To B continued:
the new Bentley Continental GT

How do you keep reinventing yourself while staying true to your roots? By deliberately staying open and at the same time knowing your own tradition. Future with heritage, as with Bentley – which is also evident in the new Bentley Continental GT. In our case, it is only logical to have the convertible of the ultimate grand tourer, which has been an integral part of our automotive world for more than twenty years.

The biggest and most obvious innovation in the newly presented fourth generation is the design. The new Continental GT adopts the design language that the Bacalar and the Batur showcased as small-series models. Four lights in the brand’s face are now reduced to two, which are characterized by a horizontal line and Y graphics. The new interpretation is called "Focused Eye" – and is the most significant change to the Bentley appearance in two decades. Also new: the complete front bumper and numerous body panels.

Bentley has also worked on the rear, giving the Continental a new appearance there as well. The more focused taillights feature a crystalline structure that is meant to visually remind one of the structure of a lava flow when the lights are in use. Apart from that, the stature and proportions remain familiar, only slightly refined. This is characterized by a combination of three design principles: the "Resting Beast," an ideally relaxed predator form; the upright posture of a thoroughbred horse in the nearly vertical front; and the seemingly endless hood. The designers’ goal: to make confidence, luxury, and speed visually tangible.

This ambition is also reflected in the interior, which stands out from its predecessor with new leather quilting, stitching and surfaces. Modern fashion is intended to be combined with the feeling of a cocoon, enabling not only comfortable rides but also true wellness. Also new in the interior: the "Dark Chrome" option for decorative surfaces such as door handles and air vents. Combined with the optionally satin-finished surface of the center console, a modern yet familiar interior is created, complemented by a new infotainment system.

But what about the record as the fastest underwater vehicle? Prior to the presentation, the Bentley team, in collaboration with the Norwegian authorities, completed a record drive in the Ryfylke Tunnel in the southwest of the Scandinavian country. The British drove through the 14.4-kilometer tunnel, which is up to 292 meters below sea level, at a speed of 335 kilometers per hour. Which brings us back to the beginning. Whether in vehicle and brand development or in marketing itself, the rule is: Always stay open and think new and free – even if the unofficial record drive was conducted with the naturally closed coupe of the Continental GT Speed.