UPDATE: Images added of the new bentley Continental GT at the Frankfzurt Motor Show, 14.09.2011

Bentley's second generation Continental GT has been out for about a year, and now it is time for the convertible GTC to come out. Power comes from the same twin-turbocharged, 6.0 liter W12 as the Continental GT, and other than the drop top, body styling is basically the same. 

The convertible top on the GTC has been optimized to keep cabin noise as low as possible. The top is made from multi-layered fabric with acoustic glass and underbody panels.

Both the Continental GT and GTC are wider and have retuned suspension for the new generation. They both come stock with 20in wheels, but for the first time there will be a 21in wheel option on the GTC. The all-wheel drive system has also been retuned. The torque bias is now 40:60 front to back, compared to 50:50 in the previous GTC, which should minimize understeer. 

The Continental GTC keeps the twin-turbocharged, 6.0 liter W12 from the GT and that was used in the last generation Continental GT. However, power has been boosted to 567hp, a 15hp increase over the previous version. Torque is up to 700Nm, a 50Nm increase. Acceleration to 60mph takes 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 195mph.

You should never expect good economy from a twin-turboed, 6.0 liter engine, and it should come as no surprise that the GTC would not make a good hyper-miler. For Europe, the GTC is rated at 25.4l/100km urban, 11.4l/100km extra urban and 16.5l/100km combined. It produces 384g/km of CO2. For the US, the Continental GTC is rated at 11mpg city and 19mpg on the highway. There is no difference is specification in the US, just differences is how fuel consumption is evaluated. 

The Continental GTC will be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show but is already available for order and will be available in the autumn of 2011 at a base price of £149,350 or $212,800 or €170,060.