Taking cues from its 6.0 litre W12
GT coupe sibling, the 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 original 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 coachbuilt 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 GTC is 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 provide 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 560 PS to 575 PS (567 bhp /
423 kW) and the famed Bentley ‘wave of torque’ has been increased by a
further 50 Nm to 700 Nm (516 lb 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 CONTINENTAL GTC – AT
A GLANCE
Sculpted exterior design
- Advanced
production techniques such as aluminium Super Forming (front wings) allow
for a more sculpted body and sharp ‘power lines’.
- Unique
jewelled headlamps with LED day-time running lights.
- More
upright matrix radiator grille and new ‘double horse-shoe’ rear profile
first shown on the flagship Bentley Mulsanne.
Luxurious, practical hand-crafted cabin with
class-leading infotainment
- New
interior with a bold, sweeping dashboard and instrument panel finished in
premium soft-touch leather.
- Choice
of 17 hide colours, six colour split combinations and seven veneers.
- Distinctive
‘cobra style’ 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 6-litre W12 engine with FlexFuel
capability
- 6-litre
W12 twin-turbocharged engine produces 575 PS.
(567 bhp / 423 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb ft) of
torque.
- FlexFuel
capability – runs on E85 biofuel, petrol or any combination of the two.
- 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).
- Top
speed 195 mph (314 km/h).
Dynamic Bentley driving
experience
- ZF
6HP28 transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by up to
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”
‘Five Spoke’ alloy wheels with optional 21” wheels in ‘Five Spoke
Two-Piece’, ‘Seven Spoke Elegant’ and ‘Ten Spoke Propeller’ designs.
THE 6.0 litre W12 BENTLEY
CONTINENTAL GTC IN DETAIL
“The GTC is a
confident Bentley convertible that’s more sculpted, more dynamic and more
potent than ever before. The wider track, deeper body side and larger wheels
give it a low, lithe and sporty stance that commands attention, roof up or roof
down.”Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design, Bentley Motors
Sculpted exterior design
- Sculpted
lines inspired by the Continental GT coupe.
- More
muscular, sporty and confident road presence.
- Complex,
seamless front wing shapes for coachbuilt appearance.
- Powerful
‘double horse-shoe’ motif at rear.
- New
colour and wheel options, including 20” alloys as standard.
The challenge for the creative team, under the
leadership of Director of Design Dirk van Braeckel, was to take an
icon of automotive art and improve it.
Inevitably inspiration has come from the
second-generation Continental GT Coupe, unveiled to universal acclaim almost a
year ago. Many of the GT’s signature styling cues have been woven into the
Continental GTC, and the result is a progressive, sculpted and dynamic exterior
that re-interprets the family heritage – dating back to the original 1950s R‑Type Continental
– in a stunning new four-seat convertible body.
While the first Continental GTC was elegant and
understated, the inspired new design has made its replacement more modern and
contemporary. It’s an evolution of the classic original, showcasing a cleaner
and crisper look, sharper and more focused design radii, and a more muscular, sporty
and confident road presence.
The sensuous lines are familiar but the overall
package is significantly revised. The new model has a wider track, is slightly
longer and has a higher waistline. The latter tapers gradually upwards towards
the rear of the car and creates a more shallow window graphic and dynamic
stance.
The classic Bentley matrix radiator grille is
framed by a striking new headlight design, in traditional four-lamp format,
with exquisite jewel-like detailing including eye-catching, LED daytime-running
lamps.
The car’s muscular front wings are created
through an advanced manufacturing process called aluminium Superforming.
Heating the aluminium to nearly 500 degrees Celsius, before cleverly shaping it
with air pressure, produces uniquely sculpted body panels. And by using a
single sheet of aluminium no seams or welds are required. The result is an
improved coachbuilt design aesthetic with a reduced number of shut lines.
Further down the flanks, the purposeful haunches
echo those of the flagship Bentley Mulsanne. The comparison continues into
the rear of the car where the powerful ‘double horse-shoe’ motif is integrated
into the inset wrap-around rear lamps. Below, the flared elliptical exhaust
tailpipes reinforce the new car’s high performance credentials.
The new composite bootlid is ‘transparent’ to
media and GPS signals, allowing the GTC’s antennae to be concealed within its
structure. It produces a clean and unbroken exterior surface that is not
possible on many other convertibles.
The seven-bow, three-layer fabric roof is
available in eight complementary colours. Folding and rising in just 25
seconds, its smooth and graceful operation is peerless and works at road speeds
of up to 20 mph (32 km/h). This same, ultra-strong roof design
featured on Juha Kankkunen’s Ice Speed Record Bentley Supersports Convertible
which set a new world best of 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) and operated
perfectly at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius.
No latching points are visible where the roof
meets the tonneau cover, ensuring the GTC’s clean lines are unbroken. Standard
features include a heated glass rear window and reading light in the liner and
when the roof is down, the heating/ventilation system automatically adjusts air
distribution and volume accordingly.
For the first time, stunning new 20-inch wheels
are standard on the Continental GTC with 21-inch wheels available as an option.
For customers who want to stand out from the crowd, the wheels are available in
four styles and a choice of finishes. Tyre specifications are Pirelli P Zero
275/40 ZR20 and 275/35 ZR21 respectively, uniquely engineered for the GTC.
Bentley engineers have worked hard with Pirelli to ensure there is no negative
impact on ride comfort for customers choosing 21-inch wheels.
Two new exterior paint colours have joined the
already extensive palette. ‘Hallmark’ brings a new energy to the range, a
masculine tinted silver with a neutral tone symbolising the strength of metal.
‘Breeze’ features a vibrant sparkle finish over a subtle metallic silver tone
which hints at an atmospheric green.
The Bentley Continental GTC is unmistakable. It
is a contemporary and sculpted supercar with the prestige feel and authentic
quality of a true coachbuilt convertible. The stunning exterior design unquestionably
enhances the overall aesthetic but, thanks to exhaustive wind tunnel analysis,
also improves aerodynamic performance.
A luxurious, practical
hand-crafted cabin
- Sensuous
and superior quality hand-crafted interior.
- New
veneer and leather colour palette options.
- More
practical design offers greater occupant space and everyday usability.
- Neck
Warmer air-flow system for enhanced open-topped comfort.
The objective of the styling team, led by Robin
Page, Head of Interior Design, was to create a more dynamic and contemporary
cabin with even greater levels of comfort, quality and craftsmanship, raising
the standard in luxury convertible interior design.
A key element of the design approach has been to
ensure the style of the interior and exterior are in complete harmony when the
roof is stowed. Equally important, the new cabin design had to flow seamlessly
from front to rear.
It begins at the instrument panel and dashboard,
which subtly echo the flying wings of the Bentley motif. The new door and
quarter panel graphic provides a dynamic, unbroken flow along the complete
length of the cabin, while the unparalleled craftsmanship extends to the
hand-stitched, leather hide tonneau cover at the rear.
Sumptuous hand-crafted materials and the highest
levels of attention to detail combine effortlessly to provide an unrivalled
experience of comfort and quality. There is a choice of 17 standard soft-touch
leather hide colours with six colour split combinations, complemented by a
range of seven veneers, all handcrafted in Bentley’s unique workshops at its
factory in Crewe, England.
Key to the creative process was a desire to set
some new benchmarks when it comes to the levels of everyday practicality
customers should expect from a luxury supercar convertible. That meant
generating a lighter aesthetic to the interior by removing bulk where it wasn’t
needed, creating more usable space for the occupants.
It was a challenge which the styling team
relished. For example, the ‘Cobra style’ front seats with integrated head rests
are each 25 mm slimmer than those in the previous Continental GTC,
creating more knee-room for rear passengers. Front seat occupants also get more
knee space thanks to the use of concave ‘scalloping’ on the underside of the
dashboard.
Seat comfort and support is improved through the
use of new multi-layer foams and, available in the GTC for the first time, an
optional front seat ventilation system paired with a revised 10-cell pneumatic
massage function provides a firmer and more invigorating experience.
Storage for keys and mobile phones is improved
thanks to a simplified centre console design with a practical new cubby hole at
its base. The cupholder is now more user-friendly, relocated from inside the
central arm rest to an open position adjacent to the driver’s hip.
Electrically operated seatbelt presenters make
buckling-up effortless for front occupants. Customers may also specify as an
option an exquisitely designed, folding, removable case, ideal for glasses or
keys. Crafted from veneers and hides to match the interior, it also features
inlaid Bentley wing motifs.
Also new to the Continental GTC’s front seats is
an innovative ‘Neck Warmer’ air-flow system with three power settings. It is
designed to provide additional comfort while driving with the roof down and is
controlled by a switch in the seat valance.
One new veneer and one new hide colour have been
added to the Continental GTC range. The former, Tamo Ash, is a striking blonde
veneer sourced from Asia, while Breeze complements the new exterior shade of
the same name.
“With so many of
our GTC customers enjoying the opportunity to drive the car every day we
focused our efforts on improving the already strong levels of usability and
comfort. These practical advances were matched by a desire to make the cabin
even more glamorous and head-turning.” Robin Page, Head of Interior Styling, Bentley
Motors
Class-leading
infotainment
- Eight-inch
touch-screen system for ease of use and safety.
- Advanced
navigation system with Google maps compatibility (market specific).
- 30GB
on-board hard drive.
- Balanced
Mode Radiator technology as standard.
- Industry-first
Dirac Dimensions™ digital signal processing (Naim for Bentley).
The GTC features one of the most advanced in-car
infotainment systems on sale today. Backed by a 30GB on-board hard drive, the
eight-inch screen displays the car’s audio, telephone, ride and comfort
functionality. The system uses a combination of touch-screen controls and
classic Bentley knurled rotary switches to offer instant usability and
crystal-clear feedback.
The state-of-the-art navigation system with
seven-digit postcode entry and rich map imagery uses both an in-car hard-disc
drive and DVD player to access route data. It features dynamic navigation to
create a fuss-free journey and can find destinations using geo-tagged photos
from an SD memory card. It is also Google Maps-compatible in many
markets.
The GTC also provides the ultimate in in-car
audio. An eight-speaker flat-panel sound system is offered as standard
employing the latest Balanced Mode Radiator technology, providing exceptional
clarity over a wide frequency range.
The Naim for Bentley premium audio system
features 10 speakers and revolutionary Dirac Dimensions™ digital signal
processing. An industry-first for Bentley, it creates a virtual ‘sound field’
independent of speaker layout for concert hall-quality sound reproduction for
all seating positions.
The GTC also benefits from telephone and music
player connectivity, digital television (where available) and DVD movie
playback. Music can be played and controlled directly from an iPod® as well as
a six-disc CD changer, SD card reader or directly from the car’s hard drive,
which can store up to 15GB of music.
Coupe-like refinement
and comfort
- Tailored,
multi-layered fabric hood.
- Acoustic
materials for improved sound insulation.
- Enhanced
‘touch and smell’ performance of premium leather.
The GTC is engineered to provide unrivalled
levels of interior quietness. Suppression of wind and road noise is improved
through the application of new glass interlayers, underbody sheets and
wheel-arch liners, all acoustically tuned. Every door and window rubber seal is
re-engineered to improve its performance.
A key goal in designing the new interior was to
improve the tactile qualities of the materials. The innovative answer was to
improve the substrates underneath; in short, to raise the quality of what you
don’t see to raise the quality of what you do see. New leathers have also been
introduced which are as luxurious as ever, but offer better performance on
touch and, crucially, smell. The result is sensuous soft-touch materials
throughout and a supreme passenger experience.
“Creating complex
exterior and interior shapes and then bringing them all together with
world-class fit and finish is where Bentley excels. What drives my team is the
quality of the execution - getting the smallest panel gaps and sharpest lines
to fit perfectly and making sure they last the lifetime of the car.” Peter
Guest, Head of Department, Body & Trim, Bentley Motors
More powerful 6.0 litre
W12 delivering exhilarating performance
- Uprated
power and torque from 6.0-litre W12 engine.
- Reduced
emissions and higher fuel economy.
- Bentley
FlexFuel technology - runs on E85 blend or petrol.
- New
QuickShift transmission cuts gearchange time in half.
- Rear
torque bias all-wheel drive system for better handling.
For customers seeking a ‘use-every-day’ supercar
convertible with supreme levels of dynamic performance, power and refinement,
there is no comparison to the Bentley Continental GTC.
Still beating at the heart of the GTC is the
company’s acclaimed 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbo petrol engine, uprated in output
from 560 PS in the previous generation model to 575 PS
(567 bhp / 423 kW). Torque is up 50 Nm to 700 Nm
(516 lb ft). The W12 is the most compact and technologically advanced
12-cylinder engine in the world. Four camshafts and 48 valves allow the engine
to breathe effortlessly and help generate the distinctive Bentley wave of
torque.
The permanent all-wheel drive system now
features the sublime six-speed QuickShift transmission from the Continental
Supersports which halves shift times to just 200 milliseconds. The revised
gearbox can also deliver double-downshifts and improves acceleration across the
entire gear range. The result is a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds (0‑100
km/h in 4.8 s) and a top speed of 195 mph (314 km/h).
Also developed from the Supersports is the
performance-oriented 40:60 rear torque bias for the all-wheel drive system
instead of the 50:50 set-up of the original Continental GTC. This minimises
understeer during hard cornering, allowing the experienced driver to control
the car’s line and balance via precise throttle inputs.
The W12 engine is capable of running on petrol
(gasoline), E85 bioethanol or any mix of the two – all from a single
tank. This FlexFuel technology is capable of delivering potential CO2 reductions of up to 70 percent on a
‘well-to-wheel’ basis – the measurement of CO2released by a fuel
from its production (well) through to its combustion or deployment (wheel).
To ensure that the power and torque generated
remain constant (whatever the fuel) an advanced Fuel Quality Sensor
continuously monitors the ratio of the fuels used. It then guides the Engine
Control Unit to adjust the engine’s timing. This provides the seamless power
delivery for which Bentley engines are renowned, and ensures there is no
compromise on performance when using fuels that create lower CO2emissions.
More dynamic and
engaging driving experience
- Enhanced
body stiffness for superior ride quality and refinement.
- Track
widened by 48 mm (rear) and 41 mm (front).
- Revised
suspension design to improve dynamic handling.
- Steering
retuned for sharper turn-in.
- Less
interventive ESC for a more exhilarating experience.
A potent and dynamic driving experience is a
must on any Bentley, but the unique architecture of a convertible raises
additional challenges.
The GTC convertible body is the stiffest in the
world (22,500 Nm /°-static) providing a firm foundation for the precise control
of suspension components as well minimising scuttle shake, benefitting
refinement. This is achieved by reinforced ‘A’ posts and sills, and twin
underbody cruciforms that connect the front and rear subframes.
The increased track width, coupled with new
high-stiffness aluminium cast-forged suspension uprights, means a marked
improvement in handling response and stability. The revised track necessitated
wholesale revisions to the steering, and it’s been completely retuned to offer
a quicker and crisper turn-in. The Electronic Stability Control System is also
revised to be less interventive, offering enthusiastic drivers an exhilarating
driving experience.
All four Continuous Damping Control (CDC) modes
are upgraded to utilise the benefits of new damper hydraulics. The change
allows greater low speed suppleness for rolling comfort but increased control
for dynamic driving and higher speed stability.
The GTC also offers an uncompromising attitude
to safety with five airbags, including a driver’s kneebag, as standard and a
Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) installed beneath the rear headrests. If the
car’s onboard computer senses that the car is about to roll during an accident,
two reinforced steel hoops are deployed in a split second, thereby working in
conjunction with the exceptionally strong windshield frame to protect
passengers in the front and rear.
Summary
Whilst the GTC is beautiful, comfortable and
luxurious, above all it is designed to be driven. Bentley’s engineers have
created a sporting convertible offering dynamic handling and stirring
performance – whatever the mood or road conditions.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
ENGINE
Type: 6-litre twin-turbocharged W12
Max Power: 567 bhp / 423 kW /
575 PS @ 6000 rev/min
Max Torque: 700 Nm / 516 lb/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:
1st. 4.17
2nd. 2.34
3rd. 1.52
4th. 1.14
5th. 0.87
6th. 0.69
Final drive: 3.526
BODY CONSTRUCTION
Steel monocoque
BRAKES
Front: 405 mm ventilated discs (optional
420 mm Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)
Rear: 335 mm ventilated discs (optional
356 mm, 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: 11.3 m
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
2746 mm
Overall Length
4806 mm
Width (across
body)
1943 mm
Width (including
mirrors) 2227 mm
Overall
Height
1403 mm
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
384 g/km
FUEL CONSUMPTION (EPA
Cycle)
City
Driving
11 mpg (US)
Highway
Driving
19 mpg (US)
Combined
14 mpg (US)
EMISSIONS CONTROLS
EU 5 and US LEV 11
Source: Bentley Press
