I've said it for a little bit now. It's been quite some time since the original launch of the Bentley Continental GT. Although it's managed to hang on for all of these years, it's really long in the tooth.
While the latest V8 S models are the best yet, it's pretty hard to see it stack up against the likes of the Mercedes-AMG S63 and S65 coupes. The three-pointed stars have A LOT more technology and quite a bit of grunt.
As expected though, Bentley is readying up a contender.
Recently spied doing developmental testing under a next-gen Porsche Panamera's body, the mule is sporting U.K. plates that are registered to an unknown vehicle with a 4.0-liter V8 motor. As you can see, while the overall shape may be Panamera, its rear doors are awkwardly shortened, proving that something else lies beneath.
Although its pure speculation, word on the street suggests that some likeness from the EXP 10 Speed 6 will make its way to the next-gen Continental GT. I don't think it's far off but considering Bentley explicitly made it clear that the concept would NOT be the next-gen CGT, it will be interesting to see what cues do transition to the real deal.
**To see the FULL collection of spy photos, click "Read Article" below!The all-new Bentley Continental GT has taken its first steps ahead of a predicted launch in 2017, and our spy shots prove it will be twinned with the next-generation Porsche Panamera, due in 2016. Our exclusive image shows how the coupé will evolve for its third generation.
Although the black prototype in our grainy spy shots is wearing Porsche bodywork, there are a number of giveaways that this is, in fact, the new Continental GT undergoing early dynamic testing. Most telling is the UK plate, which reveals it’s an ‘unknown’ black Bentley fitted with a 4.0-litre V8 engine. The second is the shortened rear doors, suggesting the four-door layout is a smokescreen, and there’s a three-door coupé underneath.
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