Star of Bentley's Frankfurt Motor Show stand next month will be the second-generation Continental GTC. The four-seat convertible adopts its coupé sibling's tauter lines for a sportier look, but it's still undeniably an elegant cabriolet.
The cabin comes in for as much focus as the new exterior. Bentley offers buyers a choice of 17 leather colours and six combinations as standard, along with seven different veneers. There's more interior space than before too, while Bentley has added a 'Neck Warmer' to blow warm air onto the occupants' necks if it's a little chilly outside.
A 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine will be available initially, with a new V8 unit due shortly after. The W12 engine produces 575hp and up to 700Nm of torque. The claimed performance figures should be easily achievable in that case, with 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 314km/h. This engine has full 'FlexFuel' capability so it can run on E85 bio-ethanol, petrol or any combination of the two. CO2 figures have not been announced as yet though.
All that power is put through a ZF six-speed automatic gearbox with 'Quickshift', which is designed to do exactly as it says. As before, the Continental GTC features four-wheel drive, though now the regular split is 60% to the rear - it used to be 50/50. As standard 20-inch alloys are fitted, but it's telling that there are three 21-inch rim designs to choose from.
Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors said: "The GTC has always been the most emotional model in the Continental range and a showcase for Bentley design. With its tailored soft top, the GTC is a pure British convertible true to those classic Bentleys of the past. However, the technology, performance and overall design excellence invested in this model means that we are now writing a new chapter for the Bentley convertible driver."
We'll see it for ourselves in Frankfurt, soon after which the first examples will be delivered to customers. It's priced from about €320,000 in Ireland.