Bentley Continental GTC - a super luxury convertible for Vietnamese tycoons.

This British luxury sports convertible uses a 6.0 W12 twin-turbo engine producing 567 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed ZF transmission.

In 2014, following in the footsteps of Rolls-Royce, Bentley officially entered Vietnam, a young, emerging market with a potentially large customer base. To test the spending power of wealthy Vietnamese, Bentley Hanoi brought in its first two models: the Flying Spur and the Continental GTC.

The Continental GTC is essentially the convertible version of the Continental GT, with the "C" in the name standing for Convertible. The Continental GT was first launched in 2003, and seven years later, Bentley unveiled the second generation. In 2011, the British luxury car manufacturer introduced the second-generation convertible model using a W12 engine.

Test driving the Bentley Continental GTC in Hanoi. Photo: Tien Thanh

The Continental GTC inherits Bentley's signature design with a chrome-framed matrix grille and round headlights that have made the British luxury car manufacturer famous. The entire body and hood are aerodynamic, with lines that sweep backward. The soft top is a three-layered, opening and closing in 25 seconds and at speeds below 30 km/h. Developed in a sporty style, yet from any angle, the Continental GTC remains a true Bentley: British nobility.

The interior is designed for four people, but Bentley seems to focus primarily on the front seats, which are spacious, comfortable, supportive, and electrically adjustable in multiple directions, with a driver-focused control panel. Meanwhile, the rear seats are cramped, with fixed backrests to make room for the roof rack and are not suitable for people taller than 1.7 meters.

The interior features leather and precious wood trim, complemented by Bentley's traditional chrome accents. The artisans use contrasting white stitching. Sitting in the seat, adjusting your posture, pressing the start button, the car gently vibrates. The deep, resonant engine sound, along with the powerful roar emanating from the 6.0 W12 twin-turbocharged engine, compels you to step on the gas. The exhaust note is a deep, sporty rumble, not the wind-tearing roar of a Ferrari.

Luxury convertible coupe on the streets of Hanoi. Photo: Tien Thanh

Despite being a luxury sports car, the dashboard is easy to get used to after a brief initial adjustment. Bentley's design experts have thoroughly researched user habits, resulting in a simple yet luxurious feel. The instrument panel features a classic, sporty design, integrated with a multi-information display. Press the B button on the gear lever, shift to D, lift your foot off the brake, and the car begins to move. Gently press the accelerator, and the throttle responds instantly. Initially, when you're not yet proficient with the accelerator, this 582-horsepower "beast" seems ready to leap forward.

If you maintain a steady throttle, Bentley's convertible coupe feels just like any other car. In a less congested area, press the button to increase the suspension stiffness; the 8-inch touchscreen on the center console displays the +/- (increase/decrease) adjustment from Comfort to Sport. Shift to S, floor the gas pedal, and the sporty convertible shoots forward like an arrow, your back pressed against the seat, a dizzying sensation. The roar of the engine and the cheering exhaust create an indescribable thrill. Bentley claims an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 314 km/h.

In addition to the +/- gear shift controls on the gearbox, Bentley has also integrated paddle shifters on the steering wheel, allowing the driver to focus solely on steering. Like other luxury cars, the Continental GTC's 8-speed ZF gearbox will automatically shift gears when it reaches the engine speed threshold set by the British automaker for the control unit.

The speedometer needle rose to 80, then 120, and nearly reached 180. The engine's deep rumble seemed to urge the driver to press the accelerator further. Besides the exhaust sound, the main noise entering the cabin was the sound of the tires rubbing against the road. Because it's a sports car, the Continental GTC's steering wheel is quite heavy for first-time drivers. However, at high speeds, the steering wheel doesn't gradually tighten with speed but remains the same as at the beginning, creating a feeling of insecurity.

Gradually reduce your speed to below 30 km/h, then press and hold the button to open the roof. The Continental GTC's soft top quickly retracts in about 25 seconds. After the roof storage compartment closes and the side windows roll up, they connect with the windshield to form a U-shape.

Bentley Continental GTC 2013. Photo: Tien Thanh

Bentley engineers meticulously researched how to lower the roof of this luxury sports coupe, ensuring it maintains aerodynamics and provides excellent sound insulation from the outside environment. Even with the roof down and traveling at 120 km/h on the Lang-Hoa Lac highway, passengers could still converse and listen to music normally.

For wealthy individuals who don't hesitate to spend over 10 billion VND to own a Continental GTC, refueling this luxury sports coupe is a minor issue. Bentley claims fuel consumption for this model is approximately 14 liters/100 km in mixed driving conditions, 21.7 liters/100 km in urban areas, and 9.9 liters/100 km on highways.

The genuine Bentley convertible has a length of 4,807 mm, a width of 2,226 mm, a height of 1,400 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,746 mm. It weighs 2,495 kg. The car is equipped with sporty 20-inch wheels fitted with Pirelli Pzero tires (size 275/40).

According to VNE