Bentley is offering a dealer-installed infotainment upgrade for second-generation Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible and Flying Spur vehicles built from 2012 to 2019. The new unit replaces the original console display and physical heater controls with a 9.7-inch, 2K-resolution touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and updated navigation.
This is a hardware retrofit rather than a downloadable software update. Bentley developed the unit with its design team so that the screen and graphics fit the existing cabin instead of looking like a generic aftermarket accessory. The manufacturer has not published a price, installation time or detailed warranty terms, leaving owners to request a vehicle-specific quotation from an authorised retailer.
Eligibility needs to be checked by vehicle
The official announcement covers the second-generation Continental GT, GT Convertible and Flying Spur built between 2012 and 2019. Registration year is not necessarily enough to establish compatibility because production dates, model years and market equipment can overlap. A retailer should verify the VIN and original specification before parts are ordered.
Bentley does not include the first-generation Continental GT, later generations, Bentayga or Mulsanne in the announcement. The broad nine-year window also does not prove that every audio, camera and regional specification uses precisely the same installation kit.
The replacement brings a faster processor and digital graphics influenced by current Bentley interiors. Bentley describes touchscreen response as instant but provides no measured latency or hardware supplier. The value of the change is therefore clearer in its features than in a benchmark comparison.
Wired and wireless phone integration
Bentley says Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect through Bluetooth or a wired link in the centre console. The physical connection uses USB-A and charges the phone at the same time. USB-C and a stated charging output are not mentioned, so owners should not assume modern fast-charging performance from the port.
Calls can be placed or answered through the screen or by voice command. Contact lists and recent calls are displayed, while music stored on the device plays through the car's audio system. Bass, treble and balance controls are available through the new interface.
The tuner provides FM and AM. Cars previously equipped with DAB gain improved DAB+, while SiriusXM is specific to the United States. Those qualifications matter because the available functions depend on the original car and its market, not merely on fitting the display.
Built-in navigation remains part of the package
The integrated navigation system receives newer mapping, 2D and 3D guidance, points of interest and speed-limit information. Bentley says map data can be updated in the future. It does not say how long support will last, whether updates will be free or whether owners can install them without visiting a retailer.
CarPlay and Android Auto give access to phone navigation apps that may offer live traffic and more frequent mapping changes. Bentley's own navigation can still be useful where mobile coverage is weak and keeps guidance within the dedicated system, but its long-term value will depend on the update policy that has yet to be detailed.
The major compromise is climate control
Installing the larger screen removes the physical heater controls. Climate functions move into the touchscreen, creating a cleaner centre console but changing an action that owners may previously have performed by touch without looking away from the road.
That trade-off is particularly relevant in a luxury car whose metal switches and tactile controls are part of the experience. Some drivers will prefer modern phone mirroring and a larger display; others may regard the loss of dedicated dials as a downgrade despite the newer technology.
Bentley does not explain whether the conversion is formally reversible or whether retailers must return the original parts. Owners concerned with originality or future collectability should ask to retain the removed screen and controls and obtain written confirmation about reinstatement before approving the work.
A Bentley-approved retrofit has a different status from an aftermarket head unit, but it still changes the factory-delivered console. Documentation of the installation and preservation of the old components may therefore matter when the car is sold.
Questions Bentley has not answered
There is no published euro price. The final bill may include the display, trim components, adapters, software configuration and labour. Bentley has also not stated the workshop time, parts warranty, compatibility with every factory audio system or how the system integrates with every parking-camera configuration.
Owners should ask the retailer to confirm VIN eligibility, available regional radio services, retained vehicle menus and compatibility with cameras, sensors and steering-wheel controls. The press release describes the general system but does not provide a model-year matrix for every market.
For a Continental GT used regularly, integrated phone applications could remove the need for a windscreen mount and unofficial electronics. Whether the official upgrade represents good value cannot be judged until local pricing and installation terms are known. The decision also depends on whether the owner accepts moving frequently used climate functions onto the screen.
Image: Bentley Motors official Bentley Infotainment Upgrade gallery. Free reproduction for editorial use; rights remain with Bentley.
