The Bentley Continental GT coupe has been a runaway success, but that hasn’t stopped the engineers in Crewe from working on the next phase of the project, the 2007 Continental GT convertible. In the product plan right from the start, the latest spy photos show that the convertible Continental GT is well on its way to showrooms. Disregard the Mercedes grille and Maserati taillights, as the rear-quarter panels are a dead giveaway that this is indeed a Continental GT-based drop top.

It’s expected to keep all the same specs as the coupe, meaning a 552-horsepower W12 under the hood and standard all-wheel drive. The convertible soft top will most likely add a few hundred pounds of additional weight, but as we have seen in the case of the Continental Flying Spur a little extra weight doesn’t hold the big 12-cylinder back much.

The Continental GT is able to seat four passengers comfortably in its leather and wood trim interior. It has full-time four-wheel drive and has a twin turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 engine that generates 552 hp. Carpets and seat belts can be matched to the main or secondary interior hue. A Mulliner Driving Specification edition of the Continental GT is an option to add even more performance tuning and feel to the driving experience.

In 2007, the Continental GT gets an updated navigation system and telecommunications system.

With a top speed of 195mph (312km/h), a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, state-of-the-art 12-cylinder engine, advanced air suspension and ultra-stiff body structure, the Continental GTC displays all the poise, exhilarating performance and dynamic handling of the Continental GT. In common with its stable mates, the interior of the new Continental GTC provides an unrivalled standard of craftsmanship, utilising natural wood veneers and leather hides of the finest quality, which are on full display when you lower the elegant, electro-hydraulically operated soft-top roof.

“The Continental GTC is the most distinctive new Bentley yet,” explains Bentley Motors’ Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen. “It is very elegant and at the same time effortlessly modern. It will appeal to many different customers: people who are tired of driving sports cars that require too much effort; people who want to move up from more standard convertibles; and people who want to make a statement about what they drive, yet still own a car that they can use every day of the year.”

Only one trim level is available for 2007 Bentley Continental GT buyers. Of course, this trim is loaded with amenities. Standard equipment on the luxury coupe includes 19-inch wheels; four-zone climate control; xenon bi-HID headlights; adjustable suspension damping; auto-latching doors; 14-way power front seats with three-position memory; massaging driver and passenger seats; DVD navigation; and a 300-watt, 12-speaker audio system with a glovebox-mounted CD changer. A bevy of customization options is available. If you want to personalize your ride with out-of-range exterior paint colors and special interior trim materials and color schemes, you’re in luck.
Also on the options list is a Mulliner Driving Specification Package, which adds 20-inch two-piece wheels, unique leather upholstery and upgraded wood trim. There’s also a special run of Continental GT Diamond Series. Based on the Mulliner Driving Specification, these cars feature carbon ceramic brakes (a production first for Bentley) new 20-inch wheels and three exclusive exterior colors.

Standard Engine:6.0L W12, 48 valve, 552 hp @ 6100 rpm

• 6 speed automatic transmission
• 12 mpg city / 19 mpg hwy
• Green Rating: 42

Standard Features:

• Front and Rear 3-Point Seatbelts
• Bosch(R) 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
• Wireless Communication Access For Bluetooth(R) Hands Free Phone System