Bentley revealed today the latest generation 2012 Continental GTC convertible, ahead of the new version's debut at the 2011 Frankfurt AUTO show next month. The 2012 GTC is Bentley's second generation of the open-top Continental, which is not designed in the same fashion as the coupe version, launched last year. The 2012 Bentley Continental GTC features a steel monocoque body, measuring 4806 mm in length, 1943 mm in width and 1403 mm in height. With a 2746 mm wheelbase, the 2012 GTC weighs 2495 kg / 5501 lb.
To power the 2012 Continental GTC, Bentley uses the 6-litre twin-turbocharged W12 monster of an engine, which is good for 567 bhp / 423 kW / 575 PS at 6000 rpm and 700 Nm / 516 lb/ft of torque at 1700 rpm.
The power of the new Continental GTC is sent to 2012 Continental GTC's all-wheel-drive system via a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission with quickshift and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Bentley's official specs of the Continental GTC 2012 say it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. The 2012 Continental GTC can make the 0 to 100 mph (160 km/h) trip in just 10.9 seconds and it can reach a top speed of 195 mph (314 km/h). Don't you just love when the maximum speed is not limited to 155 mph (250 km/h)?
In terms of efficiency, the Bentley 2012 Continental GTC offers a 17.1 mpg (16.5 l/100km) (EU Cycle) / 14 mpg (US EPA Cycle) combined fuel consumption with a 384g/km CO2 emissions level.
The 2012 Bentley Continental GTC features an elegant, coupe-like exterior, having a muscular stance, that's being built with advanced manufacturing techniques. The front wings of the Continental GTC 2012 are made from aluminum and have no welds. The car sits on 20-inch light alloy wheels as standard, but it can also be ordered with a set of optional 21-inch wheels.
The interior is where the 2012 Continental GTC starts to really shine. The hand-crafted cabin of the new GTC features a leather upholstery, wood and metal trim parts and a multi-layered fabric hood (automatically retractable soft-top).
The equipment list of the 2012 Bentley Continental GTC includes a 30GB infotainment system and a new satellite navigation system featuring dynamic route guidance, seven-digit postcode entry and Google Map compatibility. The 2012 GTC also comes with a new touch screen, wide-frequency Balance
Mode Radiator speakers and the Dirac Dimensions DSP system.
The 2012 Bentley Continental GTC price list starts at £149,350 GBP in the UK, at $212,800 MSRP
in the USA, at €170,060 EUR in the European Union and at ¥26,400,000 in Japan. Bentley already opened the ordering list for the 2012 Continental GTC, but it will start delivering from late 2011.
2012 Bentley Continental GTC Technical specifications:
ENGINE
Type: 6-litre twin-turbocharged W12
2012 Bentley Continental GTC video:
Max Power: 567bhp / 423kW / 575PS @ 6000 rev/min
Max Torque: 700Nm / 516lb/ft @ 1700 rev/min
TRANSMISSION
ZF 6-speed automatic with quickshift and steering wheel-mounted paddleshift
Driveline: Continuous all-wheel drive (40:60 rear bias)
Ratios:
1st. 4.17
2nd. 2.34
3rd. 1.52
4th. 1.14
5th. 0.87
6th 0.69
Final drive: 3.526
BODY CONSTRUCTION
Steel monocoque
BRAKES
Front: 405mm ventilated discs (optional 420mm Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)
Rear: 335mm ventilated discs (optional 356mm, Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)
WHEELS AND TYRES
9.5J x 20” (optional 9.5J x 21”)
Pirelli P Zero 275/40ZR 20 (optional 275/35 ZR21)
STEERING
Type: rack & pinion, power assisted, speed-sensitive ZF servotronic
Turns lock to lock: 2.6 turns
Turning circle: 11.3m
SUSPENSION
Front: Four link double wishbones, computer controlled self-leveling air suspension, with anti roll-bar.
Rear: Trapezoidal multi-link, computer-controlled self-leveling air suspension, with anti roll-bar.
Damping: Continuous Damping Control, tuned for dynamic performance.
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 2746mm
Overall Length 4806mm
Width (across body) 1943mm
Width (including mirrors) 2227mm
Overall Height 1403mm
Fuel Tank 90 liters
Boot Volume 260 liters
Kerb Weight (EU) 2495 kg / 5501 lb
Gross Vehicle Weight 2900 kg / 6393 lb
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed: 195 mph (314 km/h)
0 – 60 mph: 4.5 secs (0 – 100 km/h: 4.8 secs)
0 – 100 mph: 10.9 secs (0 – 160 km/h: 10.9 secs)
30 – 50 mph: 2.0 secs (60 – 100 km/h: 2.5 secs)
50 – 70 mph: 2.4 secs (80 – 120 km/h: 3.1 secs)
FUEL CONSUMPTION (EU Cycle) *
Urban 11.1 mpg (25.4 l/100km)
Extra Urban 24.9 mpg (11.4 l/100km)
Combined 17.1 mpg (16.5 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 384g/km
* Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to Type Approval
FUEL CONSUMPTION (EPA Cycle) **
City Driving 11 mpg (US)
Highway Driving 19 mpg (US)
Combined 14 mpg (US)
** Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to EPA certification.
EMISSIONS CONTROLS
EU 5 and US LEV 1
Dynamic Bentley driving experience
ZF 6HP28 transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by up to 50% and enables double downshifts.
New 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer when powering out of bends and provides for better modulation of line and attitude by ‘throttle steering.’
Increased front and rear track improves grip and stability.
Advanced ESC system fully exploits the potential of the more powerful W12 engine and improved chassis.
20” ‘Five Spoke’ alloy wheels with optional 21” wheels in ‘Five Spoke Two-Piece’, ‘Seven Spoke Elegant’ and ‘Ten Spoke Propeller’ designs.
