Bentley has revealed the fourth-generation Continental GT, which is making its debut in Pace guise and can concurrently be supplied as a convertible (GTC). Persevering with a 21-year heritage, the newest iteration of the model’s iconic grand tourer now comes with an electrified powertrain and 68% of its elements are new versus the outgoing third-generation mannequin.
Beginning with what’s occurring beneath the bonnet, the brand new Continental GT Pace comes with what the model calls an ‘Extremely Efficiency Hybrid’ powertrain that enables it to change into essentially the most highly effective road-going Bentley ever created.
The plug-in hybrid system encompasses a 4.0 litre V8 petrol engine and not using a conventional vacuum system and an elevated gasoline injection stress of 350 bar (from 200 bar), which Bentley says supplies cleaner combustion and improved emissions.
Augmenting the V8 are a pair of single-scroll turbochargers as a substitute of the earlier twin-scroll items, and this was carried out to scale back complexity in addition to enable them to run hotter to minimise emissions. With this, the Continental GT Pace’s V8 pushes out 600 PS and 800 Nm of torque by itself. Bentley additionally notes there is no such thing as a cylinder deactivation system in place as a result of the engine may be switched off solely when utilizing the electrical motor.
Mentioned electrical motor helps negate turbo lag introduced on by the reconfiguration and is sandwiched between the V8 and eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Rated at 190 PS and 450 Nm the electrical motor contributes to a complete system output of 782 PS and 1,000 Nm, which is 123 PS and 100 Nm greater than the earlier Continental GT Pace. In actual fact, the brand new automotive’s figures eclipse these of the Continental Supersports and Batur.
Together with an all-wheel drive system and digital restricted slip differential (eLSD), the electrified Continental GT Pace will get from 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds on its technique to a prime pace of 335 km/h. The latter is an identical to the earlier automotive, however the century dash time is down by 0.4 seconds. Go together with the Continental GTC pace and the 0-100 km/h time drops by 0.2 seconds to three.4 seconds and the highest pace is electronically restricted to 285 km/h.
So as to add some theater to the launch, Bentley additionally proudly states the brand new Continental GT Pace has set a brand new “underwater” pace file by driving the automotive by the Ryfylke Tunnel in Norway. That is the world’s longest subsea highway tunnel at 14.4 km lengthy and 292 metres beneath sea stage, by which the grand tourer hit its prime pace in simply 33 seconds.
Powering the electrical motor is a 400V, 25.9-kWh (85% capability usable) battery that permits as much as 81 km of electric-only vary – the highest pace on this mode is 140 km/h. As for charging, a max AC enter of 11 kW will absolutely replenish the battery in 2.75 hours. Bentley additionally touts a complete vary of 859 km when working in hybrid mode, together with CO2 emissions as little as 29 g/km.
Different points of the powertrain embody the brand new Bentley Efficiency Energetic Chassis that consists of all-wheel steering, torque vectoring (entrance to rear and throughout the axles), Bentley Dynamic Experience (48V energetic anti-roll management) as nicely redeveloped ESC management software program.
Each coupe and GTC fashions are additionally fitted as customary with new dual-valve dampers and dual-chamber air springs, with the damper management ECU now having full management over impartial compression and rebound damping for higher physique management.
The positioning of the battery behind the rear axle additionally supplies a 49:51, rear-biased weight distribution for the primary time within the automotive’s historical past, whereas the brakes are beefy 10-piston calipers on the entrance and four-piston rear calipers on the rear. The default brake discs are made out of iron and measure 420 mm entrance and 380 mm, however prospects can improve to carbon-silicon-carbide discs which might be bigger at 440 mm entrance and 410 mm rear.
As for styling, the Continental GT Pace seems to be an evolution from its predecessor by retaining cues akin to robust haunches and modern two-door profile. There are some notable modifications, with fewer breaks within the surfaces for a extra refined form, whereas the entrance headlamps seem like impressed by these seen on the Bacalar.
Fairly than two parts, there’s now a single cluster per facet that encompasses a horizontal daytime working gentle strip. The headlamps function a deep crystal reduce diamond impact on the prime and an illuminated decrease sample, plus there’s a matrix array of 120 separate LEDs to gentle up the highway forward.
Transferring to the rear, the oblong-shaped taillights have been made wider (and barely flatter) and now stretches deeper into the boot lid. The taillights additionally sport a deep 3D diamond sample throughout their kind that Bentley says creates a “molten lava-like visible impact” when illuminated.
Inside, the Continental GT Pace is unsurprisingly full of premium supplies and showcases the model’s excessive stage of workmanship. The dashboard and normal structure of controls have an air of familiarity, with options such because the three-sided Rotating Show with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen making a return.
You continue to get 4 seats and a bevy of personalisation choices protecting trim, upholsteries and tools. On the final bit, there are three sound techniques to select from, together with a 650W or 1,500W Bang & Olufsen in addition to a 2,200W Naim setup. Wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, over-the-air (OTA) updates, telematics and driver help techniques are additionally included.
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