We previously knew that a plug-in hybrid version of the Bentley Continental GT was being tested, but, for the first time, we’ve now caught a convertible version of the car testing on public roads.
As with last time, Bentley has opted to use no wrap or dazzle camouflage. Perhaps that’s because such bold camouflage tends to draw attention, or perhaps that’s because this is an early test mule.
Either way, we can see two filler caps on this red Continental GTC. One is round and on the right rear haunch, and the other is rectangular and sits on the left rear haunch. This setup is very similar to the one used by the plug-in hybrid Continental Coupe we saw testing in June, however, the rectangular filler cap sits lower down on this convertible, perhaps due to the roof mechanism.
More: Bentley’s Upcoming Continental GT Hybrid Promises Plush With Hush
Otherwise, this looks much like the standard Continental GTC, albeit with a square cut out of its grille. Seen testing at the Nürburgring, it sports big brake discs that fill the wheel and red brake calipers, suggesting that it will have some sporting pretensions.
Unfortunately, we still don’t know what will power those sporting pretensions. It would seem reasonable for the plug-in hybrid Continental GT to borrow the powertrain from the Bentayga PHEV, which pairs a 335 hp (250 kW/340 PS) 3.0-liter V6 with a 126 hp (94 kW/128 PS) electric motor, for a combined output of 443 hp (330 kW/449 PS).
That’s all well and good, but it could leave Bentley at a disadvantage as compared to rivals from BMW and Mercedes, whose PHEV grand tourers make closer to 600 hp (447 kW/608 PS). The British luxury brand may, then, turn to its German stablemates for power.
Porsche, for instance, has a dandy plug-in powertrain that it uses on the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, which makes 689 hp (514 kW/699 PS) and can accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.2 seconds.
Neither the Porsche nor the Bentayga, have particularly impressive electric-only driving ranges, though. The Panamera gets just 31 miles (50 km) of EV range, while the Bentley gets just 25 miles (40 km), which compares unfavorably to its competition.
So far, no date has been set for an official unveiling of the Bentley Continental GT PHEV, but the automaker said its customers have been asking for it, so it may be incentivized to get a move on and show it off soon.
