Bentley has confirmed it will add a convertible to its Continental range. Joining the existing GT coupe and Flying Spur saloon, the 2+2 GTC is the final model in the range and goes on sale late next year.
It will be the second convertible Bentley and sit alongside the recently announced four-seat Azure, which is based on the Arnage and goes on sale next spring. According to the company, while the Azure offers “the ultimate in glamour and sophistication”, the Continental GTC is aimed at drivers “who want to enjoy the performance and style of the Continental GT, but with the benefits of open-top motoring”.
The styling marks it out as clearly a member of the Continental family, but Bentley’s design director Dirk van Braeckel says the design of the new car is distinctive: “With the Continental GTC we set out to achieve a style that is both contemporary and elegant, but with the sporting stance of a true performance car. We also wanted to ensure that the Continental GTC looks just as beautiful with the roof up as it does when it’s down.”
Full details of the four-wheel-drive car’s price and specification will be announced the nearer the car’s on-sale date, but it will have a 552bhp twin-turbo 12-cylinder 6.0-litre engine driving through a six-speed automatic transmission to give a maximum speed of more than 190mph. The suspension uses air springs, while the hood is fully automated and the interior will be trimmed in leather and natural wood veneers.
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