When the Bentley Continental GT was first launched, in 2003, it was three years before a convertible GTC joined the hardtop coupe. For 2011, the Continental GT was redesigned, and so far this year, Bentley has been selling the old-style GTC convertible alongside it. Oh sure, the company has rolled out its characteristic special editions to maintain the appearance of freshness (Continental Supersports ISR convertible, anyone?), but the brand's keenest buyers know what's coming: a new GTC. And Bentley executives say, they've been impatiently asking for it.
So this time, there's no 3-year lag time getting the convertible out. Already this year, at a series of small, private, invitation-only gatherings, Bentley has been giving its best customers a sneak peek at the new Continental GTC. Now, Bentley is releasing photos and info on the car to the wider world, but the great unwashed won't get to see the new GTC in person until its debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September.
Like the hardtop, the Continental convertible's sheetmetal has subtly resculpted. The overall shape essentially carries over, but the body panels have been manipulated with more starched creases for a crisper, less rounded appearance. A wider track, front and rear, together with larger, 20-inch wheels (21-inchers are optional) give the wheels a more prominence, and a lower, squatter grille gives a greater impression of width. One particularly neat touch is the ultra-slim, LED third brake light at the base of the top.
The traditional fabric top is retained and, not surprising for Bentley, it can be had in seven different colors -- all the better to coordinate with one of the dozens of exterior paint colors or the 17 leather hues. The heavily insulated roof is finished inside with a suede-like headliner, and can be powered up or down at speeds up to 15 mph. Compared to the previous convertible, the softtop's C-pillars are slimmer, affording a bit better visibility, and the side windows are reshaped.
