First drive of the Continental GT GT Convertible 2020: Continental Power

As a rule, I tend to avoid Christopher Columbus to enlarge. But it's hard for me to ignore the legacy of the famous inhuman explorer as I drive to the interior of the Bentley Continental GT Convertible 2020 to Seville, Spain from the coastal city of Malaga , in Spain.

After all, the demands of the Italian globe-trotter on the Americas from the Spanish empire quickly grew in Seville after its river port became the only point of trade between Spain and its Western colonies. The coffers quickly overflowed with new wealth, intellectualism flourished with the creation of a university and the population of Seville grew from 60,000 to more than 100,000 people during its age of almost 150 years .

Like Seville in the 16th century, Bentley is in full rebirth. With financial resources and technological tools from its parent company, Volkswagen Group, Bentley's reported annual sales have more than doubled since the start of the decade. Thank you for the success of the Bentayga and Continental GT models, which accounted for more than a quarter of Bentley's production in 2017. If Bentayga is the Santa Fratelli of the freight-conscious Bentley fleet, think of the Continental GT. Cut and convertible as the Ni smaller and fasternota and pinta.

Although I do not intend to colonize already occupied Spanish land before going to Seville, I intend to bring goods worth nearly $ 250 million to the city. At $ 236,100, Continental GT Convertible stickers cost $ 21,500 more than their counterparts. And that before adding options. With extras over $ 60,000, my test car carries a price tag of around $ 300,000.

Nevertheless, Bentley does not expect that the most expensive Continental GT Convertible will have a hard time finding its share of fans. In fact, the brand estimates that the hooded model will account for two-thirds of Continental GT sales in the United States when car deliveries begin later this year.

And if appearances are selling, then the Continental GT Convertible will surely find its share of buyers. While the previous model sacrificed its complementary form for a top-down function, the new car does not suffer from any such compromises. With a longer wheelbase of 4.1 inches and a front axle 5.3 inches longer in front of the dashboard, the long hood of the third-generation Continental GT Convertible, its relatively short deck and curved rear fenders give it a consistent look, no matter the roof. position.

Once deployed, the thick fabric top prevents unruly exterior noises from reaching the interior. Blow horn in traffic jams and his bleat barely penetrates the well insulated cabin. According to Bentley, improved water resistance and acoustic treatments give the Cabriolet a cabin that is as quiet as the previous GT Continental coupe.

Blow horn in traffic jams and his bleat barely penetrates the well insulated cabin.

Lowering the roof is a simple matter of 19 seconds that is done by pressing a button mounted on the console at a maximum speed of 30 mph. With the roof stowed and the windbreak sacrificing the rear seat, the cabin is free from any noticeable turbulence at cruising speeds. Removing the manual windbreaker, however, invites enough turbulent air into the cabin to rearrange my hair into an unruly mess, like Donald Trump's.

Inside, the Continental GT Convertible combines the charm of the old with modern decor and technology. It's as exquisite as the car's entry cost suggests. Each knurled diamond wheel moves with a satisfying force, razor-thin cutting lines separate each trim panel and high quality materials cover almost all visible surfaces. Only push button buttons mounted on the center console are less than satisfactory to use. Nevertheless, I will be happy to place these parts on Porsche's capacitive touch buttons such as Cayenne and Panamera.

In the center of the dashboard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment configuration with integrated navigation system and Apple CarPlay compatibility. It features sharp graphics and fast response times for touch input. However, the many configuration menus are often overwhelming.

Although the standard Infotainment display is static, Bentley offers a $ 6,270 rotating unit that swaps the screen into three analog indicators (an outdoor temperature gauge, a compass and a chronograph) at the touch of a button. A button. Turn off the car and a blank sign goes into place. It is a neat trick – though very expensive – of living room.

Although the standard infotainment display is static, Bentley offers a rotating unit priced at $ 6,270.

The Continental GT Convertible is an excellent tourer from top to bottom, eager to travel miles along the smooth, straight motorways of southern Spain as it makes its way through the winding streets of the country. While the cabriolet weighs 375 pounds more than the coupe, the great Bentley hides beautifully its 5,000 kilos.

The energy comes from the 6.0-liter twin turbocharged W12 engine. Placed further back in the chassis and weighing 66.1 pounds less than last year, the 626 horsepower engine runs on a fast-changing, eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission to push Continental GT Convertible AWD. forward with the fury of a wave hitting a cargo ship at sea. 60 mph arrive in 3.7 seconds, a tenth of a second behind the coupe, while the top speed of the convertible 207 km / h corresponds to that of his brother.

Despite the prodigious power of the W12, his dull song and unshakable torque band (the 664 foot-pounds are available from 1350 to 4500 rpm) leave the engine with a rather indistinct personality. Of course, there is occasional barking in the exhaust if it overflows, but it is a muffled sound that is more like a scrape of the throat than a strong and aggressive attack of phlegm.

What's missing from the powertrain is the chassis and the all-wheel drive system that compensates for dynamic competence. Rolling on optional 22-inch wheels and Pirelli P Zero tires (the 21 come standard), the Convertible I pilot juggles with expertise in ride comfort and lateral capability. Its air springs work with electronically disconnected safety bars to maintain a comfortable ride and limit body movements during cornering. With a revamped all-wheel drive system that transmits all engine power to the rear wheels by default, but can advance up to 40% of this grunt if the system detects a skate (this figure drops to 17% in Sport mode) , the Continental GT Convertible makes a predictable rotation from one lap to the next. Also thank for the improved balance of the weight of this support.

While the cabriolet weighs 375 pounds more than the coupe, the great Bentley hides beautifully its 5,000 kilos.

The dynamics of the Bentley also benefits from a firm brake pedal, although slightly wooded, which progressively places the binders on huge rotors of 16.5 inches at the front and 15.0 inches at the back, as well than a communicative drawbar, but not too talkative. This suits the brand, even if the direction is a bit too light for my taste. (Switching to Sport mode adds an appropriate amount of weight to the wheel.)

The optional Bentley Comfort Specification seat, which includes heated and cooling elements, an integrated neck warmer and massage function, keeps me in place while pushing the Continental GT Convertible casually, as an option. ). Wrapped in rich Cricket Ball red leather with contrasting gray stitching, plush seat cushions, ample padding and chic neck warmers are the perfect combination to combat the changing conditions of the road and the fresh air that I I met during my trip to the south of Spain.

Seven hours after my departure from Malaga, I arrive in Seville. In a place where the splendor of bygone eras resides among contemporary luminaries, the Continental GT Convertible resembles the analog automobile of the famous Spanish city.

The Columbus trip to America may have launched the Golden Age in Seville, but it was an unexpected plague outbreak in the mid-seventeenth century that ultimately helped to bring an end to the plague. to the temporary glory of the city. Nobody knows how long Bentley's current renaissance will last, but while the Continental GT Convertible is attractive, refined and well-designed, the current success of the British brand is far from over.