The Future of the Bentley Brand: Fourth Generation Continental GT

By Frances Flannagan

Bentley has announced that the new, fourth generation Continental GT is set to be unveiled for the very first time in June. She is the first car built around the manufacturer’s new Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain, geared up to be the most powerful and dynamically capable road vehicle in the company’s history.

The Continental GT was originally unveiled to the world in 2002, marking the rebirth of Bentley. The model was set to completely transform the brand, catalysing a significant increase in sales and representing the modern era of the manufacturer. 

Her design was inspired by the R Type Continental of 1952, famous for being the fastest four-seat car in the world at the time of its inception. The Continental GT adopted the same three design lines: the sloping roofline, the haunch and the power line. 

Within four years of the creation of the Continental GT, Bentley’s annual sales increased from 1,000 to 10,000. The second generation was revealed in 2010 in Paris, and a third generation was introduced in 2018, characterised by a new and purpose-built platform with an array of new features including a new engine and exterior and interior designs. 

The new Continental GT, which is set to be revealed in June, marks a significant step forward for Bentley, as the most powerful and dynamically capable road car to be manufactured in the brand’s history. It will also be the most sustainable, whilst retaining the luxury and exceptional materials that are synonymous with all Bentley cars. 

She features the latest developments of chassis technology, including four-wheel steering, active all wheel drive with torque vectoring, and advanced dual-valve dampers. The new Continental GT encapsulates all the elements associated with the modern Bentley plus more, boasting a revised design and a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art technology. 

Continental GTs have defined Bentley as a brand for the last 20 years, breaking speed records and winning championships and endurance races across the globe. One in every three Bentleys sold is a Continental GT, making this model the second most popular of the company’s catalogue. 

The launch of the fourth-generation Continental GT marks a pivotal moment for Bentley, as she represents the future of automobile technology, design and sustainability. Being the first car to be built around the manufacturer’s new Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain, the latest Continental GT sets a new benchmark for Bentley designs, and will continue to for years to come as one of the brand’s most popular and innovative models. 

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By Frances Flannagan