The 2016 Bentley Continental GT Gets a Power Bump and Updated Looks

2016 Bentley Continental GT (Credit: © Bentley)

Ahead of its official reveal at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show, Bentley has released some images and the information on the revised 2016 Continental GT. While the changes are not revolutionary, they are refreshing and the power bump is a nice surprise.

Starting on the exterior changes, Bentley added in a refreshed face that includes a sportier front bumper, a smaller grille, and more pronounced fenders with new vents that include a metallic “B” emblem. Around back, Bentley added in a more sculpted trunk lid with a revised trailing end for better aerodynamics, and a wider and reshaped bumper. Additionally the bumper gains new, widened brightwork. On top of the additions above, the V8 S and GT Speed models received a new diffuser design.

2016 Bentley Continental GT (Credit: © Bentley)

New wheel options are also a part of this update, as there are plenty of new 20- and 21-inch designs to choose from. Standard on GT V8 and GT W12 models are new 20-inch, six-tri-spoke wheels. For Mulliner Driving Specification models, a new 21-inch seven-twin-spoke wheel makes its way under the rig. Additionally, a new set of 21-inch five-spoke directional wheels are available on V8 S and GT Speed models.

There are a few interior changes to speak of too, as a new straight-fluting pattern graces the seats on most Conti GT models, while the Mulliner Driving Specification model gets a small-diamond quilting pattern. Larger shifter paddles, a revised steering wheel, upgraded chrome work, LED interior lights, new semi-aniline leather seats on W12 and GT Speed models, and an Alcantara headliner on the V8 S, W12 and GT Speed models round out the rest of the cabin changes.

2016 Bentley Continental GT (Credit: © Bentley)

Under the hood, the 6.0-liter W-12 powerplant receives a healthy upgrade, putting its output at 582 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. That is a bump of 15 horsepower and 15 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, Bentley has cleaned up its act a little by adding a variable-displacement system on its W12 engine that allows it to run on just six cylinders when full power isn’t needed. This drops the rig’s CO2 emissions to 329 grams of CO2 per km and increases its combined fuel economy to 20 mpg. Those numbers account for a 9-gram decrease and a 0.5 mpg increase over the 2015 Continental GT W12.

We’ll learn more about the 2016 Continental GT at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show on March 3rd. The new Conti GT will arrive in dealers in the summer of 2015.