NAA Member News: New Bentley Continental GT Debuts in Frankfurt
The all-new Bentley Continental GT, designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe, has made its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and a plug-in hybrid model will be available in the future …
At the heart of the new Continental GT sits an all-new, enhanced version of Bentley’s 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine, mated, for the first time, to a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission, for faster, more efficient gear changes.
The new powertrain uses the very latest engine management technology, with 300 million software calculations per second. It produces 635 PS (626 bhp) and 900 Nm (664 lb.ft.) of torque, and accelerates the new Continental GT from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, and on to a top speed of 207 mph.
A new Active All-Wheel-Drive System replaces the traditional 40:60 power delivery split between front and rear wheels respectively, instead varying the front-to-rear torque split dependent upon the driving situation. The vehicle will use rear-wheel drive as much as possible during normal driving for optimum efficiency and dynamic performance.
The all-new body and materials save more than 80 kg over the previous Continental W12 body. A new, technically advanced, adaptive chassis uses Bentley’s 48-volt Dynamic Ride System, controlling ride comfort and lateral roll. The engine is positioned further back to improve weight distribution, and there is improved luggage capacity.
The new Continental GT also showcases major evolutions in Bentley’s unique application of technology. An advanced, fully digital, driver-focused instrument panel and Bentley Rotating Display for the driver are among the suite of innovations. The latter features a 12.3” touchscreen housed in a three-sided unit, which revolves the veneer to reveal the touchscreen as well as three analogue dials.
