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2012 Bentley Continental GTC

2012 Bentley Continental GTC

2012 Bentley Continental GTC

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).

Story by Bentley

2012 Bentley Continental GTC Gallery

See full 2012 Bentley Continental GTC Gallery here

In Detail

type Series Production Car
released at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show
built at Crewe, England
price $ $ 212,800
price €/td> €170,060
price £/td> £149,350
price ¥/td> ¥26,400,000
engine W12
position Front Longitudinal
aspiration Twin Turbo
ignition Coil-On-Plug
block material ALUSIL Aluminium-Silicon Alloy w/Silicon Crystal Liners
valvetrain Chain-Driven DOHC 4 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed Multi-point Electronic Sequential Indirect Injection
displacement 5998 cc / 366.02 in³
bore 84 mm / 3.3 in
stroke 90.2 mm / 3.6 in
power 423 kw / 567.2 bhp @ 6000 rpm
specific output 94.56 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 227.33 bhp per tonne
torque 700 nm / 516.3 ft lbs @ 1700 rpm
body / frame Unitary Steel Monocoque
driven wheels Continuous AWD
front tires 275/35 ZR21
rear tires 275/35 ZR21
front brakes Opt Carbon Silicon Carbide Cross Drilled Discs
rear brakes Opt Carbon Silicon Carbide Cross Drilled Discs
front wheels F 53.3 x 24.1 cm / 21 x 9.5 in
rear wheels R 53.3 x 24.1 cm / 21 x 9.5 in
steering Rack & Pinion
f suspension Double Wishbones w/Air Suspension, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension Trapezoidal Multi-Link w/Air Suspension
curb weight 2495 kg / 5501 lbs
wheelbase 2746 mm / 108.1 in
length 4806 mm / 189.2 in
width 1943 mm / 76.5 in
height 1403 mm / 55.2 in
transmission ZF 6-speed Automatic
gear ratios 4.17:1, 2.34:1, 1.52:1, 1.14:1, 0.87:1, 0.69:1
final drive 3.526:1
top speed ~318.58 kph / 198 mph
0 – 60 mph ~4.5 seconds
0 – 100 mph ~10.9 seconds
fuel econ epa 21.38 L/100 km or 11 mpg-us
city fuel econ epa 12.38 L/100 km or 19 mpg-us
hwy fuel econ epa 16.80 L/100 km or 14 mpg-us
urban fuel econ eu 25.4 L/100 km or 9.26 mpg-us
extra urban fuel econ eu 11.4 L/100 km or 20.63 mpg-us
combined fuel econ eu 17.1 L/100 km or 13.76 mpg-us
emission 384 g/km
fuel capacity 90 litres or 23.76 gal.