Istorie
In early 2007, a Bentley Continental GT Speed driven by four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen, broke the World Speed Record on Ice. It averaged 321.6 Km/h in both directions on the "flying kilometer", reaching a maximum speed of 331 km/h.
Full description
The first car released by Bentley under Volkswagen AG-management after their acquisition of the company in 1998, and the first ever Bentley to employ "mass production" manufacturing techniques. It shares a platform with the Volkswagen Phaeton.
In 1994 Rolls Royce Motors (who at that time owned the Bentley brand) previewed a very pretty convertible concept car at the Geneva Motor Show - the Concept Java. This was to be a highly desirable Bentley, but smaller, much more affordable, yet still exclusive enough to maintain the integrity of the brand. It was to appeal to a new range of potential buyers and generate increase sales volume for Rolls. The Concept Java never made it into production in the form seen in 1994 (although 13 cars were made for the Sultan of Brunei). However the Bentley Continental GT transformed the concept of the Java in a more affordable Bentley, manufactured in much larger volumes. Whilst external styling is very different, the dashboard design is clearly influenced by the Java.
The convertible version was first presented in September 2005, and was introduced to several world markets in the autumn of 2006. The roof is produced by Karman in Osnabrueck, Germany.
The GTC uses identical powertrain detail as the GT, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 Km/h in 5.1 seconds. With the roof up, it will reach a top speed of 314 Km/h, and with the roof down 305 Km/h.
In early 2007, a Bentley Continental GT Speed equipped with Nokian Hakkapeliitta Sport Utility 5 studded winter tyres and driven by four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen, broke the World Speed Record on Ice - on the frozen Baltic Sea near Oulu, Finland. It averaged 321.6 Km/h in both directions on the "flying kilometre", reaching a maximum speed of 331 km/h. The previous record was 296 km/h, achieved with a Bugatti EB110 Supersport. The record-breaking Bentley was largely standard except for a roll-cage, aerodynamic improvements, and low-temperature fuel and calibration.
On February 15, 2011 Kankkunen broke the record again, reaching an average speed of 331 km/h in a convertible Bentley Continental Supersports.
This car has covered 2145 Km.
