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Third-gen Bentley Continental GT unveiled

Bentley has revealed full details of the third-generation Continental GT. The car will be displayed at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2017.

The new Continental GT's design is inspired by the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car. It retains its predecessor's classic shape. However, the lines and creases on the body are sharper.

The front bumper features a redesigned air dam. The bonnet has been slightly elongated and meets the grille at the top. The headlamps feature matrix LED lamps and cut-crystal glasses. At the rear, the tail-lamps have been redesigned and now have a more elliptical shape, similar to the exhaust vents located below.

The new Continental GT is more than 80 kg lighter than the outgoing model. It shares the underpinnings with the new Porsche Panamera. While the overall length of the car has been kept the same as the old car, the front wheels have been moved 135 mm forward. The longer wheelbase results in a shorter front overhang.

On the inside, the instrument panel gets a fully configurable digital display that is made to look like actual dials. The display can show information from the infotainment system including the map, music and phone. The central part of the dashboard gets a three-sided rotating panel that has a flat veneer side, analogue dials and a 12.3-inch, high-resolution touchscreen. When the car is parked, it appears that there is no screen on dashboard. However, once the engine start button is pressed, the rotating panel flips to the touchscreen. The third side holds three dials - a compass, outside temperature gauge and a clock. Bentley claims that lengthening the wheelbase has improved the vehicle's interior space.

The Bentley Continental GT is powered by a 6-litre, W12 turbocharged petrol engine that puts out 626 BHP and 900 Nm of torque. The company claims that the car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 333 km/h. It is coupled with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The engine also features cylinder deactivation, where it shuts down up to half  the cylinders. This is claimed to result in lower fuel consumption. The car also features an all-wheel drive system that sends power to the front wheels as and when needed. 

The new Continental GT features predefined drive modes - Comfort, Bentley or Sports, which alter the engine, suspension, transmission and other aspects. The driver can also customise the settings according to his/her requirement.

The Bentley Continental GT will be offered with a choice of 17 colours with 70 shades, 15 carpets, 8 veneer patterns and 15 interior trims. Customers can also customise their cars according to their requirements.

 
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