Summary
The Bentley Continental GT Convertible – widely known as the GTC – first appeared in 2006 as an open-top version of the luxury brand’s then-new first-generation Continental GT coupe.
The current model is the third generation, making its debut in 2018 and given a major update in 2024. It was originally launched with a 6.0-litre W12 engine, which was subsequently joined by a 4.0-litre V8 engine that most reviewers preferred. With the 2024 update, the W12 engine has been discontinued and the V8 engine has been paired with an electric motor as a plug-in hybrid. This offers even greater performance while also giving a silent drive in electric mode and considerably better fuel economy.
Reviewers have been highly complimentary about Bentley’s drop-top ever since it was launched. Auto Express describes it as “incredibly expensive” but adds, “You get what you pay for.”
Car magazine believes that many buyers will actually prefer the less powerful V8 engine, dubbing the W12 curious, “with neither the analogue ferocity of a big, turbo-free V12 nor the bear-hug charm of a big-capacity V8.”
There are compromises compared to the coupé version – the drop-top folds with electric smoothness in 19 seconds at speeds up to 30mph, but Car dubs boot space cut from 358 to 250 litres “tragically half as useful.” But the roof impresses, Evo saying it folds away in virtual silence, “no cheapo whirring of motors here.”
The Continental GT Convertible is stiffer yet lighter than its predecessor but it still tips the scales at 2.4 tonnes. Despite this, testers like its road manners; “It rides like it is coasting on the back of a magic carpet,” says The Sun, while The Telegraph says in corners there is not a great deal of steering feedback but adds; “the grip from the wide tyres on 22-inch wheels is humungous.”
Of course being a Bentley, luxury is assured – “the quality of craftmanship of every switch, wooden veneer and leather covering separates the Continental GT Convertible from its rivals,” says Carbuyer.
As of October 2024, the Bentley Continental GT Convertible currently holds a New Car Expert Rating of E with a score of 54%. This is somewhat inevitable, given the car’s high running costs and poor CO2 emissions, but reliability has also not been a strong point of the Continental family over the last three generations.
Continental GTC highlights
- Special levels of luxury
- Potent engines
- Fine handling despite heavy weight
- Hood folds on the move at up to 30mph
Continental GTC lowlights
- Tiny boot space
- Much heavier than coupe
- Tiny rear seats
- Too much safety kit is optional rather than standard
Key specifications
Body style: Convertible
Engines: petrol
Price: From £170,000 on-road
Launched: Spring 2019
Last updated: Spring 2021
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 9 / 10
“Refinement and comfort are excellent, it even handles well, and there’s a deep reserve of performance.”
Read review
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s heavy, thirsty and not immune from scuttle shake, but for those in the market, there are few cars that do the job better.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Continental GT has long been the ultimate luxury grand tourer, combining effortless power with incredible refinement and a luxurious interior. The convertible version puts the cherry on the Continental cake, creating a peerless way of crossing continents in supreme comfort.”
Read review
Autocar
Model reviewed: 2023
Score: 9 / 10
“Sporty V8 execution of the Bentley Continental GTC adds vivacity to a car that makes you feel good.”
Read review
Model reviewed: V8 S
Score: 9 / 10
“Just the right combination of engine and equipment, with a light sporting garnish, ensures the V8 S continues to be the Continental GT of choice.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic V8
Score: 8 / 10
“Juggles its luxury and sporting credentials very well. Not quite as well as the equivalent coupe, granted, but still hugely gratifying to drive.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 6.0-litre petrol automatic W12
Score: 9 / 10
“If you’re shopping for drop-top four-seaters in the Bentley bracket, it’s hard to find anything that compares.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Immensely capable, quiet and refined open-top cruiser produces huge, effortless performance.”
Read review
Car
Score: 8 / 10
“A Porsche 911 Cabriolet will stop, turn and go with more alacrity, but that’s hardly the point. The point is the Bentley doesn’t endure such roads but savours them, while remaining a long-distance machine of almost peerless ability and extraordinary charm.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Bentley Continental GT Convertible has always been luxurious, but it now drives more like a sports car, too.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Bentley Continental GT Convertible is an imposing droptop that’s beautifully made and wonderful to drive. But space in the back is so tight that the rear seats aren’t comfortable.”
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Daily Mail
“There are few more exquisite pleasures in life than being behind the wheel of a £200,000 open-topped Bentley, as the sun kisses your forehead and the wind blows through what remains of your locks.”
Read review
Evo
Score: 9 / 10
“One of the world’s finest GTs, made even more appealing – for some – without a roof.”
Read review
Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview (coupé and convertible)
Score: 9 / 10
“A near-perfect GT car – with or without a roof. Few cars offer such a rich blend of luxury, comfort and performance.”
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The Sun
“The lower and longer profile, elongated bonnet and more pronounced power lines give this motor an athletic appearance on the road.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed:
“When you climb in the Continental GT, it’s like climbing into Lewis Hamilton’s head” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: W12
Score: 8 / 10
“Opulent and ostentatious, this third iteration of the drophead Bentley Continental GT is a better-looking car than its predecessor and the interior is quite lovely. It rides acceptably, and handles pretty well, but it is too heavy and its fuel consumption is simply not acceptable in these times.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Top class. The GT in the Continental’s name is there for a reason.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The GTC is Bentley’s big, heavyweight convertible grand tourer, with a ‘z’ fold fabric roof that opens and closes in just 19 seconds at up to 30mph.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
Like most upmarket low-volume cars, the Bentley Continental GT Convertible has not been crash-tested by Euro NCAP.
The GTC is available with a host of active safety features but not all of them come as standard equipment.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Bentley Continental GT Convertible has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 22
Average repair cost: £2437.41
Last updated: October 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Bentley Continental range (GT, GTC and Flying Spur across the last two generations) is very poor when it comes to reliability, with a reliability score of only 13% according to extended warranty data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This covers both the current (2018 onwards) model as well as earlier generations.
However, it’s not just us to find the Continental range to be sub-par when it comes to reliability. In August 2022, a report from car warranty provider Warrantywise rated the Continental GT as the seventh most unreliable used car on sale in the UK.
Suspension problems are the most common isues for the Continental, with more than a third of MotorEasy’s warranty claims addressing these.
If you own or are considering a used Bentley Continental GT, make sure any used car warranty you purchase covers these particular trouble spots.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Bentley Continental GT Convertible
Date: March 2023
Recall number: R/2023/064
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2019 to 01/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 742
Defect: When riveting the airbag deflector bracket to the seat frame a sharp edge on the rivet could be created. In the event of the seat airbags being deployed it is possible that the airbag material could become torn reducing the effectiveness of occupant protection.
Remedy: A check of each front seat and rework carried out where necessary.
Date: February 2023
Recall number: R/2023/037
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2018 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 1,218
Defect: The water pump concept can create a vacuum within the electrical area of the pump. As a result liquid from the coolant system can permeate through the pump housing onto the electrical circuit board and connector.
Remedy: A hardware change of the water pump.
Date: March 2022
Recall number: R/2022/078
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2018 to 08/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 32
Defect: Incorrect front passenger seat belt assemblies without an automatic locking retractor (ALR) function may have been installed.
Remedy: Inspect the affected front seat belt assemblies and replace if necessary.
Date: July 2021
Recall number: R/2021/276
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2018 to 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 2,293
Defect: The front seat software could result in trapping of a rear occupant’s legs.
Remedy: Update the software for the front seats.
Date: June 2021
Recall number: R/2021/221
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2018 to 05/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 2,462
Defect: Inconsistent fitment of the fuse box and the electrical harness may prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to its resting position.
Remedy: Check and if necessary rework the A-post lower trim ensuring correct clearance of the trim to the accelerator pedal.
Date: January 2021
Recall number: R/2020/373
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2019 to 11/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 393
Defect: The convertible roof can be activated using the key fob at distances exceeding six metres which contravenes an internal safety guidance measure.
Remedy: Update the software parameters within the Body Control Module 2 to disable the activation of the convertible roof via the key fob and update the Owner’s Handbook.
As of October 2024, there have been six DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Bentley Continental GT Convertible – four of them shared with the coupé model – to address various issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Bentley dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Continental GT Convertible, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 21 mpg | E | 19 – 23 mpg | E – E |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 301 g/km | D | 275 – 336 g/km | D – D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 50 | F | 50 – 50 | F – F |
The Bentley Continental GTC is a very expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
The car’s fuel economy of 21 mpg is one of the poorest fuel consumption stats in our Expert Rating Index, and insurance premiums are in the most expensive bracket too. We don’t yet have latest numbers for the plug-in hybrid model introduced as part of the 2024 update, but this will help somewhat.
Bentley doesn’t provide servicing cost numbers, but you’re probably safe to assume that it’s going to be at the top end of the scale…
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Bentley Continental GT Convertible, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Aston Martin DB11 Volante | Aston Martin DB12 Volante | Aston Martin DBS Volante | BMW M8 | Ferrari Portofino | Ferrari Roma Spider | Lexus LC Convertible | Mercedes-AMG SL | Porsche 911 Cabriolet | Rolls-Royce Dawn
There are plenty of upmarket performance convertibles around and models such as the Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Mercedes-AMG SL can be considered rivals to the Bentley. But in terms of high luxury and very high price the options are rather less, ranging across the likes of the Aston Martin DB12 Volante and Ferrari Roma Spider.
Buy or lease a Bentley Continental GT Convertible
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