Vehicle Overview
The four-seat Bentley Continental GTC saw a number of subtle updates in 2012 that refined the ultraluxury soft-top convertible. Power comes from a new-for-2013 500-horsepower V-8 engine or a 567-hp 12-cylinder. The Continental GTC’s formidable power is part of its appeal but so is the range of interior choices that give owners the ability to customize their car. Competitors include the Aston Martin DB9 Volante convertible and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG roadster.
The Continental GTC’s exterior styling features a distinctive front-end with four circular lights, a mesh-style grille that drops over the front bumper, prominent flared rear fenders as well as twin exhaust tips that peek out from below the rear bumper.
The power-operated three-layer soft-top is available in eight colors. Lowering or raising the top takes 25 seconds, according to Bentley, and it works at speeds up to 20 mph. The climate-control system automatically adjusts airflow when the roof is down. Automatically deployable roll bars pop up to protect occupants in the event of a roll-over accident. Interior features include a leather-trimmed dashboard, an 8-inch touch-screen navigation system, and optional massaging and ventilated front seats.
The new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 is nearly as powerful as the 12-cylinder engine. It’s rated at 500 hp and makes 487 pounds-feet of torque. Instead of a six-speed transmission, the V-8 works with an eight-speed automatic. The car’s zero-to-60-mph time is 4.7 seconds, according to Bentley, and its top speed is 187 mph. Under light loads, half of the V-8’s cylinders are deactivated to reduce fuel consumption.
The GTC’s optional twin-turbo 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine is rated at 567 hp and 516 pounds-feet of torque. Bentley claims the engine can accelerate the car to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 195 mph. The engine works with a six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system that has a rear-biased torque split of 40/60, front to rear, to reduce understeer.
In January 2013, Bentley announced details on an even faster version of the convertible. The Continental GT Speed convertible features a 616-hp 12-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 202-mph top speed.
