Second generation Bentley Continental GTC to debut in Frankfurt

Aug 31, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Crewe, England - The second generation of Bentley9s Continental GTC convertible will debut at next month9s Frankfurt Motor Show, taking styling cues from the GT coupe and featuring a more spacious and restyled cabin.

Advanced production techniques such as aluminium 'super forming' for the front wings provide a more sculpted body look. The matrix radiator grille has a more upright position and features the new 'double horseshoe' rear profile first shown on the flagship Bentley Mulsanne.

The hand-crafted cabin comes with soft-touch leather hides, an extensive range of wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets.

The multi-layered fabric hood is complemented by acoustic glass and under-body panels, for optimum noise isolation. A neck warmer provides additional comfort for top-down motoring.

A new 40:60 rear torque bias (compared with 50:50 of the original GTC) is designed to reduce understeer during hard cornering.

Power output from the 6-litre W12 engine has been raised from 560 horsepower (hp) to 575 hp and the 9wave of torque9 increased by a further 50 Newton metres (Nm) to 700Nm. Flexfuel capability allows it to run on E85 biofuel, petrol or any combination of the two.

Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h is listed at 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 314 km/h.

First deliveries are planned for late 2011 with a selling price of 170,060 euros (212,800 dollars).