Since its introduction in the early 2000s the Bentley Continental GT has been a runaway success and, following a few facelifts during the intervening years, this new version successfully reinvigorates the coupe’s appeal with a raft of changes that catapult it to the top of the class. The latest model’s styling grabs the eye, while the fabulously luxurious and lavishly equipped interior feels a cut above anything else you can buy for the money. Throw in a thoroughly reworked driving experience that – courtesy of a new chassis shared with the Porsche Panamera – brings a thrilling level of responsiveness, plus Bentley’s muscular 6.0-litre W12 engine, and the recipe for the world’s greatest GT car is complete.
While you might have missed the Continental GT’s second-generation updates, this third-generation model boasts a dynamic new style that makes it much more eye-catching.
Starting with the front end, the traditional Bentley grill has been stretched across the nose, the LED headlamps given a more contemporary style with a crystal-effect, and the intakes below the grille are sleeker. The front and rear overhangs are shorter than before, and the wheelbase is a little longer, which has enabled a lower, sleeker bonnet line. The rear haunches are muscular, but there’s an elegant tapered feel to the back end that’s very different to the bulky boot of the previous generation, befitting of this new GT.
The interior is a real treat too, with a fascia design inspired by the wings of the Bentley badge. The dashboard ‘wings’ sweep out from the central console housing the major controls and the large touchscreen, and continue into the door trims, circling the occupants with a ring of wood and leather. There’s a vast range of luxuriant leather and veneer finishes, too.
As you’d expect there’s a wealth of new tech built into the latest Continental GT, and it’s all shared with the other luxury models that share this platform. As well as the formidable chassis tech, there’s an array of bang-up-to-date infotainment and safety systems that are a match for anything else on sale, which is not something that could be said with any conviction about the ageing previous-generation Continental models.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
One of the highlights of the Bentley’s cabin is a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It’s permanently on display in standard spec, but the Rotating Display option means it’s hidden behind the wood veneer dash when the engine is switched off, and only swivels into view when you fire the car up. If you want a more ‘classic’ feel, you can rotate it again to reveal a third face, which is a veneer panel housing three analogue instruments – chronograph, compass and temperature gauge. When hidden, the navigation mapping can be shown on the digital screen between the instruments in front of the driver, making the Rotating Display a neat option.
The infotainment system comes packed with features including Apple CarPlay and a range of apps, while a head-up display system is optional too.
As standard you get a 650-watt sound system with 10 speakers, but you can upgrade to a 1,500-watt Bang & Olufsen set-up with 16 speakers or really push the boat out on a 2,200-watt, 18-speaker Naim system.
Like its predecessors the Bentley Continental GT is available only with four-wheel drive, but its relationship with the Porsche Panamera has brought an entirely new driving experience to the model. It’s still blisteringly quick, of course, and offers a remarkable level of grip for such a large, heavy vehicle, but significantly more advanced suspension mean the model offers both a more comfortable and refined ride, as well as more engaging handling for enthusiastic drivers.
The W12 engine is set further back in the chassis to improve the handling balance, but the big advance is new double wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link rear end damped by an advanced air-suspension system with an active electronic anti-roll set-up – also seen on the Bentayga. Huge 420mm front and 380mm rear brake discs – claimed to be the largest on any production car – provide stopping power.
The torque-split of the four-wheel-drive system has also been rethought for the new Conti GT. In Comfort mode up to 38 per cent can be directed to the front wheels, providing the reassuring stability and security you’d expect from a four-wheel-drive car. The more sporting Bentley drive mode provides a middle ground with more torque directed to the rear plus a dash of extra damping control and more urgent throttle and gearbox responses.
Select Sport mode and around 85 per cent of the engine’s torque is directed to the rear wheels, while the suspension, engine, gearbox mapping and exhaust note are dialled up for maximum thrills.
On the road the Comfort setting provides a pillowy ride that improves on its already impressive predecessor, but the Bentley drive mode delivers a superb combination of comfort and body control that allows you to devour tarmac in total relaxation.
Selecting Sport mode brings a thrilling added dimension of vitality and dynamism, and means you can throw the car around in a way that belies its considerable size. The new-found precision from both the steering and the chassis, plus the prodigious performance, provide an intoxicating mix of agility and fun.
Engines
The new W12 engine shares its configuration with the original Continental GT but is a development of the new unit first launched in the Bentayga SUV. Key features include high pressure direct injection alongside traditional port injection that allows the car to select its fuelling method to optimise efficiency, along with cylinder deactivation.
The power and torque figures are phenomenal, at 626bhp and 900Nm, which combined with the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox (the same Porsche PDK unit in the Cayenne) and launch control will rocket the Continental GT to 60mph in an eye-watering 3.6 seconds. Top speed is an equally startling 207mph.
You only need to spend a few minutes with a Bentley Continental GT to appreciate how well it’s built. Inside and out the fit and finish is exemplary, a fact which reflects the depth of engineering and development Bentley – with the help its VW Group partners – has thrown at this car.
The W12 engine builds on years of experience with this unique configuration. The advanced electronic tech is new to the Continental GT, but the fact that it’s been engineered and shared across all the luxury brands in the VW Group should provide reassurance that any gremlins will have been caught.
Euro NCAP are unlikely ever to independently crash test exotics like the Continental GT, although they recently crashed a new Porsche Cayenne for the first time. It shares the Continental’s platform and performed extremely well earning five stars, so with similar underpinnings and safety systems, we’d expect a similar level of safety from the Bentley.
There are certainly plenty of driver safety aids included in the new Continental GT’s spec. The roster includes lane assist and blind spot assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with autonomous braking, pedestrian recognition and a night vision camera.
Warranty
You get three years of unlimited mileage warranty cover with every new Bentley, including European-wide breakdown assistance.
Servicing
A routine servicing regime will mean your car needs to visit a dealer annually or every 10,000 miles for those vital service book stamps.
There’ll be no complaints from front seat passengers ensconced in the Bentley’s beautifully tailored and supportive standard seats, but to be on the safe side you can order a Comfort Seat package with an incredible level of adjustability and the added benefit of massage and ventilation functions. At night time, the optional Mood Lighting package offers a choice of 14 different colours.
With the new chassis offering even better control from its air suspension and little in the way of intrusive road or engine noise, it’s hard to imagine anyone not enjoying a journey in the Continental GT. Unless you’ve switched to Sport mode of course, when the exhaust note becomes more apparent.
With the latest driver aids, ranging from active cruise control to top view and night vision cameras, the new Bentley offers plenty of tech to improve the ownership experience.
Size
Despite its sleek new looks the new model is a little longer and wider than its predecessor, at 4,850mm nose to tail and 1,966mm across with its mirrors folded. The MkII came in at 4,806mm x 1,943mm. The newcomer’s 2,851mm wheelbase is roughly 100mm longer than the older car’s too.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
While the front seats offer occupants the height of luxury, things are not quite so rosy in the rear. Despite the longer wheelbase, that tapered rear roofline ensures both leg and headroom aren’t exactly idea for taller passengers – but this is to be expected given it’s marketed as a 2+2 GT with plenty of sporting intent.
Boot
Pop open the remotely controlled ‘hands-free’ boot lid and the latest Continental GT offers a total of 358 litres in its boot helping to cement its genuine ‘Grand Touring’ credentials.
If you want to run a car with a 626bhp 12-cylinder engine under its bonnet, any interest in fuel economy is likely to centre only around the driving range on a full tank. The new Continental GT’s fuel tank will swallow 20 gallons of premium unleaded, which at the officially measured 23.2mpg combined would allow you to travel more than 450 miles between fills. Real-world consumption in the mid teens seems more plausible however, which should make 350 miles between fill-ups a reasonable proposition if you’re able to rein in your right foot.
At this phase the W12 is the only engine option, and with CO2 emissions of 278g/km saving the environment isn’t going to be at the top of buyers’ objectives. There’s a hybrid model promised which should answer questions on that score, but meanwhile company car drivers will be looking at a top-rate 37 per cent Benefit-in-Kind bracket and an associated annual tax bill that’s knocking on the door of £25k – assuming users are in the highest ‘additional rate’ income tax band.
It’s not just at the fuel pumps where the Continental GT can make significant inroads into your personal wealth, of course. While the £150,000-plus entry price isn’t much more than the previous model, there are a wealth of customisation options and bespoke upgrade possibilities that mean you can spend a lot more creating your perfect specification.
Maintenance won’t be cheap either, as aside from the high cost of servicing you’ll need to budget for expensive consumables like tyres and brake pads.
Insurance groups
You’ll pay dearly to insure a Continental GT as its staggering performance, price and rarity places it in the top group 50 insurance rating. Repair costs will also be sky high, which also contributes to high premiums.
Depreciation
The significant tech upgrades, better looks and enthusiast driving credentials of the new car are impressive, but when it comes to depreciation expensive and exclusive luxury models like this will still likely lose a lot over the first three years, so if you’re buying outright be prepared to lose a lot of cash as the first owner. That said, there aren’t many around at the moment, so exclusivity should keep values high.
Longer term the model’s (relatively) high predicted sales volumes and significant cost of ownership are likely to count against it.
from Featured Articles http://ift.tt/2CIYLNH
No comments:
Post a Comment