Bentley continues the journey of its most iconic model, the Continental GT, with the new GT and GTC S two-door road demons.
Despite only being released for the first time in 2003, the Continental GT has become arguably the most iconic of Bentley’s models and is certainly the flagship that helped redefine the British marque. Now Bentley brings contrast and depth to its Continental GT family with the launch of a new S range, an addition that’s focused on driving performance and visual presence.
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Through a multitude of enhancements to the exterior design, interior specification and dynamic system, the new S range adjusts the Bentley grand touring recipe to centre on the pleasure of driving.
Lovers of Bentley’s two-door models have always had plenty of choice, from the towering performance of the 6.0-litre W12 Continental GT Speed to the characterful beat of the 4.0-litre Continental GT V8. The new additions are all about placing additional emphasis on the sporting character of the 4.0-litre V8-powered Bentley Continental GT, thanks to an enticing package of performance-focused design and engineering features.
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The new S range retains the 542 bhp (550 PS) and 770 Nm 4.0-litre V8 engine, which delivers enough stallions to propel you to 100km/hr in the time it took to read this sentence. For the GT and GTC S, the engine is enhanced with a Sports Exhaust that amplifies that iconic crossplane V8 beat. The eager, free-revving and lighter 4.0-litre V8 engine gives the Continental GT S models a responsive and agile character, and this is amplified by Bentley Dynamic Ride – the advanced 48V electric active anti-roll control system that sees motors within the anti-roll bars actively compensating for cornering forces to minimise body roll while also improving ride comfort at cruising speeds by decoupling the left- and right-hand wheels from each other. Impressive right?
From the black gloss radiator grille and black brightware to distinctive S badging on the front fenders, the new S models are more than just muscle. Then headlamps and rear lights are dark-tinted, while all exterior brightware is specified in gloss black – with only the winged Bentley badge and lettering finished in bright chrome. The effect of these features is dramatic, giving the GT and GT S a more assertive stance.
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The S range is offered with an all-new 22-inch wheel option, with five Y-shaped spokes finished in gloss black with an option for a new Pale Brodgar Satin finish. Red-painted brake callipers sit behind the wheels to provide a perfect sporting contrast. A second wheel option for the S models is a 21-inch tri-spoke wheel design that combines gloss black and bright machined finishes – also unique to S.
Finishing touches for the exterior include S badging on the front fenders, quad exhaust tailpipes (in black, naturally) and sill extenders in black as featured on the Continental GT Speed.
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Pop your head inside and you’ll find an interior that’s striking and performance-focused, with a two-tone colour split that’s unique to the S models. There’s suede-like Dinamica on the steering wheel, gear lever, seat cushion and seat backrest of the Continental GT and GTC S range, while leather hide is employed on the seat bolsters, door pads, along the instrument panel and around the console. The pairing of Dinamica with Bentley’s incomparable leather brings an interior that offers the tactile contrast of smooth hide and the soft napped finish of Dinamica.
Driver instrumentation continues the sporting theme with the same performance-focused graphics as the Continental GT Speed. The S design seats are fluted, with quilting available as an option, and the ‘S’ emblem is embroidered on the headrest of each seat; embroidered Bentley wings are a no-cost alternative. Finishing touches include a metal S signature badge on the fascia and illuminated Bentley treadplates with the ‘S’ device replacing the Bentley Motors Ltd plaque.
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