Back in May, we saw Bentley trying out the drop-top version of its subtly evolved 2011 Continental GT, the GTC, at the Nurburgring racetrack. Now, our spies have spotted Bentley’s people working on the more athletic GTC Speed in the Alps.

Like the standard Continental GTC, the Speed shares the sharper styling cues of the coupe model launched last year adding a more aggressively designed front bumper with new openings, hood air vents and a discreet boot lid spoiler along with larger alloy wheels to the mix.

The GTC Speed will benefit from the revisions we saw on the coupe and which include a redesigned dashboard with an updated instrument panel and a new touch-screen interface plus new seats and trim materials.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find a tweaked version of Bentley’s twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 lump delivering a little over 600-horses, paired to an all-wheel drive system.

The Continental GTC and its Speed sibling are likely to debut towards the end of 2011, with sales beginning early next year.

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