The new Bentley Continental GTC – Bold, contemporary with sculpted design

The second generation of Bentley’s iconic Continental GTC convertible will debut at next month’s International Automobile Exhibition (IAA) in Frankfurt.

Taking cues from its GT coupe sibling launched last year, the new Continental GTC builds on the highly successful foundation of the previous cabriolet, which premiered in 2006. Bentley’s design and engineering teams have improved virtually every aspect of the iconic convertible with an uncompromising focus on quality.

While the first Continental GTC was elegant and understated, the sharper radii and assertive stance of the new model delivers a more contemporary and muscular presence. Advanced manufacturing techniques produce aluminium front wings without the need for seams or welds creating the look and feel of a coach-built car. Twenty-inch wheels are now standard with three styles of 21-inch wheel, a first for GTC, available as an option, reinforcing the distinctive, sporting stance of the new Bentley.

The four-seater luxury convertible features a new, even more spacious and sumptuous hand-crafted cabin, with soft-touch leather hides, an extensive range of wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets. There are 17 standard soft-touch leather hide colours with six colour split combinations, complemented by a range of seven veneers, all produced by Bentley’s talented craftsmen and women.

The GTC’s renowned coupe-like refinement is also enhanced. The tailored, multi-layered fabric hood is complemented by acoustic glass and under-body panels, for optimum noise isolation.

Superb everyday practicality for a luxury convertible was a hallmark of the original GTC and much valued by its customers. The cabin of the new GTC is now even more practical, with additional rear legroom, new storage solutions and innovative features such as touch-screen infotainment, automatic seat-belt presenters and a Bentley-designed Neck Warmer for comfortable roof-down motoring whatever the temperature.

A wider track, front and rear, sharper steering and retuned suspension provides a more exhilarating and class-leading drive. Bentley’s advanced all-wheel drive system features a new 40:60 rear torque bias (compared with 50:50 of the original GTC) minimising understeer during hard cornering and allowing the spirited driver to manage the car’s line and balance via precise throttle control.

This compelling dynamic package is combined with a more powerful 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine as well as a new QuickShift transmission enabling faster gear changes than ever before. Power output is raised from 560PS to 575PS (567bhp/423kW) and the famed Bentley ‘wave of torque’ has been increased by a further 50Nm to 700Nm (516lb ft).

“The GTC has always been the most emotional model in the Continental range and a showcase for Bentley design. With its tailored soft top, the GTC is a pure British convertible true to those classic Bentleys of the past. However, the technology, performance and overall design excellence invested in this model means that we are now writing a new chapter for the Bentley convertible driver.”

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors.

The Bentley Continental GTC is now available to order and first customer deliveries will begin in late 2011.

Pricing
POUNDS STERLING £149,350
US DOLLAR $212,800 MSRP
EURO €170,060
RENMINBI RMB 3,838,000
YEN ¥26,400,000

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

ENGINE
Type: 6-litre twin-turbocharged W12
Max Power: 567bhp / 423kW / 575PS @ 6000 rev/min
Max Torque: 700Nm / 516lb/ft @ 1700 rev/min

TRANSMISSION       
ZF 6-speed automatic with quickshift and steering wheel-mounted paddleshift
Driveline: Continuous all-wheel drive (40:60 rear bias)
Ratios:
1^st. 4.17
2^nd. 2.34
3^rd. 1.52
4^th. 1.14
5^th. 0.87
6^th 0.69
Final drive: 3.526

BODY CONSTRUCTION
Steel monocoque

BRAKES
Front: 405mm ventilated discs (optional 420mm Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)
Rear: 335mm ventilated discs (optional 356mm, Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)

WHEELS AND TYRES
9.5J x 20” (optional 9.5J x 21”)
Pirelli P Zero 275/40ZR 20 (optional 275/35 ZR21)

STEERING
Type: rack & pinion, power assisted, speed-sensitive ZF servotronic
Turns lock to lock: 2.6 turns
Turning circle: 11.3m

SUSPENSION
Front: Four link double wishbones, computer controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti roll-bar.
Rear: Trapezoidal multi-link, computer-controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti roll-bar.
Damping: Continuous Damping Control, tuned for dynamic performance.

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase	2746mm
Overall Length	4806mm
Width (across body)	1943mm
Width (including mirrors)	2227mm
Overall Height	1403mm
Fuel Tank	90 litres
Boot Volume	260 litres
Kerb Weight (EU)	2495 kg / 5501 lb
Gross Vehicle Weight	2900 kg / 6393 lb

PERFORMANCE
Top Speed: 195 mph (314 km/h)
0 – 60 mph:  4.5 secs (0 – 100 km/h: 4.8 secs)
0 – 100 mph: 10.9 secs (0 – 160 km/h: 10.9 secs)
30 – 50 mph: 2.0 secs (60 – 100 km/h: 2.5 secs)
50 – 70 mph: 2.4 secs (80 – 120 km/h: 3.1 secs)

FUEL CONSUMPTION (EU Cycle) *
Urban	11.1 mpg (25.4 l/100km)
Extra Urban	24.9 mpg (11.4 l/100km)
Combined	17.1 mpg (16.5 l/100km)
CO2 emissions	384g/km

* Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to Type Approval

FUEL CONSUMPTION (EPA Cycle) **
City Driving	11 mpg (US)
Highway Driving	19 mpg (US)
Combined	14 mpg (US)

** Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to EPA certification.

EMISSIONS CONTROLS
EU 5 and US LEV 11