Bentley Continental GT First Edition previewed in Malaysia – limited units, priced at RM2.15 million

Fresh from launching the all-new Bentley Continental GT last month, Bentley Kuala Lumpur held a preview of the First Edition model to selected individuals and media. Essentially a Continental GT with some special touches and a few options bundled in as standard, the limited edition variant is said to be the ultimate expression of Bentley’s grand tourer, specially curated by its design team.

Only those with a keen eye will be able to spot a First Edition from the outside, with telltale cues limited to the Union Jack fender badges. The exterior design of the Continental GT has been otherwise left untouched – and given that the latest third-generation model is arguably the best looking yet, that’s not such a bad thing.

More sets the car apart on the inside, starting with the First Edition-branded tread plates, a badge on the dashboard and contrast stitching on the “diamond-in-diamond” quilted leather upholstery. The car also comes as standard with dual veneer trim, with four wood options – Tamo Ash, Liquid Amber, Dark Stained Madrona and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus – paired with Grand Black that is exclusive to the First Edition.

Another standard feature on the First Edition is the Bentley Rotating Display, which enables the driver to switch between the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a set of analogue gauges – all hidden by a wood veneer panel when the engine is switched off. Mood lighting and illuminated door sills – available in a number of colours – are also part of the equipment list.

The base 650-watt, 10-speaker sound system remains, but you can also specify a 1,500-watt, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo as an optional extra. The car you see here is equipped with the top-of-the-range Naim system with 18 speakers and a massive 2,200 watt output.

A number of equipment packages that would have cost a fortune on the standard Continental GT have been thrown into the mix. This includes the Mulliner Driving Specification, which features 22-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels, sports pedals and jewelled-finish oil and fuel filler caps.

Meanwhile, the City Specification adds hands-free boot opening, pedestrian warning, traffic sign recognition and city braking, while the Touring Specification throws in adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, active lane assist, a head-up display, night vision with an infrared camera and pre-sense braking.

The mechanicals are untouched, so the First Edition retains the 6.0 litre twin-turbocharged, direct-injected W12 that produces 626 hp at 6,000 rpm and a tree-pulling 900 Nm of torque from 1,350 rpm to 4,500 rpm. A new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sends that power to all four corners via an active all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring through braking.

So equipped, the big two-door – still weighing north of two tonnes, mind, despite being 85 kg lighter than before – sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 333 km/h. At the same time, the use of cylinder deactivation and start/stop – which can switch the engine off even when coasting to a stop – cuts fuel consumption to 12.2 litres per 100 km.

Suspension is handled by front double wishbones and rear multilinks, with standard air suspension and 48-volt fully-adaptive roll control first seen on the Bentayga. Bentley calls it Dynamic Ride, and uses electronic actuators to control the anti-roll bar on each axle, improving both handling and ride comfort.

Last but not least, the pricing. While the standard Continental GT starts from RM1.9 million before options, GST, road tax and registration, a fully decked out First Edition like the one you see here – which comes with options such as the aforementioned Naim sound system – will set you back an estimated RM2.15 million. That’s certainly plenty of dosh to put down on a car, but you pays your money…

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