The name ‘Bentley’ is synonymous with luxury, style and sophistication in the car industry, so it’s always cause for excitement when the British marque unveils something new.
Latest off the production line is the Continental GT Convertible, a car designed, engineered and handcrafted right here in the UK. Apparently, it represents “all Bentley knows about creating the world’s definitive grand tourers”. But what exactly do we know about this car? Here are all of the key details you should care about…
Design
The Continental GT Convertible was designed to be “unmistakably a Bentley”, with an emphasis on elegance and style in its sharply defined body. Its profile is longer and lower than its predecessor’s, with the front wheels placed 135mm further forward, allowing the bonnet to be extended and the nose to be lowered.
Buyers will get 21-inch five tri-spoke wheels as standard, with the option to add ten-spoke and 22-inch five open-spoke wheels, all available in a selection of ten polished and painted finishes.
Bentley’s latest offering also boasts lighting that uses the latest LED matrix technology, with headlamps inspired by cut-crystal glasses. The internal surfaces of the headlamps are transparent with sharply defined edges, giving an effect similar to that of an illuminated gem.
Drivers keen to get their hands on the new Continental GT Convertible will get to choose from a palette of 17 colours, including beluga, onyx and Portofino, while inside, interior highlights include high-quality leather touches and rare, sustainably sourced veneers.
Performance
All the exterior design elements and stylistic flourishes are for nothing if the car doesn’t drive and function well, so anyone planning to invest in Bentley’s latest will expect the highest performance standards.
Under the bonnet is a six-litre W12 engine mated to a dual-clutch, eight-speed transmission, delivering 626bhp. This provides the necessary oomph to get the car from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 207mph.
The roof action is a big factor in any convertible, of course, and the brand new GT Continental is able to get its roof up or down in 19 seconds, when moving at speeds of up to 30mph.
Tech
Technophiles are unlikely to be disappointed by the range of gadgets and innovations on display in Bentley’s all-new grand tourer. One of the biggest talking points is the fully digital, driver focused instrument panel.
There is also a rotating display with a 12.3-inch touchscreen housed in a three-sided unit, which revolves to show either pure veneer, the touchscreen or three analogue dials. The manufacturer said this is to give the driver a “digital detox”, should they fancy one.
Music lovers can choose from three audio systems, the standard option delivering 650 watts of power through ten speakers. The next step up is a Bang & Olufsen 1,500-watt, 16-speaker setup with illuminated speaker grilles, but if this still isn’t enough buyers can splash out on the Naim 2,200-watt, 18-speaker system, which offers eight sound modes and bass transducers built into the front seats.
The competition
As ever, Bentley’s latest will have to hold its own against competition from the other stellar names in the international automobile industry. The Continental GT Convertible is up against some of the most impressive grand tourers of recent years, such as the Aston Martin Vanquish S, Ferrari GTC4 Lusso and Lexus LC500.
Succeeding in this illustrious company is no mean feat, but the British manufacturer seems pretty confident in its new baby. Adrian Hallmark, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: “The extraordinary breadth of capabilities offered by the new Continental GT Convertible is unique and can only be offered by our noble British brand.
“We have been building luxury Grand Tourers since the company was founded in 1919 and, as we approach our centenary year, the Continental GT Convertible joins a highly acclaimed range – arguably the strongest and most technologically advanced portfolio of products the world has ever seen in one luxury brand.”
Bold claims indeed. It will be fascinating to see if this impressive new machine lives up to expectations in 2019.
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