2009 Bentley Continental GTC Speed

Bentley has added a new drop-top to its Australian line-up with the introduction of the new GTC Speed – the brand’s most powerful convertible ever.

Inspired by the legendary ‘Speed Models’ from the 1920s, the new GTC Speed boasts a 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine which delivers 9 per cent more power and 15 per cent more torque than the standard GTC.

In total, this adds up to peak power of 447kW and 750Nm achieved across virtually the entire rev range from 1700 to 5600rpm, delivering that characteristic Bentley wave of torque.

“The Continental GTC is an elegant Grand Touring convertible in the Bentley tradition, exciting the emotions with its distinctive blend of performance, luxury, craftsmanship and modernity. The GTC Speed completes the family of Continental Speed models and broadens the appeal of the GTC to customers who demand a more focused, open-top driving experience.” Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen.

It’s zero to 100km/h performance belies its luxurious underpinnings, despatched in a mere 4.8 seconds with its endless torque driving it to 160km/h in just 10.5 seconds.

It comes as no surprise then that the GTC Speed will continue this relentless pace all the way to its top speed of 322km/h with the roof up, while its aerodynamics are inconvenienced only slightly with the roof down for a top speed of 312km/h.

The new GTC models boasts a subtly refreshed exterior with a more pronounced square edge radiator grille, larger lower air intake and chrome headlamp bezels.

The Continental GTC Speed is visually distinguished at the front by dark tinted radiator and lower air intake grilles, larger 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels with Bentley-bespoke Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance tyres, lowered and uprated suspension, wider twin-rifled exhaust tail pipes and a new boot-mounted lip spoiler that enhances high speed aerodynamics.

In addition, two significant new options may be specified on both GTC models: lightweight, fade-resistant, carbon-ceramic brakes – the largest production passenger car brakes in the world – and a sophisticated follow-to-stop Adaptive Cruise Control system that monitors traffic ahead and manages throttle and brakes to maintain a driver-selected time gap.

The Speed family is now complete with the introduction of the new Continental GTC Speed, which is expected to account for up to two-thirds of GTC sales worldwide in its first year of production.