New Bentley Continental GT to receive facelift this year

Bentley is giving its luxury grand tourer a mid-life refresh and we’ve spied it testing

The current Bentley Continental GT was launched back in 2018 and since then we’ve seen numerous iterations, such as the V8, convertible GTC and range-topping Speed - but now it’s time for the facelift. 

At first glance this Continental GT, undergoing some chilly winter testing, looks very similar to the current car. The previous second-generation model got its mid-cycle refresh in 2015 and sported a new grille, front and rear bumpers plus some updated interior tech - so it’s possible these kinds of changes could appear in the updated 2023 model. 

The front of our spied car wears the same bumper and grille design as the current car but the LED headlights have been camouflaged - likely hiding a new headlight signature. There’s also more camouflage hiding the rear lights, which should also receive a design tweak for the facelift. 

We expect the minor revisions will continue to the interior, where Bentley will keep the Continental GT at the forefront of the luxury segment with fresh trim levels and potentially an update to its infotainment system. The rotating display in the dash is certainly a centrepiece of the current Continental GT, so we don’t think it’ll be swapped for a more conventional single screen. 

There are two powertrains available in the Continental GT - a 542bhp 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 and a 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 with 650bhp in Speed specification. We don’t expect any additional performance with the facelift, although the old Continental GT W12 saw a power hike of 15bhp during its mid-life refresh. 

What is more likely is the arrival of a plug-in hybrid version. Bentley offers a turbocharged, 3.0-litre V6 plug-in hybrid in the Bentayga and Flying Spur, but the Continental GT PHEV could utilise other powertrains from the VW Group - such as the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid’s 563bhp, 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8. 

Given that this is our first look at Bentley’s updated Continental GT, we’d expect the full reveal towards the end of 2023 at the earliest with a potential on-sale date of 2024.

Now read our list of the best luxury cars...

Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Recommended

The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio
Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler holding a speaker developed by Warwick Acoustics
Features

The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio

British firm is planning to shake up the in-car hi-fi world with its audio panels that replace traditional speakers. We sound them out
27 Nov 2023
New MINI Countryman JCW aims to deliver performance and practicality
MINI Countryman JCW - front
News

New MINI Countryman JCW aims to deliver performance and practicality

The new MINI Countryman JCW gets 296bhp and four-wheel drive
10 Nov 2023
New Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door: super saloon gets tweaked for 2024
Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door - front
News

New Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door: super saloon gets tweaked for 2024

The GT 4-Door is Mercedes’ range-topping performance saloon
31 Oct 2023
New 2024 Porsche 911 could be all you ever need from a sports car
All-new Porsche 911 facelift - front
News

New 2024 Porsche 911 could be all you ever need from a sports car

911 will be more varied than ever with the introduction of electric power
27 Oct 2023

Most Popular

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost
Jaguar XF Sportbrake - front tracking
Road tests

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost

Jaguar's XF Sportbrake may be 8 years old but it just got a whole lot cheaper!
7 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings retro-style and practicality for £311 per month
Volkswagen ID. Buzz - front cornering
News

Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings retro-style and practicality for £311 per month

All-electric MPV offers style and substance - making it our Deal of the Day for Wednesday 6 December
6 Dec 2023
Toyota Yaris review
Toyota Yaris - front tracking
In-depth reviews

Toyota Yaris review

An efficient hybrid powertrain and plenty of standard kit make the Toyota Yaris a key contender in the supermini segment
6 Dec 2023