The third-generation Bentley Continental GTC is the cabriolet version of the coupe that the British firm introduced in 2017. Almost identical to the coupe design-wise, it features a new soft-top system and borrows all of its technology and drivetrain components from the hard-top version.

Heavily inspired by the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept, it looks sportier than before and boasts a longer wheelbase. The redesigned soft-top also turns it into a three-box vehicle when the roof is in place. The new Continental GTC arrives just in time for the upcoming Volante version of the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, but it also competes against the fancier Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet. Let's find out more about it in the review below.

2018 Bentley Continental GTC

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 Bentley Continental GTC
  • Engine/Motor: V8
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Pros
Cons

2020 Bentley Continental GTC Exterior

- Almost identical to the coupe - Based on EXP 10 Speed 6 concept - Sleeker profile - Lowered nose - New wheel options - Oval taillights - New soft-top - Three-box design with the top up

Bentley is a rather conservative automaker when it comes to redesigns, so I wasn't expecting anything major from the third-gen Continental GT. But the Brits finally came out of the box and changes quite a few things by drawing inspiration from the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car. And all of these new styling cues were carried over to the GTC, which looks identical to the coupe below the waist.

The bumper also shares the outer vents with the EXP 10 Speed 6, but the center vent is much taller. The headlamps feature Bentley's latest LED Matrix technology and lenses inspired fine-cut crystal glasses, with transparent surfaces combined with sharply defined edges for a gem-like lighting effect.

Just like the coupe, the drop-top looks longer and lower from the side. That's mostly because the front wheels have been moved 5.3 inches further forward, which also enabled Bentley to lengthen and lower the nose. Notable highlights include the front fender vent delete, the new outlet just above the side skirts, and the arched, more muscular rear fenders from the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept. Bentley offers 21-inch wheels as standard, but you can also opt for 22-inch rollers in a selection of polished and painted finishes.

This is where the GTC stands out from the coupe thanks to its soft-top convertible layout. The grand tourer looks sleeker when the roof is stowed away in the trunk and a bit more elegant that its coupe counterpart with the soft-top in place. That's because the roof doesn't mimic the shape of the coupe, as it usually happens with other vehicles.

While the coupe has a fastback-style roofline, the soft-top features revised quarter window and a shorter C-pillar. This results into the GTC having a longer deck lid, like a proper three-box vehicle. It's a bit unusual at first glance, but I started to like the elegant stance once I got used to it.

The rear end is again identical to the coupe. It sports Bentley's new oval taillights that run into the trunk lid for the first time, oval exhaust pipes, and a wider opening for the trunk. The redesigned bumper features a trapezoidal license plate recess flanked by chrome trim.

Bentley also offers a choice of seven roof colors, including black, blue, claret, and grey.

2020 Bentley Continental GTC - exterior dimensions

Length

190.9 inches

Width

86.1 inches

Height

55.1 inches

Wheelbase

112.2 inches

Kerb weight

5,322 lbs

Gross weight

6,316 lbs

Weight distribution

55:45


2020 Bentley Continental GTC Interior

- Identical to the coupe - Authentic wood trim - 20-way adjustable seats - Premium audio systems - Rotating infotainment display - Acres of leather - Fully customizable - Roof opens in 19 seconds

Not surprisingly, the GTC is identical to the coupe inside the cabin, but it will definitely feel like a road yacht when the soft-top is folded flat. Just look at that massive slab of wood that extends from the dashboard onto the door panels, the huge display, the modern controls, and the high-sheen center console. Speaking of which, you will have access to loads of new veneers, including Koa, a wood that’s rarely used in cars, and a dual-veneer option.

Other fancy features include 20-way adjustable seats with heating, cooling, and massage function, a big instrument cluster with 3D LED lights, and a 10-speaker, 650-watt sound system. The latter is just the standard unit, as options include a 16-speaker, 1,500-watt Bang & Olufsen system and an 18-speaker, 2,000-watt system by Naim.

But Arguably the most interesting feature of the Continental GTC is Bentley’s new infotainment display. When the ignition is off, the screen is hidden in the dashboard, with the wood veneer flowing uninterrupted from the passenger side to the instrument cluster.

When the engine start button is pressed, however, the veneer in the center stack glides forward and rotates to reveal the big screen. The third side of the Rotating Display reveals three analogue dials showing outside temperature, a compass, and chronometer. Opting for the latter gives you an elegant, old school-style dash that works great with the massive wood veneer.

Of course, another interesting feature is the possibility to drive with an open top, which provides access not only to unlimited headroom, but also to a summer’s warm breeze, and the engine high-displacement roar.

Speaking of open-top driving, Bentley developed a new soft-top system for the GTC. Boasting big improvements in terms of sealing systems and acoustic treatments, it reduces outer noise levels by three decibels compared to its predecessor, which makes it as quiet as the previous-generation Continental GT coupe.

It's available in seven colors, including a tweed finish for the first time.

The convertible also features a neckwarmer. Integrated into the seats, the newly designed heater system is both warmer and quieter than in the previous generation model. Designed to optimize efficiency and airflow around the electrically adjustable headrests, it features a chrome center vane that stretches the full width of the duct, paying tribute to Bentley's famous "bullseye" A/C vents.

2020 Bentley Continental GTC Drivetrain

- 6.0-liter W-12 - 626 horsepower - 664 pound-feet of torque - Around 200 pounds lighter - Dual-clutch eight-speed gearbox - 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds - Top speed at 207 mph - Standard AWD - V-8 engine likely

The new Continental GTC features the same 6.0-liter W-12 engine as the coupe model. But while the powerplant is identical in size and layout to the one in the old car, Bentley actually developed a new unit for the new-generation car.

That's a 44-horsepower and 133-pound-feet increase over the previous Continental GTC and almost as much as the outgoing GT Speed plus an extra 44 pound-feet of twist. Given that the new Continental is around 200 pounds lighter than its predecessor, the GTC will feel even more powerful once you floor the gas pedal.

The massive W-12 mates to a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission, which made its debut in the coupe as the first-ever eight-speed gearbox offered in a Bentley.

Just like the coupe, the drop-top hits a top speed of 207 mph, an impressive figure in this niche, especially given the size and weight of the grand tourer.

The engine features state-of-the-art start-stop technology that enables it to stop not only when the vehicle is stationary, but also at near-to-stop speeds, which helps improve fuel economy. The dual-clutch eight-speed transmission contributes to this as well, with the Conti GTC now rated at 23.2 U.K. mpg combined versus the previous 19.9 mpg.

The all-wheel-drive system is also new, replacing the previous 40:60 power delivery split between front and rear wheels. However, the GTC will run in rear-wheel-drive more as much as possible during normal driving for a classic grand tourer feel.

Bentley may add a V-8 engine too at a later date. The twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 cranks out 540 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque in the Bentayga SUV. Diesel and hybrid versions aren't likely, although Bentley is already offering these drivetrains in the Bentayga.

2020 Bentley Continental GT Convertible Specifications

Engine

6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 TSI

Capacity

5950 cc

Power

626 HP @ 6,000 RPM

Torque

664 LB-FT @ 1,350-4,500 RPM

0 to 60 mph

3.7 seconds

0 to 100 mph

8.1 seconds

Top Speed

207 mph

Transmission

ZF eight-speed dual-clutch


2020 Bentley Continental GTC Chassis and Suspension

Besides a new engine, the Continental GTC also rides on a new chassis with Bentley's intelligent Dynamic Ride System. The adaptive setup provides a more responsive ride and optimized handling in all road and weather conditions by adjusting the electronic actuators on the anti-roll bar of each axle and instantly counteracting lateral rolling forces when cornering.

It also provides variable torsional resistance. By contrast, conventional anti-roll bars usually offer a compromise between body control and ride confort. The revised air suspension features three-chamber air springs with 60-percent more air volume in the softest setting than the previous model, also contributing to improved ride comfort and dynamic character.

2020 Bentley Continental GTC Packages and Mulliner Personalization

Bentley offers the new Continental GTC with more options than ever. At launch, you'll be able to choose between two packages -- City Specification and Touring Specification.

Designed for urban journeys, City Specification includes features like hands-free trunk opening, pedestrian warning, traffic-sign recognition, city braking systems, and a top-view camera. Touring Specification, a bundle for long-distance driving, adds adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, active lane assist, a heads-up display, night vision with an infrared camera, and pre-sense braking.

This bundle adds 22-inch wheels in a custom finish, "diamond in diamond" quilting for the seats, and embroidered Bentley emblems inside the cabin. It also enables you to choose from additional wood veneer options, adds a jewel-finish fuel filler cap, sports pedals, and leather headliner for the soft-top.

You can also pick from a "virtually unlimited" list of individual options comprising exterior paints, carpet finishes, handcrafted veneers, and leather colors, leading to hundreds of possible combinations. Finally, you can take your GTC to the Mulliner division for bespoke features that you can't find on the regular options list. Be prepared to spend big though.

2020 Bentley Continental GTC Prices

U.S. pricing information for the new Continental GTC is not yet available. However, expect the cabriolet to cost more than the coupe version. With the latter priced from around $220,000, the GTC will probably fetch in excess of $230,000 before options.

Competition

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet

The first convertible to wear the "S-Class" badge and Mercedes’ first open-top luxury four-seater since the early 1970s, the S-Class Cabriolet is one of the very few vehicles that can give the Continental GTC a run for its money. Sporty but elegant and fitted with Mercedes’ latest technology, it also comes with semi-autonomous drive and a powerful V-8 engine under the hood. The twin-turbo 4.0-liter cranks out 463 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of twist, enabling the massive drop-top to hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. For those looking for an alternative to the W-12 GTC, Mercedes offers the AMG S63, which uses a more powerful V-8 rated at 612 horses. This version hits 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, which makes it quicker than the upcoming W-12 GTC. Finally, the AMG S65 Cabriolet features a 6.0-liter V-12 that delivers 630 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. However, this model is RWD only and needs 4.1 seconds to reach 60 mph. Pricing is also on the Merc’s side. The standard model retails from $134,300, while the AMG fetches $180,100 before options. On the other hand, the AMG S65 costs a whopping $250,900.

Read our full reviews of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet and Mercedes-AMG S63 and S65 Cabriolet.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante

The drop-top version of the DBS Superleggera has yet to arrive, but we've seen Aston Martin testing camouflaged prototypes on public roads. It will be identical to the coupe below the waist and will use the same twin-turbo, 5.2-liter V-12 engine. The mill cranks out an impressive 715 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, which places the DBS Superleggera above its rivals in terms of performance. It should also be quicker to 60 mph at around 3.4 seconds and faster with a top speed of around 210 mph. Needless to say, the DBS Superleggera is closer to being a full-fledged supercar than a traditional grand tourer. It will be notably more expensive though, as it will start from around $310,000. Meanwhile, Aston Martin's offering in this niche is the old Vanquish S Volante, equipped with a 5.9-liter V-12 rated at 592 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of twist. This drop-top hits 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, a top speed of 197 mph, and starts from around $313,000.

Read our speculative review of the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante.

Conclusion

Arguably one of the most impressive luxury convertibles available on the market, the Continental GTC got even better with the third-generation model. The new platform should solve the Continental's weight problems, while access to better drivetrain technology enabled Bentley to offer a more fuel-efficient model and improve the nameplate's carbon footprint. The EXP 10 Speed 6-inspired design also gives the GTC a sportier stance that's closer to the upcoming DBS Superleggera Volante, leaving the Continental Flying Spur sedan to parade as the more elegant proposition in the lineup.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Bentley Continental GT.

Read our full review on the previous generation 2017 Bentley Continental GTC.

Read our full review on the 2015 Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6.

Update History

Update 11/24/2017: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Bentley Continental GTC out for a new testing session, but this time during cold winter conditions.

Updated 09/28/2017: We added a new rendering of the Continental GTC, as well as updated information. Check it out below.

Updated 10/26/2016: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Continental GTC out for a new testing session, this time on the roads around the Nürburgring.

Updated 07/19/2016: Based on the recent spy shots and speculations, we created a rendering for the upcoming Continental GTC. Let us know in the comments section below what do you think about it.

Spy Shots

May 16, 2018 - Bentley Continental GTC caught testing around Nurburgring

November 11/24/2017 - Upcoming Bentley Continental GTC caught testing in cold weather

February 15, 2017 - Bentley Continental GTC caught testing once again

October 26, 2016 - Continental GTC caught testing on the roads around the Nürburgring

July 6, 2016 - First testing session