Bentley Continental GT

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For other models sharing this name, see Bentley Continental.
Bentley Continental GT
2006 Bentley Continental GT
Manufacturer Bentley
Parent company Volkswagen Group
Production 2003—
Assembly Crewe, England
Osnabruck, Germany (Convertible Roof)
Predecessor Bentley Continental R,
Bentley Continental T
Body style(s) 2-door coupé
Layout Front-engine,
four-wheel drive
Platform Volkswagen Group D1 platform
Engine(s) 6.0L W12
Transmission(s) 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase 108.1 in (2746 mm)
Length 2003-05: 189.3 in (4808 mm)
2006-Present: 189.1 in (4803 mm)
Width 2003-05 & GTC: 75.5 in (1918 mm)
Curb weight 2385 kg (5258 lb)
Related Audi A8
Bentley Continental Flying Spur,
Volkswagen Phaeton
Designer Dirk van Braeckel

The Bentley Continental GT is a grand tourer coupé with two doors and a 2+2 seating arrangement, released in 2003, replacing the previous Rolls-Royce-based Continental R and T.

It is equipped with a 6.0L, twin-turbocharged W12 engine, producing 552 hp (412 kW), with a top speed of 198 mph (319 km/h). The car is designed by Belgian designer, Dirk van Braeckel. The Continental GT is built on the Volkswagen Group D1 platform. Largely, it could be considered a rebadged Volkswagen Phaeton, with a different styling and a more powerful engine, most of the technical components being identical to those on the Phaeton.

Contents

World speed record on ice

In early 2007, a Bentley Continental GT Speed driven by four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen broke the world speed record on ice on the frozen Baltic sea near Oulu, Finland. It averaged 321.6km/h (199.86 mph) in both directions on the "flying kilometer", reaching a maximum speed of 331 km/h (207 mph). The previous record was 296 km/h (184 mph), achieved with a Bugatti EB110 Supersport.

The record-breaking Bentley was largely standard except for a roll-cage, aerodynamic improvements, and low-temperature fuel and calibration.

Continental Flying Spur

Main article: Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005)

The four-door Continental Flying Spur saloon was first displayed at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. The Flying Spur utilizes the most of the technical underpinnings of the Bentley Continental GT, and was introduced to European and American markets in the summer of 2005. Together, the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur have boosted Bentley's annual production from around 1,000 units in 2003 to 9,200 units in 2006.

One notable aspect of the Continental Flying Spur is its grille. Made to look like traditional chromed brass mesh, it is actually made of plastic. The plastic grille was fitted as a safety feature; it is designed to break apart upon impact with a pedestrian.

The Flying Spur is currently the second fastest production four-door saloon with a top-speed of 195 312 km/h (194 mph). It was surpassed by the Brabus Rocket (Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class with 720bhp) and Bullitt (Mercedes-Benz C-Class with 720bhp), which have top speeds of 227(mph).

Continental GTC

The convertible version of the Continental GT, the Continental GTC, was first presented in September 2005, and was introduced to several world markets in the fall of 2006. With the second generation Azure, it is the second Bentley convertible released in 2005. The roof is produced by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany.

Continental GT Speed

On August 1, 2007, Bentley released details of a more powerful GT. Power is increased to 603 bhp/449kW (610 PS), with a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h) and a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds. The Continental's weight is also reduced by 35 kg (77 lb). Minor exterior changes include a tinted front grille and larger exhaust pipes. The price for this model is £137,000. The Continental GT Speed is the first production Bentley officially capable of reaching 202 mph (325 km/h).

Gallery

Bentley Continental GTC (North America)

Bentley Continental GT

The car in the foreground is a Continental GT. The other two are an Arnage and a Rolls-Royce

External links

Bentley ownership and road car timeline, 1920s–present – marque of the Volkswagen Group
Type 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
Flag of England Independent Flag of England Rolls-Royce Flag of Germany Volkswagen Group
Sports car 3 L 4½ L WWII
Saloon 6½/Six 4L/3½ 4¼L/V VI R S1/S2/S3 T1 T2 Mulsanne CFS
Large Saloon 8 L Camargue Arnage
Coupé Corniche Continental & C Turbo Continental R/S/T C GT
Convertible Azure C GTC
Founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • Bentley Boys
Bentley automobile timeline, 1980–2003 – marque of the Volkswagen Group – next »
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3
Saloon Eight
Mulsanne Mulsanne S Brooklands Arnage Arnage RL/R
Mulsanne Turbo Turbo R Turbo RT Arnage Red Label Arnage T
Coupé Continental R
Continental S Continental T
Convertible Corniche Continental Azure
colour code: Silver Shadow-based Mulsanne-based Arnage-based
Founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • Bentley Boys
« previous — Bentley automobile timeline, 1998–present – a marque of the Volkswagen Group
Type 1990s 2000s
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Saloon car Arnage Continental Flying Spur
Red Label Arnage R/T
Arnage RL
Coupé Continental R Continental GT
Continental T Brooklands Coupé
Convertible Continental GTC
Azure Azure
colour code: Mulsanne-based Arnage-based Continental GT-based
Founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • Bentley Boys • Bentley Speed 8
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley_Continental_GT"

This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.