Bentley Continental GTC : 2007

Chuck a Gucci loafer over your shoulder in some parts of London and you'll hit half a dozen Bentley Continental GTs. It really has been a run-away success. But if sales are finally beginning to flag, Bentley has the perfect response: the Continental GTC, unveiled, and on sale late in 2006.

Like the existing coupe, the new drop-top is a full four-seater. That's probably possible because Bentley has stuck with an old school soft fabric hood and heated rear screen approach to al fresco motoring, rather than plumping for a new fangled folding hard top. Power comes from the same monumental, VW-sourced twin-turbo W12 mill as seen in both the Continental GT coupe and Continental Flying Spur four-door. Power remains a much more than adequate 550bhp. Likewise, the six-speed slushbox and four-wheel-drive transmission will be familiar to existing Continental owners.

As for the cabrio conversion itself, we reckon the overall result is suitably low-slung and sexy, and certainly easier on the eye than the tubby and chubby coupe.

Of course, thanks to sharing common underpinnings with the VW Phaeton luxury barge (including a nose heavy, forward of the front axle line engine installation), we're still not convinced any current Bentley Continental has real appeal for card-carrying car lovers. But for those seeking a spot of digitally remastered British style for the internet age (and a dash nouveaux riche chintz for good measure) the Continental GTC will probably be another winner. Sales start in late 2006, no pricing information has been released.

(source: newswheel)