What is special about a Bentley Continental? Find out more about the Continental GT range and Bentley Continental engine and performance. We look at Bentley Continental running costs and what a Bentley Continental is like to drive.
The Continental GT Range
The Bentley Continental GT range combines high-quality luxury features with high performance for those looking for powerful but comfortable drives.
These models epitomise the grand touring lifestyle, while the new Bentley Continental GT S provides sportier styling and a more responsive drive. You can also opt for the Bentley Continental GT Speed model if you want unrivalled performance encased in the latest luxury features.
Naturally, some Bentley fans aren't out to break records in the speed traps. The Continental GT Azure is ideal for drivers prioritising comfort over eye-watering top speeds.
And if you're looking for true grand touring elegance, then the Continental GT Mulliner is the model for you. Ultimately, whichever model you choose, you are guaranteed acres of comfortable interior space combined with sufficient luggage capacity.
Regarding specifications, there are two engines to choose from for the Continental GT range, each providing smooth acceleration. For starters, the third generation Continental GT 4.0-litre V8 produces 542 bhp, giving you a 0-60 of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph.
Alternatively, you can opt for the 6.0-litre W12. This heftier option produces 650 bhp, rocketing you from 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 208 mph.
Each option will have the engine housed over the front axle, giving you optimal weight distribution for responsive handling.
Coupled with the all-wheel-drive system that can detect the slightest wheel slip on all four wheels, you can guarantee maximum traction when conditions aren't favourable. Bentley Continental GT models are also fitted with adaptive air suspension and Pirelli Noise Cancellation Systems for ultimate driving comfort.
Another of the Continental GT range's best features is the iconic exterior design. Short bonnets following sweeping lines to the rear bumper make for a sleek and streamlined silhouette.
The bodyshell for any model is crafted from super-formed aluminium panels, allowing for larger, lighter and more streamlined designs.
Requiring fewer pieces to craft the luxurious exteriors allows for a smoother aesthetic, creating a seamless surface you won't find on other mass-produced cars.
There is also a core selection of exterior colours, hand-picked by the Bentley design team for ultimate tonal harmony. If you add in the extended Mulliner range of paints, you can select from more than 80 custom colours for your exterior.
The "Blackline Specifications" turn your external chrome detailing black for a sleeker and meaner aesthetic. There is also a range of hand-finished steering wheels in sizes up to 22" for you to choose from, all with wheel-mounted paddle-shift.
While timeless elegance is integral to grand touring vehicles, that doesn't mean they can't embrace cutting-edge technology. This is exactly what the Continental GT class provides. From the way you drive to the handling, comfort and entertainment system, you can access everything from the Bentley Rotating Display.
If you'd prefer simpler, analogue gauges to contemporary digital displays, you can alter the dashboard aesthetic at the touch of a button.
Depending on the particular Continental model you choose, there is also a wealth of driver assists available. From lane detection and autonomous parking to night vision parking cameras and adaptive cruise control, you have a range of the latest driving technology at your fingertips. You can also benefit from the LED Matrix headlamps.
Each contains 55 individually operated LEDs, meaning your headlamps can automatically alter their shape to avoid dazzling oncoming motorists. For interior aesthetics, few can rival Bentley's range of customisable options.
Almost any aspect of the cabin can be altered to your taste, from the colour of the hand-finished leather upholstery and stitching to the range of high-gloss wood veneers and piping. You can even customise the pedals and carpets to your individual requirements and environmental considerations.
There are also contemporary options, such as engine-turned aluminium sheets in a range of colours and carbon fibre for weight saving.
In addition to the incredibly useful driver assistance packages, each Continental GT model comes with a range of interior comfort and entertainment options.
From seat adjustments to sound systems, there is plenty to choose from. Music lovers can choose between the 16-channel, 1,500-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system or the 2,200-watt Naim, both of which provide exceptional sound quality.
For a truly unique vehicle that meets all your specific needs, you have the option to commission the Mulliner division to create a Bentley Continental GTC that is all your own. Every feature of the car will be bespoke and designed just for your use.
Naturally, this service comes with a hefty base price tag, but can you beat a one-of-a-kind driving experience created by one of the greatest luxury car manufacturers in the world, crafting everything just for you?
What Is A Bentley Continental Like To Drive?
In an extension of the concept of the Continental GT, the athletic design is matched by an athletic driving experience. The 48v electrical system distributes energy more efficiently through the tyres, allowing for a smoother, more comfortable ride and responsive launch control systems.
With the power the Continental GT range contains, this added assistance means you can use every ounce of it without compromising your experience.
Owners of older Continentals or previous models may have struggled to keep the unwieldy weight of their cars under control, but modern models fitted with driver assists won't have this problem.
Modern Continental GTs can corner smoothly, and thanks to the over-axle mounting of the engine, there is plenty of front-end grip and reduced roll. Reduced understeer allows you to cruise across the country at any speed, making it a perfect grand touring car.
Bentley Continental Engine & Performance
Again, the cars in the Bentley Continental GT range come with all-wheel-drive capabilities. This, combined with its close relation to the Porsche Panamera, means a unique driving experience.
The engine provides blisteringly quick top speeds, which the Continental GT handles with immense levels of grip for such a heavy car. The active suspension also guarantees a comfortable ride at any speed, meaning drivers can enjoy a more involved driving experience. The W12 engine configuration sits a little further back in the chassis, improving the driving balance.
However, the front double wishbone suspension system is the real star of the show, with a multi-link damped and advanced air-suspension system in the rear allowing for electronic anti-roll capabilities.
Bentley Continentals also have large 420mm and 380mm brake discs at the front and rear, respectively, which are supposedly the largest of any production car. You also have the option to split the torque with the four-wheel-drive system.
In the "Comfort Mode", 38% of the power can be directed to the front wheels, creating greater stability. Conversely, you can direct up to 85% of the power to the rear wheels using the various sports modes and improve the throttle, gearbox and transmission response times. With a little extra damping control, even these driving modes offer fantastic comfort.
Few can compete with the Bentley brand for driving comfort, so you can imagine how sophisticated the Continental GT's comfort settings are. Combining body control, suspension and balance, the Continental range allows you to eat up the miles without even noticing.
Even the convertible version or Continental GT Coupé models will only shudder or rattle if you hit a seriously big pothole. Everything from the trim to the chassis will remain silent as you roll like a wave over any bumps in the road.
Bentley Continental Running Costs
Opting for a luxury car with 12 cylinders and over 600 bhp means you will have to sacrifice a little fuel economy compared to mass-produced models.
Additionally, for grand touring cars, your main focus is likely to be more on the car's range than its fuel consumption. On a full 20-gallon tank, a revised version of the Bentley Continental GT car can travel up to 270 miles, which works out at a relatively meagre 13 mpg.
The smaller Bentley Continental GT V8 option provides a more impressive 23.9 mpg from a similar-sized fuel tank, meaning you could get as far as 474 miles on a full one.
Naturally, getting anywhere near this theoretical range on the roads requires great restraint and a delicate touch on the driver's part.
However, those who can afford a new Bentley Continental GT Speed, for example, usually aren't worried about fuel costs. Given how thirsty the W12 engine is, it shouldn't be surprising that its CO2 emissions are equally significant at roughly 308g/km.
A friendlier hybrid model has been promised, but for now, drivers of company cars can expect to be in the 37% Benefit-in-Kind bracket. You'll have to pay an additional annual tax bill of roughly £25,000, so long as drivers fall into the additional rate income tax band here in the UK.
And it's not just fuel and tax you need to worry about when running your Bentley Conti GT. Besides the £150,000 price tag, plus any customisable additions you choose, the maintenance and repair costs for Continentals can significantly drain your wallet.
Again, those that can afford the upfront costs usually won't have to worry about this, but it's worth bearing in mind. Especially when you take servicing costs and manufacturer-approved replacements for consumable parts, such as brake pads and tyres.
Are you looking for Bentley Continental servicing in Sittingbourne and Kent? Our independent Bentley specialist offers repairs, diagnostics and repairs.
