Wednesday 15th February 2017

Next Bentley Continental GT spy shots

No really, this will be the new one

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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 6concept 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?

Related articles:

Used Bentley Continental GT Buying Guide

Bentley Continentnal GT 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show

Bentley Continental GT: British Market Watch

[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[wiliferus]

Mother of god the front end on that is fugly!

[beerexpressman]

Looks like a Mustang on steroids!

[PositronicRay]

wiliferus said:

Mother of god the front end on that is fugly!

With a bit of luck the production version will look a bit more resolved.

[daveco]

The rendering/drawing in the article looks superb imo. If it looks anything like the Hunaudieres concept it will be a big win.

[DoctorX]

Appears to be even more gopping than the last one.

[tankplanker]

I'm quite interested in how they reduce the weight of the car as this will (slowly) trickle down the rest of the VAG range if it is cost effective. I can't see them making the car smaller nor can I see them reducing the normal stuff you chuck out when doing it yourself like electric seats or the sound proofing, as that would go against the luxury part of it being a Bentley.

[PositronicRay]

tankplanker said:

I'm quite interested in how they reduce the weight of the car as this will (slowly) trickle down the rest of the VAG range if it is cost effective. I can't see them making the car smaller nor can I see them reducing the normal stuff you chuck out when doing it yourself like electric seats or the sound proofing, as that would go against the luxury part of it being a Bentley.

Funny old thing, this trickle down. In this instance it works the other way! VAG Bentleys have always been a bit of a parts bin special.

[TooMany2cvs]

Is the second one a ragtop?

Plate's more-or-less legible on it - DH65X?? So they've been around a while, and look pretty production-ready.

[tankplanker]

PositronicRay said:

Funny old thing, this trickle down. In this instance it works the other way! VAG Bentleys have always been a bit of a parts bin special.

Oh I know, but they are going to have to do something fairly radical to reduce the weight on the Continental beyond what they can raid from the parts bin. Dropping even 100kg on a car that weighs as much as 2500kg isn't going to make much of a difference.

[dvs_dave]

wiliferus said:

Mother of god the front end on that is fugly!

DoctorX said:

Appears to be even more gopping than the last one.

Erm, you do both realise that the photos are of heavily disguised test mules, don't you?

[Jim AK]

Let's hope they make a better job, on what I think is a good exterior design at present anyway, than the 'facelifted' Mulsanne.

Infotainment system has been an issue on Bentleys since forever for me & ive been lucky enough to drive them since the 90's. Current one is the best effort so far, but still way behind all other parts of the VAG group & other manufacturers.

[TooMany2cvs]

dvs_dave said:

wiliferus said:

Mother of god the front end on that is fugly!

DoctorX said:

Appears to be even more gopping than the last one.

Erm, you do both realise that the photos are of heavily disguised test mules, don't you?

Not that heavily.

And it's definitely the "family face"... Just look at the (goppingly fugly) Mulsanne and Bentaygo.

[DoctorX]

The general styling looks quite clear to me; that convertible behind makes the headlight treatment even more apparent. Horrible.

[anonymous-user]

I think that looks awesome!

[GranCab]

DoctorX said:

The general styling looks quite clear to me; that convertible behind makes the headlight treatment even more apparent. Horrible.

Well spotted Doctor X-Ray Vision, your eyesight insight is most helpful

p.s. I think the "egg-shaped" blue headlamp lenses are just a disguise over the normal twin lamps

[Zod]

As bad as ever.

[TooMany2cvs]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It drives advance speculation, without detracting from the big showbiz launch.

[droopsnoot]

I suspect the front one of the cars in the picture has just driven past home. One check just says "Bentley Unknown", and another says it's cream in colour.