of Speed 8 engine displayed in the fascia, a Moonbeam racing stripe across the bonnet and Coupe roof, the Blackline specification nods to the black and green livery of the Speed 8, and the carbon-fibre styling specification finished in black.
Beluga black is chosen for the lower front bumper, wing mirror caps and rear "horseshoe" area beneath the bootlid spoiler.
The cars run on black 22-inch 10-spoke wheels with carbon ceramic brakes and red brake callipers.
Its distinctive Bentley matrix grille, originally developed to protect the radiator on the unpaved Le Mans racetrack of the 1920s, features a painted #7 in Arctica white — combining the race-winning number of 2003 with the painted radiators of the Bentleys that won Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930.
The collection's bespoke-filled interior is far more luxurious than that of the Bentley Speed 8s, despite sharing the same sense of sporting purpose.
There are many other bespoke details, beginning with the Speed 8 sill plates and six-wreath treadplates.
The fascia displays the six-wreath emblem inlaid into high-gloss carbon fibre, marking each of the six victories.
Other bespoke qualities include a 2003 wreath welcome lamp, Beluga hide trimmed cockpit and seat faces covered in performance-bred napped Dynamica fabric.
The interior's monochrome colour scheme is contrasted by seat stitching and seatbelts in Hotspur.
The steering wheel, trimmed in hide and Dynamica, features Hotspur contrast stitching and a six o'clock accent tab.
The dual-finish veneer on the fascia and door waist rails is draped in Piano Black and high gloss carbon fibre while a fine chrome pinstripe separates the two.
The seamlessly flowing pinstripe glides across from one side to the other across matching doors to the fascia.
One unique feature of the Le Mans Collection Continental GT is the specified three-way Bentley Rotating Display that offers a choice of touchscreen, dual veneer or analogue dials.
It does come with a twist though; In place of the standard central dial is a Vitrine displaying an engine valve from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 of the 2003 Le Mans-winning Bentley Speed 8.
The engine was removed after the contest and preserved, and now 24 of the 32 valves from the engine have been bisected to create 48 artefacts for this exclusive collection of ultimate Grand Tourers.
Another highlight is how the standard 12-hour analogue clock is replaced by a 24-hour digital clock with a bespoke dial design.
As for its renowned engine, the 6.0-litre W12 TSI delivers 659PS and 900Nm of torque. It can sprint from zero to 100kph in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 335kph.
With handling, agility and performance a focal priority, the Bentley Dynamic Ride and three-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping play a key role in its balance as well as overall foundation.
The optional and newly-developed carbon ceramic brakes, variable electronic stability control, all-wheel steering, and an electronically-limited slip differential further bolster its agility and performance.
The car has an estimated price of around RM4.54 million, including taxes.