BENTLEY GT SPEED
We know it is hard to be impressed when a sportier version of an existing exotic car debuts, particularly when the base model is already a truly impressive luxury vehicle. But you have to take a look at the new Bentley Continental GT Speed. It has a top speed 4 mph faster than the regular GT. Still not impressed? It also get to 0-60 mph in 0.3 seconds quicker. I know, this is so boring! You are
probably thinking to yourself, "hummm I am still not impressed".
Well, lets think about this, its easy to make a slow car faster. But much harder to make an insanely fast car even quicker. Just so you know, the base Continental GT will do 198 mph and achieves 0 to 60 in just 4.6 seconds. So the fact that the GT Speed can reach 202 mph makes it the fastest production Bentley in history. It's also the most powerful ever, with 600 + horsepower. In sum, it takes an additional 48 horsepower to make the exotic GT Speed go just 4 mph faster at top speed. So, lets face it, even the seemingly small performance boost by this new luxury Speed model is actually quite a feat.
Lets look beyond all of these details for a minute and get down to what really makes this exotic luxury car special. For sure its all the exclusive details that are unavailable on the lesser model. Such details include not only making this vehicle faster but also making it look faster. To accomplish this this car sits on twenty inch wheels on a lowered down suspension. Also, the grille has a dark tint and sportier look, and the tail pipes have been fattened up beneath a black bumper valance.
Next lets take a look at the cabin. This is a place anyone would want to be in. Whats more is buyers can customize their car interior. Bentley has made a wide variety of top of the line wood, metal, and leather choices available for buyers to chose from. The interior is not all that Bentley customers can chose from, buyers can pretty much personalize their entire car, even down to mixing their own color of paint. Hey its a tough life but someone has to live it. Even if you cant afford to buy one of these beauties you can always rent one for the day or maybe even two if your budget permits from an exotic or luxury car rental near you.
No matter how great we present the stats on paper we by no means can adequately convey the true beauty or the insanely mesmerizing experience that the Bentley Continental GT Speed creates in person.
Bentley has hailed the Continental GTC as "the ultimate luxury vehicle for its design" Not only is it very easy on the eyes its loaded with sheer, raw torque, too. Boating a twin turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine with variable valve timing which churns out 552 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and a stunning 479 lb.-ft. of torque flowing from 1,600 rpm all the way up to 6,000 rpm. This luxury powerhouse of torque is what makes the Bentley sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Lets not overlook the fact that the Continental GTC can achieve a top speed of 190 mph with the top down, or 195 mph with the top up. Its a 6 speed automatic that, if desired can be shifted manually by using the gear selector or paddles mounted on the steering wheel.
The 2007 Bentley Continental GTC has inherited the same suspension design as the GT Coupe, however the rear suspension has been redesigned to accommodate the convertible top while still allowing a generous amount of storage space. Equipped with a continuous-damping air suspension with four levels of control ranging from Comfort to Sport, the Continental GTC automatically lowers itself at 152 mph for improved aerodynamics. Bentley equips the GTC with the reduced friction, lighter weighted steering from the Flying Spur sedan, and installs the same gigantic brake discs as found on other Continentals. Measuring 405mm in diameter and 36mm in width up front and 335mm x 22mm in back, the Continental GTC’s ventilated pizza pans are the largest of any series-production automobile in the world, according to Bentley. As if sheer size isn’t enough to haul this 5,500-pound convertible down from speed, aluminum calipers embossed with the Bentley logo clamp down on those huge discs, working in concert with ABS, EBD, and brake assist. Traction and stability control systems are also on board, as is a tire pressure monitor.
When slicing the roof off a coupe, the resulting convertible lacks a major structural element. To combat unwanted shake in the 2007 Bentley Continental GTC, additional cross-braces run under the car, steel sill reinforcements have been installed, and the windshield pillars are strengthened. The three-layer soft top includes a heated rear glass window, and overhead interior light, and is trimmed with a luxurious headliner offered in eight different colors. Electro-hydraulically operated, the Continental GTC’s roof folds in 25 seconds, and can be operated at speeds up to 20 mph. But with retractable hardtops all the rage, why not include one on the new GTC? Bentley says it wanted to avoid the multiple shut lines such a solution requires. Therefore, designers put extra effort into making the GTC look great even with the top up. Top down, a continuous strip of stainless steel encircles the cabin, and a leather tonneau hides the top from view.
Inside, the 2007 Bentley Continental GTC is decorates in natural wood veneers, handcrafted leather upholstery, and polished and satin metal accents. Buyers can personalize the car through a wide range exterior paint, top, and upholstery colors, and a range of Mulliner options can make each Continental GTC that much more exclusive. Bentley buyers can get aluminum dash panels, contrasting stitching on the seats and door panels, embossed seat surfaces, a four-spoke wood and leather steering wheel, front lambswool rugs, premium veneers, and an alloy fuel filler cap. A chrome and aluminum wind stop installs over the rear seats, and the Continental GTC includes an advanced rollover protection system that instantly pops two protective hoops up from behind the rear seat headrests.
Joining the GT coupe and Flying Spur sedan, the 2007 GTC completes the Continental lineup, and complements the larger Azure convertible. Bentley Motors’ Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, says, “It is very elegant and at the same time effortlessly modern. It will appeal to many different customers: people who are tired of driving sports cars that require too much effort; people who want to move up from more standard convertibles; and people who want to make a statement about what they drive, yet still own a car that they can use every day of the year.” Based on what we saw in New York, the new 2007 Bentley Continental GTC hits a home run on every count.
