Bentley Continental GT
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 2006 Bentley Continental GT |
|
| Manufacturer | Bentley Motors Limited |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Volkswagen Group |
| Production | 2003–present |
| Assembly | Crewe, England |
| Predecessor | Bentley Continental R Bentley Continental T |
| Class | Luxury Grand tourer |
| Body style(s) | 2-door 2+2 coupé 2-door 2+2 convertible |
| Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, Torsen permanent four-wheel drive[1] |
| Engine(s) | 6.0 L W12 twin-turbo[1] |
| Transmission(s) | 6-speed ZF 6HP26A tiptronic automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,746 mm (108.1 in) |
| Length | 4,808 mm (189.3 in): 2003-05 4,804 mm (189.1 in):[1] 2006-present |
| Width | 1,918 mm (75.5 in): 2003-05 & GTC 1,946 mm (76.6 in): Supersports |
| Height | 1,390 mm (54.7 in)[1] 1,380 mm (54.3 in): Speed 1,398 mm (55.0 in):[2] GTC |
| Kerb weight | 2,350 kg (5,181 lb)[1] 2,485 kg (5,478 lb):[2] GTC |
| Fuel capacity | 90 L (19.8 imp gal; 23.8 US gal)[1] |
| Related | Audi A8 Audi S8 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Volkswagen Phaeton |
| Designer | Dirk van Braeckel |
The Bentley Continental GT is a two-door 'two plus two' grand touring coupé released in 2003, replacing the previous Rolls-Royce-based Continental R and T.
It is equipped with a 5,998 cubic centimetres (366.0 cu in) (6.0 litre) twin-turbocharged W12 engine, which produces a DIN-rated motive power output of 412 kilowatts (560 PS; 553 bhp) at 6,100 rpm, and torque of 650 newton metres (479 ft·lbf) at 1,600-6,100 rpm.[1] Torsen-based permanent four-wheel drive is standard.[1] It will accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0.0 to 62.1 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of 318 kilometres per hour (197.6 mph).[1]
Contents |
[edit] Models
[edit] Flying Spur
The four door Continental Flying Spur saloon was first displayed at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. The Flying Spur utilises the most of the technical underpinnings of the Bentley Continental GT, and was introduced to European and North 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.[citation needed]
One notable aspect of the Continental Flying Spur is its grille. Made to look like traditional chromed brass mesh, it is a metal-covered plastic-core. This was fitted as a safety feature; it is designed to break apart upon impact with a pedestrian.
[edit] GTC
The convertible version of the Continental GT, the Continental GTC,[3] was first presented in September 2005, and was introduced to several world markets in the autumn 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.
It uses identical powertrain detail as the GT, and completes the acceration discipline of 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0.0 to 62.1 mph) in 5.1 seconds.[2] With the roof up, it will reach a top speed of 314 kilometres per hour (195.1 mph), and with the roof down 305 kilometres per hour (189.5 mph).[2]
[edit] GT Speed
On 1 August 2007, Bentley released details of a more powerful GT. Power is increased to 449 kilowatts (610 PS; 602 bhp), with a top speed of 325 kilometres per hour (201.9 mph) 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 tailpipes. The price for this model is £137,000. The Continental GT Speed is the first production Bentley officially capable of reaching 325 km/h (201.9 mph), and the world's fastest four-seater, despite the fact the car weighs over 2,268 kilograms (5,000 lb).
[edit] GTZ
Unveiled in the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the Continental GTZ is a rebody option by coachbuilder Zagato.[4]
[edit] GTC Speed
Released in 2009, it incorporates the same engine as the GT Speed and the Flying Spur Speed.[5]
[edit] Supersports
In February 2009, Bentley announced the production of Bentley Continental Supersports. The car was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, announced to be available in autumn 2009 worldwide, while North American cars would be available by summer 2010.
The first Bentley capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and biofuel (E85 ethanol). The car's 6.0 litre W12 engine was rated 463 kilowatts (630 PS; 621 bhp) at 6,000 rpm and 800 newton metres (590 ft·lbf) at 1,700-5,600 rpm - using either fuel. The car has 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0.0 to 62.1 mph) acceleration of 3.9 seconds, 0 to 160 kilometres per hour (0.0 to 99.4 mph) acceleration of 8.9 seconds, top speed of 329 kilometres per hour (204.4 mph), making it the fastest and the most powerful production Bentley ever. The Supersports is already known as the best handling Bentley. It delivers 1.29 g forces on a 300 foot skid pad, as compared to its sibling the Continental GT speed which can perform up to .98 g forces on a 300 foot skidpad.[6]
It includes a revised ZF 6HP26A tiptronic automatic with "Quickshift" system that reduces shift times by 50%, and enables double downshifts.[citation needed] The car uses a Torsen T-3 centre differential for the 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the four-wheel drive system. Other changes include revised Continuous Damping Control (CDC),[citation needed] 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels (with increased 25 mm offset on rear wheels) with 275/35 ZR20 Pirelli Ultra High Performance tyres, advanced Bosch Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with switchable Dynamic Mode, Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic disc brakes (the largest and most powerful brakes ever fitted to a production car),[citation needed] 110 kilograms (243 lb) weight saving over Continental GT Speed, automatic retractable spoiler (deploys at 80 km/h (50 mph)).[citation needed]
US model has MSRP of $267,000, with early vehicles not having E85 capability, which would be available in summer of 2010 for US market.[7]
[edit] 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 321.6 kilometres per hour (199.83 mph) in both directions on the "flying kilometre", reaching a maximum speed of 331 km/h (205.67 mph). The previous record was 296 km/h (183.9 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.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Bentley Continental GT specification". BentleyMotors.com. http://www.bentleymotors.com/models/continental_series/continental_gt/specification/default.aspx. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Bentley Continental GTC specification". BentleyMotors.com. http://www.bentleymotors.com/models/continental_series/continental_gtc/specification/default.aspx. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
- ^ "Bentley Continental GTC introduction". BentleyMotors.com. http://www.bentleymotors.com/models/continental_series/continental_gtc/introduction/default.aspx. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
- ^ "Bentley and Zagato offer limited-edition Continental GTZ". AutoBlog.com. 15 April 2008. http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/bentley-and-zagato-offer-limited-edition-continental-gtz. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
- ^ "Bentley Continental GTC Speed introduction". BentleyMotors.com. http://www.bentleymotors.com/models/continental_series/continental_gtc_speed/introduction/default.aspx. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
- ^ Rendell, Julian (10 August 2009). "Mean Greenie". AutoWeek (Detroit, Michigan: Crain Communications, Inc.) 59 (16): 10. ISSN 0192-9674.
- ^ "The Price of Green: Bentley Continental Supersports is $267,000 to around 316,000". AutoBlog.com. 9 April 2009. http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/09/the-price-of-green-bentley-continental-supersports-is-267-000. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
- ^ "World Speed Record on Ice for Bentley Continental GT - Classic Driver - MAGAZINE - news". Classic Driver. http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/magazine/3300.asp?id=13325. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bentley Continental GT |
| Bentley Motors company ownership and road car timeline, 1920s–present — a marque of the Volkswagen Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| type / class |
1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | ||||||||||||||||
 independent(1919–1931) |
Rolls-Royce (1931–1998) |
 Volkswagen Group(1998–>) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | Mulsanne | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 Volkswagen Group • Bentley Boys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| « previous — Bentley automobile timeline, 1998–present — a marque of the Volkswagen Group | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| type / class |
1990s | 2000s | 2010s | |||||||||||
| 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | ||
| saloon | Arnage | Continental Flying Spur | ||||||||||||
| Red Label | Arnage R/T | New Mulsanne | ||||||||||||
| 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 | New Mulsanne-based | ||||||||||
| founder: Walter Owen Bentley • Bentley Motors corporate website • A marque of the Volkswagen Group • Bentley Boys • Bentley Speed 8 | ||||||||||||||
