Bentley Continental GTC
Here comes the 2+2 convertible. An elegant model offering real luxury.
Three years after the Continental GT coupé and one year after the Continental Flying Spur, here comes the 2+2 convertible. An elegant model offering real luxury.
At Bentley Motors, they don’t beat about the bush : “The Continental GTC is the sleekest Bentley ever”. With evidence to prove the point. Pure and astonishingly simple lines, never spoilt by bumps or indentations, with a constant effort to endow the car with a dreamy silhouette and top-level athletic performance. The brand new rear suspension thus keeps all of the car’s rear volume as compact as possible while benefitting from a spacious trunk when the soft roof is folded back. One just has to take a look at this convertible with the roof down to see that the distribution of the weight seems to be to the rear. With a slightly smaller lunette than that of the coupé and a very low passenger compartment, one feels one is looking at a great roadster. And what a passenger compartment ! A perfect example of the quality finish typical of Bentley. When the roof is stowed away, a stainless steel baguette appears, surrounding all of the coachwork. Inside one finds wood veneer and leather upholstery. The dashboard, the top of the doors and console are all in walnut, though also available in maplewood, Madrona or Piano Black. As with all Bentleys, they are mirror-mounted to ensure perfect symmetry. The seats, door panels, dashboard and tonneau cover come in Premium Class A leather, proposed in 17 different colours. The carpet and safety belts match the colour of the upholstery ; the multi-function steering wheel is also sheathed in leather. Technologies are on a par with the materials : both driver and passengers become VIPs. The front seats with electric adjustment can be heated, with an optional massage function. Options are, however, rare, as Bentley has opted for standard technical characteristics on this convertible. Exterior features include double bi-xenon headlights with integrated wipers, high intensity LED tail and stop lights, alloy sport monoblock 19’’ wheel rims with five spokes and original painted finish, an electronic control system for tyre pressure (TPMS), windscreen and side windows in laminated anti-infrared glass… As for safety, no compromises here either. A sophisticated protection system should the car overturn has been integrated into the rear headrests. When the embedded security module detects that the Continental GTC is going to overturn, two steel-reinforced arcs deploy in a fraction of a second, thus enhancing the protection afforded by the very robust windscreen frame. The car is also equipped with anti-skid and an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) which the driver can de-activate if he wishes. The braking system (the GCT is fitted with the largest disc brakes one can find on series cars today) includes Bosch’s anti-lock system with emergency braking assistance and electronic distribution of braking power ; not forgetting the “smart” handbrake with starting assistance. Finally, to comply with anti-pollution regulations, the two turbo-compressors have been designed with an exclusive derivation valve which automatically diverts exhaust fumes when the car is started cold.
By Cécile Olivéro - photos : press
