Review: Bentley 3W2 Continental GTC (2012-17)

Review: Bentley 3W2.I Continental GTC (2012-15)

Overview

Released in March 2012, the Bentley 3W2 Series I (3W2.I) Continental GTC was a four-seat convertible with a soft-top roof. Manufactured in Crewe, England, the four-wheel drive 3W2 Continental GTC was initially available with a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. From October 2012, however, the Continental GTC was also available with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

V8 and W12 engines

Of the engines,

• the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine had direct injection double overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, continuously variable valve timing for the intake and exhaust camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. Furthermore, the two twin-scroll turbochargers and had twin air- and water-cooled intercoolers. The engine also featured a ‘cylinder on demand’ cylinder management system which could deactivate four cylinders under part load throttle applications; and,
• the 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 petrol engine had double overhead camshafts per ‘VR’ cylinder bank, continuous vane-adjustable variable valve timing for intake and exhaust camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.5:1.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the 3W Continental GTC , the 3W2 Continental GTC was 2 mm longer (at 4806 mm), 25 mm wider (1943 mm) and 5 mm taller (1403 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2746 mm). Furthermore, the seven-bow, three-layer fabric roof – available in eight colours – could be raised or lowered in 25 seconds and at speeds of up to 32 km/h. The 3W2 Continental GTC body structure was also stronger, with torsional rigidity of 22,500 Nm per degree.

Suspension

The 3W2 Continental GTC had four-link, double wishbone front suspension and trapezoidal, multi-link rear suspension. The suspension also included self-levelling air springs (front and rear) and a continuous damping control system with four selectable modes.

October 2012: GTC W12 changes

From October 2012, the Continental GTC W12 was fitted with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, an ME17 engine management system and an energy recuperation system which varied alternator output inversely with engine load for improved fuel economy. Unlike its six-speed predecessor, the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission had a ‘block shifting’ function which enabled it to make multiple – rather than sequential – gear changes.

4WD system

The Continental GTC’s permanent four-wheel drive system utilised a Torsen T-3 centre differential. In normal conditions, the system provided a 40:60 front:ear torque split, but up to 70 per cent of the engine’s torque could be directed to the front wheels, and up to 85 per cent to the rear if traction was lost.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Continental GTC included dual front airbags, driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front and rear seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The Continental GTC was also fitted with a Rollover Protection System (ROPS) which included two reinforced steel hoops that could be deployed in the event that a rollover was anticipated.

Brakes

The Continental GTC had 405 mm by 36 mm ventilated front brake discs and 335 mm by 22 mm ventilated rear discs.

Features

Standard features for the Continental GTC included 20-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P Zero 275/40 ZR20 tyres, an eight speaker sound system with a six-disc CD changer, DVD player, auxiliary inputs (USB/iPod/SD card reader) and a 30GB hard-drive (15GB for music storage), an eight-inch touch screen display with satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, dual-zone climate control air conditioning and neck-level heating (Bentley’s ‘Neck Warmer’), power adjustable front seats (with memory settings), leather upholstery, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights with washers, daytime LED running lights, rear fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, park assist display, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with gearshift paddles, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows and heated mirrors with folding function, a power adjustable steering wheel (height and reach), wind deflector, tyre pressure monitoring, a 12 volt power outlet, trip computer, motion-sensing alarm and an immobiliser.

Continental GTC Speed

Released in 2013, the performance-oriented Continental GTC Speed could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and had a top speed of 325 km/h. Compared to the standard Continental GT, the Speed variant was distinguished by its 21-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, up-rated springs, anti-roll bars and bushes, 10 mm lower ride height and re-tuned damping and steering systems.

Visually, the Continental GTC Speed could be identified by its ‘rifled’ exhaust pipes and dark-tint matrix for the radiator shell and lower bumper grilles. Inside, the Speed variants featured the Mulliner Driving Specification – as standard – which included quilted and perforated leather upholstery, indented leather headlining, bright metal detailing and a broader choice of optional finishes (including dark tint aluminium and carbon fibre).

Brochure

• Brochure: Bentley 3W2 Continental GT and Continental GTC Speed (April 2014)

Review: Bentley 3W2.II Continental GTC (2015-17)

Overview

Released in June 2015 and with Australian deliveries commencing in September 2015, the Bentley 3W2 Series II (3W2.II) introduced an upgraded W12 engine and cosmetic updates. For the Continental GTC W12, peak power and torque increased to 434 kW and 720 Nm, respectively, while a variable displacement system enabled six of the cylinders to shut down at part throttle openings to reduce fuel consumption.

The 3W2.II Continental GTC could be identified by its new front bumper with a smaller radiator shell and more pronounced fenders, the latter with a new vent, metallic ‘B’ adornment and bright chrome fender badges for the V8 S and W12 variants (previously introduced on the GTC Speed). At the rear, there was a more sculpted bootlid with a pronounced aerodynamic profile to the trailing edge, while the rear bumper was reshaped, widened and featured full-width brightware. The V8 S and GTC Speed were also fitted with a new rear diffuser.

As part of the update, the standard wheel for the GTC V8 and GTC W12 was a 20-inch, six-tri-spoke wheel with a painted finished for the V8 and bright machined for the W12. Furthermore, three new paint finishes were introduced: Marlin (a rich metallic blue), Camel (a soft golden tone) and Jetstream (a light, metallic blue).

For the interior, a new straight-fluting pattern adorned the seats and LED lighting was introduced; the Mulliner Driving Specification (standard for the GTC Speed) included a ‘small-diamond’ quilting pattern. Other changes included new driver controls, new dials and graphics for the instrument panel, updated brightware elements and a black gear lever surround for the centre console. Options included a sports steering wheel with larger gear-shift paddles and, for GTC W12 and GTC Speed models, softer semi-aniline hide for the seat cushions and backrests.

Features

Standard features for the Bentley Continental GTC were largely unchanged.

Related links

• Bentley Motors: Bentley Continental GTC
• Wikipedia.org: Bentley Continental GTC