The Gentleman Magazine Issue 12 | December 2018 | Page 30

This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when
cornering and ensures maximum tyre-to-road contact to
deliver class-leading ride comfort and exceptional handling.
While conventional anti-roll bars present a compromise
between body control and ride comfort, Bentley’s active
system provides variable torsional resistance, allowing the
Continental GT Convertible to be both dynamically capable
and comfortable for all occupants at all times. The use of a
48-volt system results in silent, instantaneous responses and
sufficient power on hand to deal with all road surfaces.
Through Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Control different modes
can be selected: Comfort mode, Bentley mode or Sport mode;
the suspension, engine, gearbox and other chassis systems will
modify to match the selected drive mode. Alternatively, the
driver can personalise his or her own dynamic settings.
The air suspension on the new Continental GT Convertible
uses three-chamber air springs which give the car 60 per cent
more air volume in the softest setting than the previous model.
This allowed Bentley’s engineers more scope for tuning the
suspension to improve the ride comfort and dynamic character
of the car. The system offers the scope to vary from sporting
spring stiffness to luxury limousine refinement depending
upon which mode the driver has selected.
As a foundation for this impressive handling, the Continental
GT Convertible boasts a body-in-white structure that manages
to be both stiffer and lighter than its predecessor. This five
per cent improvement in torsional rigidity and 20 per cent
reduction in structural weight are achievable thanks to the
intelligent utilisation of aluminium and high-tensile steel in
the platform.
Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) is also featured on
the Continental GT Convertible. The new system improves
feedback to the driver, while providing isolation from unwanted
road disturbances. The steering system features a variable rack
ratio, allowing increased response with higher steering angles
to aid manoeuvrability whilst maintaining excellent stability at
high speeds.
Another key feature is the latest-generation Continuous
Damping Control (CDC), which constantly adjusts the
damper forces to optimise comfort. The system continually
measures the velocity and distance between the wheels and
the body at each corner and also adjusts the air volume in the
springs if necessary to ensure the optimum balance of comfort
and handling. Both front and rear axles are of a lightweight
aluminium construction, with multilink design at the front
and rear.
The braking system is the most powerful iron system ever
fitted to a Bentley, with a total of 28 pistons. Front brake discs
measuring 420 mm are a two-piece construction utilising a
cast-iron friction ring and aluminium mounting bell. Front
calipers feature ten pistons each, while rear calipers contain
four pistons each that clamp 380 mm single-piece discs.
Brakes of this scale provide the reliable, repeatable stopping
performance inherently important to a 200+ mph sporting
Grand Tourer.
Bentley has worked together with Pirelli to create bespoke
tyres for the new Continental GT Convertible right from the
very beginning of the design phase. The car runs exclusively on
Pirelli P Zero tyres, using a different tyre size between front and
rear axles for the first time, to enhance dynamic ability. During
the development process, Pirelli’s engineers sat alongside
their counterparts from Bentley, driving and refining the car-
tyre package until the perfect balance was reached between
performance and comfort.
The latest material compounds help the tyre respond more
directly to driver inputs, ensuring a dynamic experience that is
balanced and communicative.
The P Zero tyre fitted to the Bentley also has Pirelli’s Noise
Cancelling System which reduces road noise coming into the
cabin. At the same time, rolling resistance is also improved on
the latest P Zero tyres, creating less friction against the road
without compromising grip. As a result, both wet and dry grip
represent a step forward, with a noticeably reduced risk of
aquaplaning.
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