SPY PICS: Bentley readying new Continental GTC, Flying Spur
Prestige British brand sculpting sleek new convertible and sedan designsA new-look Bentley Continental GTC is headed for production this year and, as these fresh spy shots show, the high-performance luxury convertible will bring a lower, more aerodynamic profile.
The barely-disguised prototype spotted here indicates that the next version of the Volkswagen Group-owned British brand’s luxury ragtop will, like the new Continental GT Coupe revealed at last year’s Frankfurt motor show, be smaller and styled to cut through the air more efficiently than the current model.
Although the styling language is clearly Bentley Continental, there’s a general rounding-off and a more minimalistic look that is particularly evident in details such as the snub-nosed front-end, less-bulbous rear and smoother roofline and A-pillars.
Like the coupe, the new Bentley Continental GTC will be based on the same MSB platform that underpins large, rear-drive cars like the latest Porsche Panamera.
Apart from less weight and increased rigidity, it also brings cutting-edge infotainment and driver-assistance tech to the table, plus more luxury than ever.
Indeed, there's talk the new Bentley cabrio is undertaking a significant weight-reduction program that’s envisaged to bring it closer to the two-tonne mark than the current model, which has a porky 2455kg kerb weight.
Power has never been an issue for Bentleys and the trimmed-down Continental GTC will be fitted with a formidable 447kW/900Nm 6.0-litre biturbo W12 engine from the Bentayga SUV, as well as an updated 4.0-litre V8 and possibly even a plug-in V6 hybrid.
Also spotted in the wintry wastes was a glum-looking four-door Bentley identified as an updated Flying Spur – essentially a four-door version of the Bentley Continental GT Coupe.
As the spy shots reveal, it looks set to be fronted by a swoopy, more refined nose and finished off by a revised rear-end with re-shaped versions of the current tail-lights.
Expect the same V8, W12 and plug-in hybrid petrol powertrains as in the two-door Bentley Continentals, as well as the possibility of diesel power courtesy of the 320kW/900Nm 4.0-litre triple-turbo V8 oiler seen in the Bentley Bentayga.
There's even a chance we could see the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid's twin-turbo V8-based plug-in hybrid powertrain under its huge bonnet.
The new Bentley Flying Spur is expected to appear some time in 2019.
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