Some the world’s most coveted, historic automobiles will be displayed at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, to be held this weekend (18-19 August) at Monterey Peninsula, California. It will also be the event where Bentley Motors will make its North American debut for two new models – the Continental GT Speed and the EXP 9 F luxury SUV concept.
The Continental GT Speed, the British automaker’s performance flagship is company’s fastest ever production model, with its 4.0-second 0-60mph sprint and its 205-mph top speed during the static display. The most notable upgrading on its muscular, elegantly sculpted coachwork are the dark-tinted matrix front grille and lower air intakes, ‘rifled’ finish to the exhaust tailpipes and unique 21-inch alloy wheels. It will be available for purchase starting in October of this year.
For the EXP 9 F SUV, Bentley hopes to make it the fastest and most luxurious SUV in the world. The concept car combines a stunning interior at the pinnacle of craftsmanship and technology with a dramatic and purposeful exterior.
“Pebble Beach and the spectacular scenery of the Monterey Peninsula provide the perfect venue for automotive connoisseurs and enthusiasts from around the world to display and celebrate the very best of motoring,” said Christophe Georges, president & COO of Bentley Motors, Inc. “It also serves as an ideal backdrop for Bentley to showcase not only its latest production model, the Continental GT Speed, but also, with the EXP 9 F SUV concept, to provide a glimpse into Bentley’s future.”
A trio of classic Bentley models (1931 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre SC “Blower” Sports 2/3 Seater Boattail – presale estimate: $8-10 million; 1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Vanden Plas Le Mans Sports “Bobtail” – presale estimate: $5.5-7.5 million and 1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Drop Head Coupe – presale estimate: $150,000 – $250,000) will also be auctioned off by Gooding and Company on August 18th and the 19th, while RM Auctions will have a 2001 Bentley Speed 8 Le Mans Prototype Racing Car on the 18th.