TodayApril 15, 2022

100 years of Bentley at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Happy Anniversary Bentley

* The past, present, and future of Bentley will be celebrated at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, including being the featured marque
* the future of grand touring will make its US debut with the EXP 100 GT
* First public showing of the third generation, all-new Flying Spur – the definitive luxury four-door Grand Tourer
* Bentley will display the Continental and Bentayga lines
* The Continental GT that broke the Pikes Peak record will lead the Centenary Parade
* Bentley celebrates 100 years of British craftsmanship and design
* W.O. Bentley Tour of pre-war Bentleys to feature iconic Team Blower

It’s another celebration in Monterey, California during Monterey Car Week. As part of its 100-year celebration, Bentley announces the events for Monterey Car Week and is introducing the British models they will host August 15th-18th. To celebrate the occasion there will be two models making their debut, the all-new Flying Spur luxury four-door Grand Tourer, and the EXP 100 GT: a vision of luxury mobility in 2035.

2035? Yes, in 2035.

The third-generation Flying Spur

Bentley says new standards of driving enjoyment and luxury, through the application of cutting-edge and modern technology will be in the new Flying Spur. Bentley is seamlessly integrating the latest British craftsmanship and innovation features to create refinement and attention to detail.

The new Flying Spur will be a technological tour de force with the most advanced luxury Grand Touring four-door available. Alongside its new and advanced aluminum and composite chassis, the Flying Spur features a first for Bentley – an optional Electronic All-Wheel Steering. Couple that with Active All-Wheel Drive and the acclaimed Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti-roll system powered by a 48V architecture. The all-new Flying Spur will be on display on August 16th at the Quail.

The Flying spur joins the EXP 100 GT concept car, which makes its United States debut. With the EXP 100 GT, Bentley says they have reimagined the idea of Grand Touring for the future.

The EXP 100 GT is pure Bentley. It is inspired by intelligent forward-thinking customers and the company’s deep understanding of their desires. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used as a means to reassert the car as a place for creating, experiencing, and capturing extraordinary human experiences and emotions.

It displays the future of luxury craftsmanship with a seamless fusion of materials and the intelligent curation of technology. The vehicle’s battery system will power four motors that deliver superior performance. Estimated performance figures include a 0-60 mph time of fewer than 2.5 seconds, a top speed of 186 miles per hour, and maximum torque of 1,500 Nm. The EXP 100 GT will make its US debut at The Quail on Friday, can be seen at the Home of Bentley on Saturday, and then as a special display adjacent to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Concept Lawn on Sunday, August 18th.

There’s a Bentley APP for that

On August 12th Bentley will launch a new and dedicated app for Apple devices. The Bentley 100 AR app uses a QR code that will give the user an augmented reality experience of the exterior and interior of the EXP 100 GT. Users can interact with a virtual version of the concept car in full scale, by using the app at selected Bentley car dealerships.

Bentley is a featured marque at Sunday’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. There will be numerous classic models competing in the Bentley Centennial classes, including Vintage 4 Cylinder, Vintage 6 Cylinder, Derby and Postwar.

Bentley will show several all-new and soon-to-be-available vehicles for the US market, including the all-new Continental GT V8 – coupe and convertible – as well as the Bentayga portfolio of Design Series, Speed, V8, and Hybrid. Of particular interest will be the record-breaking Pikes Peak Continental GT – the sedan that recently conquered the world-famous Colorado hill climb course in 8.4 seconds – faster than any other production vehicle in Pikes Peak history.

A Centenary Parade

During the famed Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca on Saturday, August 17th, Bentley will showcase an impactful heritage display during a100-year Parade before the vintage races. More than 30 pre-war Bentleys – courtesy of the W.O. Bentley Tour – and current production vehicles will set out on the 2.238-mile track. Leading the parade will be Bentley’s own 1929 4.5 liter Team Blower, flanked by the record-setting hill-climbing Pikes Peak Continental GT and new Continental GT Convertible.

Bentley Crewe in America

Set within the walls of a private home close to The Lodge at Pebble Beach, the Home of Bentley is a four-day showcase that demonstrates Bentley’s flawless craftsmanship and design expertise.

Highlights include the Crewe in America experience, where the factory in Crewe materializes in Monterey, California. The brand’s unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation come to life through an interactive commissioning studio, demonstrations of the highly intricate workings of the Bentley factory, test drives of the latest range, and a Bentley Boutique offering the most exquisite gifts and accessories.

Throughout the weekend, the Home of Bentley will feature a selection of new and visionary vehicles, including the new Flying Spur, EXP 100 GT, Continental GT V8 Coupe, and Convertible, and Bentayga range.

Combined, the activities planned on and off the Monterey peninsula showcase the evolution of the marque since 1919, while illustrations of Bentley past, present, and future highlight the brand’s power heading into the next 100 years.

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Lou Ann Hammond

Lou Ann Hammond is the CEO of Carlist and Driving the Nation. She is the co-host of Real Wheels Washington Post carchat every Friday morning and is the Automotive, energy correspondent for The John Batchelor Show and a Contributor to Automotive Electronics magazine headquartered in Korea. Hammond is a founding member of the Women's World Car of the Year #WWCOTY, and board member of the Women in Automotive.

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