Bentley Continental GTC V8 Convertible at Geneva

Bentley Continental GTC V8 - Geneva debut

The convertible version of the V8-engined Continental GT has arrived in Geneva as the Bentley Continental GTC V8.

The Detroit Motor Show at the end of last year saw the arrival of the Bentley Continental GT V8, but the Geneva Motor Show this week is the venue for its drop-top sibling with the debut of the Bentley Continental GTC V8, a car we spied as long ago as last summer.

With the same 4.0 litre V8 the GT V8 gets, the new GTC V8 gives little away to its tin-top sibling, with 0-62mph coming up in 4.7 seconds (down 0.1 on the coupe) and top speed hitting 187mph (188mph for the coupe).

Economy, which is the big deal for these new V8-engined Continental Bentleys, suffers a little but has nothing like the thirst of the W12 GTCs. Combined economy of the GTC V8 is 25.9mpg (the GT V8 is 26.7mph and the GTC W12 a rather expensive 17.1mpg).

Just like the GT V8, the GTC V8 benefits from hugely improved economy and emissions, thanks not just to the smaller V8 but also to stuff like cylinder shut off which allows the V8 to run on four cylinders under light load, and a new 8-speed auto ‘box.

Cosmetic changes are much the same on the GTC V8 as on the GT V8, with a gloss black matrix grill, three segment lower bumper, dark valance at the back, the red enamel Bentley Winged ‘B’ badges and figure of eight exhaust tail pipes. Inside there’s new contemporary veneers, optional two-tone leather and the new short centre console.

So what you get is exactly what you’d expect – a drop-top version of the new Continental GT V8, or a V8 version of the current GTC. Whichever way you prefer to look at it.