One Down, Eight to Go: First Bentley Continental GTZ Delivered

When Zagato displayed a reworked version of the new Bentley Continental

GT

Speed, called the Continental GTZ, it was tight lipped on whether or

not it would go into production. A little more than a month after its

first showing as a concept, Zagato has actually delivered the first

unit to a customer, confirming that it indeed is a production-ready

model, or that Zagato will be building versions that are identical in

appearance to the concept.

Zagato-rebodies

are comprehensive, and the GTZ is no exception. It features the

trademark “double bubble” roof, and practically every body panel has

been reworked, with great emphasis on the grille. Zagato even fitted

new LED taillights to the GTZ at a cost of 50,000 euros apiece.

Reportedly, the conversion costs about 500,000 euros, or more than

twice the price of the standard car, which, by the way, is not factored

in. When all is said and done,

a brand new GTZ would cost about 800,000

euro. To those considering the GTZ, money is less of a concern than

individuality. Bentley will sell quite a few GT Speeds in the coming

year; Zagato will sell only a grand total of nine of its new GTZ, each

unit different from the next in appearance and ambiance.

Mechanically,

the GTZ and the GT Speed remain the same, featuring a 600-hp version of

the twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine and six-speed automatic

transmission. Because the engine is untouched, the GTZ still carries

the official Bentley warranty.