The Bentley Continental GT

Frankfurt, September 9th 2003

The Bentley Continental GT is the world's fastest four seat coupé, the first all new and unique Bentley design for 70 years and its most significant new model since the very first Bentley, the 1919, 3-litre.

Key points:
* An all new car, designed, engineered and built by Bentley in Crewe
* Top speed 198mph (318kmh), 0-60mph in 4.7sec (0-100km/h 4.8sec)
* A Grand Tourer in the finest traditions, capable of seating four in comfort
* Unique twin-turbo 6-litre W12 engine producing 552bhp (560PS) and 479lb ft of torque (650Nm) at just 1600rpm
* Four wheel drive with paddle-operated six speed automatic transmission
* State of the art engineering and production techniques
* Car designed entirely in the virtual world
* Car designed not only to be thrilling to drive but also supremely easy to live with, equally effective as a recreational toy or a serious business tool

Design: legendary R-Type reminiscence
The looks of the Continental GT were signed off in December 1999 with a design philosophy dictating its short front overhang and dominant bonnet. It had a pillarless cabin and pronounced rear haunches giving the impression of a crouching animal.
Inside, there are top quality hides, fine wood veneers and a unique driving environment and ideal driving position is easily achieved.

Those used to sitting in the back of most high-performance coupés will scarcely believe the thought that has gone into creating the rear cabin with the rear seat design receiving the same care and attention as those in the front. Back seat passengers sit well apart with scalloped recesses for their elbows, allowing adults ample personal space.

The toughest task facing today's luxury designers is to present a car in a way that is both uncluttered yet easy to use. Bentley's solution is to use common sense and ergonomic know-how to create a driving environment that is both effective and attractive.

Most routine operations can be operated direct from the steering wheel while other functions such as the air-conditioning, navigation, and computer information are individually controlled, but displayed on the same central screen.

All around the cabin, unmistakeable Bentley touches abound. Perhaps most easily spotted are the classic "bulls-eye" ventilation outlets with their organ stop controls. Then there are the aluminium pedals, chrome instrument surrounds, knurled finishes to many of the ancillary controls, and the centrally mounted analogue Breitling clock.

Naturally wood and leather remain an essential a part of this Bentley as any other. And while craftsmanship remains as important as ever, these skills have been supplemented by 21st century technology allowing, for instance, wood to be dramatically curved. And while the leather is still applied with the same loving care as before, it is cut using a new digitised process that ensures minimal levels of wastage and maximum efficiency.

The design brief for the Continental GT was to create a car with as much room as the most spacious coupés, equip it with the performance of the world's most dynamic supercars and retain the whole within compact dimensions.

One key to maximising interior space is raising the 'H' point above where it would be in a conventional supercar. It means Bentley's commanding driving position is retained and the driver's hip to heel angle is as close to anatomical perfection as is possible. Finally a high and upright driving position liberates vital room in the back. The result is a true two plus two, capable of carrying two adults and children in comfort for unlimited distances.

Another important benefit of the Continental GT's design is the omission of a B-pillar. There are many aesthetic reasons for adopting the pillarless look, but for those inside, the unbroken expanse of glass provides a feeling of great space and airiness.

Even the 370 litre luggage capacity has only been achieved through fresh thinking. In cars of this size, it is accepted practice to site the fuel tank between the boot and rear seat, the Continental GT's fuel tank, however, is under the floor of the car, providing enough boot space to swallow luggage for a family fortnight away.

Powertrain
The design brief for the Continental GT called for one of the fastest cars on earth yet one whose performance would remain inimitably Bentley. That meant not just great power but also huge torque delivered evenly across the rev-range. But if the car's packaging requirements were to be met, the engine couldn't take up much space under the bonnet. By choosing the basic architecture of the W12 powerplant used elsewhere in the VW Group - the most compact 12-cylinder engine in the world - Bentley's engineers found a solution to both issues.

Once the decision to use the W12 had been made, twin turbos were selected as the preferred means of raising power and torque, The result was a car with 552bhp (560PS/411kW) at 6250rpm and 650Nm (479lb ft) at just 1600rpm, a speed at which most engines are little more than idling.

4WD: power directed to all four corners
The use of four wheel drive was decided in the earliest stages of the project as it was felt that this new level of power demanded a commensurate level of control. Nevertheless, in order to ensure that the right Bentley feel is provided, Bentley's powertrain and chassis engineers have experimented extensively with the distribution of torque to the front and rear axles. This has been done to provide the Continental GT with all the security of a four-wheel drive system but when appropriate, the added fun factor inherent within a rear-wheel drive layout.

Gearbox: six speed auto - the most advanced of its type in the world
The Continental GT is fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission built for Bentley by ZF with the ability to lock its torque converter in normal driving, providing the same immediacy of response expected of manual transmissions.

Tiptronic actuation means that the car can be used either as a conventional automatic or a clutchless manual where gear changes take place only on command from the driver, via either the gear lever or paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.

Chassis: a car for drivers and passengers alike
Perfecting ride and handling is one of the most difficult areas of car design. For the Continental GT this job has been doubly tough, for few cars carry a greater expectation of excellence in both areas. Even so the Continental GT has a chassis that will appeal to sybarites and thrill-seekers equally. It has firm rather than harsh suspension, impressive resistance to roll yet compliant enough to ride poorly surfaced roads with equanimity.

The basis of the Continental GT's chassis strategy is an extremely stiff body. To this is added an innovative double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear axle. Air springs are used, each one containing its own infinitely adjustable electronic damper.

Electronic stability systems: Unintrusive and at the discretion of the driver
Naturally both traction control and the latest Bosch Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) are fitted. These are capable of monitoring a whole range of dynamic attitudes such as lateral acceleration, individual wheel speeds, throttle position and brake pressure and can cut the power or apply each brake individually to help ensure control is retained.

Brakes: ensuring the Continental GT stops as well as it goes
Braking is provided by vast ventilated disc brakes at each corner featuring the latest Bosch anti-lock system with Brake Assist and Emergency Brake Force Distribution. At 400mm, the front discs are the largest currently available on any production car.

Safety: prevention is even better than cure
Naturally the Continental GT has a full suite of passive safety equipment. As well as possessing exceptional front, side and rear deformation characteristics, there are two front airbags, four side airbags and two side curtain bags that, unusually for a coupé, run along the full length of the cabin. Seat belt pretensioners are used for all four seats.

Of course avoiding the accident in the first place has always to be preferable. To this end the Continental GT is specified like few others. Four wheel drive has colossal safety advantages, while the latest traction and stability systems offer further defence.

Positioning: a unique opportunity to bring Bentley to a wider audience
Despite the deep seated emotional desire at Bentley to create a mid-sized coupé, the Continental GT still would not have been possible without a concrete business case behind it. It hinges on a clear gap in the upper luxury coupé market between the impracticalities of a conventional supercar and less than thrilling luxury coupés.

More than 75% of depositors are new to Bentley, and the profile of these early customers is as anticipated, and differs from the traditional Bentley buyer. Although still very wealthy entrepreneurs, they are at an earlier life stage, with differing priorities and car use patterns.

A new vision to go forward to the roots of Bentley
In all physical senses, the changes the Continental GT has brought to Bentley have transformed the company. But in a less tangible way Bentley is actually returning to its heartland values, as defined by WO Bentley. The strength of any brand in this sector is the thought that created it, and now it resonates through the walls of the factory.

WO's idea was to combine cutting edge design with outrageous performance and superlative craftsmanship. And while it would offer unquestioned luxury, so also it would possess a thinly veiled ability to turn into something very special at any moment.

A true Bentley is a car that goes beyond satisfying the needs of its customers: it should exceed all expectation and do so routinely. Above all it should blend apparently conflicting interests as if they were made for each other, proving thrilling yet cosseting, imposing but subtle, a car with great presence but lacking entirely in ostentation. These are precisely the qualities the Continental GT has been conceived to provide and the result is a car of which WO Bentley would be justifiably proud.