Minor cosmetic changes to both the exterior and interior and a slight power bump are the only things that differ between the 2011 and 2012 versions of the Bentley Continental GTC. The new version has LED running lights, slimmer driver's and front passenger seats and a slight increase in both horsepower and torque. The 2012 Bentley Continental GTC is available in a single Base trim, which is equipped with a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 48-valve DOHC engine mated to an upgraded 6-speed automatic transmission. The Continental GTC’s engine produces 567 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, both slight increases over the 2011 version. The all-wheel-drive Continental GTC runs on either regular gasoline or flex fuel, but is estimated to achieve only 12 mpg city/19 highway. Luxury is what they do best at Bentley, and the 2012 Continental GTC is no exception. Bentley’s top-of-the-line convertible is packed with standard amenities inside and out, including dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated 10-way power driver's and front passenger seats with memory and lumbar adjustment, premium leather seating surfaces, wood veneer trim, heated exterior mirrors, automatic xenon HID headlights, LED daytime running lights, a power trunk lid, 8-speaker AM/FM/HD radio with CD/DVD player, a voice-activated navigation system with 8-inch touchscreen display and 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Available options for the 2012 Continental GTC include ventilated front seats with massage, a rear-view camera and 21-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Safety is also a Bentley benchmark, and it's well represented on the 2012 Continental GTC. Features include dual front-mounted airbags, dual side-mounted airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, a 4-wheel ventilated disc antilock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and braking assist, stability and traction control, and pop-up roll bars. Current owners note that while powerful at highway speeds, the overall weight of the 2012 Bentley Continental GTC, topping 5,100 pounds, makes handling a not-so-strong point. With all the luxury included in the GTC, owners say even with a top speed nearing 200 mph, it is designed more for cruising than testing on the track. Industry rumors have it that Bentley will be releasing a V8-powered version of the Continental GTC in late 2012, which will sell for around two-thirds the price of the W12 engine trim. Competing against the likes of the Aston Martin DB9, Maserati GranTurismo and Mercedes-Benz SL600, having a second option may open the Continental GTC to more potential buyers looking to enter the luxury convertible market.