Next Bentley Continental GT spy shots

No really, this will be the new one

Charming though the latest Continental Supersports is, there's no escaping a few areas where it's beginning to show its age. The infotainment, for example, plus the fact it weighs really rather a lot. And emits 358g/km. In addition, the Bentley Continental GT was first shown to the world in 2003. Despite some hefty updates along the way, that's a long time for any car to be in production. Here then is a first sneak at what the next Conti GT, indeed the Conti we may be seeing until the 2030s, will look like.

Driven: read our review of the Bentley Continental GT 2018

Alright, so it doesn't appear all that different right now. Same basic silhouette and features, it seems, although that could simply be clever camo. Working on the assumption it'll be built on the same MLB architecture as the new Panamera we'd expect some carry-over there, like the extended wheelbase and shorter overhang at the front for improved weight distribution. Hard to tell from these pictures but, for sure, there's a new-found sleekness with more than a hint of the EXP10 Speed 6 concept of a couple of Genevas ago. No bad thing if so.

Browse used Bentley Continental GTs for sale on PistonHeads classifieds

What a shame these didn't emerge a couple of days sooner, as Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer was at the Supersports launch and was tackling questions in his own indomitable style. He's a big fan of plug-in hybrids, for example, as they will work well in cities when combustion engines aren't allowed and intelligent nav can work with the car to ensure enough electric is in reserve to reach your destination. Plug it in at the hotel overnight and you can drive out of the city centre again, with the reassurance of a combustion engine on the motorway. While it looks like the Bentayga will be Bentley's first hybrid, expect the Continental to also use the technology in future.

Given what's currently in the VW group stable, a car derived from the latest Panamera would make sense for the next GT. With autonomous technology also a key discussion point, Durheimer was also keen to stress the idea of luxury in that. A concierge sort of service in your car, if you will. As Bentley's core model - although it could be the Bentayga quite soon - expect a lot ofthe next generation tech to be found in the Continental.

What's the expected release date for the Continental GT?

Our spy sources are suggesting a 2018 launch date for this new model, which would tie in nicely with Bentley's centenary in 2019. That's not going to be a quiet celebration now, is it?