Continental GT 6.0 W12 (United Kingdom, 2011)

The Bentley Continental GT is a 4-seat coupe. Its iconic predecessor, launched in 2003, marked the first step for Bentley’s renaissance. The 2011 Continental GT is powered by a new 575 PS version of Crewe’s 6.0 litre W12 powertrain.

The 6.0 litre W12 powertrain powering the new Continental GT at launch has seen its power output raised by 15PS and torque by 50 Nm, to 575PS and 700Nm. Thogether with the 65kg of weight reduction, the new GT is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 318 km/h.

By late 2011 a second high-output 4.0-litre V8 engine joins the line-up. This new 4.0-litre V8 engine is expected to deliver a powertrain that achieves a 40 percent improvement in CO2 emissions.

The 2011 Continental GT received a classic Bentley matrix radiator grille that is more upright and a new headlamp design, in traditional four-lamp format, featuring jewel-like detailing including LED daylight-running lamps.At the back the new coupe’s width and stance are enhanced thanks to the ‘floating’ LED lamps which extend around the corners of the wings. Reminding the Bentley Mulsanne the bootlid design of the new GT gets a ‘double horse-shoe’ motif, with the elliptical exhaust tailpipes reinforcing the coupe’s sporting looks.

In terms of shape the 2011 Continental GT has become more aerodynamic as a result of extensive wind tunnel development. The drag coefficient of the new GT has been reduced to 0.33 Cd and the lift at the front and rear axles has also been reduced in order to generate more stability at higher speeds.

The interior comes with Bentley’s refinement, offering space for up to four people. The new slim-line front seats with scalloped backs provide further 46mm of legroom for back-seat passengers and easy access to the rear cabin.