Drop-top Bentley no softie

FURTHER details emerged last week on Bentley’s forthcoming Continental GTC convertible, which will join the highly successful Continental GT and four-door Continental Flying Spur.

Sharing its underpinnings with the GT, Bentley claims the GTC 2+2 has all the poise, performance and dynamic handling of its hard-top sibling.

The GTC has a top speed of 312km/h, 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.8 seconds, a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, a 412kW/650Nm 6.0-litre W12 engine, six-speed automatic, advanced air suspension and ultra-stiff body.

It rests on a 2745mm wheelbase, is 4897mm long and has a 1623/1607mm front/rear track.

The three-layer insulated hide roof is claimed to be whisper-quiet and able to open and shut in 20 seconds. It can also be opened at speeds up to 30km/h. On the flipside, luggage space drops from the coupe’s 370 litres to a micro hatch-size 235 litres.

Price? Expect to pay around $400,000 when it goes on sale here next year.