Bentley has given the Continental GT family and Flying Spur model a mild facelift prior to their official debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
The Bentley Continental GT is refreshed with a complement of new exterior design features such as a new front bumper which features a smaller radiator shell and new, more pronounced fenders to lend a more assertive and confident stance to the front of the car. The fenders now feature a new vent, complete with a graceful metallic “B” adornment. New bright chrome fender badges for the V8 S and W12 models now match those applied to the GT Speed.
At the rear of the car, the boot lid is now more sculpted, with a pronounced aerodynamic profile to the trailing edge. The rear bumper has been reshaped and widened and now features full-width brightware. The V8 S and GT Speed also gain a new rear diffuser design to further differentiate the performance-focused members of the Continental family.
The revisions to the exterior aesthetics are completed with the addition of new wheels to the range of 20-inch and 21-inch designs available. The standard wheel for the GT V8 and GT W12 becomes a new 20-inch, 6-tri-spoke wheel, in painted finish for the V8 and bright machined for the W12. The Mulliner Driving Specification wheel changes to a new 21-inch 7-twin-spoke design, finished in Graphite grey with bright machined spokes. Finally, a new 21-inch 5-spoke directional sports wheel joins the existing 21-inch design available for the V8 S and GT Speed.
Enhancing the GT’s iconic silhouette further, 3 new paint colours are available: Marlin (a rich metallic blue), Camel (a soft golden tone) and Jetstream (a light, bright metallic blue).
The visual upgrades continue inside the cabin. A new and contemporary straight-fluting pattern adorns the seats, while the Mulliner Driving Specification (standard on GT Speed) gains a tightened, “small-diamond” quilting pattern reminiscent of a tailored British jacket. Driver controls are all-new, with an optional, more ergonomic and sports-orientated steering wheel and larger gear-shift paddles incorporating tactile knurled metal embellishers.
Brightware elements across the console are updated, the driver’s instrument panel receives new dials and graphics for a refreshed, more contemporary look, and the new interior is now illuminated by LEDs. The centre console also features a new black gear lever surround, unifying the style of all driver controls. For V8 and V8 S coupe models, a new hidden storage compartment is fitted between the rear seats, capable of accommodating and charging electronic devices including iPads.
In addition to the changes to the standard specification, a new range of optional interior features has been developed.
GT W12 and GT Speed models can now be specified with new, softer semi-aniline hide for the seat cushions and backrests, represent the highest quality of leather available in the automotive market and giving an even more comfortable, luxurious and natural feel. Two new leather colours join the Continental range for 2015 – Shortbread and Camel.
Furthermore, the headlining of GT V8 S, GT W12 and Speed coupe models is now available in Alcantara, colour matched to all 17 of the available interior hide colours.
On-board WiFi, providing connectivity to all handheld devices in the car is also now available across the Continental family.
Under the revised skin of the Continental GT W12 lie 3 changes to the 6.0-litre twin turbo W12 powertrain. The engine receives a power and torque increase, from 567 bhp and 700 Nm to 582 bhp and 720 Nm.
Bentley’s 4-door luxury sedan, the Flying Spur on the other hand, is now fitted with a new 20-inch 6-tri-spoke wheel is available for both V8 and W12 powered Flying Spurs, in 2 different finishes, while a 21-inch 7-twin-spoke design is offered on the Flying Spur W12 Mulliner in polished or Graphite painted with bright machining finishes.
The cabin of the Flying Spur also gains modern and tactile new features where the driver instruments are updated with contemporary graphics, while the steering wheel receives a new more sporting design. A knurled metal finisher adorns the optional gear shift paddles, and the Flying Spur receives the same on-board WiFi hotspot system as the updated Continental family.
Complementing the feature upgrades are new paint colours in the hues of Marlin, Camel and Jetstream and the addition of Shortbread and Camel hides to the extensive range of leathers.
Under the hood, the 616 bhp and 800 Nm Flying Spur W12 engine gains efficiencies and even greater grand touring capability thanks to the variable displacement system now included on the Continental GT W12, for lower fuel consumption, increased range and lower emissions of 333 g/km CO2.
