VIDEO: THE NEW 2018 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT WILL BE THE SPORTIEST YET ' REVEALED

The all-new Bentley Continental GT has been revealed ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show debut, and it shows sharper looks and more agility!

Aiming to build upon the success of its Bentayga SUV by introducing the all-new, third-generation Bentley Continental GT sports tourer. The front-end styling of this newcomer incorporates elements seen of Bentley's EXP 10 Speed 6 sports car concept. The rear retains the Conti's 'haunch' over the wheels, but the tail lights and hatch have a neater look.

The front-end styling of this newcomer incorporates elements seen of Bentley's EXP 10 Speed 6 sports car concept. The rear retains the Conti's 'haunch' over the wheels, but the tail lights and hatch have a neater look.

The model now sits on the VW Group's latest MSB platform, and so it shares a few components with Porsche's newly launched Panamera.

The car boasts 48V electrics to assist in powering the active anti-roll bars. This technology, known as Bentley Dynamic Ride, is part of a concerted engineering effort to make the latest Conti as much of a sports car as it is a grand tourer with handling agility as well as long-distance cruising prowess.

The car length is relatively the same as before, but the wheelbase has been stretched in bod to shorten the overhangs and improve cabin packaging. In addition, it gets new air suspension – 60% more air volume than before!

Bentley is launching this Conti with its flagship engine – a revised version of the company's 6.0-litre W12. The motor will produce 626hp and a large 900Nm of torque between 1,750rpm and 4,000 rpm. This is enough to make the car sprint from 0-60mph in just 3.6 seconds and give it a 207mph top speed.

The W12 will now have cylinder-deactivation technology. The additional switch to a dual-clutch transmission and a part-time four-wheel-drive system will help to slash CO2 emissions by 16%, to around 278/km. 

According to Bentley, the car can now travel for more than 500 miles on a single tank of petrol.

Other power plants will follow – notably a V8 petrol also with cylinder deactivation. There is also likely to be a hybrid as well, although senior sources say Bentley faces a challenge to introduce electrification to the car without altering its character too much.

The cabin's technological centrepiece will be a 12.3-inch "retina quality" display. When the Continental GT is switched off, the fascia looks like a single, flush piece of wood veneer. Just fire up the ignition, and the screen rotates to show the infotainment system.

However, the set-up is actually a three-sided display that can rotate again to show a trio of analogue instrumental dials – a chronometer, outside air temperature and a compass. The rotating screen will include 40 moving components, using two separate motors and adapting to temperature and atmospheric pressure. 

There is also a greater scope for customization, with a larger range of veneers and a new Cotes de Genéva turned metal finish. Owners may also pair selected colours on the dash for a contrasting effect. A wider range of hide is also offered with 15 finishes to choose from. 

The new Continental is already available to order. Prices have yet to be confirmed, but dealers have taken deposits from early customers. 

The first W12 examples aren't expected to arrive on driveways until early 2018.