Bentley Raises the Roof on Continental Droptop

Volkswagen AG’s Bentley unit says its redesigned Continental GT convertible features a new soft-top roof that is quieter, faster to operate and more customizable than the outgoing model.

Bentley took the wraps off the 2019 model this week in conjunction with the Los Angeles auto show. Exterior and interior design changes mirror those of the redesigned Continental coupe introduced last year.

The convertible roof features a revised operating mechanism, and improved insulation and sealing and acoustic treatments. The combination results in as much as a three-decibel reduction in noise levels at cruising speeds, which Bentley says makes the convertible as quiet as the previous-generation Continental GT coupe.

Buyers have a choice of seven roof colors—including a modern version of traditional British tweed—and eight interior roof finishes. The roof can be raised or lowered in 19 seconds while the vehicle is traveling at 30 mph.

For top-down driving in colder temperatures, the convertible adds heated armrests and wider and quieter neck warmers. The current model’s heated seats and heated steering wheel are maintained.

As with the coupe, the new Continental convertible shares VW’s MSB platform with the Porsche Panamera sedan. Bentley says the convertible’s body is 20% lighter at 5,320 lbs and 5% stiffer than the outgoing model.

The convertible also gets its sibling’s turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12, which generates 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Mated with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain propels the convertible from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds—just 0.1 seconds off the pace of the coupe—on its way to a top speed of 207 mph.

The interior sports a host of high-end materials—including more than 10 sq ft of wood—and amenities. The convertible also gets Bentley’s “rotating dashboard.” Introduced last year on the coupe, the design allows drivers to switch between a 12.3-inch digital touchscreen, three analog gauges or wood veneer.

Bentley hasn’t revealed the car’s sticker price or said when the model will reach dealerships.