Bentley is at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show introducing the Bentley Continental GTC powered by the mighty 6.0-litre W12 engine with output of 575hp and 700 Nm of torque. The luxury convertible version is been presented to the Chinese public with a more aggressive look. The new engine offers top-quality performance: acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and top speed of 314 km/h.

The engine power is transmitted to the wheel through the ZF 6HP28 transmission with Quickshift system. The manufacturer claims that this device is able to reduce shift times by 50%. The AWD features a 40:60 rear torque compared to the original to minimise understeering. The increased width of the car ensures better stability. Standard 20-inch wheels with five spokes are complemented by a choice of three styles of 21-inch wheels with five, seven or ten spokes.

As always, the inside has been designed to provide sophistication together with outstanding comfort. The luxurious passenger compartment can be customised with an extensive range of materials, colours and veneers. The dashboard is lined with soft-touch leather; the original Cobra Style seats give extraordinary support and spaciousness to the cabin. The infotainment has a storage capacity of 30 GB, a touch screen and navigation system. The audio system features Balance Mode Radiator speakers and Revolutionary Dirac Dimensions DSP for exceptional sound reproduction.

View the full Bentley Continental GTC 6.0 W12 @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show photo gallery

Continue reading: Bentley Continental GTC 6.0 W12 @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show

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Bentley releases more official pictures of the new Continental GT and GTC V8, equippped with a brand new 8-cylinder engine that uses innovative solutions to deliver high performance as well as low fuel consumption and emissions. This 4.0-litre unit has been developed by Audi and produces an output of 507 hp and 660 Nm of peak torque that gets delivered to all four wheels through a 8-speed automatic transmission. The model reaches the 100 km/h (62 mph) mark in 4.6 seconds (4.8 seconds for the convertible variant) while top speed is 303 km/h (18 mph) for both versions.

The Bentley Continental V8 comes with standard 20″ alloys - although a 21″ option is also available - and uses the interesting “cylinder on demand” system, which automatically deactivates 4 cylinders when the cruising conditions do not require maximum power.

View the full Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 photo gallery

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Bentley is at the 2012 North American International Auto Show introducing the renewed Continental GT and GTC with a brand new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. As previously reported, this new engine boasts direct injection technology and derives from the unit used by the new Audi S6, S7 and S8. One of its most interesting features is that it is capable of automatic switching to an energy-saving V4 mode (deactivating 4 cylinders) whenever the car is traveling at low speed. The new engine delivers 507 hp at 6,000 rpm, with 660 Nm (487 lb/ft) of maximum torque available between 1,700 and 5.000 rpm. Both Bentley Continental GT and GTC will have its power delivered to all four wheels through Bentley’s signature 8-speed automatic transmission: the GT will go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds, while the GTC will need 4.8 seconds to hit that same speed. Both models are credited with a top speed of 303 km/h (188 mph) and a full autonomy of about 800 km.

The V8 versions can be told apart from the W12 variants by their shiny black front grille with chrome outlines, the red ‘B’ badges and the different front bumper, with three integrated air intakes. However, the most distinguishing features have to be the newly designed tail pipes and the 20″ alloys. Specifically designed 21″ 6-spoke rims are also available as optional extras in two colors: Diamond Black (which is an exclusive color for the V8s) and Diamond Silver, while the passenger compartment also gets some changes in the form of Eliade cloth headlining, Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneers, optional two-tone leather and short center console.

Right below you will find the links to access the official photo gallery released by the British automaker as well as a bunch of snap shots taken from our friends from Autoblog.it at the Detroit event. For more info on the new Bentley Continental V8 range, see Bentely’s official Press Release after the jump.

View the full Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 at the 2012 NAIAS photo gallery
View the full Bentley Continental V8 GT and GTC photo gallery

Continue reading: Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 at the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit

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Bentley introduces its brand new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, an engine that will power the renewed Continental GT and GTC. This unit is not as frightening as Bentely’s 6.0-litre W12 - which will remain at top of the range - but nonetheless it boasts an absolutely excellent delivery as well as reducing the overall carbon footprint of the British carmaker (although no official consumption figures have been released).

The new engine derives from the pretty similar unit that has been recently launched for the new Audi S6, S7 and S8, and makes use of a number of innovations such as direct injection and automatic variable displacement to V4 when traveling at low speed. The new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 delivers 507 hp at 6,000 rpm with 660 Nm (487 lb/ft) of maximum torque available between 1,700 and 5.000 rpm. Both Bentley Continental GT and GTC will have its power delivered to all four wheels through Bentley’s signature 8-speed automatic transmission: the GT will go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds, while the GTC will need 4.8 seconds to hit that same speed. Both models are credited with a top speed of 303 km/h (188 mph) and a full autonomy of about 800 km.

The V8 versions can be told apart from the W12 variants by their shiny black front grille with chrome outlines, the red ‘B’ badges and the different front bumper, with three integrated air intakes. However, the most distinguishing features have to be the newly designed tail pipes and the 20″ alloys. Specifically designed 21″ 6-spoke rims are also available as optional extras in two colors: Diamond Black (which is an exclusive color for the V8s) and Diamond Silver, while the passenger compartment also gets some changes in the form of Eliade cloth headlining, Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneers, optional two-tone leather and short center console. Here is the official photo gallery released by the carmaker.

View the full Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 photo gallery

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As it just happened with the new BMW 6-series Gran Coupe, Bentley just introduced the new Continental GT with some official pic and then, shortly afterwards, released some new video featuring their latest creation. Since we just posted an extensive article about the new model, all you need to do to find out about its technical highlights and is scrolling down this page a little bit.

This new Bentley Continental GT is powered by a brand new 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 with direct injection and will be officially unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January. To see the second video click on the ‘Continue Reading’ link below.

Continue reading: Bentley Continental GT V8: official videos available

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Bentley releases the first official pictures of the Continental GT powered by a brand new 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 with direct injection that will be made immediately available for the GTC as well. Both model will be officially introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January 9-22). The new engine delivers an output of 500 hp at 6,000 rpm with 660 Nm of peak torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm, and boasts a 40% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the 12-cylinder unit. However, the flagship W12 will not go out of production but will remain at the top of the range, focusing on unrivalled comfort and refinement.

The new engine has been built and developed with the cooperation of Audi’s engineers, and uses an interesting variable-displacement system that enables the engine to run on only four cylinders under partial throttle load. This feature allows it to significantly reduce its CO2 emissions, with obvious benefits in terms of fuel consumption as well. Bentley says it will be capable of travelling over 800 km (about 500 miles) on a single tank of fuel, which is quite astonishing for a car of this class and size. This engine is coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission that will convey its power all four wheels, permanently.

This classy coupe from the British manufacturer can be distinguished from its W12 counterpart by the specific design of its chrome exhaust pipes, the glossy black radiator grille with chrome outline, a slightly revised lower fascia in which the three air inlets are more evenly sized, and its set of six-spoke alloy wheels, specifically designed for the V8 version and available in 20″ or 21″ sizes. Besides, all of the Bentley “B” logos on the car front and back are surrounded by red paint rather than the usual black. Inside, there’s a new Eliade cloth headlining with Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus wood veneers and optional two-tone leather. The Continental GT V8 will offer a choice of seven exterior and four interior colors, while three different hood shades will also be made available. Click on the ‘Continue Reading’ link below to find out more.

View Bentley Continental GT V8 official pictures

Continue reading: Bentley Continental GT V8 to debut in Detroit

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Influential British magazine Autoexpress has tested the amazing Bentley Continental GTC - arguably one of the most exclusive and fast convertible cars available on the market - and uploaded some footage on its youtube page. The clip highlights basically all of the most distinctive features of this new version, which are as outstanding as you would expect from a car of such prestige and heritage.

The new Continental GTC however will be 100kg heavier than the coupe GT version it derives from, and will be made available at Bentley’s showrooms by the end of this year.

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If you thought the Bentley Continental GT Coupé was already hot, you haven’t seen it with its top off yet. The new Bentley Continental GTC drops the top of that previous model for a gorgeous, all-out luxurious convertible. Keeping things elegant and somewhat traditional on the Continental GTC is a soft top roof with automatic folding mechanism.

Otherwise the Continental in cabrio form is what you’d expect. It’s equipped with the six-litre, W12 twin-turbo engine of the hard top with 575 hp and 700 Nm of torque. It gets a six-speed transmission with paddle shift, a sprint time to 100 km/hr of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 314 km/hr.

Obviously, at a price of over 170,000 euros you get some serious Bentley luxury sitting on 20-inch wheels. Otherwise you can get the optional 21-inch wheels and other goodies like carbon ceramic brakes. Tune in for our live pics of the Bentley Continental GTC from the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Continue reading: Bentley Continental GTC

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The Bentley Continental GT is said to be testing a new four-litre V8 Bentley engine which should be into production by 2012. The new Bentley engine lineup will have both a single-turbo unit with about 415 hp and a twin-turbo powerplant with 555 hp. Spy shots originally appearing were thought to be the Bentley Continental Speed version, but according to Autocar that now isn’t the case, although the model pictured possibly equips the twin-turbo unit.

The Bentley Continental family is supposed to get a better driving feel with the new engine and a sportier character. Matching the new engines will probably be a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission like the Audi S-Tronic. The Continental platform has been redeveloped to house the new gearbox, and the new V8 engine will also be shared across other VAG brands, possibly going into the bonnet of the new Audi S6.

The Audi S6 will get the single-turbo version and the RS6 the twin-turbo unit. The S6 looks set to debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, where the new Bentley Continental GTC will also turn up - but without its new V8 engine. It will more likely get a 2012 launch date at either Detroit or Geneva.

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