Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 details

Bentley will be unveiling the Continental GT and GTC V8 models at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on the 9th of January 2012. Bentley has been obsessed with power to weight ratios of their uber luxury performance cars but this time they have found a new obsession power-to-emissions standards. 

The new V8 engine is a 4.0 litre twin turbocharged generating 507PS of power and 660Nm of torque. Mated to an eight speed auto box the V8 GT and GTC will hit 0-100 km/h in less than 5 seconds and will have a top speed of 290 km/h. V8 or V12 those are staggering performance figures full stop. But while the new engine is very powerful it is also much kinder to the environment and more economical. The V8 cars will feature the same all-wheel drive system with 40:60 front and rear power distribution. 

The V8 engine is also very clever by running on four cylinders under partial throttle in the city, open the taps and all eight cylinders come into play to deliver a seamless surge of power all the way to the top. 

The V8 models can be distinguished from the V12 models by the black gloss matrix grille with chrome frame and centre bar. The cars also get a red enamel Bentley ‘B’ badge and a black matrix three-segment lower front bumper divided by distinct body coloured strakes. At the back the cars get two sets of twin tail pipes, a dark lower valance and an enamel red ‘B’ badge. 20 inch alloys are standard with 21 inch rims as optional with Diamond Black (exclusive to the Continental GT) or Diamond Silver finishing. 

Both cars will be slotted under the 6.0 litre W12 models and will be built in Bentley’s factory at Crewe, England.