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Geneva '08 Preview: Zagato-designed Bentley Continental GTZ
by Noah Joseph on Feb 29th 2008 at 10:28AM 
Click above to view high-res gallery of Bentley Continental GTZ
This may come as a bit of a surprise to anyone who's been following the agonizing bit-by-bit release of a number of concept cars in advance of the Geneva Motor Show, but one Italian design studio has chosen to forgo the teasing and release all the details of its show car all at once. In fact, we hadn't heard anything about Zagato's coachbuilt Bentley since the initial report from last December, but the famed Milanese carrozzeria has revealed that it will be unveiling the car at the show now only days away.
Called the Bentley Continental GTZ, following the familiar nomenclature last seen on the 2006 Ferrari 575 GTZ, Zagato's interpretation on the stately grand tourer manages to be instantly recognizable as both a Bentley and a Zagato design. Based on the effortlessly fast Continental GT Speed, the latest Zagato retains, to the best of our knowledge at this point, the donor car's considerable mechanics, over which the Zagato Atelier has fitted unique two-tone coachwork in classic British racing green with Zagato's signature subtle double-bubble contrasting roof in medium silver. Other typically Zagato touches include the sharply-creased fenders, elegant tail and curvy rear window. We have a feeling this is going to be one of those cars that looks even better in person than it does in images, which you can see for yourself in the gallery below, and we're looking forward to getting up close and personal with this custom Anglo-Italian creation on the show floor. Thanks to Claudio for the tip!
[Source: OmniAuto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Avinash machado 10:30AM (2/29/2008)
Cone?
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Sam 10:38AM (2/29/2008)
every time i see a zagato design, i throw up a little in my mouth. they need to hire to new blood because there recent stuff is horrible!
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Nick 10:40AM (2/29/2008)
NO way - I love this. I also love the Aston Martin DB7 by Zagato. Their designs tend to be hit or miss, but I think this is a hit!
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The Doctor 10:41AM (2/29/2008)
No, no, no and no. It looks like those hideous Japanese bonsai Mark II Jaguars.
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Dev 10:42AM (2/29/2008)
RIP - the original Bentley (which was murdered for this exercise)
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John P. 10:43AM (2/29/2008)
except for the grille, this is one of the best looking bentley's I've ever seen.
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Rick 10:58AM (2/29/2008)
That is one mean looking car. Very aggressive, I love it.
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Pdexter 11:08AM (2/29/2008)
Stunner
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Guenther 11:09AM (2/29/2008)
Yes, Cone- 'a solid with an ovaloid cross section that tapers at one end.
Aside from the slots in the hood, I have to say that Italian styling houses still turn out the most beautiful designs.
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dewfish 11:24AM (2/29/2008)
that is awesome....
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Alex Nunez 12:05PM (2/29/2008)
Count me in with the "No" contingent. This is a horror show.
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Jason Bird 3:27PM (2/29/2008)
Every Zagato car I have ever seen looks better in person than in a photo. They are far too complex to come across two dimensionally. Except for the Lancia Beta Zagato...they don't come across at all.
Dave 12:57PM (2/29/2008)
It looks like a very ugly 300C. And the 300C isn't that hot to begin with, but it's not cringe worthy like this! Yikes!
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almost Dr. G.. 10:34AM (3/02/2008)
this does look like the 300c.
although i like the 300c it puts bentley to shame to say that it looks like a 300c.
ugg.tryptophan 1:26PM (2/29/2008)
its kind of a showoff vehicle, a shame because the Continental is a very tasteful car
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Iridium 1:43PM (2/29/2008)
It looks like Bentley's evil demented stepsister. If it wasn't based on a Bentley it could be an alright design but when you base a car on a mark that has such history like Bentley, and then through away all the details that makes it a distinctive British design, it just fails.
The sketch looks a lot better than the actual car. Which is the case a lot of times.
Reminds me of the Giaguaro Mustang. It is a very cool overall design but in the end really didn't look like a Mustang anymore. There was nothing American about it.
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JM 4:59PM (2/29/2008)
Wasn't the Continental GT designed by a German (or Belgian)? I think of it as a Teutonic design with some traditional Bentley styling cues thrown in.
Emeka Diribe 3:17PM (2/29/2008)
The epitome of beauty
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mk 4:00PM (2/29/2008)
Gorgeous.
This is the closest thing yet to re-creating the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato.
The DB7 Zagatos were not as good looking.
This bentley looks great, and I always love the double-bubble roofline, to reduce the roof's frontal area in the center, where it would normally be the highest.
I'd not have gone two-tone on the paint, though. Brooklands green monotone would be fine.
A WELL-turned british car with an italian coach-built body... a thing of beauty.
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Fooman 7:58PM (2/29/2008)
Why mess with perfection....
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