BENTLEY ANNOUNCES GTC CONVERTIBLE IN TIME FOR SPRING

Bentley has released pictures and lots of details regarding the brand new 2012 model year Continental GTC (Convertible). The car gets unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show next month. It is of course based on the new GT that launched a couple of months ago in South Africa.

Some changes on the exterior include LED daytime running lights with jewelled headlights, a sort of more upright matrix front grille and a new rear profile, similar to that of the Mulsanne. Speaking of Mulsanne, the GTC is no small drop-top. Here we are referring to a 2.5 tonne two-door measuring 4.8 metres long, 1.9m across, 1.4 high and has a wheelbase of 2.7m. The fuel tank is 90 litres strong, but we aren’t too sure that will give you enough cushion on a long trip. For the pimps and hustlers, if the 20-inch 5-spoke wheel alloy is not enough, then an optional 21-inch version can be had in 3 different design styles.

True to Bentley tradition, the 2012 GTC is has an extensive list of wood veneers, deep-pile carpets, 17 leather colours to choose from and 7 veneers. Touch-screen infotainment is courtesy of a new 30GB system with Google Map compatibility for certain markets.

Doing all the work under the bonnet is a 6.0-litre W12 engine with two turbos, spitting out a pretty decent 423kW and 700Nm of torque, going to all four wheels via a 6-speed ZF gearbox. In turn Bentley claims it will go from 0 – 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and run out of speed at 314km/h.