Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018) Review

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018) At A Glance

4/5

+Towering performance with V8 the best of the rang, excellent refinement, hand built interior, sense of occasion.

-Very expensive running costs, rear space not quite adult-size, looks a little dated inside.

Insurance Group 50
On average it achieves 99% of the official MPG figure

The big and rather brash Bentley Continental GTC is a very English take on open-top motoring. Just like the famous racers driven by the Bentley Boys in the 1920s, the approach here is one of ‘more is more’ – size, weight, engine capacity, you name it... 

The Continental GTC isn’t one for subtlety and this is key to its appeal – as a relaxing, effortless and very, very fast express for four to enjoy the sunshine in decadent luxury. It’s so relaxing, it might just take the driver’s mind off the cost of buying it, running it and putting fuel into it.

This second generation Continental GTC was very much an evolution of the original, rather than a fresh start. Styling was sharpened and details made more lavish, but the profile was still familiar. Nevertheless, it looked more modern, thanks to eye-catching LED-infused headlights and remarkable wrap-around ‘superformed’ front wings. Classic coachbuilding of the highest order.

Under the massive bonnet lay the defining feature of the very first Continental GT coupe – a gigantic 6.0-litre turbocharged W12 engine.

The engine’s popularity saw Bentley become the largest manufacturer of 12-cylinder engines in the world. Power was now up to 575PS and there was an abundant 700Nm of torque. Performance, despite the weight, was superb.

A year after launch, Bentley introduced a second engine choice: a 4.0-litre V8. This was the sportier and more driver-oriented engine, still producing a more than ample 507PS. Both engines, naturally, were paired with an automatic gearbox – the V8 being the first with the eight-speed auto that would later roll out across the range.

Driving a Continental GTC is a real event. It feels big, and luxurious, and quite exciting, particularly with the roof down.

The electric folding soft-top reveals the huge four-seat interior, but doesn’t make passengers suffer with an excess of wind rustle and roar. Well, not until the driver starts exploring the 195mph top speed potential of the car…

If that isn’t fast enough, Bentley later launched a Speed version, with 625PS taking it beyond 200mph. The thing is, if you drive slowly, it’s hard to believe the Bentley’s performance is so savage. The ride is cosseting, noise levels are low and it feels wonderfully genteel and decadent. Performance is rarely combined with such luxury.

For all its leather and wood-lined opulence and comfort, the interior is also starting to look a bit dated these days. It’s all beautifully finished, sure, but the Volkswagen-derived switchgear and infotainment screen are a bit too much like what you’d find in a Golf. Those used to more modern cars will also find the array of buttons, and the small size of the screens, a bit twee.

There’s no knocking the comfort, though. The huge front seats are palatial, gorgeous to sit in and exceedingly supportive. The rear seats are comfortable, too – it’s just a shame there isn’t a bit more room in there, to turn this from more of a 2+2 into the genuine four-seater it claims to be. Getting in and out with the roof up is tricky as well.

The Bentley Continental GTC is a distinctive car, as imposing to look at as it is feeling the full force of its performance. That it can also serve up such luxurious refinement is all the more impressive, and certainly enough for the lucky few to justify its similarly imposing price tag and running costs.

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018) handling and engines

Driving Rating
This is a big and heavy (very heavy) sports GT car, so it’s an achievement in itself that Bentley was able to make it handle with such relative precision.

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018): Handling and ride quality

Don’t go mistaking it for a nimble, agile Porsche, because it’s anything but. However, pressing on seems to shrink it surprisingly, and certainly hides the downsides of its hefty kerbweight.

Standard all-wheel drive helps here: indeed, Bentley actually tweaked the power distribution slightly rearwards, adding to the sporty feel. It also means the GTC is able to handle itself when the driver stamps on the accelerator and unleashes upwards of 600PS.

The V8 does feel a bit sportier than the W12, as it has less weight over the front wheels, so can be a bit more chuckable and tenacious. It’s all relative, but the V8 feels a bit more home on a winding B-roads. The Speed is also a bit more focused and tied down, thanks to tweaked suspension. 

All Continental GTCs ride extremely well. Air suspension sees to that, with a very plush and float-along sense of cushioning at speed, something helped by the sheer mass of the car steamrollering over bumps.

Only at city speeds might you sense it becomes a bit fidgety, particularly Speed models or those with the largest, most aggressive alloy wheels.

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018): Engines

Some owners buy a Bentley Continental GTC because of the engines and nothing else. Both the V8 and W12 are incredible. The V8 is a lovely thing, with a charismatic burble and performance by the bucketload. It feels dynamic and lively, giving a sporty edge to the GTC.

The W12 is a towering achievement. It feels unstoppable, thanks to its combination of massive size and two huge turbochargers to feed it extra shove. Accelerating a car this heavy, so quickly, is quite the spectacle. Yet it is also incredibly smooth and placid when cruising, fading into the background discreetly.

The Speed version, with its 625PS, is still more exciting. It’s almost addictive, with many soon becoming grateful the massive disc brakes are also as powerful as they are. The pinnacle of the range is the incredible 700PS Continental Supersports, with 0-62mph in under 4.0 seconds and endless pulling power thanks to over 1000Nm of torque. Rare and expensive, but what an event.

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018): Safety

Despite it being an open-top car, you feel very safe and secure indeed within a Continental GTC. With the roof up, it’s almost as refined as the coupe (double-glazed side windows help here), serving up a nice and cosy feel that’s very satisfying. It’s assured with the roof down, too – because it’s so big, and because you feel so well-protected by the massive seats and windscreen pillars.

A full suite of active safety gadgetry is standard, with the Bentley’s outstanding grip and traction from its all-wheel-drive system adding further security and confidence in all weathers.

Bentley upped the safety gadgetry throughout the car’s life, so look out for some of the handy extra features on later cars, such as a colour reversing camera.

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018): Towing

Bentley doesn’t quote a towing weight for the Continental GTC, and we’re sure most owners won’t be surprised by this. They’ve likely also got a Bentayga in the garage for towing the Riva down to St. Tropez.

Engine MPG 0-62 CO2
Speed 19–19 mpg 4.1–4.3 s 347 g/km
V8 26 mpg 4.7–5.0 s 254 g/km
V8 S 25–26 mpg 4.5–4.7 s 254–258 g/km
W12 17–20 mpg 3.9–4.7 s 330–362 g/km

Real MPG average for the Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

99%

Real MPG

19–29 mpg

MPGs submitted

6

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018) interior

Interior Rating
Bentley uses a combination of top-notch materials such as wood and leather, alongside perfectly serviceable and robust switchgear from the Volkswagen Group.
Dimensions
Length 4806–4818 mm
Width 2226–2227 mm
Height 1390–1403 mm
Wheelbase 2746 mm

Full specifications

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018): Practicality

Being a four-seater luxury convertible places the Bentley Continental GTC amongst a pretty elite group of rivals. The Porsche 911 Cabriolet ostensibly has four seats, for example, but nobody anywhere near adult-sized will ever contemplate a ride back there.

The reality isn’t quite as glowing. Yes, this is a massive car, but you’d never believe it had a bigger footprint than an executive car from the rear seats.

The fact adults can actually get in is a positive, sure – but if the roof is up, this is a tortuous process, and they’ll only find adequate legroom if the front-seat passengers are willing to whirr their lavish electric chairs far forwards. It’s best reserved for children, which Bentley acknowledges with standard Isofix mounts.

This is a big car with a fairly small boot. It offers 260 litres, which is less than a Ford Fiesta – and it declines to 210 litres with the roof down. That’s because the soft-top has to fit in somewhere

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018): Quality and finish

Those who have driven a Golf might be a bit put-out to spot familiar switches and displays, but as there’s nothing wrong with them, it’s hard to be too critical.

It’s the acres of leather and other high-end finishes that are the real story of the Continental GTC’s interior. It’s all as beautiful to the touch as it is to look at, with a real sense of hand-crafted care and attention. This bespoke, custom-made finish is what sets the Bentley apart from regular cars.

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018): Infotainment

The infotainment system on early Continental GTCs looks a bit dated. It really does seem like a system you’d get in a Volkswagen, operated by twist knobs on the side and hard-key buttons for shortcuts.

Things improved with the 2014 facelift as it became a touchscreen, backing up the comprehensive connectivity and fast mapping.

It’s a shame Bentley couldn’t have given the graphics a bit of a makeover though – they’re still Volkswagen-spec, and so don’t quite have the refined air of the rest of the interior. An option unique to Bentley, however, was the Naim premium audio system. This cost a fortune when new, but it’s easy to work out why when you listen to it.

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018) value for money

Value for Money Rating
A used Bentley still isn’t a bargain, but it is much more accessible, with the V8 priced from under £70,000 and the W12 starting from around £75,000.

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018): Prices

The Bentley Continental GTC was a car that cost over £150,000 when new – and that’s for the more affordable V8 version (which you can easily pick out by its figure-of-eight exhaust tailpipes). The W12 was priced from almost £170,000, and the Speed edged up to nearlyt £190,000.

That’s before owners added on various options, which nearly everyone did. When the aforementioned Naim audio system alone was priced at over £6000, you can see how quickly things start to add up.

You’ll still pay a premium for rare models, or bespoke creations with endless extras. The most prized Continental GTCs can, if they’re showing low miles, still command upwards of £190,000, and to understand why, a retailer will happily sit you down with a coffee (or two) and take you through the breathtaking build sheet.

The most collectable is the limited-run Continental Supersports. This 700PS monster was limited-build, had colossal performance and is a guaranteed future classic.

Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018): Running Costs

You have probably guessed the W12 won’t be good in this regard. The best fuel economy you’re likely to see will still be sub-20mpg, and low teens is more likely. If you press on faster, you will be able to almost watch the fuel gauge fall.

The V8 is better here. Bentley claims 50 percent greater efficiency than the W12, and it might even do better than this in the right hands. Its smaller capacity helps, but so too does active cylinder deactivation, effectively turning this 4.0-litre V8 into a 2.0 V4.

Pretty much everything else you can think of will be expensive. The smallest tyres are 20 inches in diameter, and 21 inches are common.

The heavy Bentley can be heavy on brakes (unless the owner fitted the massively expensive carbon-ceramic option). Insurance groups are the highest possible, as is VED (road tax), and W12 variants are particularly badly hit in this regard.

Bentley service dealers will treat you like royalty, but such high standards don’t come cheap in terms of scheduled maintenance.

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Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018) models and specs

Really, we’re talking degrees of decadence here. Every Continental GTC comes with a full leather interior - and we mean full leather, extending from the seats, to the doors, to the dashboard, to the sun visors. Owners could choose from 17 different colours, too.

The big difference with Speed, apart from the power and suspension upgrades, is a sharper appearance. There’s a tasteful bodykit including a front splitter and side skirts, plus a moodier monotone interior. 

Bentley later introduced a popular Mulliner Driving Specification. This was a trim pack upgrade, with diamond-quilted leather and a knurled gear lever.

Dimensions
Length 4806–4818 mm
Width 2226–2227 mm
Height 1390–1403 mm
Wheelbase 2746 mm
Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight 2455–2495 kg
Boot Space 210–260 L
Warranty 3 years / Unlimited miles
Servicing 10000 miles
Costs
List Price £151,115–£235,925
Insurance Groups 50
Road Tax Bands L–M
Official MPG 17.1–25.9 mpg
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult -
Child -
Pedestrian -
Overall -

On sale until December 2022

Cabriolet
Version List Price MPG 0-62
Convertible 6.0 Supersports Auto 2dr £235,925 17.8 mpg 3.9 s

On sale until April 2019

Cabriolet
Version List Price MPG 0-62
Convertible 4.0 V8 Auto 2dr £156,215 25.9 mpg 5.0 s
Convertible 4.0 V8 Mulliner Driving Specification Auto 2dr £166,705 25.9 mpg 5.0 s
Convertible 4.0 V8 S Auto 2dr £166,925 25.4 mpg 4.7 s
Convertible 4.0 V8 S Mulliner Driving Specification Auto 2dr £173,420 25.4 mpg 4.7 s
Convertible 6.0 Auto 2dr £167,725 19.8 mpg 4.7 s
Convertible 6.0 Mulliner Driving Specification Auto 2dr £175,165 19.8 mpg 4.7 s
Convertible 6.0 Speed Auto 2dr £187,925 19.0 mpg 4.3 s

On sale until April 2017

Cabriolet
Version List Price MPG 0-62
4.0 V8 GT Auto 2dr £155,340 25.9 mpg 4.7 s
4.0 V8 GT Concours Auto 2dr £161,710 25.9 mpg 4.7 s
4.0 V8 GT Mulliner Driving Specification Auto 2dr £165,330 25.9 mpg 4.7 s
4.0 V8 GT S Auto 2dr £165,975 25.9 mpg 4.5 s
4.0 V8 GT S Cnc/Blk Auto 2dr £169,040 25.9 mpg 4.5 s
4.0 V8 GT S Mulliner Driving Specification Auto 2dr £172,160 25.9 mpg 4.5 s
6.0 GT Concours Auto 2dr £169,805 17.1 mpg 4.5 s
6.0 GT Speed Auto 2dr £186,375 18.9 mpg 4.1 s

On sale until October 2015

Convertible
Version List Price MPG 0-62
4.0 V8 Convertible 2dr Auto £151,115 25.9 mpg 4.7 s
4.0 V8 Mulliner Convertible 2dr Auto £160,845 25.9 mpg 4.7 s
4.0 V8 S Convertible 2dr Auto £161,415 25.4 mpg 4.5 s
4.0 V8 S Mulliner Convertible 2dr Auto £167,995 25.4 mpg 4.5 s
6.0 W12 Convertible 2dr Auto £162,345 19.0 mpg 4.4 s
6.0 W12 Mulliner Convertible 2dr Auto £168,935 19.0 mpg 4.4 s

On sale until January 2015

Convertible
Version List Price MPG 0-62
GTC Speed Convertible 2dr Auto £167,900 - -

Model History

August 2011

Bentley unveils second generation Continental GTC

Taking cues from its GT coupe sibling launched last year, the new Continental GTC builds on the highly successful foundation of the previous cabriolet, which premiered in 2006. Bentley's design and engineering teams have improved virtually every aspect of the iconic convertible with an uncompromising focus on quality.

While the first Continental GTC was elegant and understated, the assertive stance of the new model delivers a more contemporary and muscular presence. Advanced manufacturing techniques produce aluminium front wings without the need for seams or welds creating the look and feel of a coach-built car. Twenty-inch wheels are now standard with three styles of 21-inch wheel, a first for GTC, available as an option, reinforcing the distinctive, sporting stance of the new Bentley.

The four-seater luxury convertible features a new, even more spacious and sumptuous hand-crafted cabin, with soft-touch leather hides, an extensive range of wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets. There are 17 standard soft-touch leather hide colours with six colour split combinations, complemented by a range of seven veneers, all produced by Bentley’s talented craftsmen and women.

The GTC’s renowned coupe-like refinement is also enhanced. The tailored, multi-layered fabric hood is complemented by acoustic glass and under-body panels, for optimum noise isolation.

Superb everyday practicality for a luxury convertible was a hallmark of the original GTC and much valued by its customers. The cabin of the new GTC is now even more practical, with additional rear legroom, new storage solutions and innovative features such as touch-screen infotainment, automatic seat-belt presenters and a Bentley-designed Neck Warmer for comfortable roof-down motoring whatever the temperature.

A wider track, front and rear, sharper steering and retuned suspension provides a more exhilarating and class-leading drive. Bentley’s advanced all-wheel drive system features a new 40:60 rear torque bias (compared with 50:50 of the original GTC) minimising understeer during hard cornering and allowing the spirited driver to manage the car’s line and balance via precise throttle control.

This compelling dynamic package is combined with a more powerful 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine as well as a new QuickShift transmission enabling faster gear changes than ever before. Power output is raised from 560PS to 575PS and torque has been increased by a further 50Nm to 700Nm.

January 2012

Continental V8 announced

The new 4.0 litre, twin turbocharged V8 Continental GT coupé and GTC convertible achieve exceptional standards for power-to-emissions in the high luxury sports car sector.

This remarkable, new Bentley V8 engine delivers maximum power of 500 bhp (507 PS / 373 Kw) at 6000 rev/min and an extraordinary peak torque of 660 Nm (487 lb ft) which is available across virtually the entire rev range from 1700 to 5000 rev/min, providing exhilarating performance and effortless power delivery in the Bentley tradition. Combined with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, this translates into a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.6 seconds for the GT coupe (0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds) and a top speed of 188 mph (303 km/h).

At the same time, the new V8 Continental models achieve outstanding levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the luxury performance sector and are capable of travelling over 500 miles on a single tank of fuel.

The arrival of the new V8 Continental models fulfils Bentley’s environmental commitment to produce a new powertrain that delivers a 40 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. The new V8 engine features variable displacement with a highly sophisticated engine management system, ensuring a seamless and imperceptible transition from V8 to V4 mode under light throttle load.

March 2012

Continental GTC V8 introduced

The new 4.0 litre, twin turbocharged Continental GTC V8, and its coupe counterpart the Continental GT V8, achieve exceptional standards for power-to-emissions in the high luxury sports car sector.

This remarkable, new Bentley V8 engine delivers maximum power of 507PS and peak torque of 660Nm. Combined with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, this translates into a 0-62 mph sprint time of 5.0 seconds for the GTC and a top speed of 187mph.

At the rear, unique chromed ‘figure eight’ exhaust tailpipes, a dark lower valance and red enamel ‘B’ bootlid badge emphasise the sporty, contemporary identity of the new V8s. The new Continental V8 models can be specified with 20-inch alloy wheels as standard or an optional 21‑inch six-spoke design which is available in dramatic Diamond Black (exclusive to the Continental V8) or Diamond Silver finishes.

Inside the cabin, an Eliade cloth headlining, new contemporary Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneers, optional two-tone leather colour split and short centre console continue the fresh, sporting design theme.

The new Continental GTC V8 model will be offered beneath the flagship 6.0 litre, 12‑cylinder engined GTC, which continues to excite customers with a combination of silken refinement and the ultimate power of the twin-turbocharged W12 Continental engine that, in its most potent form, delivers an astonishing 640 PS.

June 2012

GT Speed launched

Bentley is introducing a new performance flagship, its fastest production model ever, the Continental GT Speed coupe. The new 205mph GT Speed will appeal to driving enthusiasts who place a high value on outright performance, agile handling, distinctive design and sporting luxury.

At the heart of the new Continental GT Speed is an up-rated version of the unique Bentley 6.0-litre, 48-valve, four-cam, twin turbocharged W12 engine. For the new model, the legendary Bentley W12 develops 625PS and 800Nm of torque to deliver thunderous, supercar performance with effortless overtaking capability. The 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in a mere 4.2 seconds and the GT Speed has a top speed of 205mph.

The GT V8 S coupe dispatches the 0-62 mph sprint in just 4.5 seconds onto a top speed of 192mph. This increased performance is achieved without detriment to the V8 engine’s class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions, or its ability to cover more than 500 miles between fill-ups.

February 2014

Enhancements to Continental GT Speed

Bentley’s iconic 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine has been pushed even further, now developing 635PS and a record 820Nm of torque. The new Bentley GT Speed coupe reaches a top speed of 206mph – the fastest production Bentley ever – while the revised convertible can reach 203mph.

The extra dynamic performance of the Continental flagship model is complemented by a more distinctive visual presence. The sharp front splitter, discrete side skirts and elegant rear diffuser are finished to match the exterior paint colour for the first time. The new GT Speed is given a more signature look through the use of a dark tint finish applied to the 21-inch Speed wheel design, headlamps and tail lamps. The exterior modifications are completed with red-painted brake callipers and a stylish chrome “Speed” badge fitted to the front fenders, while a new signature Speed paint colour of Candy Red is now available.

The visual changes continue inside the cabin of the GT Speed, starting with a completely new colour split reserved exclusively for the Speed models. Starting with a dark monotone interior, accent stripes in a contrasting colour are applied across the doors, rear panels, fascia wings, inner console and gear lever. Matching contrasting stitching is then sewn to various aspects of the cabin, with a new cost option to continue contrast stitching through the diamond quilting of the seats and doors. Speed branding is also sewn to the front and rear headrests, while a subtle yet elegant chrome “Speed” badge adorns the passenger side fascia panel.

Alongside the launch of the new Speed models, 2014 also brings enhancements across the entire Continental family. While options are still offered on an individual basis, seven distinct packages are now available. Premier Specification enhances the cabin of the Continental with additional technology and comfort. It includes massaging and ventilated seats, the Naim for Bentley premium audio system, a rear view camera, twin front arm rests and a valet key.

Interior Style Specification combines the very best of Bentley hand‑craftsmanship for the ultimate tailored cabin. Includes contrast stitching to the entire cabin, whilst deep pile overmats are included and feature contrasting leather binding. Including the optional cross‑stitching element brings unparalleled attention to detail, with 37 hours of additional crafting and over 600 metres of thread.

GT Classic Specification is available for GT W12 model and enhancing traditional styling cues, including bright chrome front matrix grilles, veneered door and rear quarter panels, boot carpet matched to the interior and the hand-crafted stowage case complimenting the centre console finish.

All-Seasons Specification makes the Continental Convertible models even more comfortable when driving roof-down in cooler temperatures. It includes the in-seat neck warmers, removable wind deflector and a heated steering wheel.

Mulliner Driving Specification is available on all Continental models and package brings a sporting set of features to the specification, including diamond quilting to seats and doors, a knurled gear lever, drilled alloy foot pedals and the “Jewel” fuel and oil filler caps.

GT V8 S Sport Specification includes Carbon-Ceramic brakes with red-painted callipers, a Sports exhaust and carbon fibre fascia panels.

Classic Mulliner Styling Specification is available for GT W12 and GT Speed models, this accentuates the elegant shape of the Continental with a front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser all in carbon fibre.

July 2017

Continental GTC Galene Edition by Mulliner launched

It is powered by Bentley’s refined 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 powerplant, with 507PS and 660Nm and benefits from Bentley’s elegant, four-layered retractable hood which keeps occupants in the same unruffled environment that the hard-top Continental GT coupe provides.

Painted in pristine Glacier White, with a matching bodywork kit, the Galene Edition is specified with lower brightware in Sequin Blue, a timeless detail and elegant reminder of the life aquatic. A dark blue hood and striking 21-inch polished Propeller Wheels complete Mulliner’s external signature on the Galene Edition.

The seats are in Linen and Portland hides with Camel hand cross stitching, the door panels are Linen, Portland and Brunel. Linen, Brunel and Camel accentuate the dashboard, centre console and armrests, whilst the steering wheel is Linen and Brunel with a Camel 12 o’clock stripe. The detailed headrest embroidery is in Camel and the Glacier White stowage case is exquisitely lined in Brunel Alcantara.

What does the Bentley Continental GTC (2011 – 2018) cost?