2018 Bentley Continental GT Spied Lapping Nurburgring, Testing New W12 Engine?

Yes, the 2018 Continental GT should be the first from-the-ground-up version of the Grand Tourer, since all the revisions we've gotten since the models 2003 inception were more or less thorough revisions of the majestic Grand Tourer.

Interestingly, the test cars spotted on the Nordschleife, as we're talking about a Continental GT Coupe and a Continental GT Convertible, appear to be the models currently on sale.

Nevertheless, the two prototypes were spotted during the industry testing days, being company-owned cars with Bentley engineers behind the wheel - here are some spyshots of the new-bodied 2018 Conti GT test vehicles.

Judging by the soundtrack of the test vehicle, we're dealing with W12 power here, which should mean the Brits are testing the new W12 engine - back in May last year, the VW Group introduced a reinvented 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 unit, which is already at work under the hood of the Bentley Bentayga.

The V8 prototypes should follow soon, though. For instance, earlier today we showed you a test mule for the 2019 Bentley Flying Spur, with the vehicle being disguised as a second-generation Porsche Panamera. And yes, the machine was animated by the VW Group's gas-fed 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, as confirmed by the British number plates of the vehicles (we ran a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency check).

Underneath the skin, the new Conti will use the MSB platform that made its debut on the 2017 Porsche Panamera.

As for the appearance of the next-gen Conti, the design of the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept should bring us a few precious clues on where the British automaker's styling is heading (ignore the two-door form of the concept car).

With the new Bentley Continental GT set to debut next year as a 2018 model, we're extremely curious to see what the British specialists come up with in terms of the cabin and we'll return with more info as soon as we get out hands on it.