Design

The looks of the Continental GT were signed off in December 1999 with a design philosophy dictating its short front overhang and dominant bonnet. It had a pillarless cabin and pronounced rear haunches giving the impression of a crouching animal.

Inside, there are top quality hides, fine wood veneers and a unique driving environment and ideal driving position is easily achieved.

Those used to sitting in the back of most high-performance coupés will scarcely believe the thought that has gone into creating the rear cabin with the rear seat design receiving the same care and attention as those in the front. Back seat passengers sit well apart with scalloped recesses for their elbows, allowing adults ample personal space.

The toughest task facing today's luxury designers is to present a car in a way that is both uncluttered yet easy to use. Bentley's solution is to use common sense and ergonomic know-how to create a driving environment that is both effective and attractive. Most routine operations can be operated direct from the steering wheel while other functions such as the air-conditioning, navigation, and computer information are individually controlled, but displayed on the same central screen.

All around the cabin, unmistakeable Bentley touches abound. Perhaps most easily spotted are the classic "bulls-eye" ventilation outlets with their organ stop controls. Then there are the aluminium pedals, chrome instrument surrounds, knurled finishes to many of the ancillary controls, and the centrally mounted analogue Breitling clock.

Naturally wood and leather remain an essential a part of this Bentley as any other. And while craftsmanship remains as important as ever, these skills have been supplemented by 21st century technology allowing, for instance, wood to be dramatically curved. And while the leather is still applied with the same loving care as before, it is cut using a new digitised process that ensures minimal levels of wastage and maximum efficiency.

The design brief for the Continental GT was to create a car with as much room as the most spacious coupés, equip it with the performance of the world's most dynamic supercars and retain the whole within compact dimensions.

One key to maximising interior space is raising the 'H' point above where it would be in a conventional supercar. It means Bentley's commanding driving position is retained and the driver's hip to heel angle is as close to anatomical perfection as is possible. Finally a high and upright driving position liberates vital room in the back. The result is a true two plus two, capable of carrying two adults and children in comfort for unlimited distances.

Another important benefit of the Continental GT's design is the omission of a B-pillar. There are many aesthetic reasons for adopting the pillarless look, but for those inside, the unbroken expanse of glass provides a feeling of great space and airiness.

Even the 370 litre luggage capacity has only been achieved through fresh thinking. In cars of this size, it is accepted practice to site the fuel tank between the boot and rear seat, the Continental GT's fuel tank, however, is under the floor of the car, providing enough boot space to swallow luggage for a family fortnight away.

Awards

Chicago, 5th February 2004... The popular weekly automotive television programme 'MotorWeek' produced by Maryland Public Television, today announced it had awarded the Bentley Continental GT the award for 'Dream Machine 2004'.This award is yet another recognition of the Continental GT's appeal, and its powerful impact on one of North America's most influential automotive reviewers. MotorWeek is broadcast nationwide in North America on the public television affiliate stations, as well as the cable TV network 'Speed TV', which reaches millions of viewers each week in Bentley's largest global market. Each year MotorWeek awards accolades to a variety of cars, trucks and multi purpose vehicles. In awarding its 'Dream Machine' award, MotorWeek says this category was dominated this year by a car which the judging panel said not only fulfilled its primary purpose, but was also an outstanding automobile in all of the key dynamic areas such as performance, ride, handling, comfort, luxury and exclusivity. The Executive Producer of MotorWeek, John Davis, said: "The Continental GT was outstanding in every area, and in the opinion of the judges may be the best Bentley ever."

This significant award follows the title of 'Car of The Year' bestowed on the Continental GT by America's leading lifestyle consumer magazine the Robb Report. Crewe, 23rd January 2004 Citing "exceptional security at speed, the ultimate exhilaration of getting there and the distinction, elegance and comfort in luxury that is an absolute," the editors of Robb Report have selected the Bentley Continental GT as the magazine's 2004 Car of the Year.

In a cover piece authored by Editor-at-Large Paul Dean, the Continental GT was praised as "an ungoverned, 190-miles-per-hour supercar and the fastest four-seat family car in the world." Attesting to the Continental GT's prowess, Robb Report lauds its 12-cylinder, twin turbocharged engine, which "pumps out an eager 552 horsepower and a highly useful 479 lb ft of torque."

Robb Report editors were equally impressed by the Continental GT's opulent interior, an eight-decade trademark of the fabled British car manufacturer. "No high-tech kevlar, faux suedes, or long stretches of brushed aluminium here," Mr. Dean writes. "Just those signature mirror-matched grains in the woods and veneers, peerless and unblemished hides, and carpets more expensive than most shoes, all of which creates an aura of modest indulgence."

Now in its 28th year, Robb Report is the international authority on the luxury lifestyle. Each month, the magazine, published by Curtco Robb Media in Malibu, California, reports on issues and trends affecting the affluent market, with coverage of exclusive events and features on exceptional automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, art, jewellery, watches, fashion, travel, homes, wines, spirits and cigars.

This honour follows several other significant awards recently bestowed on the Continental GT including the award as the "Most Beautiful Car in the World 2003" awarded by a distinguished Italian jury of car journalists, designers, stylist and industry luminaries. In addition the Continental GT also received two awards from the prestigious 'Eyes On Design' jury as the 'most significant production car' and a separate prize for 'most significant production car - exterior design' at the 2003 North American International Auto Show'.

Powertrain

The design brief for the Continental GT called for one of the fastest cars on earth yet one whose performance would remain inimitably Bentley. That meant not just great power but also huge torque delivered evenly across the rev-range. But if the car's packaging requirements were to be met, the engine couldn't take up much space under the bonnet. By choosing the basic architecture of the W12 powerplant used elsewhere in the VW Group - the most compact 12-cylinder engine in the world - Bentley's engineers found a solution to both issues.

Once the decision to use the W12 had been made, twin turbos were selected as the preferred means of raising power and torque, The result was a car with 552bhp (560PS/411kW) at 6250rpm and 650Nm (479lb ft) at just 1600rpm, a speed at which most engines are little more than idling.

4WD: power directed to all four corners

The use of four wheel drive was decided in the earliest stages of the project as it was felt that this new level of power demanded a commensurate level of control. Nevertheless, in order to ensure that the right Bentley feel is provided, Bentley's powertrain and chassis engineers have experimented extensively with the distribution of torque to the front and rear axles. This has been done to provide the Continental GT with all the security of a four-wheel drive system but when appropriate, the added fun factor inherent within a rear-wheel drive layout.

Gearbox: six speed auto - the most advanced of its type in the world

The Continental GT is fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission built for Bentley by ZF with the ability to lock its torque converter in normal driving, providing the same immediacy of response expected of manual transmissions.

Tiptronic actuation means that the car can be used either as a conventional automatic or a clutchless manual where gear changes take place only on command from the driver, via either the gear lever or paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.

Engineering

Perfecting ride and handling is one of the most difficult areas of car design. For the Continental GT this job has been doubly tough, for few cars carry a greater expectation of excellence in both areas. Even so the Continental GT has a chassis that will appeal to sybarites and thrill-seekers equally. It has firm rather than harsh suspension, impressive resistance to roll yet compliant enough to ride poorly surfaced roads with equanimity.

The basis of the Continental GT's chassis strategy is an extremely stiff body. To this is added an innovative double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear axle. Air springs are used, each one containing its own infinitely adjustable electronic damper.

Electronic stability systems: Unintrusive and at the discretion of the driver

Naturally both traction control and the latest Bosch Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) are fitted. These are capable of monitoring a whole range of dynamic attitudes such as lateral acceleration, individual wheel speeds, throttle position and brake pressure and can cut the power or apply each brake individually to help ensure control is retained.

Brakes: ensuring the Continental GT stops as well as it goes

Braking is provided by vast ventilated disc brakes at each corner featuring the latest Bosch anti-lock system with Brake Assist and Emergency Brake Force Distribution. At 400mm, the front discs are the largest currently available on any production car.

Safety: prevention is even better than cure

Naturally the Continental GT has a full suite of passive safety equipment. As well as possessing exceptional front, side and rear deformation characteristics, there are two front airbags, four side airbags and two side curtain bags that, unusually for a coupé, run along the full length of the cabin. Seat belt pretensioners are used for all four seats.

Of course avoiding the accident in the first place has always to be preferable. To this end the Continental GT is specified like few others. Four wheel drive has colossal safety advantages, while the latest traction and stability systems offer further defence.