The Gentleman Magazine Issue 12 | December 2018 | Page 29

An entirely new combination of roof insulating materials
and operating mechanism, combined with sealing system
improvements and acoustic treatments, have created a
Convertible Grand Tourer that is as quiet as the previous
generation Continental GT Coupe.
Two technology option packs are offered at launch: City
Specification for urban journeys and the Touring Specification
for long-distance driving, both curated to optimise the
customer experience.
City Specification includes hands-free boot opening, pedestrian
warning, traffic-sign recognition and city braking systems as
well as a top-view camera. The Touring Specification pack,
meanwhile, offers adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam
assist, active lane assist, a heads-up display, night vision with
an infrared camera, and pre-sense braking.
The Mulliner Driving Specification adds a more sporting look
to the car with 22” lightweight forged alloy wheels, unique
‘diamond in diamond’ quilting, embroidered Bentley emblems,
additional veneer options, a jewelled-finish fuel filler, sports
pedals and indented leather headliner. Customers can also
choose personalised stitching in the front and rear of the car
and personalised treadplates.
As with all Bentleys, the Continental GT Convertible can also
be handed over to the highly skilled and dedicated craftspeople
at Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, who
will respond to bespoke customer requirements.
Sublime Power: The Beating Heart of Bentley
The all-new Continental GT Convertible is offered at launch
with Bentley’s 6.0-litre, W12 TSI engine. Designed, developed
and handbuilt in Crewe, it is the most advanced 12-cylinder
engine in the world.
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,
accelerating the Convertible to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds (0-60
mph in 3.7 seconds), on to a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph).
The W12 TSI combines high-pressure direct fuel injection
with low-pressure injection. The combination of these two
systems maximises refinement, lowers particulate emissions
and optimises power and torque delivery. [WLTP drive cycle:
fuel consumption, mpg (l/100km) - Combined 20.2 (14.0).
Combined CO₂- 317g/km. NEDC drive cycle equivalent:
fuel consumption, mpg (l/100km) – Combined 22.8 (12.4).
Combined CO₂ - 284g/km.]
The new engine utilises Start-Stop technology and, in Bentley’s
advanced application, coasting is also made possible. The
engine rests not only when the vehicle is stationary but also at
near-to-stop speeds.
Bentley’s Variable Displacement system shuts down half of
the engine under defined conditions. Intake and exhaust
valves, fuel injection and ignition are all shut down on defined
cylinders, with the engine running as a six-cylinder for
improved efficiency.
Significantly, a new dual-mass flywheel replaces the torque
converter, to dampen out the oscillations of the driveline and
provide a fittingly smooth power delivery for luxury touring.
The dual-clutch eight-speed transmission provides smooth
acceleration and impressively quick gearshifts, hallmarks of the
Continental GT character, as well as combined fuel economy of
22.8 mpg (UK) or 12.4 L/100 km (NEDC combined).
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.
Unrivalled Grand Touring Ride and Handling
The third generation of Continental GT Convertible features
Bentley Dynamic Ride, an advanced 48-volt roll control system
for unrivalled car control. The system controls and adjusts the
electronic actuators on the anti-roll bar of each axle and so
improves handling and ride comfort, as well as making the car
feel lighter and more precise.
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