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2018 Bentley Continental GT Convertible Prototype Has "V6" Sound on Nurburgring

Bentley engineers are currently working overtime to complete the development of the next-generation Continental GT and we're here to bring you the freshest spy material showing one of the prototypes.
2018 Bentley Continental GT Convertible Prototype 1 photo
Photo: YouTube screenshot
After we've shown you the spyshots of the 2018 Continental GT Convertible lapping the Nurburgring yesterday, we're back with a video of the test car - lens tip to Ring-addicted BridgeToGantry for the footage.

Curiously, the test vehicle doesn't sound like a W12 or a V8, with its voice being closer to that of a V6.

However, despite the 2017 Porsche Panamera, which shares its MSB platform with the 2018 Conti, having introduced an all-new 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, we don't expect the British grand tourer to go down this path.

Yes, the second coming of the Conti GT should get that V6, but only in combination with the rest of the setup (read: the electric bits) featured on the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid.

Nevertheless, while the first all-new Continental since the 2003 model will get a gas-electric powerplant, it seems a bit early for this to be tested. And since the prototype seen here doesn't wear the mandatory "hybrid test vehicle" label, it's unlikely that we're dealing with a such a setup here.

Instead, we could be listening to the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 running in its V4 cylinder deactivation mode - given how light the driver goes on the throttle as he passes the camera, this seems like a very likely version.

Speaking of Bentley engine soundtracks, we'll remind you that we recently showed you what we expect to be current Continental GT models testing the new W12 engine (the one that debuted on the Bentayga) for the 2018 generation for the Grand Tourer.

Audiophiles have no reason to fret though. Once these prototype become production models next year and the performance exhaust is ordered, you'll get all the thunder-like soundtrack in the world.

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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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