Bentley · 2003–present

Bentley Continental GT

The Bentley Continental GT is a grand touring car manufactured and marketed by the British company Bentley Motors since 2003. The Continental GT is offered as a two-door coupé or convertible, with four seats. It was the first new Bentley released after the company's acquisition by Volkswagen AG in 1998, and the first Bentley to employ mass production manufacturing techniques. It was later joined by the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, a four-door saloon car variant.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Bentley Continental R

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Origin

In 1994, Rolls-Royce Motors who at that time owned the Bentley brand, previewed a convertible concept car at the Geneva Motor Show – the Concept Java. The car was designed to be a smaller, more affordable Bentley, yet still exclusive in order to maintain the integrity of the brand. It was to appeal to a new range of potential buyers and generate increase sales volume for Rolls-Royce. At the time the current Bentley Continental R was an ultra-exclusive £180,000 in the UK, within reach of a very select market, selling only 200–300 units a year. The Concept Java never went into production in the form seen in 1994, although 13 cars were made for the Sultan of Brunei. However, the Bentley Continental GT realised the concept of the Java as a more affordable Bentley, manufactured in much larger volumes.

First generation (2003–2011)

=== Continental GT (2003–2011) === The vehicle debuted in 2002 at the Paris Motor Show, followed by Le Mans, the 2003 Goodwood Festival of Speed and the 2003 annual Bentley Drivers Club meeting at Silverstone. The car differed from the previous Continental R & T models in terms of its concept: although much of the car is hand assembled, it is a mass-produced car made in significantly larger numbers. It is not a coach-built car. The price at launch was less than half the price of the Continental R, giving the car a wider customer base. The Continental GT is equipped with a 6.0 litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine, which produces a DIN-rated power output of 560 PS (412 kW; 552 bhp) at 6,100 rpm, and torque of 650 N⋅m (479 lbf⋅ft) at 1,600–6,100 rpm. A Torsen-based permanent four-wheel drive is standard. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0.0 to 62.1 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of 318 km/h (197.6 mph). The Continental GT coupe features fixed front quarter glass, but no B pillar between the front and rear side windows, a design which has been carried on through all subsequent generations of the car. Early models include a choice of 6 body colours (Diamond Black, Burnt Oak, Cypress, Neptune, Spruce, and Umbrian Red), 8 hide colours (Beluga, Burnt Oak, Laurel, Nautic, Portland, Saffron, Savannah, Saddle), 5 veneer types (Burr Oak, Burr Walnut, Dark Stained Walnut, Madrona, Piano Black) and 4 carpet and seatbelt colours (Beluga, Burnt Oak, Laurel, Nautic). The dashboard clock was made by Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling, which Bentley commissioned in 2002. American musician Prince owned a 2006 Continental GT Coupe in Baby Blue. Upon his death, in April 2016, the car was placed on permanent display in the sound stage at his famous Paisley Park compl

Second generation (2011–2018)

=== Continental GT W12 (2011–2018) === The vehicle was unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Ordering of the Continental GT began in October 2010, with deliveries of 2011 Continental GT beginning in the first quarter of 2011. Continental GT V8 (2012–2018). The GT V8 version of the Continental GT has a twin-turbo 4-litre (3,993 cc) V8 engine (developed jointly with Audi) that produces 500 hp (373 kW) and 487 lb⋅ft (660 N⋅m) of torque. The car is capable of reaching a top speed of 192 mph (309 km/h). It also features cylinder deactivation technology that can deactivate half of the cylinders when they're not needed to improve fuel economy by up to 8%. Other changes, including on-demand steering assistance, weight reduction, better engine heat management, overrun alternator charging and eco-tyres, improve overall fuel consumption by 40% from the W12's 17.1 mpg to the V8's 26.1 mpg. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, followed by the SkyLounge in Munich, the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition and the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Continental GTC W12 (2011–2018). The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, followed by the 2012 Qatar International Motor Show. Delivery of the Bentley Continental GTC began in late 2011. Continental GT Speed Coupé (2012–2018). The Continental GT Speed Coupé is a version of the Continental GT W12 with increased engine power to 616 hp (459 kW; 625 PS) and 590 lb⋅ft (800 N⋅m) of torque. It also features a lowered ride height and chassis and uprated suspension. It has a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph) and can accelerate from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 4.0 seconds. The vehicle was first unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2012, followed by the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d

Third generation (2018–2024)

=== Continental GT W12 (2018–2021) === The press release announcing a third-generation Continental GT was made on 29 August 2017. The model made its physical debut when it was unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show where it drew a huge crowd. Production began in 2018 with a base price of £156,700. In January 2019, Bentley announced it would celebrate its 100th birthday with a limited-edition car, likely based on the Continental GT, to debut at the Geneva auto show. November 2018 saw the debut of a 2019 Bentley Continental GT Convertible, to go on sale in 2019. The model shares the Volkswagen-developed MSB platform with the second-generation Porsche Panamera. Compared to previous models, the car features a lighter body (>80 kg (176.4 lb)), an extended wheelbase (135 mm (5.3 in)), a 48-volt roll-control system and a new 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine, as well as a significant interior overhaul including an industry first rotating display. The Continental GT is the first production car ever to have an entire body side made from the Super Formed process; a precision technique with aluminium which allows more complex, sharply defined body lines. Unlike prior models, the panels are "superformed" with heated aluminium sheets molded by gas instead of a stamp. Manufacturer's figures indicate 0–60 mph takes 3.6 seconds (3.7 seconds 0–100 km/h) and it is capable of reaching a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph). The W12 engine – designed, developed, and handbuilt in Crewe – is a further enhanced version of the TSI engine launched in the Bentayga in 2016. Featuring high- and low- pressure direct fuel injection, a variable displacement system, stop-start technology and launch mode, the powertrain produces 635 PS (626 hp) and 900 N⋅m (664 lb⋅ft) of torque. Continental GT/GTC V8 (2019–2024)

Fourth generation (2024–present)

=== Continental GT/GTC Speed (2024–present) === The press release for the 2025 Continental GT was made on 25 June 2024, following several weeks of media previews with the model's prototype. The fourth generation Continental was introduced with the top range Speed specification which made its public debut at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The fourth generation GT Speed is powered by a twin-turbo Ultra Performance Hybrid V8 engine, replacing the outgoing W12 engine which ceased production in mid-2024. Capable of generating a maximum power of 782 PS (771 bhp) and a maximum torque of 1,000 N⋅m (738 lb⋅ft), the new hybrid engine enables the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.2 seconds. Retaining the exterior look and the Porsche Panamera platform of the third generation Continental GT, the fourth generation model has been slightly restyled with features adopted from the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar and Mulliner Batur concept cars. This includes the introduction of new headlights, making the model the first Bentley to have a single-headlight setup since the 1959 Bentley S2. At 2,459 kilograms (5,421 lb), the car is also heavier than the third generation model; this owes to the 25.9 kWh battery mounted behind the rear axle which contributes to the fourth generation's 49:51 weight distribution. Manufacturer figures indicate an electric-only range of 81 kilometres (50 mi) from the plug-in battery alone. Continental GT/GTC Mulliner (2024–present). Unveiled on October 1, 2024, alongside the Flying Spur Mulliner, the Continental GT Mulliner is the range topping version of the Continental GT. The GT Mulliner is powered by the same Ultra Performance Hybrid V8 engine as the GT Speed, featuring new crystal cut headlamps and red taillights distinct from the Spee

Special editions

=== Continental GT Diamond Series (2007) === The Continental GT Diamond Series is a limited (400 units worldwide) version of the 2007 model year Continental GT Mulliner Driving Specification, commemorating the Crewe factory's 60th anniversary. It includes carbon-silicon carbide brakes (420x40mm cross-drilled front and 356x28mm rear), exclusive 9Jx20-inch 14-spoke alloy wheels, choice of 3 additional exclusive body colours (Moroccan Blue (bright blue), Anthracite (grey black) and Meteor (steel blue grey)), unique insignia to exterior, unique treadplates with the text 'Celebrating 60 years of manufacturing in Crewe', choice of upgraded veneers (Dark Stained Burr Walnut or Piano Black (additional veneers available at extra cost)), drilled alloy sport foot pedals, gear lever finished in knurled chrome and hide, diamond quilted hide to seat facings, door and rear quarter panels; embroidered Bentley emblem to seat facings, indented hide headlining and a Mulliner alloy fuel filler cap. Continental GTC, GTC Speed 80-11 Editions (2010). The 80-11 models are limited (80 units per model) versions of the Continental GTC and GTC Speed for the North American market. They feature 20-inch 14-spoke alloy diamond wheels polished with unique black center caps featuring Bentley 'B' emblem (GTC) or 20-inch wheels from Supersports finished in dark tint with red brake calipers (GTC Speed) as well as Union Jack brightware badges on the front wings, exclusive Midnight body colour option, Dark Grey Metallic soft top and the Mulliner fuel-filler cap as standard, Beluga main leather hide with white (GTC) or Pillar Box Red (GTC Speed) contrast stitching and piping and Bentley emblems, Piano Black veneers, engine-turned aluminium with bright (GTC) or dark (GTC Speed) finish, drilled alloy sport foot

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Bentley Continental GT

Manufacturer

Bentley

Layout

F4 layout, FR layout (2025–present Supersports)

Production

2003–present

Assembly

United Kingdom: Crewe (Bentley Crewe)

Class

Grand tourer (S)

Body style

2-door fastback coupé, 2-door convertible

sp

uk

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q818306CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley_Continental_GTCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377104955 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bentley_Continental_GT_(4th_gen.)_DSC_8518.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Alexander Migl · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — http://www.continentalgt.com/Link only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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