Bentley has revealed the fourth-generation Continental GT, which is making its debut in Velocity guise and can concurrently be provided as a convertible (GTC). Persevering with a 21-year heritage, the newest iteration of the model’s iconic grand tourer now comes with an electrified powertrain and 68% of its elements are new versus the outgoing third-generation mannequin.
Beginning with what’s happening beneath the bonnet, the brand new Continental GT Velocity comes with what the model calls an ‘Extremely Efficiency Hybrid’ powertrain that enables it to turn into essentially the most highly effective road-going Bentley ever created.
The plug-in hybrid system incorporates a 4.0 litre V8 petrol engine and not using a conventional vacuum system and an elevated gas injection stress of 350 bar (from 200 bar), which Bentley says supplies cleaner combustion and improved emissions.
Augmenting the V8 are a pair of single-scroll turbochargers as an alternative of the earlier twin-scroll items, and this was carried out to cut back complexity in addition to enable them to run hotter to minimise emissions. With this, the Continental GT Velocity’s V8 pushes out 600 PS and 800 Nm of torque by itself. Bentley additionally notes there isn’t any cylinder deactivation system in place as a result of the engine might be switched off solely when utilizing the electrical motor.
Stated electrical motor helps negate turbo lag introduced on by the reconfiguration and is sandwiched between the V8 and eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Rated at 190 PS and 450 Nm the electrical motor contributes to a complete system output of 782 PS and 1,000 Nm, which is 123 PS and 100 Nm greater than the earlier Continental GT Velocity. In truth, the brand new automobile’s figures eclipse these of the Continental Supersports and Batur.
Together with an all-wheel drive system and digital restricted slip differential (eLSD), the electrified Continental GT Velocity will get from 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds on its approach to a prime velocity of 335 km/h. The latter is equivalent to the earlier automobile, however the century dash time is down by 0.4 seconds. Go along with the Continental GTC velocity and the 0-100 km/h time drops by 0.2 seconds to three.4 seconds and the highest velocity is electronically restricted to 285 km/h.
So as to add some theater to the launch, Bentley additionally proudly states the brand new Continental GT Velocity has set a brand new “underwater” velocity report by driving the automobile by the Ryfylke Tunnel in Norway. That is the world’s longest subsea highway tunnel at 14.4 km lengthy and 292 metres beneath sea degree, through which the grand tourer hit its prime velocity in simply 33 seconds.
Powering the electrical motor is a 400V, 25.9-kWh (85% capability usable) battery that permits as much as 81 km of electric-only vary – the highest velocity on this mode is 140 km/h. As for charging, a max AC enter of 11 kW will absolutely replenish the battery in 2.75 hours. Bentley additionally touts a complete vary of 859 km when working in hybrid mode, together with CO2 emissions as little as 29 g/km.
Different points of the powertrain embrace the brand new Bentley Efficiency Lively Chassis that consists of all-wheel steering, torque vectoring (entrance to rear and throughout the axles), Bentley Dynamic Trip (48V energetic anti-roll management) as nicely redeveloped ESC management software program.
Each coupe and GTC fashions are additionally fitted as customary with new dual-valve dampers and dual-chamber air springs, with the damper management ECU now having full management over unbiased compression and rebound damping for higher physique management.
The positioning of the battery behind the rear axle additionally supplies a 49:51, rear-biased weight distribution for the primary time within the automobile’s historical past, whereas the brakes are beefy 10-piston calipers on the entrance and four-piston rear calipers on the rear. The default brake discs are made out of iron and measure 420 mm entrance and 380 mm, however clients can improve to carbon-silicon-carbide discs which might be bigger at 440 mm entrance and 410 mm rear.
As for styling, the Continental GT Velocity seems to be an evolution from its predecessor by retaining cues reminiscent of sturdy haunches and smooth two-door profile. There are some notable modifications, with fewer breaks within the surfaces for a extra refined form, whereas the entrance headlamps look like impressed by these seen on the Bacalar.
Reasonably than two components, there’s now a single cluster per aspect that incorporates a horizontal daytime working gentle strip. The headlamps function a deep crystal reduce diamond impact on the prime and an illuminated decrease sample, plus there’s a matrix array of 120 separate LEDs to gentle up the highway forward.
Shifting to the rear, the oblong-shaped taillights have been made wider (and barely flatter) and now stretches deeper into the boot lid. The taillights additionally sport a deep 3D diamond sample throughout their kind that Bentley says creates a “molten lava-like visible impact” when illuminated.
Inside, the Continental GT Velocity is unsurprisingly filled with premium supplies and showcases the model’s excessive degree of expertise. The dashboard and basic format of controls have an air of familiarity, with options such because the three-sided Rotating Show with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen making a return.
You continue to get 4 seats and a bevy of personalisation choices overlaying trim, upholsteries and tools. On the final bit, there are three sound methods to select from, together with a 650W or 1,500W Bang & Olufsen in addition to a 2,200W Naim setup. Wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, over-the-air (OTA) updates, telematics and driver help methods are additionally included.
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