Bentley Conti GTC gets Speed fix

Following in the wake of its updated Continental GT and Flying Spur ranges, Bentley has just released images and details of its subtly tweaked Continental GTC (the 'C' stands for Convertible) line-up, which is now spearheaded by a 'Speed' variant.

The GTC Speed cops the same uprated -- to the tune of 448kW -- 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine as its range-topping Flying Spur and Conti GT counterparts, and it's billed as Bentley's most powerful convertible to date.

The GTC Speed is said to deliver "true 200mph (322km/h) performance", and even with the roof down the GTC Speed can reach a bouffant-bashing 312km/h.

The Continental GTC Speed is visually distinguished by a few subtle visual cues such as wider twin-rifled exhaust tail pipes, a boot-mounted lip spoiler and radiator and lower air intake grilles that feature a dark tinted matrix.

Other upgrades that ostensibly benefit both its dynamics and visual appeal include 9.5J x 20-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels with Bentley-bespoke Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance (UHP) tyres, along with stiffer, lower suspension,

Although the engine offers 9 per cent more power than the donor car, Bentley says it's the 15 per cent increase in torque -- it's up to 750 Nm -- that's most noticeable. This figure is on tap from 1700 to 5600rpm to convey a feeling of effortless urge.

Bentley quotes a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.8 seconds and 0-160 km/h dash in 10.5 seconds, which puts it up there with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG and BMW M6 Convertible.

Meanwhile, the standard GTC is distinguishable from the outgoing model via a more upright radiator grille and bolder lower air intake. It also gains chrome headlamp bezels and is offered with the choice of two new exterior paints and a new colour hide. 

In addition, new low-friction dampers are claimed to improve ride comfort, and the options list is bolstered by carbon-ceramic brakes and a sophisticated 'follow-to-stop' Adaptive Cruise Control system with long-range radar sensor that monitors traffic ahead and manages throttle and brakes to maintain a driver-selected time gap.