CONSIDER Paris Hilton’s Pink Bentley Continental, Robert Downey Jr.’s matte green Continental GT and Queen Elizabeth II’s state limousine. Very few machines, even at the high-end of the price spectrum, have been more associated with royalty, Hollywood A-listers, rappers and musicians as Bentley. Almost a century old, the British automaker from Crewe proves that it is still a leader of the luxury pack when it comes to building top-notch vehicles.
“We have been building luxury Grand Tourers since the company was founded in 1919 and, as we approach our centenary year, the Continental GT Convertible joins a highly acclaimed range – arguably the strongest and most technologically advanced portfolio of products the world has ever seen in one luxury brand,” Adrian Hallmark, Chairman, and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors, quipped. It’s latest offering, the Continental GT Convertible, is a case-in-point.
Performance
The third-generation model of the distinguished Grand Tourer first rolled out a 2-door coupe followed by a sexy convertible. Inheriting most of the traits from its 2-door sibling, the Continental GT convertible is armed with a powerful 6.0-litre Bentley W12 engine and paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission that delivers 635 ps (about 626 hp) to clock in a 0-100 in 3.8 seconds and a top speed at 333 km/h.
Exterior
Aesthetically, the Convertible shared familiar styling cues from the previous models with a few upgrades including a more sculpted and muscular silhouette. The new profile also sits lower, and it’s also longer as compared to the outgoing model. The familiar signature power lines that flow seamlessly towards the muscular rear haunches, as seen on the coupe, are also repeated here. Other upgrades include the cut-crystal glass inspired headlamps with transparent internal surfaces and sharply defined edges catch the light like a diamond.
Customization is also key for customers of Bentley. There’s a palette of 17 colours to choose from, including Beluga, Onyx, and Portofino with an optional extended range of colours, as well as the option of full bespoke colour-matching to match pretty much what you like or the seven exterior roof colours.
“Elegant understatement that forces you to look; engineering excellence you’ll take for granted – the extraordinary breadth of capabilities offered by the new Continental GT Convertible is unique and can only be offered by our noble British brand,” Hallmark enthused.
Interior and Features
Inside the new Continental GT Convertible is evidence of the brand’s major evolutions in technology with a litany of luxury and advanced offerings. A sophisticated, fully digital, driver-focused 12.3” touchscreen instrument panel and Bentley Rotating Display for the driver are among the many innovations.
From the highest-quality leathers to rare, sustainably sourced veneers, such as Koa and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus, the cabin is the pride and joy of the brand’s fine craftsmanship and artisanal skill. The dashboard is styled and sculpted by long, flowing wings that mirror the shape of the Bentley badge. You can also pick from eight interior hood lining colours, including Red, Blue, and Magnolia, to personalise the interior of your car.
The center console is finished to match the lower fascia, with the option of the new technical finish that’s inspired by the delicate mechanical surfacing inside the finest mechanical Swiss watches: Côtes de Genève. This surface is machined onto 0.6 mm-thick aluminum to create a linear pattern. Each row is 5 mm wide and machined at an angle to give a truly three-dimensional finish, with each pass making a minute step of 0.5 mm.
If you are in the market for performance, style, and a head-turning ride, consider joining the ranks of the A-listers and celebrities, and experience one of the finest automobiles in the market.