Meet the new Bentley Continental
Bentley has worked hard at creating a signature brand, and one of the most important cars in the process of gaining this popularity is the Continental GT from the example above.
However, as all good things come to an eventual end, the Continental must also enter a new phase of its life. This is the result. Meet the new Bentley Continental.
The Frankfurt Motor Show will publicly reveal the car that aims to redefine luxury driving. The new model is expected to keep loyal customers happy, while attracting an entirely new segment of customers; those who seek something luxurious, with the performance and dynamics of a German sports car.
The new Continental is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, allowing it to assume a sportier position on the road. The weight distribution has also been improved and the car is also a lot lighter thanks to its aluminium structure, furthering the new models attempt at being a luxury-sports car.
One of the biggest changes to performance is the new Bentley Dynamic Ride system, as seen in the Bentayga, which is a 48-volt electric active roll control system that improves ride and handling, making the car feel much lighter and more precise in corners. Understeer is also reduced thanks to the torque-vectoring-by-brake system that was fitted on the GT3-R and Supersports models.
A new all-wheel drive system finds its way into the new Bentley Continental, too. Power is sent to the rear-wheels by default but the front wheels get involved as driving conditions change and more traction is needed.
Power is sourced from a heavily tweaked 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 petrol engine, capable of 467Kw and 900Nm. 100km/h is reached from rest in a mere 3,7-seconds before maxing out at 333km/h. Twelve cylinders might not sound very efficient, which is why a fancy new system shuts down six of the cylinders to improve fuel economy underneath the 3000rpm range.
The second derivative to be launched is expected to be the Bentley Continental GTC, while the second engine option will be a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 from the Porsche Panamera Turbo. The third engine is also shared with the Panamera family, only this time it will be borrowed from the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid.
The interior of the new Continental is undeniably Bentley. Thick carpets and premium leather encapsulate the entire car with aluminium details adding a touch of elegance. Tech-heads will love the new infotainment display – a 12,3” touch unit that rotates out from behind a veneer finish. The instrument panel is also fully digital, as seen on the latest Audi R8, with built in Apple CarPlay.
The new model will enter production later this year, with first deliveries expected in Q3 of 2018.
