Continental GT Speed Convertible revealed

MANILA: Bentley Motors recently unveiled the Continental GT Speed Convertible, the new flagship version of the open-top grand tourer. The Speed model is the most powerful and most driver-focused interpretation of what the brand considers the "benchmark convertible GT."

Powered by an improved version of Bentley's renowned 6.0-liter W12 TSI engine, the third-generation Continental GT Speed Convertible delivers an outstanding, increased 650hp, enabling a zero-to-100kph time of 3.7 seconds, and a top speed of 335kph.

The new open-air grand tourer joins its coupe sibling, the Continental GT Speed, which was unveiled earlier this month, at the pinnacle of the Continental family.

Designed, handcrafted, and engineered in Bentley's carbon-neutral luxury automotive factory, The new GT Speed Convertible features enhanced chassis technology such as all-wheel steering, an electronic rear differential, and the option of carbon ceramic brakes. This contributes to superior vehicle agility and confidence while maintaining the Continental GT Convertible's renowned ride comfort.

The Continental GT Speed Convertible has a tailored, "Z-fold" roof that can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, transforming it from a luxurious coupe to an open-top grand tourer at the touch of a button.

The pinnacle performance model has a distinctive exterior and interior detailing such as Speed sport sills, dark-tinted grilles, and Speed badging. Customers can also select one of three finishes for the one-of-a-kind 22" forged Speed wheels. The 2021 Continental GT Convertible model features Speed badging on the passenger fascia, an Alcantara steering wheel, and a unique color split trim in hide and Alcantara.

Cutting-edge chassis technology provides the third-generation GT Speed Convertible with unrivaled control and accuracy, instilling even more confidence.

This approach rewards drivers of all abilities while adhering to Bentley's philosophy of the vehicle feeling progressive and secure while remaining dynamic. To achieve this philosophy, overall grip is balanced between the front and rear wheels in Bentley and Comfort mode. Sport is calibrated with a more rear-biased torque-split for all driving scenarios.

Cornering dynamics are improved, and the extra grip provided by the new systems allows the driver to exit corners with greater precision and confidence. As a result, the vehicle can extract the most performance from the available traction, resulting in stunning acceleration and composure from the apex.

In Sport mode, the traction management system directs a greater proportion of power to the rear axle, allowing for even more on-throttle cornering line control.

Alongside these systems are the key chassis technologies that deliver body control and ride comfort without sacrificing one another — namely Bentley's three-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping and Bentley Dynamic Ride — the 48V active anti-roll control system pioneered by Bentley on the Bentayga and third-generation Continental GT.

To resist body roll, this innovative system incorporates powerful electric motors within each anti-roll bar. The motors can deliver 1,300Nm in 0.3 seconds in their firmest setting to counteract cornering forces and keep the body level.

On the Speed, a carbon ceramic brake system was also introduced as an option. The use of high-performance materials reduces the amount of brake force required for high-speed deceleration and reduces the risk of brake fade. With active all-wheel drive, the traction control and torque distribution were recalibrated in all driver modes, resulting in a noticeable character shift compared to the standard Continental GT Convertible.

Effortless performance

The new Continental GT Speed Convertible is a high-performance vehicle that also exudes elegance and luxury. An upgraded version of Bentley's imperious W12 TSI engine delivers an outstanding 650hp — a 23hp increase — and a remarkable 900Nm of torque. With this much power, the zero-to-100kph time is 3.7 seconds, and the top speed is 335kph.

Hand-built in Crewe, UK the 6.0-liter engine is the world's most advanced 12-cylinder engine. To match the Speed's powerful credentials, both the engine and transmission were retuned.

This is most noticeable in Sport driving mode, where the twin-turbocharged W12 engine has been tuned to stay in the power band longer by upshifting later or downshifting earlier. This results in more eager response to driver needs.

The dual-clutch, eight-speed transmission shifts twice as fast in Sport mode as it does in standard W12 mode, fitting for a model that is the performance pinnacle of the Continental GT range. This is combined with a stronger exhaust note during start-up and gear downshifts.

Muscular Exterior Design – Unique Speed Detailing

The new Continental GT Speed Convertible effortlessly blends style and performance intent, making it a statement of true sporting purpose. The bold presence of the world's finest open-top Grand Tourer was accentuated even further by one-of-a-kind detailing.

The tailored convertible roof of the Speed can be deployed or stowed in 19 seconds while the car is traveling at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h).

Speed models feature a Dark Tint radiator grille and lower bumper grille, as well as Speed sports sills, a Dark Tint radiator matrix, and discrete Speed badging on the front fender.

The 22” Speed wheels are available in a matching Dark Tint with a Bright Silver or Black Gloss finish. A Jewel Fuel and Oil Filler Cap, as well as an illuminated Bentley display on the outer treadplate, pay homage to the Speed's performance credentials.

There are seven exterior roof colors to choose from, including a modern interpretation of traditional British tweed. Other colors include black, blue, claret, and grey. In addition, eight interior roof liner finishes are available, ranging from New Red to Magnolia.

The innovative Z-fold convertible roof system is the most advanced in its class. The roof, with its improved sealing system and acoustic treatments, contributes to a three-decibel reduction in overall noise levels at typical cruising speeds when compared to its predecessor. A completely new roof insulating material and operating mechanism, along with sealing system improvements and acoustic treatments, result in a Convertible Grand Tourer that is as quiet as the previous generation Continental GT Coupe.

Exclusive handcrafted cabin

The luxurious interior of the Continental GT Speed Convertible combines unrivaled Grand Touring refinement with distinctive Speed detailing, which is fully revealed to the world when the roof is lowered.

A hide and Alcantara color split trim complements an Alcantara steering wheel and Speed insignia on the passenger fascia. Customers can also select from 15 main and 11 secondary hide options.

Diamond-in-diamond quilting and Speed embroidered headrests hint at the performance characteristics of the most powerful Continental GT Convertible, while a no-cost option is a mono-tone color split with Alcantara/Leather.

The Speed comes standard with Piano Black veneer, with Crown Cut, Dark Stain Burr Walnut, and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus available as no-cost options. There is also open-pore Dark Stain Burr Walnut veneer, Crown Cut Walnut veneer, and Koa veneer available.

Customers can opt for the optional Dark Tint Engine Turned Aluminum console or a leather

to the Speed color split trim and the Speed Color Specification, which comes standard with sports pedals and Speed treadplate plaques.

The heated and vented Comfort Seats are seamlessly integrated with a neck warmer (which is both warmer and quieter than the previous generation model), optimizing efficiency and airflow around the electrically adjustable headrests. The new neck warmer's styling highlight is a chrome center vane that spans the entire width of the duct, echoing Bentley's famous 'bullseye' vents.

These sophisticated comfort features, when combined with a heated steering wheel and heated armrests, create a luxurious driving experience in any environment.

Chris Craft, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing at Bentley Motors, comments:

“The new Speed is the most driver-focused Continental GT Convertible available and unique in its ability to offer extremely refined, all-season open-top Grand Touring with the added edge of astonishing performance and dynamism.

“Combined with exquisite, handcrafted interior details, the Continental GT Speed Convertible exemplifies all Bentley knows about creating the world’s most stylish and elegant cars for roof-down motoring.”

Photos from Bentley Motors

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