Bentley Continental GT

Bentley Continental GT
Production period:	since 2003
Class :	Upper class
Body versions :	Coupe
Previous model:	Bentley Continental R.

The Bentley Continental GT is a luxury coupé from the British manufacturer Bentley Motors Limited , a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG . The abbreviation GT stands for Gran Turismo . The convertible version of this series is the Bentley Continental GTC .

Continental GT (2003-2011)

First generation
Bentley Continental GT (2003-2007)
Production period:	2003-2011
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Petrol engines : 6.0 liters (411–463 kW)
Length:	4804 mm
Width:	1918 mm
Height:	1390 mm
Wheelbase :	2745 mm
Empty weight :	2350 kg

Vehicle characteristics

The Continental GT is the first Bentley to be developed under the direction of Volkswagen. The presentation took place at the Geneva Motor Show 2003. The W12 cylinder engine of the VW Phaeton , but with a turbocharger , is installed. The four-wheel drive , the air suspension , the automatic transmission and the vehicle electrics / electronics come from the group brother (Volkswagen group D platform , together with Phaeton and Audi A8 D3 ). The Bentley was manufactured - also largely by hand - at the main factory in Crewe in England , where production is at full capacity due to the high demand, which led to long waiting times.

The Continental GT was available from 167,504 euros. As standard it includes, among other things, a full leather interior , paddle shifters on the steering wheel, infotainment system with navigation system , DVD player and 12-channel hi-fi system, six- disc CD changer , multi-zone automatic air conditioning and electrically adjustable front seats with "memory" - Function. For a surcharge, the customer receives the Mulliner Driving Specification package from the in-house refinement department: 20 "light-alloy sports bikes, embroidered Bentley logos in the seat backrests, gear levers in sport design and perforated aluminum sport pedals. Carbon-ceramic is also available as an option -Brake system.

Rear view
Geneva Motor Show
Interior (2003-2007)
7-spoke wheel with Bentley B

Continental GT Speed

In 2007 the coupé series was expanded to include the more powerful Continental GT Speed variant . The name suffix Speed is based on the legendary speed models of the founding years. In addition to the increase in performance, the Speed has a slightly modified chassis, different wheels and a 3-spoke sports steering wheel.

As part of the introduction of the GT Speed , the series got a subtle facelift (modified front view). The engines of all Continental models have been designed to be more efficient; the average consumption with unchanged performance fell by half a liter / 100 kilometers.

Bentley Continental GT Speed
(2007-2011)
Rear view
Interior (2007-2010)

Continental supersports

In spring 2009, another variant of the GT was presented as a study at the Geneva Motor Show. The production model was presented in summer 2009. The Bentley Continental Supersports has 463 kW (630 PS, 14 kW more than the Speed version) and a torque of 800 Nm (GT Speed: 750 Nm). Furthermore, the front air intakes were enlarged and the rear was modified. In addition, the curb weight of the Supersport has been reduced by 120 kilograms compared to the basic version. Among other things, the back seat was dispensed with and CFRP sports seats with more lateral support were installed. It's Bentley's fastest street legal model. According to the manufacturer, it accelerates to 100 km / h in 3.9 seconds and reaches its top speed of 329 km / h.

Bentley Continental Supersports
(since 2009)
Rear view
inner space

Continental GT (2011-2018)

Second generation
Bentley Continental GT (2011-2015)
Production period:	2011-2018
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Petrol engines : 4.0–6.0 liters (373–522 kW)
Length:	4806 mm
Width:	1943-1944 mm
Height:	1404 mm
Wheelbase :	2746 mm
Empty weight :	2295-2320 kg

The second generation, which was presented at the Mondial de l'Automobile 2010 in Paris, appeared at the beginning of 2011 and was only slightly changed in appearance compared to the first generation. At the front, the headlights were redesigned and the design of the bumper revised. At the rear, this model differs through the flatter tail lights and a modified tailgate. Little has changed in terms of dimensions; the width has increased by 2 cm to 1.94 m.

The previous twelve-cylinder was redesigned, increasing its output by 12 kW to 423 kW (575 hp). It also complies with the Euro 5 emissions standard that has been in force since 2011.

In April 2012, a smaller V8 gasoline engine with twin turbocharging and an output of 373 kW (507 hp) was added and was first presented at the NAIAS 2012 in Detroit. The eight-cylinder model has been available in a second output level since 2014, as the V8 S with 388 kW (528 hp).

Rear view
inner space
Bentley Continental GT V8 (2012-2015)
Rear view of the V8
Interior V8
Bentley Continental GT V8 S (2014-2015)

Continental GT Speed

Continental GT Speed 2012-2014

The GT Speed was also re-launched and presented in Goodwood on the last weekend in June 2012. The market launch took place in October. The output has been increased from 449 kW to 460 kW (625 PS) compared to its predecessor. The CO ₂ emissions have been reduced so that the GT Speed now also meets the Euro 5 standard. Instead of the 6-speed automatic transmission, an 8-speed automatic transmission now takes care of the power transmission, which is still carried out to all four wheels, although the ratio has been changed to 40:60 in favor of the rear wheels.

For the 2015 model year, the speed was slightly revised. The car now has body parts painted in the same color as the car, which up until then were optional extras. In addition, like the GT V8 S, the rear lights are now tinted dark and the front headlights are also darkened. In addition, Bentley uses Speed logos on the fenders and in the interior of this model (fenders, dashboard, headrests). There are new exterior and interior colors and a new color division in the interior. The output of the W12 engine has been increased to 467 kW (635 hp).

Continental GT Speed 2014-2015 front
Continental GT Speed 2014-2015 rear

Facelift 2015

At the Geneva Motor Show 2015, Bentley presented a slightly revised Continental series. The front section has been redesigned, featuring a new bumper with a modified design and a slightly modified radiator grille. The rear has also been redesigned, so you will find a new rear bumper and a new trunk lid. The chrome trim now covers the entire rear, similar to the Bentley Mulsanne (2009) . The side air outlets in the form of the "Flying B" are also new. New colors and new rim designs are available. In the interior, the steering wheel and shift paddles have been subtly changed, as has the seat design. The shift gate and the switches around it also received a slight revision. As a new option, Bentley will also be offering its customers a WiFi hotspot in the Continental. The V8 model also offers a new storage compartment in the rear, which is specially designed for iPads and also houses the corresponding connections. The output of the W12 has been increased to 434 kW (590 hp).

Continental GT Supersports

In January 2017, Bentley presented the 522 kW (710 PS) GT Supersports at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit . With a top speed of 336 km / h, the Coupé is currently the fastest Bentley vehicle and the fastest four-seater production vehicle in the world.

Technical specifications

	GT V8	GT V8 S.	GT3 R	Continental GT			Continental GT Speed			Continental supersports
Construction period	01 / 2012–03 / 2018	03 / 2014–03 / 2018	06 / 2014–03 / 2018	2003-2007	2007-2011	2011–03 / 2018	2007-2011	10 / 2012–05 / 2014	06 / 2014–03 / 2018	2017–03 / 2018
Motor type	Gasoline engine
Working method	Four stroke
Engine type and number of cylinders	V8			W12
Engine charging	Biturbo
Mounting position	Front lengthways
Valves	4 per cylinder
Camshafts	4th
Displacement	3993 cc			5998 cc
Bore × stroke	84.5 mm × 89.0 mm			84.0 mm × 90.2 mm
Max. power	373 kW (507 hp) at 6000 rpm	389 kW (528 hp) at 6000 rpm	426 kW (580 hp) at 6000 rpm	412 kW (560 hp) at 6100 rpm		423 kW (575 hp) at 6000 rpm	449 kW (610 hp) at 6000 rpm	460 kW (625 PS) at 6000 rpm	467 kW (635 hp) at 6000 rpm	522 kW (710 hp) at 6000 rpm
Max. Torque	660 Nm at 1700 rpm	680 Nm at 1700 rpm	700 Nm at 1700 rpm	650 Nm at 1600 rpm		700 Nm at 1700 rpm	750 Nm at 1750 rpm	800 Nm at 1700 rpm	820 Nm at 1700 rpm	1017 Nm at 2050-4500 rpm
transmission	8-speed automatic transmission			6-speed automatic transmission			8-speed automatic transmission
Drive type	all wheel drive
Torque distribution (front: rear)	40:60			50:50		40:60	50:50	40:60
Top speed	303 km / h	309 km / h	273 km / h	318 km / h		318 km / h [314 km / h]	326 km / h	329 km / h	331 km / h	336 km / h
Acceleration, 0-100 km / h	4.8 s	4.5 s	3.8 s	4.8 s		4.5 s [4.7 s]	4.5 s	4.2 s	4.2 s	3.5 s
Fuel consumption over 100 km (combined)	10.6 l Super Plus	10.6 l Super Plus	12.7 l Super Plus	17.1 l Super Plus	16.6 l super plus	14.5 l [14.9 l] Super Plus	16.6 l super plus	14.5 l Super Plus	14.5 l Super Plus	15.7 l Super Plus
CO ₂ emissions (combined)	246 g / km	246 g / km	295 g / km	410 g / km	396 g / km	338 g / km [347 g / km]	396 g / km	338 g / km	338 g / km	358 g / km
Emission standard according to EU classification	5 euro			Euro 4		5 euro	Euro 4	5 euro		Euro 6

Data in [brackets] stand for the convertible.

Continental GT (since 2018)

Third generation

Production period:	since 2018
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Gasoline engine : 4.0–6.0 liters (404–467 kW)
Length:	4850 mm
Width:	1966 mm
Height:	1405 mm
Wheelbase :	2851 mm
Empty weight :	2165-2244 kg

First images of the third generation were published on August 29, 2017. The new Continental GT was presented to the public at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt am Main in September 2017 , and the first vehicles were delivered in March 2018. Compared to the previous model, the third generation is around 4 cm longer and 2 cm wider.

The new W12 gasoline engine is a further development of the Bentayga engine and, with 467 kW (635 hp), has just as much output as the speed version of the previous model. The new Continental GT accelerates to 100 km / h in 3.7 seconds, and Bentley has a top speed of 333 km / h. A V8 petrol engine with 404 kW (550 PS) followed at the end of 2019.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bentley brand, the special model Number 9 Edition , limited to 100 copies , was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019 . The special model pays homage to the 4½ liter Blower Bentley .

At the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 30, 2019, a new record for production cars was set with a Continental GT. It took Rhys Millen 10: 18.488 minutes for the 19.9 km mountain route. On the occasion of this record, Bentley presented the special limited edition Pikes Peak model, limited to 15 copies, at the beginning of December 2019 . In addition to a paint job that is supposed to be reminiscent of the record-breaking vehicle, it has a body kit made of carbon fiber laminate and the number 100 painted white in the radiator grille , which is supposed to commemorate the company's 100th birthday.

Rear view
Bentley Continental GT Number 9 Edition
Rear view
inside view

Technical specifications

	Continental GT V8	Continental GT
Construction period	since 12/2019	since 03/2018
Engine characteristics
Engine type	V8 - petrol engine	W12 gasoline engine
Displacement	3996 cc	5950 cc
Max. Power at min ⁻¹	404 kW (550 PS) / 6000	467 kW (635 hp) / 5000–6000
Max. Torque in min ^-1	770 Nm / 2000-4500	900 Nm / 1350-4500
Power transmission
drive	all wheel drive
Gearbox, as standard	8-speed dual clutch transmission
Readings
Top speed	318 km / h	333 km / h
Acceleration, 0-100 km / h	4.0 s	3.7 s
Fuel consumption over 100 km (combined)	11.2 liters of Super Plus	12.2 liters of Super Plus
CO ₂ emissions (combined)	255 g / km	278 g / km
Emission standard	Euro 6
Empty weight	2165 kg	2244 kg
Tank capacity	90 l

Web links

Commons : Bentley Continental GT - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Official German Continental GT microsite

Individual evidence

^ Geneva Motor Show: Bentley Continental GT - Telegraph. In: telegraph.co.uk. March 4, 2003, Retrieved June 2, 2018 (UK English).

↑ Bentley Continental GT: Start of production - Classic Driver Magazine. In: classicdriver.com. August 1, 2003, accessed June 2, 2018 .

^ Auto motor & sport, special auto catalog, 2006, p. 290

↑ jüp: Bentley Continental GT Speed: Learning from Porsche - SPIEGEL ONLINE. In: spiegel.de. August 9, 2007, accessed June 2, 2018 .

↑ Bentley Continental Supersports at the Geneva Motor Show 2009 - auto motor und sport. In: auto-motor-und-sport.de. February 25, 2009, accessed June 2, 2018 .

↑ Uli Baumann: Pebble Beach 2009: Bentley starts production of super sports - auto motor und sport. In: auto-motor-und-sport.de. August 15, 2009, accessed June 2, 2018 .

↑ ^a ^b Paris 2010: Bentley Continental GT in new splendor. In: motorsport-total.com. September 8, 2010, accessed June 2, 2018 .

^ Andrew English: Detroit Motor Show 2012: Bentley Continental GT V8 - Telegraph. In: telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved June 10, 2012, June 2, 2018 (UK English).

↑ Bentley Continental GT V8 S 2014: Price for coupé and convertible. In: autozeitung.de. Retrieved June 2, 2018 .

↑ Jan Richter: New Bentley Continental GT Speed in Goodwood: Speed for Speed - Classic Driver Magazine. In: classicdriver.com. June 30, 2012, accessed June 2, 2018 .

↑ Bernd Stegemann: Bentley Continental GT Speed: The strongest production Bentley in the driving report - auto motor und sport. In: auto-motor-und-sport.de. October 17, 2014, accessed June 2, 2018 .

↑ Holger Wittich: Bentley Continental GT at the Geneva Motor Show 2015 - auto motor und sport. In: auto-motor-und-sport.de. February 17, 2015, accessed June 2, 2018 .

↑ Uli Baumann: Bentley Continental Supersports (2017): With 710 hp to 336 km / h. In: auto motor und sport.de. Retrieved January 7, 2017 .

↑ Gregor Hebermehl: Noble, present, sporty and with a rotating display. In: auto motor und sport.de. Retrieved August 29, 2017 .

↑ Jan Götze: The Continental GT is that good. In: autobild.de. Retrieved August 29, 2017 .

↑ Thomas Harloff, Uli Baumann: Bentley Continental GT Number 9: Anniversary model for the 100th birthday. In: auto-motor-und-sport.de. March 5, 2019, accessed March 16, 2019 .

↑ Marcel Sommer: Record for Bentley Continental GT: W12 conquers Pikes Peak. In: auto-motor-und-sport.de. July 2, 2019, accessed July 2, 2019 .

↑ Uli Baumann: Bentley Continental GT Limited Edition Pikes Peak: In memory of the record climb. In: auto-motor-und-sport.de. December 3, 2019, accessed December 3, 2019 .

[1] Geneva Motor Show: Bentley Continental GT - Telegraph. In: telegraph.co.uk. March 4, 2003, Retrieved June 2, 2018 (UK English).

[2] Bentley Continental GT: Start of production - Classic Driver Magazine. In: classicdriver.com. August 1, 2003, accessed June 2, 2018 .

[3] Auto motor & sport, special auto catalog, 2006, p. 290

[4] üp: Bentley Continental GT Speed: Learning from Porsche - SPIEGEL ONLINE. In: spiegel.de. August 9, 2007, accessed June 2, 2018 .

[5] Bentley Continental Supersports at the Geneva Motor Show 2009 - auto motor und sport. In: auto-motor-und-sport.de. February 25, 2009, accessed June 2, 2018 .

[6] Uli Baumann: Pebble Beach 2009: Bentley starts production of super sports - auto motor und sport. In: auto-motor-und-sport.de. August 15, 2009, accessed June 2, 2018 .

[Motorsport_total_Paris_2010-7] Paris 2010: Bentley Continental GT in new splendor. In: motorsport-total.com. September 8, 2010, accessed June 2, 2018 .