Executive Power

To celebrate their upcoming centenary, Bentley launched a limited edition Grand Tourer, inspired by its fast and refined predecessor

- Dieter Losskarn

IN IAN FLEMING’S FIRST SPY NOVEL CASINO ROYALE, published in 1953, James Bond was a proper Bentley boy. Racing his 1931 Bentley Blower through the English countryside. Fleming described him as a bit of a car nut, having bought his Bentley in 1933, and kept it in storage during World War II. But when the movie franchise started, another iconic British car manufacturer sneaked in. And Aston Martin became the quintessential 007 car, synonymous with the most famous secret agent in the world. His silver DB5 first driven in Goldfinger in 1964 is an automobile legend. And while Bentley’s Blower can fetch well over an R14 million these days, the more famous DB5s are commanding quite a bit more. The one used in Goldfinger and Thunderball sold for $4 million (R57.7 million) at an auction a few years ago.

The newest rendition of the Bentley Continental GTC should be able to lure Bond back into Bentley. Why? Because it’s also one of the finest and most powerful cars of its day. The obscenely powerful GTC is a monster Bentley as well, with a mighty W12 heart. Not British enough, some might say and, ‘It’s a Volkswagen engine.’ Yes, it is, but pop the hood of a new Aston Martin and you’ll find what? The transplanted powerhouse of another German: AMG.

Back to spy thriller author Fleming: ‘Bond drove his Bentley hard and well, and with almost sensual pleasure.’ Thundering across those twisty Andalusian mountain roads, I totally agree with Mr. Fleming.