Bentley Continental GT
Bentley Continental GT
The Bentley Continental GT is a two-door 'two plus two' grand touring coupé released in 2003, replacing the previous Rolls-Royce-based Continental R and T.
It is equipped with a 6.0 litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine, which produces a DIN-rated motive power output of 560 metric horsepower(412 kW; 552 bhp) at 6,100 rpm, and torque of 650 newton metres (479 lbf·ft) at 1,600-6,100 rpm. Torsen-based permanent four-wheel drive is standard.It will accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0 to 62.1 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of 318 kilometres per hour (197.6 mph).
First generation (2003–2011)
The four-door Continental Flying Spur saloon was first displayed at the 2005Geneva Motor Show. The Flying Spur utilizes most of the technical underpinnings of the Bentley Continental GT, and was introduced to European and North American markets in the summer of 2005. Together, the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur have boosted Bentley's annual production from around 1,000 units in 2003, to 9,200 units in 2006.
The Flying Spur has a 6-litre, 12-cylinder engine, configured in a W formation. Unlike a conventional 12-cylinder engine with two banks of 6 (V-12), the Continental’s 6-litre engine is configured in four banks of 3 cylinders each (W-12). This shortens the W-12 engine's length considerably, compared to a 2-bank configuration. The W-12 produces 552 bhp (412 kW; 560 PS), accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and propels the Flying Spur top speed of 194 mph (312 km/h).
One notable aspect of the Continental Flying Spur is its grille. Made to look like traditional chromed brass mesh, it is a metal-covered plastic-core. This was fitted as a safety feature; it is designed to break apart upon impact with a pedestrian.
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GTC
The convertible version of the Continental GT, the Continental GTC, was first presented in September 2005, and was introduced to several world markets in the autumn of 2006. With the second generationAzure, it is the second Bentley convertible released in 2005. The roof is produced by Karmann in Osnabrück,Germany.
The GTC uses identical powertraindetail as the GT, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0 to 62.1 mph) in 5.1 seconds. With the roof up, it will reach a top speed of 314 kilometres per hour (195.1 mph), and with the roof down 305 kilometres per hour (189.5 mph).
Supersports
In February 2009, Bentley announced limited production of the Bentley Continental Supersports. The car was unveiled at the 2009Geneva Motor Show, announced by Jay Leno, to be available in autumn 2009, while North American cars would be available by summer 2010.
It includes a revised ZF 6HP26A tiptronic automatic with "Quickshift" system that reducesshift times by 50%, and enables double downshifts. The car uses a Torsen T-3 centre differential for the 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the four-wheel drive system. Other changes include revised Continuous Damping Control (CDC), 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels (with increased 25 mm (1.0 in) offset on rear wheels) with 275/35 ZR20 Pirelli Ultra High Performance tires, advanced Bosch Electronic Stability Programme(ESP) with switchable Dynamic Mode, Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic disc brakes (the largest and most powerful brakes ever fitted to a production car), 110 kilograms (243 lb) weight saving over Continental GT Speed, automatic retractable spoiler (deploys at 80 km/h (50 mph)).The first Bentley capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and biofuel (E85 ethanol), its 6.0 litre W12 engine was rated 630 PS (463 kW; 621 bhp) at 6,000 rpm and 800 N·m(590 lbf·ft) at 1,700-5,600 rpm - using either fuel. The car has 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0 to 62.1 mph) acceleration of 3.1 seconds, 0 to 160 kilometres per hour (0 to 99.4 mph) acceleration of 8.9 seconds, top speed of 329 kilometres per hour (204.4 mph), making it the fastest and the most powerful production Bentley ever. The Supersports is already known as the best handling Bentley. Bentley says the supersports can deliver 1.29 g forces on a 300-foot (91 m) skid pad, as compared to its sibling the Continental GT speed which can perform up to .98 g forces on a 300-foot (91 m) skidpad.
US model has MSRP of approximately $270,000, with early vehicles not having E85 capability, which would be available in summer of 2010 for US market.
Supersports convertible (2010-)
In April 2010, Bentley announced a convertible version of the Continental Supersports. Pricing starts at $280,400, and went on sale in the Summer of 2010. The convertible gets the same engine as the coupe, but will receive a revised version of the ZF 6HP26 transmission with "Quickshift," cutting shift times by 50% and enabling double downshifts. The convertible also gets new, lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels that are 22 lb (10.0 kg) lighter than the standard wheel. In February 2011, Bentley succeeded in breaking their own land-ice speed record previously set by the Continental GT. They managed to bring a slightly modified Supersports Convertible to 205.48 MPH in Finland, verified by the Guinness World Records.
Supersports 'Ice Speed Record' convertible (2011-)
It is a limited (100 units) version of Bentley Continental Supersports convertible, commemorating Bentley's world ice speed record set by Finland's four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen. It included a W12 engine rated 640 PS (471 kW; 631 bhp), Quickshift six-speed automatic transmission, 420 mm front and 356 mm rear diameter carbon ceramic brake discs with eight-piston front calipers, 3 body colours (Beluga, Quartzite, Arctica White) with Dark Grey Metallic soft top in three-ply composite construction, 20-inch 10-spoke Supersports wheels in dark tint, leather interior upholstery, diamond-quilted Alcantara to doors and quarter panels and seat facings, 'soft-grip' leather on the steering wheel and gear lever, high-gloss carbon fibre on the dashboard and console and roof panel with unique red weave, Pillar Box red piping to seats and doors, Pillar Box Red contrast stitching to seats, door casings, steering wheel and gearshift paddles; front seats and floor mats with embroidered 'Supersports' legends, Breitling dashboard clock with red accent.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
Motorsport
In early 2007, a Bentley Continental GT Speed equipped with Nokian Hakkapeliitta Sport Utility 5 studded winter tyres and driven by four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen, broke the World Speed Record on Ice - on the frozen Baltic Sea near Oulu, Finland. It averaged 321.6 kilometres per hour (199.83 mph) in both directions on the "flying kilometre", reaching a maximum speed of 331 km/h (205.67 mph). The previous record was 296 km/h (183.9 mph), achieved with a Bugatti EB110 Supersport. The record-breaking Bentley was largely standard except for a roll-cage, aerodynamic improvements, and low-temperature fuel and calibration.
On February 15, 2011 Kankkunen broke the record again, reaching an average speed of 331 km/h (205.67 mph) in a convertible Bentley Continental Supersports. Bentley announced that a limited edition of the car would be released to celebrate the achievement. It seems that Bentley provoked the former tyre supplier by attempting a new record with a different brand because, on March 6, 2011,Nokian Tyres test driver, piloting an Audi RS6 with Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tyres, took the ice speed record in Finland, clocking a top speed of 206.05 mph (331.61 km/h) in freezing conditions.
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Second generation (2012–present)
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| Production | 2011– |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Crewe, England, United Kingdom |
| Body style | 2-door 2+2 coupé |
| Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, Torsen permanent four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group D1 |
| Engine | 6.0 L W12 twin-turbo 4.0 L V8 twin-turbo |
| Transmission | 8-speed tiptronic automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,746 mm (108.1 in) |
| Length | 4,806 mm (189.2 in) |
| Width | 1,944 mm (76.5 in) |
| Height | 1,404 mm (55.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 2,320 kg (5,115 lb) |
Continental GT (2011-)
A revised Continental GT was introduced in 2011. As a cheaper alternative to the existing (but updated)W12 engine, the new model can have a twin-turbo 4-litre V8 engine (developed jointly with Audi). The 3993cc V8produces 500 hp (373 kW) and 487 lb·ft (660 N·m). Cylinder deactivationtechnology effectively turns the V8 into a V4 to improve fuel economy by 8%. Other changes, including on-demand steering assistance, weight reduction, better engine heat management, overrun alternator charging and eco-tyres, improve overall fuel consumption by 40% from the W12's 17.1mpg to the V8's 26.1mpg.
Continental GT V8 coupe (2012-)
The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 North American International Auto Show , followed by SkyLounge in Munich.
Continental GT Speed (2012-)
Bentley announced on 20 June 2012 that it would produce the Continental GT Speed, its fastest ever vehicle with a top speed of 330 kilometres per hour (205 mph).
The engine is a twin-turbo 6.0 liter W12 that generates 616 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. It uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The ride height is lowered and chassis and suspension uprated.
The vehicle was unveiled in Goodwood Festival of Speed 2012, followed by 2012 Moscow Motor Show.
Continental GT Speed Convertible (2013-)
The convertible version Continental GT Speed includes ME17 engine management system, self-levelling system set 10 mm lower than the 575PS Continental GT convertible, Electronic Stability Control with Dynamic Mode, matrix radiator grille and bumper air intakes in dark-tint chrome finish, 21" Speed alloy wheels in silver or an optional dark tint, diamond-quilted hide upholstery, Dark Tint Aluminium 'engine spin' finish (optional fine wood veneers, satin-finish Carbon Fibre option for fascia and centre console), top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph). The vehicle was unveiled in 2013 North American International Auto Show.
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