New-gen Bentley Continental GT stars at Frankfurt Motor Show
No more spy shots … it’s finally arrived. Bentley has given the all-new Continental GT its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Featuring a much improved lighter platform, a new look and of course Bentley’s trademark 6.0-litre W12, it’ll be aiming at taking on the Aston Martin DB11 when it hits UK roads next year.
Externally, the front of the new car is more imposing than ever before, and the current car’s twin-headlights have been ditched in favour of larger, single units with smaller separate indicator/side lights – a look that’s clearly inspired by the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car seen last year.
The side profile has changed too, thanks to the haunches over the rear wheels which have grown. While the headlights have gotten larger, the tail lights are now a much smaller affair, and are more rounded than the bulkier look of its predecessors’ rear end.
Inside, it’s business as usual for Bentley – acres of leather and beautifully crafted wood veneer. However, turn the ignition on and said wood veneer disappears behind the dash to make way for the 12.3in infotainment system.
[gallery]
Read more: Bentley Bentayga SUV review
This is the focal point of the interior and, if you wish, it can rotate again to display a trio of analogue dials. The driver’s display is also a high-res LCD affair, and Bentley promises that the cabin is more customisable than ever before – new metal trim and wood finishes are on offer.
The most significant part of the new Continental however is underneath. It gets Volkswagen’s latest MSB platform meaning it shares numerable parts with the Panamera. A new drive mode and active anti-roll bars ensure the Continental is as much as sports car as it is a long-distance GT.
Engine-wise, Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre W12 will be on offer from launch, producing 626bhp and a huge 900Nm of torque from just 1,750rpm. The result is a 0-60mph run of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 207 mph – both marginal improvements over the outgoing model.
The W12 gets some clever eco-tech too, with a new cylinder-deactivation mode purportedly improving CO2 emissions by more than 15%. If the W12 doesn’t take your fancy, a 4.0-litre V8 will join the line-up soon after launch, while a hybrid is reportedly in the works too.
If you can see yourself in a new Continental GT, it’s actually available to order through Bentley now, although an official list price is to be announced. We imagine it’ll be in excess of £150,000 though. In the meantime, you can check out other Bentley lease deals here.
What do you think of the new Continental GT? Is it still the ultimate grand tourer, or do you prefer the Aston Martin DB11? Let us know in the comments…