Bentley: New Continental GT unveiled

The new Bentley Continental GT has finally been revealed. The 4-seat coupe will be in charge of  continuing the success of its iconic predecessor, which was in 2003 the first step for Bentley’s renaissance. The new Continental GT keeps the GT spirit and gets even higher standards of design, engineering, luxury, craftsmanship, dynamic performance, everyday practicality and refinement.

According to Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley, “The new Continental GT is an automotive work of art, with superb craftsmanship and elegant, contemporary design. It drives like a supercar, but without the usual sacrifices in ride or practicality. It is a car that you can enjoy every moment of every day.”

The new GT receives a classic Bentley matrix radiator grille that is more upright and a new headlamp design, in traditional four-lamp format, featuring exquisite jewel-like detailing including LED daylight-running lamps.

At the back the new coupe’s width and stance are enhanced thanks to the Bentley signature ‘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 credentials.

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 new GT coupe has an even stronger sporting character than ever before. It is an exceptionally refined and comfortable 2+2 Grand Tourer but with the heart, soul and looks of a supercar,” explains Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design.

The interior comes with Bentley’s renowned refinement, offering stylish space in which up to four people can relax in total comfort. 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.

All the leather featured in the new Continental GT continues to be sewn under the watchful eye of Bentley’s highly skilled craftsmen and women.

“The new GT coupe interior combines form, practicality and innovation. Our task was to translate the original design sketches for the car’s cabin – which were quite extreme, almost revolutionary for a Bentley – into the final design. The result is a cockpit that moves the Continental GT on to the next generation,” says Darren Day, Senior Designer.

From its launch the 2011 Continental GT will be powered by the new 575PS version of Crewe’s renowned 6.0 litre W12 powertrain and in late 2011 by a new high-output 4.0-litre V8 engine option.

Currently being developed this new 4.0-litre V8 engine will be focusing on Bentley’s environmental commitment in order to deliver a powertrain that achieves a 40 percent improvement in CO2 emissions.

The 6.0 litre W12 powertrain that will powering the new Continental GT at launch has seen its 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.