Bentley have taken a bold step forward with the design of the new Continental GT without losing any of the elegant Bentley DNA to create a beautiful car that saves more than 80 kg over the previous Continental W12 body.
The Continental GT does not lose the classic elegance the previous incarnation was applauded for, yet the shape of the new model has a more sculptural feel with sharp definition taking design cues from the critically acclaimed EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car.
To enable this adventurous remodelling the Continental GT, the aluminium skin has been developed using Super Formed which has been used previously on Bentley fenders. This allows Bentley designers to conjure more complicated, sharply defined lines to the body and a deeper, sculpted haunch silhouette. In fact this car is the first production car ever to have an entire body side made from the innovative Super Formed process.
To achieve a longer and lower profile the front wheels have been moved 135 mm further forward which also allows the bonnet to be extended and the nose to be lowered. The famous body lines of Continental have not been compromised and the ‘power line’ travels from the headlights to the rear haunch.
The rear aspect of the car is a radical style change, with the taillights now an ellipse shape, reflecting the shape of the exhaust tail pipes positioned below.
The latest LED Matrix technology is used on the lighting of the Continental GT, however it is the design of the head lamps that steals the show. Inspired by the finest cut-crystal glasses, the internal surfaces are transparent with sharply defined edges that catch the light like a diamond. The taillights also feature the cut-crystal effect, highlighting the three-dimensional depth of the optics.
The new Continental GT has 21” wheels, reflecting the model’s elegant and sporty characteristics.
The elliptical exhausts have a complex perforated sleeve adding visual interest but also reducing the exhaust temperature. All examples of Bentley’s exacting standard of detail, and the unique way in which Bentley design often serves a dual engineering purpose.