2018 Bentley Continental GT

The Bentley Continental GT has been a huge hit for Bentley and Volkswagen AG since its launch in 2003, but the problem is that the car really hasn’t changed that much over the years. Sure, the facelift brought tweaked styling, a new V-8, and reworked interior, but it still takes a keen eye to spot the differences between the first Conti and those built after 2011. It’s likely that a $200,000 grand touring Bentley coupe/ convertible wasn’t a huge priority for VW coming out of a global recession, but now with high-end luxury cars back in full swing, the third-gen Continental GT is on the way.

Considering the Continental GT was just updated for 2016, the all-new model probably won’t debut until 2017 for the 2018 model year, which means it will be coming at a time when a lot of new customers are about to make their way into the Bentley showrooms thanks to the all-new Bentayga SUV. When it does arrive, expect the redesigned Continental GT coupe to eventually spawn the familiar lineup of models, including the GT Speed, Convertible and Flying Spur sedan.

Although there are still a couple of years before the new Bentley Continental GT is introduced, we’ve gone ahead and put together a rendering using the styling direction of the 2015 EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.xterior

During the concept’s debut in March 2015, Bentley downright admitted that the EXP 10 Speed 6 was the “future direction of luxury and performance.” The concept is an evolution of the current Continental GT design, so we just toned down some of the conceptual cues (like the headlights and wheels) for this rendering, and what you have is a really good idea of what the new Continental GT will look like. Similarly, make some small changes to the taillights and rear fascia shown on the concept, and the next-gen Bentley Continental GT should have a gorgeous rump.

Interior



As for the interior of the 2018 Bentley Continental GT, it will be interesting to see how far the production car deviates from the cabin design of the EXP 10 Speed 6. Aside from sharing a similar dual-brow instrument panel design and quilted leather seats and door panels, the inside of the EXP 10 Speed 6 looks much more stylish and advanced than the current Continental GT. The focal point is definitely the large, Tesla Tesla Model S-like central display screen, but there’s also the full digital gauge cluster, the sportier three-spoke steering wheel, and the two-tier element on the dash that creates even more depth and eye-catching detail.

Drivetrain

 Bentley Continental GT V8
Note: Continental GT V8 engine shown.

The big news surrounding the new Bentley Continental GT will be what lies beneath the stylish new sheet metal. It has been reported that this coupe will ride on a shortened version of Porsche’s MSB platform currently being developed for the second-gen Porsche Panamera. Now before you start imagining a V-6-powered Continental GT, Bentley will continue to use its 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8, although there is no word on the future of the bigger and badder 6.0-liter, W-12 engine. Sharing a platform and technology with the Panamera suggests that the new Continental could get some sort of plug-in hybrid variant, but, if so, it will probably be limited to the Flying Spur rather than being applied to the two-door Continental GT models.

Prices

With the current Bentley Continental GT priced at $193,500, expect the all-new model to get some kind of a price hike but still come in under the $200,000 mark for the standard GT V8 S coupe.

Competition

2017 ASTON MARTIN DB11

 Aston Martin DB11
The upcoming replacement for the Aston Martin DB9 – most likely to be the 2017 Aston Martin DB11 – should be the closest rival to the 2018 Bentley Continental GT in terms of both luxury and performance. Like the new Continental for Bentley, the all-new DB11 will help usher in a new era for Aston Martin , bringing a new platform, a Mercedes-AMG-sourced engine, and fresher styling. Expect to see the 2017 Aston Martin DB11 debut sometime next year (well ahead of the Bentley) with a price starting above the current DB9’s $188,295 asking price