The Continental GT now has a smaller glasshouse compared to the outgoing model. The scuplting around the edges are bolder, the car looks more squat due to a higher beltline and that lower glass area, the rear three quarter windows slightly longer, new larger rear lights, a front lights that takes more from its more expensive sibling; the Mulsanne and a more prominent upright grill. This new Bentley now rides on 20inch wheels with two 21inch wheel options for those that want bigger sized rollers.
On the mechanical upgrades, the Conti GT has new aluminium suspension components coupled with a wider front and rear track as well as a new steering system that would benefit ride and handling. The Conti GT also makes 567bhp and 699Nm over 552bhp and 659Nm running a revised 6.0 W12 engine. All that power now runs through a new automatic gearbox that has 50% speedier shifts (down to 200 milliseconds and does throttle blips for precise rev matching) with an all-wheel drive system that channels 60 percent of the power to the rear wheels instead of a standard 50:50 split as before.
The car is also 65kg lighter than the outgoing model, making it hit 100km/h from nought in about 4.4seconds and a top speed of 318km/h. Fuel consumption is also slightly improved owing to a 15 percent improvement in powertrain efficiency.
Bentley has also stated that there will be a newer more eco friendly, but not necessarily cheaper Continental GT which will use a high output 4.0liter V8. Details have not been stated as yet, as the car is due for launch at the end of 2011.
There are not many changes to the interior though. It has 2 inches more legroom for the rear passengers due to the redesigned and slimmer front seats. The materials are better, the multi media interface (hey, it's basically a VW Group car, so the infotainment system could be called an MMI) is new and improved and the center console is a floating type – much like the Volvo S40's center console but with more prominent buttresses and the more traditional burr walnut finish instead of looking like a piece of furniture from IKEA.
This car should cost about the same as the outgoing model, meaning that its going to cost about 125,000 Pounds in the UK and is set for a public unveiling at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.
Bentley, Continental GT and 3 more...
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