New Continental GT Convertible

1. The Ultra Performance Hybrid

   For the new Continental GTC Speed, a brand-new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain has been developed. The new powertrain combines a new 4.0 litre V8 engine capable of producing 600 PS (584 bhp) with a 190 PS (187 bhp) electric motor. 
   
   System torque is increased by over 11 per cent compared to the outgoing W12-powered Continental GT Speed, from 900 Nm = to 1000 Nm (738 lb ft). System power has also increased by 19 per cent, from 659 PS to 782 PS. This makes the new Continental GT Speed the most powerful Bentley ever, beyond the levels of the second-generation Supersports and the Batur.
   
   The power is delivered via an eight-speed dual clutch transmission and an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) to all four wheels, for exceptional power delivery and reliable traction in all conditions. The system uses active torque vectoring front to rear through a centre differential, and precision vectoring across each axle using the brakes.
   
   The system manages the energy flows dependent upon the mode chosen – with pure EV, electric boost, regenerative braking – and, most importantly for this new GTC Speed – a charge mode, where the engine drives the wheels and charges the battery at the same time.
   
   The new class-leading powertrain delivers extreme performance and sets the latest Continental GTC apart from other competitors - with more horsepower, more torque and a significant drop in CO2 and fuel consumption figures to around one tenth of equivalent conventional petrol powertrains. In turn, this provides an extraordinary range of driving capability, from extreme performance to silent and effortless electric luxury.       
   
   Due to the combination of the V8 engine and electric power, Bentley’s engineers have been able to deliver improved power and torque across the full rev range. This includes a vital boost from the electric motor for strong acceleration from low speeds and throughout the mid-range, combined with increased performance from the V8 engine at higher speeds too. A significant amount of development has also been invested in the exhaust note too, emphasising the cross-plane quality – and without the use of artificial, electronic enhancement.  
   
   Equally impressive are the electric modes, allowing customers to enjoy silent and seamless motoring. In full electric mode, the electric motor alone can deliver 190 PS and 450 Nm, more than enough to keep up with the traffic in most situations. Full electric mode can be deployed at speeds of up to 87 mph / 140 km/h, with throttle applications of up to 75 per cent. The battery can be fully replenished in as little as 2¾ hours thanks to significant improvements in charger and battery capacity, with 11 kW peak charging power.  

A Muscular and Contemporary Design Statement

The new Continental GTC Speed continues the three key design aspects seen through Bentley’s heritage since the iconic R-Type Continental of 1952.

The fourth generation follows the form of the modern two-door Bentley in that it has the stance of a resting beast – muscular but relaxed, and confident with strong, well-defined haunches indicating the power beneath the skin. The favoured image of Bentley’s designers is a tiger at rest – calm and collected, but ready to unleash incredible force.

The front of the car is inspired by the upright elegance of a thoroughbred horse – reinforcing the status of this exceptional luxury grand tourer. Finally, the ‘endless bonnet’ creates a strong horizontal line through the car indicating the high-performance engine and pure speed.

The headlamp features a new horizontal ‘eyebrow,’ a deep crystal cut diamond effect to the top of the lamps and an illuminated lower pattern. The matrix LED lamps contain 120 separate LEDs that are digitally controlled with differing responsibilities for low beam foreground to high beam power boost. 

The rear of the car has also been redesigned including the bumper, taillights, boot lid and exhaust tail pipes. The boot lid incorporates an integrated aerodynamic form to provide rear downforce without the need for a deployable rear spoiler, and the bumper is much more dramatically styled emphasising the width of the car, whilst being cleaner with less embellishment.

New 22” wheels has a strongly directional design again takes inspiration comes from the tiger – with the ‘claws’ of the wheel digging into the road. The new wheel style is offered in dark tint paint with polished accents, gloss black or silver painted.

For the next generation of GT, new colours are being added to the already extensive palette, updating the world-class offer of virtually unlimited paint and interior trim combinations.

This includes a new modern Gravity Grey hide, also offered with a matching sophisticated metallic exterior paint that looks solid until the sunlight hits it, revealing metallic copper accents.

​​​​​​​The Convertible features Bentley’s seven-bow fabric roof system, available in a range of seven exterior colours (including tweed) and deployable in 19 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph (48 km/h). 

The Benchmark Interior

The new grand tourer features a new precision quilt pattern taking inspiration from modern fashion design to the seats and doors. With sculptured quilting, fading perforations and a new quilt embroidery, the cabin provides the ultimate cocooning environment for any extraordinary journey.

The 20-way adjustable seats in the Continental GTC have long set industry standards in comfort and refinement. New interior features include the optional Wellness seating with Postural Adjust and Auto Climate to the front seats, minimizing fatigue and providing a level of relaxation that is truly unique.

The new Dark Chrome Specification provides a more contemporary aesthetic and gives a more understated character to the cabin. This applies to door handles, switches, speak grilles and many other areas around the cabin. Bentley’s bespoke division – Mulliner - will also be offering a collection of unique features enabling further personalisation to the latest model.

A choice of three audio systems is offered in the Continental GTC. The standard system features 10 speakers and 650 Watts, while a Bang & Olufsen 1,500 W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles is aimed at lifestyle-oriented customers. A Naim 2,200 W, 18-speaker system with Active Bass Transducers built into the front seats and eight sound modes is offered for the true audiophile. Laminated acoustic glass is retained for the windscreen and side windows, resulting in a nine-decibel reduction in exterior noise versus non-acoustic glazing. 

The new Continental GTC continues to feature the innovative Bentley Rotating Display – the three-sided display featuring a 12.3” high-definition display, three elegant analogue dials, and an unbroken side of handcrafted veneer. The three sides are selectable at the touch of a button.

The fourth generation Continental GT Convertible Speed benefits from the latest generation of electrical architecture, enabling a significant step forward in infotainment and driver assistance technology. This technology is the most advanced in the luxury segment, and extremely competitive for customers coming to Bentley from premium brands.

The environment display (shown in the drivers instrument panel) supports and enables driving in semi-assisted mode providing feedback to the driver how the car is responding to other vehicles. The vehicle’s understanding of the surrounding environment allows for Intelligent Park Assist – the latest generation self-parking system with speed control. The technology is not just limited to driving aspects. The air conditioning system has been revised to increase cabin wellness including air ionisers, a new particulate matter filter and displays showing air quality outside and inside the vehicle. The new convenience features will make every journey more relaxed experience and can be tailored to reflect customers personal preferences. The system also synchronises with the car’s satellite navigation, knowing when it might be necessary to improve cabin air quality (for example by recirculating the cabin air when in a tunnel).
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The fourth generation Continental will also benefit with the introduction of My Bentley app studio. The new My Bentley App Studio is the next addition to Bentley’s digital ecosystem for customers. Customers can gain access to a wide variety of vehicle and third-party applications which can be downloaded directly, independent of a smartphone to the infotainment system. Applications include, Music, video, gaming, navigation, parking and charging etc. The applications are seamlessly implemented in the infotainment system and can be used safely and reliably even whilst driving. The application portfolio is adapted specifically to each market.

The new Continental GTC Speed benefits from the new Bentley Performance Active Chassis. This includes Active All Wheel Drive, an electronic limited slip differential, all wheel steering, torque vectoring (front to rear and across the axles), Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti roll system, and a new generation of ESC control software. In addition, the car is fitted with a new dual valve damper system and dual chamber air springs, which enables more sophisticated tuning options. The result is that the new cars can achieve an even more impressive combination of performance, handling, and comfort.

The new twin-valve damping brings a number of benefits. The system allows increased force spread between soft and firm settings – the result is reduced compromise between road surface isolation and body control. The damper control ECU now has complete control over independent compression and rebound damping delivering better body control during compression/rebound directional changes.

​​​​​​​Overall dynamic ability, and steering feel, have both been improved by the car’s now perfect weight distribution of 49:51, achieved thanks to the intelligent positioning of the hybrid battery. The weight split brings a car that is inherently balanced during dynamic driving, and permits a range of driving styles to be accessed. With the car’s advanced ESC system fully engaged, the new Continental GTC Speed is completely planted and controls traction to inhibit oversteer. In Dynamic Mode, the car allows some rear axle slip, allowing the driver to control the cornering attitude of the car whilst maintaining a safety net to bring the car back in-line if required. The ESC system can also be completely turned off, at which point the Continental GTC Speed’s cornering stance can be balanced on-throttle by the driver for the most dynamic Bentley driving experience yet.