Top down at 190mph - the Bentley Continental GTC

The second target for the engineering team was to ensure that the car’s folding roof was as refined as possible while still fitting into a small stowage area behind the rear seats. Folding flat in just 25 seconds is a remarkable feat in itself for this complex, seven-bow, fabric roof. But just as impressive is its state-of-the-art three layer construction. The Continental GTC’s roof has superb acoustic-damping fabrics, with a thicker, more padded outer layer than is used in any other convertible. The ‘sandwich’ is also a thick, insulating layer while the third inner layer is made from the highest quality cloth material which echoes the roof lining on Bentleys of yesteryear.

Not only are the materials the best available, but the construction and packaging of the roof are second to none. Its designers were keen that absolutely all working parts would be covered, which means that whether you are inside the car as the roof is in operation or watching from the outside, not one piece of the mechanism will be visible.

The roof comes with a heated glass rear window and also an interior rooflamp in the headlining. It can be operated after pulling away from standstill at speeds up to 30km/h (20mph).

To ensure occupant safety, an advanced rollover protection system is installed beneath the rear headrests. If the car’s onboard computer senses that the car is about to roll during an accident, two reinforced steel hoops are deployed in a split second, thereby working in conjunction with the exceptionally strong windshield frame to protect passengers in the front and rear seats.

New rear suspension

To cater for the Continental GTC’s sleek design and packaging requirements, a new rear suspension has been created. The convertible shares the same suspension system as its coupé equivalent – a four-link arrangement at the front and a trapezoidal multi-link rear axle with computer-controlled air springs and fully variable, electronically controlled shock absorbers in place of conventional coils.

On previous Continental models, however, the air damper unit was mounted to the upper lever of the rear suspension. On the convertible, the entire damper has been lowered by 210mm and is now mounted to a brand new lower trapezoidal link with an advanced aluminium-cast mounting point that provides the strength and stiffness to hold the damper in place.

With a slightly altered weight distribution and a need to ensure the convertible is as luxurious and comfortable as it is sporting and dynamic, the Continental GTC has revised air spring pistons and damper hydraulics at the front and rear.

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