Bentley will unveil a series of design and performance upgrades for its Continental GT family at the Geneva Motor Show.
Styling enhancements for the Continental GT include a new front bumper, a smaller radiator shell and new, more pronounced fenders that feature a new vent, complete with a metallic “B” adornment. V8 S and W12 also gain new bright chrome fender badges matching those applied to the GT Speed. Changes at the rear include a more sculpted boot lid, with a pronounced aerodynamic profile to the trailing edge.
The rear bumper has been refreshed as well, gaining width and a shiny ornament from one side to the other. V8 S and GT Speed models also feature a new rear diffuser design. Other exterior updates include new 20- and 21-inch wheels, as well as three new paint colors: Marlin (a rich metallic blue), Camel (a soft golden tone) and Jetstream (a light, bright metallic blue).
Inside, Continental GT models get a new pattern on the four seats, while the Mulliner Driving Specification (standard on GT Speed) gains a tightened, “small-diamond” quilting pattern reminiscent of a tailored British jacket. Driver controls are all-new, while an optional sports steering wheel and larger gear-shift paddles incorporate tactile knurled metal embellishers.
Additionally, the driver’s instrument panel has new dials and graphics and the interior is now illuminated by LEDs. The Flying Spur gets similar interior enhancements as Continental GT models.
Besides the changes applied to the standard specification, Bentley has developed a new range of optional interior features, including new, softer semi-aniline hide for the seat cushions and backrests on GT W12 and GT Speed models, as well as Alcantara headlining for GT V8 S, GT W12 and Speed coupe models, color matched to all 17 of the available interior hide colors.
There are also mechanical upgrades, but only for the range-topping Continental GT W12, whose 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine receives a power and torque increase, from 575PS (567hp) and 700Nm (516lb-ft) to 590PS (582hp) and 720Nm (531 lb-ft).
The engine also gets a variable displacement system and is now able to run at part throttle on 6 of its 12 cylinders. As a consequence, fuel economy increases by up to 5 percent to 20 mpg UK (14.1 l/100 km or 16.6 mpg US) combined, while CO2 emissions are now 329 g/km.
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