The new Bentley Continental GT will represent “a paradigm shift in driving performance” over its predecessor, according to engineering boss Rolf Frech. It has been created to “set a benchmark for all GTs”, said Frech, who added that he believes “this [car] redefines luxury driving again.”

The grand tourer gets all-new chassis, suspension, W12 engine and dual-clutch eight-speed gearbox.

The design of the third-generation Continental has taken inspiration from the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car shown at the Geneva motor show in 2015. Frech said the style remains “clearly Bentley and Continental.” The new car is longer than the outgoing model, with the front wheels 135mm further forward.

While the front retains the muscular look of the second-generation model, the rear design is more refined. The Continental’s body sits on an aluminium structure. Eschewing the previous generation’s Volkswagen Phaeton-based platform, the model uses the Porsche-developed MSB (modular standard drivetrain) platform that is also in the new Panamera. However, the Bentley is keen to point out that its parts are “82 percent unique”, despite the collaboration with Porsche. 

2017 Frankfurt motor show image gallery