New Bentley ragtop on show

Continental GTC unveiled tomorrow

By PH Staff / Thursday, 13 April 2006 / Loading comments

Bentley Continental GTC

The Continental GTC, Bentley's new 2+2 convertible, will be officially unveiled at the New York International Automobile Show, which opens tomorrow and runs until 23 April. When the convertible goes on sale later this year it will join the Continental GT, launched in 2003 and last year's four-door Continental Flying Spur.

Its Crewe-built, W12 twin-turbocharged 6-litre engine delivers 552bhp and 479lb-ft of torque at 1600rpm. Top speed is 195mph, with a zero to 60mph sprint in 4.8 seconds driven via all four wheels. It also features air suspension and a stiff chassis -- Bentley has added steel reinforcement to the sills, extra cross braces beneath the cabin and strengthened steel tubing in the A-pillars and windscreen surround. Inside, the GTC sports natural wood veneers and leather hides all of which go on display when you lower the electro-hydraulically operated soft-top roof, a process that takes 30 seconds.

“The Continental GTC is the most distinctive new Bentley yet,” said Bentley boss Franz-Josef Paefgen. “It is very elegant and at the same time effortlessly modern. It will appeal to many different customers: people who are tired of driving sports cars that require too much effort; people who want to move up from more standard convertibles; and people who want to make a statement about what they drive, yet still own a car that they can use every day of the year.”

The Continental GTC becomes the second Bentley convertible with the recently-announced return of the Azure name for Bentley’s Arnage-derived four-seater convertible.

How would you differentiate? Bentley reckons the Azure offers the ultimate glamour, sophistication and accommodation for adults in supreme comfort, while the 2+2 Continental GTC is designed for customers looking to enjoy the phenomenal performance, style and excitement of the GT plus wind in your hair.

Oh, the price? If you have to ask...