2020 Bentley Continental GTC Convertible Introduce

2020 Bentley Continental GTC Convertible Introduce https://youtu.be/3j7br2Kl5P4

As a general rule of thumb, I tend to avoid aggrandizing Christopher Columbus. But I find it hard to ignore the legacy of the famously inhumane explorer as I drive the 2020 Bentley Continental GT Convertible inland toward Seville, Spain from the coastal city of Malaga, Spain.
After all, the Italian globetrotter’s claims to the Americas on behalf of the Spanish empire quickly enriched Seville after its river-side port became the sole trading point between Spain and its western colonies. Coffers soon overflowed with newfound wealth, intellectualism flourished with the establishment of a university, and the population of Seville swelled from 60,000 to more than 100,000 people during the city’s nearly 150-year Golden Age.

Like Seville in the 16th century, Bentley is in the midst of its own renaissance. Bolstered by the deep pockets and technological tools of its parent company, the Volkswagen Group, Bentley’s annual reported sales have more than doubled since the beginning of the decade. Credit the successes of the Bentayga and Continental GT model lines, the latter of which accounted for more than a quarter of Bentley production in 2017. If the versatile Bentayga is the cargo-friendly Santa Maria of the Bentley fleet, then think of the Continental GT Coupe and Convertible as the smaller and faster Niña and Pinta.
While I have no intentions to colonize any already-occupied Spanish land on my way to Seville, I do plan to bring nearly a quarter-million dollars worth of British-built merchandise into the city. At $236,100, the Continental GT Convertible stickers for $21,500 more than its Coupe counterpart. And that’s before adding options. Thanks to more than $60,000 in extras, my test car wears a price tag nearing $300,000.

Still, Bentley doesn’t foresee the pricier Continental GT Convertible struggling to find its share of fans. In fact, the brand believes the soft-top model will make up two-thirds of Continental GT sales in the U.S. when deliveries of the cars begin later this year.
And if looks sell, then the Continental GT Convertible is sure to find its share of buyers. Whereas the previous model sacrificed its top-up form for top-down function, the new car suffers from no such compromise. With a 4.1-inch longer wheelbase and a front axle that sits an additional 5.3 inches forward of the dashboard, the new Continental GT Convertible’s long hood, relatively short deck, and haunched rear fenders bless it with a cohesive look no matter the roof’s position.

When deployed, the thick cloth top prevents any unruly exterior noises from reaching the interior. Honk the horn in traffic, and its bleat barely makes its way into the well-insulated cabin. Bentley claims improved sealing and acoustic treatments afford the Convertible a passenger compartment that’s as quiet as the prior Continental GT Coupe’s.
Lowering the roof is a simple 19-second affair that’s done with the push of a console-mounted button at speeds up to 30 mph. With the top stowed and the rear-seat-sacrificing wind blocker in place, the cabin is free of any noticeable turbulence at cruising speeds. Removing the manually operated wind blocker, though, invites enough turbulent air into the cabin to rearrange my hair into an unruly, Donald Trump-like mess.

Inside, the Continental GT Convertible combines old-world charm with modern decor and technology. It’s as exquisite as the car's cost-of-entry suggests. Each diamond-knurled knob moves with satisfying heft, razor-thin cutlines separate every trim panel, and high-quality materials line almost every visible surface. Only the chintzy feel of the center-console-mounted push buttons are less than satisfying to operate. Still, I’ll gladly take these pieces over the touch-capacitive buttons in Porsches such as the Cayenne and Panamera.