Bentley Continental GT Convertible (06 on) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 16 October 2008
With coupé and saloon versions of the Continental launched in 2003 and 2005 respectively, it was inevitable that Bentley would chop the top from the Continental to make a convertible. The GTC uses the same chassis as the GT coupé, but with the addition of the folding roof mechanism and extra bracing to replace the lost strength, it weighs more. Even at 2.5 tonnes though, the GTC provides near supercar performance thanks to its twin turbo 12-cylinder engine which it shares, together with the four-wheel drive system, with its siblings. From 2009 the weight became less of an issue for the high-performance Speed version - supposedly capable of 195mph with the roof down!
4.5 out of 5

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1 out of 5

Running costs

Running a Bentley will be expensive. Even those with the money to afford a £130,000 car like the GTC must grimace when they think of how much it costs to run. The combined fuel consumption of 17mpg is bad enough but it's the 11mpg town figure that better represents what you'll manage in regular use. The group 20 insurance rating is no cause for merriment either although at least it only needs servicing every 10,000 miles to maintain three year unlimited mile warranty.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

12 months or 10,000 miles.

Warranty

Three years/unlimited mileage.

Road tax (12 months)

£475.00 - £475.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

0.5 out of 5

Green credentials

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CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

Saving grace of this model perhaps is that the Speed version, which has 50bhp and 73lb-ft more than the GTC with the standard engine is that it is no less efficent despite the extra performance.

Find the exact engine and CO2