Currently reading: New eight-speed auto for Bentley Continental GT

New eight-speed automatic gearbox improves the performance and economy of the Continental GT and GTC

Bentley has equipped its GT and GTC models with the eight-speed automatic gearbox from the recently unveiled GT Speed. The close-ratio unit from ZF replaces the current six-speed ’box, and deliveries for the updated cars are likely in October – the same time-scale as the GT Speed.

The new gearbox cuts the 0-60mph time of the 567bhp W12-equipped GT by 0.1sec to 4.3sec, and the Continental GTC by 0.3sec to 4.4sec. The 0-100mph time for the Continental GT dips under 10.0sec at 9.8sec, and the GTC takes 10.3sec.

The gearbox has also improved the economy of both cars. Fuel consumption of the GT improves from 17.1mpg to 19.5mpg, and CO2 emissions have been cut from 384g/km to 338g/km.

The GTC previously shared its economy and CO2 figures with the GT, but these now stand at 19.0mpg and 347g/km thanks to the eight-speed gearbox. 

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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