Η Bentley ανακοίνωσε τους κινητήρες του EXP 9 F SUV Concept και την Continental GTC με τον W12 κινητήρα

Σχετικά άρθρα

H Bentley πήγε στο Πεκίνο το EXP 9 F SUV Concept χωρίς καμία αλλαγή στο σχεδιαστικό κομμάτι, αλλά μας ανακοίνωσε με το τι κινητήρες θα είναι διαθέσιμη η έκδοση παραγωγής, η οποία θα επανασχεδιαστεί πλήρως, μετά τις αρνητικές κριτικές που άκουσε κατά την παγκόσμια παρουσίαση του στην έκθεση της Γενεύης πριν από περίπου 2 μήνες.

Θα φορά τον W12 6.0-λίτρων της εταιρίας απόδοσης 600 ίππων με 800 Nm ροπής, τον νέο V8 4.0-λίτρων TFSI καθώς και έναν νέο V6 plug-in υβριδικό που ετοιμάζεται. Ο τελευταίος θα του δίνει ηλεκτρική αυτονομία 30 χλμ με τα 0-100 χλμ/ώρα να τα κάνει σε λιγότερο από 5 δευτερόλεπτα. Η παραγωγή του θα ξεκινήσει το 2015 με στόχο να πουλάνε 3.000 SUV ετησίως με τιμή από 160.000 έως 200.000 ευρώ.

Παράλληλα, η Bentley παρουσίασε στη Κίνα και την ανανεωμένη Continental GTC με τον W12 κινητήρα 6.0-λίτρων απόδοσης 575 ίππων με 700 Nm ροπής. Συνδυάζεται με τον 6-τάχυτο αυτόματο κιβώτιο της ZF με τα 0-100 χλμ/ώρα να τα κάνει σε 4.8 δευτ με τελική ταχύτητα 314 χλμ/ώρα. Περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες και για τα δύο αυτοκίνητα, μπορείς να βρεις στο δελτίο τύπου που ακολουθεί.

[Πηγή: Bentley]

[learn_more caption=”Δελτίο Τύπου”]

BENTLEY REVEALS POWERTRAIN DETAILS FOR EXP 9 F LUXURY SUV CONCEPT AT 2012 BEIJING INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE EXHIBITION

  • EXP 9 F all-wheel drive luxury Sport Utility Vehicle concept makes debut in China as potential third Bentley model-line
  • Bold reinterpretation of Bentley design cues in a spacious, versatile and high performance SUV
  • A range of advanced powertrains under consideration include 500bhp, 4.0 litre V8 Twin turbo, a V6 plug-in hybrid, in addition to the flagship 6.0 litre W12 engine.
  • An innovative fusion of contemporary, crafted luxury, advanced in-car technology, commanding driving position and all-terrain capability.

(Beijing, 23 April 2012) Bentley is offering a vision of the future with a dramatic new Sport Utility Vehicle concept, EXP 9 F, at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. The Company’s designers and engineers have created a compelling new take on the Grand Touring Bentley – a vehicle that feels equally at home at an opera gala performance, on the sand dunes and the overtaking lane of the autobahn.

Unmistakably a Bentley – yet a Bentley like none before it – the EXP 9 F could herald a third Bentley model-line alongside the bespoke Mulsanne and the high performance Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur.

Today a global luxury brand with a network of 160 dealers from Shanghai to Beverly Hills, Bentley has an increasingly diverse customer base spanning every continent. For many customers, a dramatically styled, Bentley all-wheel drive SUV which combines a spacious, versatile cabin and commanding driving position, with Bentley’s hallmark power, performance, advanced technology and hand crafted luxury, would be a natural choice both on and off-road.

The new pinnacle-luxury Bentley would offer exhilarating performance, setting new benchmarks for the SUV sector. The EXP 9 F concept on display in Beijing is based around the Bentley 6.0 litre, twin-turbocharged W12 petrol engine, developing 600bhp and 800 Nm of torque coupled with an 8-speed close-ratio transmission.

A range of other powertrain options are also under consideration. This includes Bentley’s recently launched 500bhp, 4.0 litre petrol V8 as well as a groundbreaking powertrain for the luxury SUV segment – a V6 plug-in hybrid. With a potential 30km range in full electric mode and CO2 emissions of 130g/km, the V6 hybrid would still be capable of a 0 to 100km/h sprint time of less than 5 seconds.

 “We are very excited by the potential of a high performance, ultra-luxury Bentley SUV. Since we first showed EXP 9 F at Geneva, the response has been overwhelming. Everyone seems to agree that an SUV is a natural fit for Bentley. An exciting range of drivetrain options including a hybrid V6 are under active consideration but one thing is for sure, any Bentley SUV would offer the thunderous performance for which the marque is renowned.” Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors.

BOLD, DYNAMIC, SPORTY DESIGN

  • Key Bentley styling cues re-interpreted for EXP 9 F with innovative detailing
  • Sculptured flowing surfaces emphasise power, muscularity and robustness

From a designer’s perspective, EXP 9 F was a dream project, the chance to create a completely new type of Bentley. From the very beginning, the design team had a clear vision for the new Bentley SUV, as Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design, explains:

“EXP 9 F had to represent the absolute pinnacle of the sport utility sector, setting a new benchmark for this type of vehicle. The style had to reflect Bentley’s sporting character despite its radically different package and purpose together with sculptured, flowing surfaces in keeping with the Bentley tradition.”

A new class of Bentley allowed the styling team to adopt a more progressive design approach. The exterior is a bold, dynamic statement, combining clean, muscular surfaces with signature character lines, while retaining the qualities of luxury and power – a pure Bentley.

Key Bentley cues such as the matrix grille, round lamps and the strong power-line and haunch along each flank are reinterpreted for EXP 9 F. The ‘hewn from solid’ design language and innovative detailing, emphasise the robust character of this high-luxury SUV.

The designers were inspired not only by the more functional nature of EXP 9 F but by the ‘visible engineering’ of the famous Blower Bentleys. For example, the day-time running lamp apertures also act as the charge cooler air intakes for the twin-turbo W12 engine, each with a dramatic, mesh-covered turbine fan design and ‘rifled’ inner surface finish.

The turbine theme continues with the stunning 23-inch alloy wheels, the design of which complements the sculptured coachwork. The multiple spokes are reminiscent of the shape of turbine fan blades while the centrally mounted wheel nut is a visual reference both to Bentley’s Le Mans racers of the 1920s with centre-lock spinner and to the single nut found on the modern-day Speed 8’s high-tech racing alloys.

At the rear, the swooping lines of the tailgate avoid utilitarian overtones in favour of a distinctly sporting profile, while the ultra-wide, two-part split tailgate offers a high level of versatility when grand touring. The bold design language of EXP 9 F is complemented by twin exhaust tailpipes with ‘rifled’ inner surfaces, their elliptical shapes echoing those of the rear light clusters.

The rear lights are inspired by the forms and details of fighter jet engines, uniquely designed so that they glow from within, spreading their light outwards.

INTERIOR – A FUSION OF INNOVATION, LUXURY AND UTILITY

  • Light, airy, contemporary cabin design with exquisite British ‘sporting’ luxury craft detailing
  • Contemporary use of touchscreen and tailored interface technologies
  • Fresh interpretation of traditional handcrafted materials with highly durable surfaces
  • High degree of practicality including versatile rear cabin layout and full-width, two-piece tailgate

Bentley is renowned for its fusion of extremes – technology and craftsmanship, luxury and performance – and the interior of EXP 9 F expresses the resolution of apparent opposites in its use of materials, techniques and technology, as Dirk van Braeckel explains:

“The challenge for the interior design team was to create a cabin which provides a blend of luxury and utility. The result is a light and airy environment with a commanding view of the road and a versatile layout which showcases Bentley’s craft and design language in an innovative and contemporary way.”

Traditional handcrafted elements such as wood, leather and polished metals such as aluminium, bronze and gunmetal are used to create a sense of British luxury, yet the way they are used sets a fresh and contemporary interior ambience. Soft-touch leather contrasts with highly durable surfaces with the concept car design experimenting with the use of saddle leather for the seat backs, top roll and loadspace – while analogue bezels and dials are paired with TFT ‘virtual’ instrumentation.

Even the luxurious silk wool floormats are reversible – with one side finished in durable, ribbed saddle leather for use when the driver and passengers are dressed for the great outdoors.

The upright dashboard design features a full-width, one-piece wood veneer with a subtly negative surface and instruments with a configurable display. The fluid waist rail design shows pinnacle craftsmanship with chequered, lacquered and oiled finishes. Veneers are sculpted to reveal their solid wood construction. The highly distinctive, carved checkering design on the steering wheel rim, inspired by a shot-gun’s stock, also offers additional grip.

Traditional Bentley ‘bulls eye’ vents have a ‘rifled’ gunmetal inner surface for a more contemporary and functional appearance. The centre console is a blend of functionality and supreme ergonomics with dynamic, architectural layers which help to create a central spine to the cabin. The frame of the console is also a structural component with integrated, sculpted grab handles. The high-gloss black touch-screen surround seamlessly blends into a lacquered veneered surface, emulating the decorative surfaces of a Stratocaster guitar.

The flowing roof design with a panoramic glass panel is inspired by the roll cages of rally cars, expressing both strength and lightness. The innovative, four-zone electro-chromatic ‘sunroof’ allows individual passengers to select their preferred level of light screening

Rear seat passengers can chose between business mode, with generous legroom complete with fold-down keyboard and full internet connectivity via an iPad or tablet or a more reclined position with powered footrest, drinks table and an infotainment screen for movies. A removable Touch Pad located on the centre console manages the rear cabin climate control system and entertainment functions. When the rear seats are not in use, they can be powered forward to create a larger loadspace for sports equipment or luggage.

The EXP 9 F seating is 4+1, with a rear armrest sitting between the two electrically operated ‘Captain’s chairs’. Seats feature a diamond-quilted ‘shoulder line’ in soft-touch leather, echoing the traditional appearance of a British field sport jacket. A sliding drawer between the seats reveals a cooled compartment for champagne and glasses.

Micro leather piping accentuates the lines of the dashboard, centre console and seats and is colour-matched to the coachwork.

At the rear, the lower section of the two-piece tailgate may be used as a viewing bench or picnic table with the upper section providing a canopy to provide protection against the elements. Bespoke picnic hampers are stowed neatly to either side of the load space when not in use, but are located on rails for easy access. An awning extends over the tailgate to protect those seated there; two umbrellas fit into stowage compartments in the rear luggage area for when the rain clouds sweep in. These compartments are heated for rapid drying of wet umbrellas.

COMMANDING DRIVING POSITION AND CONTROL ARCHITECTURE

  • Inspired blend of traditional analogue and TFT touchscreen technology
  • Bespoke interface engineering – tailored to the individual with driver-selectable instrumentation modes

As befits a Bentley, the EXP 9 F design concept features a near-infinite choice of driver information and entertainment options. However the design and electrical engineering teams sought to avoid creating a cluttered or confusing driver and passenger environment, presenting only the information that each user needs, when they need it.

As a result, EXP 9 F places key driver information such as 3D navigation in a central TFT panel directly in the driver’s line of sight, where it is flanked by two analogue reverse-read dials. Meanwhile, controls that are shared between driver and front seat passenger, such as cabin temperature, air vents and entertainment, are presented in the central touchscreen and console. The TFT screen deploys from the full-width metal trim to provide a fully integrated extension to the glass surface of the centre console.

Three different driving modes – Comfort, Sport and Off-Road – are selectable according to the road environment and type of journey. Thus the driver information TFT panel would be able to switch between satellite navigation on the motorway to a ‘sump cam’ when negotiating a bumpy track. For sand-dune driving, the speedometer is automatically replaced by a compass while, for high altitude driving, the rev counter is replaced by an altimeter.

EVALUATION, REFINEMENT AND FUTURE PLANNING

When the first generation Continental GT was unveiled in 2003 it represented the renaissance of Bentley as a global luxury icon, subsequent launches such as Mulsanne, Continental Flying Spur saloon and the new Continental GT have seen the Bentley brand growing from strength to strength.

EXP 9 F represents the chance to take Bentley values of design, craftsmanship and engineering excellence into what would be – literally – new terrain for the brand. Bentley’s experience with the all-wheel drive Continental range makes the concept of a Bentley SUV a natural progression for the company.

Customer and public reaction will be analysed following the unveiling of EXP 9 F at Geneva 2012, with the aim of refining the concept further. Above all, Bentley will be listening carefully to the reaction of customers and potential customers throughout the world, prior to making any definitive commitment to production.

“A Bentley Grand Tourer doesn’t necessarily have to be a coupé, a convertible or a saloon – it could equally well be an SUV. What’s important is that it should be true to Bentley’s brand values and in line with the desires and needs of our customers.” – Alasdair Stewart, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing.

THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GTC 6.0 LITRE W12

  • 6.0 litre W12 engine delivers supreme levels of Bentley power and performance
  • Bold, contemporary, sculpted design employing advanced production technology
  • Sensuous, luxurious, hand-crafted cabin with class-leading infotainment
  • Coupe-like refinement with unrivalled comfort and practicality
  • Uprated chassis for a more dynamic and engaging open-top driving experience

(Beijing. 23 April 2012) 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 CO2 released 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 CO2 emissions.

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

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