the new bentley continental gt
new, sculptured exterior exudes quality and design integrity.
Contemporary, hand-crafted cabin with class-leading refinement.
More powerful w12 engine at launch with flexfuel capability.
A new high-efficiency v8 from late 2011.
Dynamic, engaging driving experience.
Class-leading infotainment systems.
(7 september 2010, crewe, england.) for crewe’s design and engineering teams, the new continental gt coupe is an opportunity to set a bold and exciting direction for one of bentley’s most revered names – the continental. The seminal and highly successful continental gt introduced in 2003 represented the first step in bentley’s renaissance and defined a whole new market segment. It was a luxury gt offering excellent usability that remained true to the bentley grand touring spirit.
Now the new continental gt 4-seat coupe builds on the success of its iconic predecessor, capturing that gt spirit but with even higher standards of design, engineering, luxury, craftsmanship, dynamic performance, everyday practicality and refinement.
A beautifully sculptured new body gives the gt coupe an even crisper, more defined appearance. The contemporary interior offers new levels of cabin design, comfort and hand-crafted luxury. The seats, for example, provide even greater support and rear leg-room; a sweeping dashboard even more style and modernity. The new touchscreen infotainment system features state-of-the-art navigation, google maps and entertainment while the latest balanced mode radiator speaker technology and dirac dimensions™ digital sound processing deliver enhanced audio quality.
Bentley’s acclaimed 6-litre, 12-cylinder, twin-turbocharged powertrain now has a raised power output of 575ps (567bhp/423kw) and 700nm (516lb ft) of torque and this is mated to a new quickshift transmission which enables double downshifts. Thanks to advanced flexfuel technology it can also run on both standard unleaded petrol (gasoline) and sustainable bioethanol (up to e85) or any mix of the two.
In late 2011 an all-new, high-output 8-cylinder engine will also be available to order. This advanced power unit will deliver a 40 percent reduction in emissions compared with the w12 engine and will offer a class-leading co2 emissions-to-power ratio with bentley levels of performance and refinement.
Both engines are coupled to an all-wheel drive system with a sporty 40:60 rear-torque bias (compared with the 50:50 bias of the original continental gt), minimising understeer during hard cornering and allowing the experienced driver to control the car’s line and balance via precise throttle control.
“the new continental gt is an automotive work of art, with superb craftsmanship and elegant, contemporary design. It drives like a supercar, but without the usual sacrifices in ride or practicality. It is a car that you can enjoy every moment of every day.”
dr franz-josef paefgen, chairman and chief executive
the new continental gt coupe – at a glance
sculptured exterior design
advanced production techniques such as aluminium super forming (front wings and boot lid) allow for a more sculpted body and sharp ‘power lines’
unique jewelled headlamps with led daytime-running lights
more upright matrix radiator grille and new ‘double horseshoe’ rear profile first shown on the flagship bentley mulsanne
contemporary, hand-crafted cabin
new interior with a bold, sweeping dashboard and instrument panel finished in premium, soft-touch leather hides
distinctive ‘cobra’-design seats for added comfort and enhanced rear cabin space
a new touchscreen, 30gb infotainment system introduces advanced satellite navigation with dynamic route guidance, seven-digit postcode entry and google map compatibility (market specific)
audio systems feature the latest wide frequency balance mode radiator speakers as standard
revolutionary dirac dimensions™ dsp for exceptional sound reproduction (naim for bentley premium audio).
More powerful w12 and new high-efficiency v8 flexfuel engines
6-litre w12 engine twin-turbocharged engine produces 575ps(567bhp/423kw) and 700nm (516lb ft) of torque.
0 – 60mph in 4.4 seconds (0 – 100km/h in 4.6 seconds)
0 – 100mph in 10.2 seconds (0 – 160km/h in 10.2 seconds)
top speed of 198mph (318km/h)
overall weight saving of 65kg (143lb) versus predecessor
new high-output, high-efficiency v8 engine due for release in late 2011.
Dynamic bentley driving experience
zf 6hp28 transmission with ‘quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by 50% and enables double downshifts
new 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer when powering out of bends and provides for better modulation of line and attitude by ‘throttle steering’
increased front and rear track improves grip and stability
advanced esc system fully exploits the potential of the more powerful w12 engine and improved chassis
20” and (optional) 21” wheels
sculptured exterior exudes quality and design integrity
inspired by the iconic bentleys of the past, bentley’s design team under the leadership of director of design, dirk van braeckel, has created a thoroughly modern, sculptured body, built with advanced production technologies to ensure the highest standards of quality and body integrity.
Aluminium super forming technology is employed to create the front wings and the boot lid. This process heats the aluminium panels to nearly 500 degrees celsius before shaping them by air pressure. By using a single sheet of aluminium, no seams or welding are required.
The latest body construction techniques deliver crisp, highly defined feature lines and form to every area of the exterior design. The familiar power lines and rear haunches – echoes of the original 1950s r-type continental – now have even sharper radii to create highly distinct surfaces, bringing the feel of a truly coachbuilt car to the new coupe.
The gt coupe’s new look is bolder than ever. The classic bentley matrix radiator grille is more upright, while the new headlamp design, in traditional four-lamp format, has exquisite jewel-like detailing including eye-catching, led daylight-running lamps.
At the rear, bentley signature ‘floating’ led lamps extend around the corners of the wings, emphasising the new coupe’s width and purposeful stance. The track is wider by41mm at the front and 48mm at the rear than the previous model. The bootlid design has a powerful ‘double horse-shoe’ motif, reminiscent of the new bentley mulsanne, while flared elliptical exhaust tailpipes reinforce the new gt’s sporting credentials.
The shape of the new gt coupe’s body is also more aerodynamic following extensive wind tunnel analysis. In conjunction with a range of extensive underbody refinements (including wheel arch and exhaust aerodynamic aids) the gt’s coefficient of drag has been reduced to 0.33cd and the lift at the front and rear axles has also been reduced to create greater stability at higher speeds.
The new gt is specified with 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, with, for the first time on the continental family, the option to upgrade to 21-inch designs. Three styles of wheel are offered – a 20-inch five-spoke version and two 21-inch elegant and split-rim sports variations, which come in a variety of chromed and painted finishes.
“the new gt coupe has an even stronger sporting character than ever before. It is an exceptionally refined and comfortable 2+2 grand tourer but with the heart, soul and looks of a supercar.”
dirk van braeckel, director of design
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