Bentley waited until the hubbub surrounding the frenzied Frankfurt Motor Show died down before it announced details of a new convertible based on the Continental GT coupe, to be called the Continental GTC.

It may appear odd that Bentley is to make two distinct convertible ranges, with the new GTC lining up alongside the recently announced Azure. However, the Azure is based on the aging Arnage platform and is more about glamour and, let's face it, an ostentatious show of wealth. The Continental GTC still lets the world know you have a bob or two, but is much more modern than the Azure and will appeal to 'new money', of which there appears to be plenty.

I wouldn't for a second suggest that the GTC will only be bought by premiership footballers and hip-hop musicians... after all, the convertible houses the same mechanicals as the Continental coupe, meaning the same W12 engine, four-wheel drive system and apparently a top speed of 190mph. Though I'd hate to see what that would do to the hair dos of your 'ho's in the back seat.

Cheap jokes aside, the Continental GTC is to my eyes more elegant than the coupe, certainly with the roof stowed completely flat behind the rear seats. We have no pictures of the fabric, electric roof in place at the time of writing. Nor have prices been announced, and they won't be either until the GTC goes on sale later in 2006. Hopefully we'll see the car for ourselves at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show.

Shane O' Donoghue - 27 Sep 2005