Bentley Continental GT Review
Abundance. Wretched excess. More than adequate. If any of these phrases gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling, then you'll probably fall in love with the Bentley Continental GT. And we mean this in the best possible way. For those with deep enough pockets, this is one indulgence we wholeheartedly endorse.The Bentley Continental GT luxury coupe owes its name and heritage to the glory days of Bentley, when cars such as the R Type Continental coupe of the early '50s offered the wealthy a fast, stylish and comfortable way to traverse Europe or North America. Sadly, the next three decades saw Bentley become nothing more than a clone of Rolls-Royce (which had purchased Bentley in the early 1930s).
Sometime in the 1980s, the company decided it wanted a distinct identity and returned to its performance roots with cars such as the Turbo R. After being bought out by Volkswagen in the late 1990s and benefiting from that company's vast resources, Bentley began turning out ever more irresistible luxury sedans, coupes and convertibles.
The first of these models was, in fact, the Bentley Continental GT. Though some of its components are shared with other VW products, the Continental GT boasts a number of key attributes for well-heeled car enthusiasts, including blistering performance courtesy of a twin-turbo 12-cylinder engine, the all-weather confidence of all-wheel drive, a sumptuous cabin that typifies the marque and, of course, the prestige factor. And at far less than $200,000, we dare say it even strikes us as a good value for those with warm fuzzies in their hearts.
Bentley Continental GT Review
Bentley Continental GT Review
Current Bentley Continental GT:
The current Bentley Continental represents the second-generation model, which debuted in the 2011 model year. This new model is not a major departure from the previous GT, amounting to more of a light refresh. Bodywork has been sharpened slightly, with a more upright grille, LED running lights and a more prominent trunk bustle. Improvements were also made in regards to handling, power output, rear-seat comfort and the previously outdated infotainment interface.
With twin-turbocharged W12 power, the finest materials furnishing the cabin and a powerful, bulldog-like presence, the Bentley Continental GT and higher-performance GT Speed and near track-ready Supersports have few peers. Combining effortless performance with an interior that is the epitome of the coachbuilder's art, the Continental GT is a prime example of a grand touring-oriented exotic luxury coupe.
The Continental's standard engine is a 6.0-liter, twin-turbo W12 that pumps out 567 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque and sends its power to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. With a 0-60 time of just 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph, the Continental GT is a supercar in every sense. The Continental GT Speed gets the twin-turbo W12 boosted up to 600 and torque is upped to a whopping 553 lb-ft. The GT Speed was the most powerful automobile Bentley ever produced until the introduction of the Continental Supersports, which is covered in a separate review.
Bentley Continental GT Review
Bentley Continental GT Review
As one might expect, the Bentley Continental GT comes loaded with features. Highlights include 20-inch wheels, parking sensors, four-zone climate control, xenon headlights, adjustable suspension damping, 10-way power front seats, a navigation system and an eight-speaker audio system. In addition to its more powerful engine, the GT Speed gains 20-inch wheels with 13 dual spokes, darkened chrome mesh grilles (upper and lower), diamond-stitch leather upholstery, three-spoke steering wheel and other upgraded interior trim. The Supersports sacrifices some of these features for the sake of weight savings.Options include a wide array of wheel choices, adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, carbon-ceramic brake rotors, ventilated front seats with massage functions, a wood-trimmed steering wheel, an 11-speaker Naim audio system and a six-CD/DVD changer. The Mulliner Driving Specification package includes special 21-inch wheels and unique leather and interior trim.
Should a potential buyer wish to further set his Continental GT apart from all the others littering Rodeo Drive, he may choose custom colors and interior trim not offered in the Bentley catalog.
Bentley Continental GT Review
Bentley Continental GT Review
Used Bentley Continental GT Models:The first-generation Bentley Continental GT debuted in 2004 with only one style available. Until 2008, the Continental was available in a Diamond Series trim package that was essentially replaced by the GT Speed for '09. Audiophiles should note that the available iPod adapter available in the Continental GT prior to '09 was poorly designed, treating the iPod as if it were a six-CD changer. The infotainment interface remained woefully out of date until the arrival of the second-generation GT. The Supersports and Series 51 dawned for 2010.
The Continental's standard engine produced 552 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque and the six-speed automatic transmission was slightly slower to shift than the current model, but performance was still comparable. A more powerful Continental GT Speed arrived for the 2008 model year with power output increased to 600 hp 553 lb-ft of torque.
Bentley Continental GT Review
Bentley Continental GT Review
What's New for 2012:
The Bentley Continental GT returns in 2012 with slightly refreshed bodywork, more dynamic handling, improved comfort, more rear-seat legroom and up-to-date electronics. Power has been increased slightly and an updated transmission debuts. A more economical and affordable V8 model will arrive later in the year.Introduction:
Like an aging Hollywood star, the 2012 Bentley Continental GT has "had a little work done." This isn't a full makeover that makes the GT unrecognizable from its former self, just a little nip and tuck here and there. Frankly, before going under the knife, the GT was looking a little tired after spending the better part of a decade in the limelight.Exterior changes are subtle, with the most prominent updates being LED running lights that encircle the headlights and a more pronounced trunk bustle. Besides the cosmetic work, the new Continental GT has also hit the gym to shed 143 pounds and gain a bit more athleticism. The latter comes from a slight increase in power from the turbocharged W12 engine, widened front and rear tracks, and new, lighter suspension components.
Inside the cabin, the elegant cockpit with its double-stitched leather and cool-touch metal switches remains, but there's a revised design featuring a mix of traditional instruments and modern LCD readouts. The new 8-inch central touchscreen is a welcome addition, and buyers can opt for a classy Naim premium audio system featuring 30GB of internal memory for digital music.
Many of the GT's drawbacks remain, however, including less-than-accommodating rear seats and a portly 5,115-pound curb weight. While competition at this lofty level is sparse, the sleek Aston Martin DB9 provides more driving excitement at a similar price. The Maserati GranTurismo is arguably one of the most attractive cars among the bunch and rings in at $60,000 less. And while the Mercedes-Benz CL600 and its hopped-up AMG derivatives might feel a bit less special than the Bentley, their many amenities and more favorable pricing will be hard to ignore.
Reinvented? No, but for many well-heeled coupe shoppers, the 2012 Bentley Continental GT's regal bearing and scarcity on the street will trump more practical considerations. Logic aside, the Continental GT continues to have plenty of celebrity appeal to those with the means to buy one.
Bentley Continental GT Review
Bentley Continental GT Review
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options:
The four-passenger 2012 Bentley Continental GT comes in one very well-appointed trim level. Standard features include 20-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, LED running lights, heated outside mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, a power trunk lid, heated 10-way power front seats with memory functions and four-way lumbar adjustment, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery, wood veneer trim and Bluetooth. The standard eight-speaker audio system includes a CD player, satellite radio, 15GB of music storage and an iPod interface. A navigation system with Google Map compatibility and real-time traffic is also included.Optional items include a Convenience Specification package that adds adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, a valet key and a privacy phone handset in the center armrest. These items are also available as stand-alone options, as are 21-inch wheels, carbon-ceramic brake rotors, a jewel fuel filler cap, ventilated front seats with massage functions, a veneer-matched removable case to hold personal effects, a wood-trimmed steering wheel, alloy pedals, an 11-speaker Naim audio system and a six-CD/DVD changer. The Mulliner Driving Specification package includes special 21-inch wheels and unique leather and interior trim.
As with all Bentleys, buyers can choose from a dizzying array of exterior and interior colors, embroidery, stitching, piping and wood or metallic trim. For the extra particular, custom colors may also be specified -- for a price, of course.
Bentley Continental GT Review
Bentley Continental GT Review
Powertrains and Performance
Initially, the 2012 Bentley Continental GT will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine that produces 567 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque -- an increase of 15 hp and 37 lb-ft over the previous model. A new six-speed automatic transmission is the only available gearbox and Bentley says it cuts shift times by 50 percent compared to the last unit and allows for double downshifts. The GT's updated all-wheel-drive system features a 40:60 rear-torque bias to the rear wheels for
performance-minded drivers. A more efficient 4.0-liter eight-cylinder engine will be available later in the model year.Bentley estimates 0-60-mph acceleration at 4.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 198 mph. Unofficial fuel economy figures (should you care) are understandably unimpressive at 12 mpg city/19 mpg highway and 14 mpg in combined driving.
Safety:
The 2012 Bentley Continental GT comes standard with stability control, traction control, antilock brakes with brake assist, side airbags for all seats and driver knee airbags.Bentley Continental GT Review
Bentley Continental GT Review
Interior Design and Special Features:
Much like the Bentley Continental's exterior, the interior changes may not be readily apparent from the last model. The same dash motif, inspired by the winged Bentley logo, is only slightly revised. There's also a three-spoke steering wheel to replace the predecessor's four-spoke item. More importantly, the center stack now houses a new and greatly improved infotainment touchscreen interface, and the instrument panel now features a sharp digital display flanked by analog gauges. The seats have also been redesigned, sporting a more shapely form.As expected, the cabin makes use of only the best materials available. From supple leathers to rich wood veneers, the interior lives up to the GT's rather exorbitant price tag. Front seat comfort is excellent, but the rear seats may draw criticism from adult-sized passengers. Despite an increase in legroom (thanks to scooped-out front seatbacks), space is still at a premium. It's more likely that these rear quarters will be used to handle the overflow from the 13-cubic-foot trunk.
Bentley Continental GT Review
Driving Impressions
While a 6.0-liter W12 engine making 567 hp is impressive, the fact that all 516 lb-ft of torque is available from 1,700 rpm is even more awe-inspiring. From pretty much anywhere in the rev range, a torrent of propulsion is available, pushing the car past extralegal speeds with ease.All of that thrust, however, is tempered by the 2012 Bentley Continental GT's portly 5,000-pound curb weight. The weight makes itself known when a change of direction is ordered by the steering wheel. Sprightly this car is not, but it is still quite a bit more maneuverable than you'd expect. With the new suspension components and torque bias to the rear wheels, talented drivers can now make midcorner fine-tuning adjustments by modulating the throttle (not that you're likely to do that, but we suppose you could brag to your friends that you could if you wanted to).
The 2012 Bentley Continental GT's forte is in those last two letters. Grand touring is what this Bentley does best, silently gliding down the highway as the miles tick by. Occupants are isolated from the imperfect outside world, giving them time to savor everything the sumptuous interior has to offer.
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