Bentley’s fourth-generation Continental GT has landed in South Africa and promises more power, more luxury and a dash of electrification for buyers in the grand tourer segment. Here is how much it will cost locally.
Image: Bentley
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Bentley has officially lifted the veil on the all-new, fourth-generation Continental GT in South Africa and in typical fashion, combines the marque’s unmistakable craftsmanship with some electrification. The British automaker has also touted this reimagined grand tourer as the biggest evolution of the model since its 2003 debut but despite this, still continues to draw inspiration from the legendary 1952 R Type Continental which was the original high-speed four-seater and namesake for the modern GT.
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Headlining the model is Bentley’s updated hybrid powertrain. Under the long and chiselled bonnet is a heavily reworked 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 paired with a 140 kW electric motor, producing a staggering combined output of 575 kW and 1 000 N.m. The result? A 3.2 second time to dispatch the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint and a top speed of 335 km/h – all with the ability to drive up to 80 km in full-electric silence.
The hybrid setup features a 25.9 kWh battery mounted behind the rear axle for near-perfect weight distribution, while the electric motor cleverly fills torque gaps during shifts and negates turbo lag. A charge mode even lets drivers replenish battery levels on the move, meaning plugging in is optional, not required.
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Underpinning this grand tourer is Bentley’s latest Performance Active Chassis, featuring active all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, torque vectoring, and the Bentley Dynamic Ride anti-roll system, which can be optimised for driving style at the flick of the dial.
On the outside, Bentley has added that this Continental GT has undergone its most significant transformation in two decades. Like those that have come before it, there is a significant amount of inspiration drawn from purposeful and powerful animals. This biomimicry sees the front end move away from dual headlamps and now receives a single elliptical unit with a new “focused eye” expression, a redesigned bumper and grille, and an ‘endless bonnet’ motif that emphasises speed and sophistication. At the rear, wider taillight graphics, a more aggressive bumper, and a larger integrated spoiler complete the refresh. The Bentley design team adds that the new 22-inch wheels evoke a tiger’s claws plunging into the ground as it moves forward which is meant to serve as a nod to the car’s poised, predatory stance.
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Inside, the Continental GT has thrown its hat into what may be the most finely crafted cabin in the grand touring business. Bentley’s new precision diamond quilting on the seats and doors is intended to wrap occupants in a cocoon of luxury. There’s also the option to swap traditional chrome finishes for dark alternatives, subtly altering the cabin’s character.
With the new Continental GT, Bentley hasn’t just refined its flagship – it’s redefined the very idea of a grand tourer for the electrified age. It remains every bit a Bentley: graceful, powerful, and handcrafted in Crewe – but now with a silent side and sharper fangs.
South African pricing for the new Continental GT range starts at R5,269,000, including a 3-year/100,000 km Driveplan.
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The post Bentley’s New Continental GT Lands on the Continent – Pricing appeared first on CAR Magazine.
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