After Bentley->ke15 unveiled the Continental GT Speed at the 2012 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, it promised to debut the convertible version at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. While the show is still a few days away, Bentley decided to offer us the first details on the new drop-top. In fact, this is not such a big surprise, considering the first official images leaked on the Internet right before Christmas.

The GT Speed Convertible will be offered with the same technology as its coupe sibling and will be able to hit a top speed of 202 mph -- 3 mph less than the coupe version – which is good enough to make it the fastest the fastest four-seat convertible in the world.

Next to being very fast, Bentley has also promised that the new GT Speed Convertible can be driven in any weather conditions, ranging from -30°C to +50°C or more. This impressive performance can be achieved thanks to the car’s four-layer hood and the neck warmer.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible.

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible
  • Engine/Motor: W12
  • Horsepower: 616
  • Torque: 590 @ 2000
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Except for its soft-top, the new GT Speed Convertible is pretty much identical to the coupe version. It will be distinguished by its matrix radiator grille and bumper air intakes in a dark-tint chrome finish, and the set of 21-inch Speed alloy wheels offered as a unique feature for this model. They can be ordered in either silver or dark tint.

As a unique feature for the Continental Speed models, the new Convertible will also get a black intake manifold, which is revealed on the bonnet is opened. Large, elliptical exhaust tailpipes and a "B" badge placed on the radiator shell also add to the Speed Convertible’s look.

The car also received front wings in super-formed aluminum and, of course, a double-horseshoe boot-lid required to generate the downforce necessary at high speeds.

Dimensions

Wheelbase

2746 mm / 108.1 in

Overall length

4806 mm / 189.2 in

Width (across body)

1944 mm / 76.5 in

Width (inc. mirrors)

2227 mm / 87.7 in

Overall height

1393 mm / 54.8 in

Fuel tank

90 liters / 20 gallons / 24 US gallons

Boot volume

260 / 9.18 cu ft

Curb weight

2495 kg / 5500 lb

Gross vehicle weight

2900 kg / 6393 lb


Interior

Just like the exterior, the interior will once again be distinguished by unique GT Speed features. The most obvious one will be the exclusive Dark Tint Aluminum "engine spin" finish, inspired by the dashboards of the 1920s Bentley Le Mans race cars. As an option, this feature can be replaced by a full range of fine wood veneers and a satin-finish carbon fiber for the fascia and center console.

The seats are wrapped in distinctive diamond-quilted hide upholstery with a "Speed" logo.

The new GT Speed Continental will be equipped with the latest technologies that provide road maps, optional satellite landscape imagery, live traffic data and, where the infrastructure supports it, digital radio.

Bentley is offering as standard feature Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) speakers, or, as an option, an audiophile Naim for Bentley system, incorporating custom-built speakers and eight individual Digital Sound Processing modes.

Engine

Under the hood, the model has borrowed the engine from the coupe version. This means the new GT Speed Convertible will come with a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged, 48-valve, W-12 engine that delivers a total of 616 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque reached at just 2,000 rpm.

This power is enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, from 0 to 100 mph in 9.7 seconds and up to a top speed of 202 mph.

The engine is mated to a quick-shifting eight-speed transmission that offers a new "Sport" mode for a sharper throttle response, gear-shifting at higher engine speeds and faster "block shifting" for instantly accessible acceleration.

Engine

Type

6-liter twin-turbocharged W-12

Max Power

616 bhp / 460 kW

Max Torque

800 Nm / 590 lb.ft @ 2000 rpm


Transmission

Type

ZF 8-speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting and wheel-mounted paddleshift

Driveline

Continuous all-wheel drive (40:60 rear bias)

Ratios

1st : 4.71; 2nd: 3.14; 3rd: 2.1; 4th: 1.67; 5th: 1.29; 6th: 1.00; 7th: 0.839; 8th: 0.667

Final Drive

2.85


Performance

Top speed

202 mph / 325 km/h

0-60 mph

4.1 secs

0-100 mph

9.7 secs

0-100 km/h

4.4 secs

0-160 km/h

9.7 secs


Chassis and suspension

The new GT Speed Convertible will be equipped with an aluminum, double-wishbone front suspension and trapezoidal, multi-link rear setup that features revised air suspension springs and dampers for improved agility and body control with little sacrifice in ride comfort.

Bentley will also installed a new Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system optimized for the new engine management system to deliver both outstanding safety and greater driver involvement.

Brakes

Front

405mm ventilated discs (optional 420mm Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)

Rear

335mm ventilated discs (optional 356mm, Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled)


Wheels and Tyres

Wheels

9.5J x 21”

Tires

275/35 ZR21


Steering

Type

Rack & pinion, power assisted, speed-sensitive ZF servotronic

Turns lock-to-lock

2.6 turns

Turning circle

11.3 m


Suspension

Front

Four link double wishbones, computer controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti-roll bar

Rear

Trapezoidal multi-link, computer-controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti-roll bar

Damping

Continuous Damping Control, tuned for dynamic performance


Prices

The new Bentley GT Speed Convertible will make its world debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Prices will be announced at a later date.

Competition

When it comes to Bentleys, people consider models from Rolls Royce the most obvious choice, but for the new GT Speed models there is no direct competitor. To date, the only convertible with similar performance is the Aston Martin DBS Volante.

It is powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 engine that delivers a total of 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. This engine will sprint the DBS from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds and up to a top speed of 191 mph.