Bentley’s next Continental GTC will soon be arriving to join the GT coupe in Bentley’s all-new Continental range. In essence, the recipe shouldn’t vary much from the previous generation GTC, so expect the same opulent four-seat convertible body, but with all the latest advancements adopted from the impressive new GT.
The new GTC will make the switch to the GT’s new chassis, one co-developed with Porsche that also underpins the Panamera. Inherently more dynamic than the previous car’s VW Phaeton-derived underpinnings, the new chassis is both lower and wider than that of the previous GTC and should benefit from a rise in structural rigidity over the old car.
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Under the new GT’s long bonnet will sit the current 626bhp twin-turbocharged 6-litre W12 engine (a fact confirmed by the ‘12’ motif on the prototype’s front wing), although we expect V8 and hybridised options to be available later in the car’s model cycle.
Looking at the new bodywork, the coupe’s long, fastback-style roofline is the most dramatic change, with the fabric roof returning to the aluminium bodywork at a more acute angle in order to fit the folded roof under the car’s beltline. Otherwise, the new Continental GT’s details will remain largely intact, so if you’re a fan of the new car’s opulent design, you’ll likely find the new GTC appealing.
Inside, the new Continental GT Convertible’s sumptuous interior is also shared with the coupe, and will combine the latest infotainment architecture, including the Toblerone-like rotating infotainment screen, with soft waxy leather and mirror-finish timber veneers.
The car is due to be revealed later this year and after being impressed by the coupe, our expectations are high, but the GTC will not have the luxury four-seat convertible market to itself. Aston Martin’s DB11 Volante is the most impressive DB11 yet, and Mercedes-AMG’s S63 Cabriolet has also just been refreshed, meaning that Bentley will have its work cut out to stay on top.
