Bentley has announced some important new model year changes for its W12-powered Continental GT coupe and GTC convertible vehicles.
Both cars get a new engine management system along with an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF that replaces the previous six-speed unit and an energy recuperation system.
According to the automaker, together, these features deliver a 12 percent improvement in fuel economy and CO2 emissions across the GT W12 range and a 10 percent improvement for the GTC W12.
The new model year version of the 567hp (575PS) Continental GT W12 Coupe with the 8sp transmission now takes 4.3 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 mph (0-100 km/h in 4.5s) with 100 mph (160 km/h) reached in 9.8 seconds from a standstill. It returns a combined combined cycle fuel economy of 19.5 mpg UK (14.5 liters/100km or 16.2 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 338 g/km.
The GTC Convertible variant completes the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.7s) and 0-100 mph (and 0-160 km/h) in 10.3 seconds, while delivering a combined fuel economy of 19.0 mpg (14.9 liters/100km or 15.8mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 347 g/km.
The 2013 Bentley Continental GT and GTC W12 models are expected to go on sale along with the new 616hp (625PS) Continental GT Speed (pictured below) before the end of the year with prices to be announced.
2013 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED 
