Continental GT [Official] Bentley Continental GT (Third generation, 2018-
- Thread starter sako97
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D
Deleted member 57437
As majestic and attentively built current Bentleys are, they've somehow "dated" prematurely IMHO.
That having been said, I'm really excited regarding what the brand will bring to the table over the course of the next 3-5 years.
That having been said, I'm really excited regarding what the brand will bring to the table over the course of the next 3-5 years.
TopspeedPT
Track Technician
Tourbillon
Cornering Kingpin
Meet the Bentley Continental GT S, Robb Report’s 2023 Car of the Year!
robbreport.com
"Nearly 20 years ago, Bentley introduced its W-12-powered Continental GT, breaking new ground with an ultra-luxe “personal” GT that delivered blistering performance in keeping with the marque’s prestigious pedigree. We well remember inviting the brand-new Bentley Continental GT to participate in the 2004 Robb Report Car of the Year (COTY). Our editorial team knew it was a groundbreaking car for Bentley, the brand recently acquired by the Volkswagen Group at the time and making a best effort to catapult itself into the 21st century.
We shouldn’t have been surprised when it was named that year’s winner, given the brilliant 12-cylinder engine, German-infused precision and a rakish profile that tipped its hat to the glory days of the automaker’s R2 Continental. Never mind that most of today’s Bentley owners weren’t even alive—much less driving—when the first Continental hit the road in 1952.
Our readers’ infatuation with the Continental had only just begun, and because the world loves a convertible, the Continental GTC took Car of the Year honors in 2007, the model’s first year on the market as a drop-top. The Continental Supersports checked in for the 2010 COTY session, and based on the sheer excess of power it so beautifully put to pavement, some might have wagered that it’d have taken top honors. But that Bentley Brutalé ended up mid-pack, we suspect due to its purpose-built racing-style seats, lack of rears and an uncompromising deference to handling over sublime comfort.
The 2019 model year ushered in an all-new car, with a redesigned W-12 mill and updated styling that was altogether more sculpted and aggressive than the first-generation cars. Throughout the years, Bentley’s Continental was also named Robb Report’s Best of the Best, and by 2022, it was once again the Car of the Year champion in the guise of the flawless GT and GTC. (We had a convertible in California and a coupe in Florida, and astute Bentleyphiles will know that both cars are essentially identical apart from the roof.)
Those entries checked all the boxes for performance, luxury, quality and comfort, kind of like the very first Bentley Continental GT did when it claimed the COTY title in 2004. The engine’s fat torque curve is as satisfying as the vehicle’s opulent interior, a padded luxury cocoon that ensconces its occupants in leather, wood and carbon trim, as well as lots of tasteful metallic details to delight the eye. The rear seats are essentially useless, but the front chairs invite day-long drives without fanfare or fatigue. Our judges recognized the Bentley Continental GT and GTC as the quintessential grand tourers, thanks to the combination of power and agility matched by the comfort and capacity of a luxury sedan. That car’s signature is its twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter power plant producing 650 hp and even more torque to all four wheels, taking the more than 5,000-pound GT to a top speed of 208 mph.
So, without prejudice or preconceived notions, the editors thought it would be an interesting exercise to invite the Bentley Continental GT S, the V-8-powered variant (and the convertible GTC S) to the COTY party for 2023. To the uninitiated, they look nearly identical to their more muscular stablemates. And these were new Continentals, having more sporting pretensions than their eight-cylinder predecessors, with 542 hp and 568 ft lbs of torque.
Would they show us how to solve the same Continental equation with four fewer cylinders while shaving a year of ivy-league college tuition off the MSRP? They would, and if you like your motoring pleasure delivered in quilted-leather finery, then the Continental GT S and GTC S may be the best-kept secrets to come from England since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talked to Oprah.
Coupe or convertible, the latest Continental GT combines bold sports styling with an agile drive, resulting in a luxury grand tourer with a thrilling edge. Instantly recognizable, thanks to its dark exterior detailing, this S iteration is a leaner, meaner take on the Continental GT. Of course, a few judges with keys to a W-12 version in their pocket were not as wowed by the V-8, and that’s to be expected. Plus, our editorial trio wasn’t quite as enamored as were our judges, unanimously choosing the Maserati MC20 as their COTY winner.
Viewed objectively, though, the lighter, nimbler Continental GT S had so much good going for it that it won by a relative landslide. Response was almost universally positive, resonating with comments like, “This car is still king of the hill” and “You can drive it every day and never be bored.” Or simply, “Best car I’ve ever driven!”
Meet the Bentley Continental GT S, Robb Report’s 2023 Car of the Year
The British marque takes our top honor in back-to-back competitions, this time with four fewer cylinders.
robbreport.com
"Nearly 20 years ago, Bentley introduced its W-12-powered Continental GT, breaking new ground with an ultra-luxe “personal” GT that delivered blistering performance in keeping with the marque’s prestigious pedigree. We well remember inviting the brand-new Bentley Continental GT to participate in the 2004 Robb Report Car of the Year (COTY). Our editorial team knew it was a groundbreaking car for Bentley, the brand recently acquired by the Volkswagen Group at the time and making a best effort to catapult itself into the 21st century.
We shouldn’t have been surprised when it was named that year’s winner, given the brilliant 12-cylinder engine, German-infused precision and a rakish profile that tipped its hat to the glory days of the automaker’s R2 Continental. Never mind that most of today’s Bentley owners weren’t even alive—much less driving—when the first Continental hit the road in 1952.
Our readers’ infatuation with the Continental had only just begun, and because the world loves a convertible, the Continental GTC took Car of the Year honors in 2007, the model’s first year on the market as a drop-top. The Continental Supersports checked in for the 2010 COTY session, and based on the sheer excess of power it so beautifully put to pavement, some might have wagered that it’d have taken top honors. But that Bentley Brutalé ended up mid-pack, we suspect due to its purpose-built racing-style seats, lack of rears and an uncompromising deference to handling over sublime comfort.
The 2019 model year ushered in an all-new car, with a redesigned W-12 mill and updated styling that was altogether more sculpted and aggressive than the first-generation cars. Throughout the years, Bentley’s Continental was also named Robb Report’s Best of the Best, and by 2022, it was once again the Car of the Year champion in the guise of the flawless GT and GTC. (We had a convertible in California and a coupe in Florida, and astute Bentleyphiles will know that both cars are essentially identical apart from the roof.)
Those entries checked all the boxes for performance, luxury, quality and comfort, kind of like the very first Bentley Continental GT did when it claimed the COTY title in 2004. The engine’s fat torque curve is as satisfying as the vehicle’s opulent interior, a padded luxury cocoon that ensconces its occupants in leather, wood and carbon trim, as well as lots of tasteful metallic details to delight the eye. The rear seats are essentially useless, but the front chairs invite day-long drives without fanfare or fatigue. Our judges recognized the Bentley Continental GT and GTC as the quintessential grand tourers, thanks to the combination of power and agility matched by the comfort and capacity of a luxury sedan. That car’s signature is its twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter power plant producing 650 hp and even more torque to all four wheels, taking the more than 5,000-pound GT to a top speed of 208 mph.
So, without prejudice or preconceived notions, the editors thought it would be an interesting exercise to invite the Bentley Continental GT S, the V-8-powered variant (and the convertible GTC S) to the COTY party for 2023. To the uninitiated, they look nearly identical to their more muscular stablemates. And these were new Continentals, having more sporting pretensions than their eight-cylinder predecessors, with 542 hp and 568 ft lbs of torque.
Would they show us how to solve the same Continental equation with four fewer cylinders while shaving a year of ivy-league college tuition off the MSRP? They would, and if you like your motoring pleasure delivered in quilted-leather finery, then the Continental GT S and GTC S may be the best-kept secrets to come from England since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talked to Oprah.
Coupe or convertible, the latest Continental GT combines bold sports styling with an agile drive, resulting in a luxury grand tourer with a thrilling edge. Instantly recognizable, thanks to its dark exterior detailing, this S iteration is a leaner, meaner take on the Continental GT. Of course, a few judges with keys to a W-12 version in their pocket were not as wowed by the V-8, and that’s to be expected. Plus, our editorial trio wasn’t quite as enamored as were our judges, unanimously choosing the Maserati MC20 as their COTY winner.
Viewed objectively, though, the lighter, nimbler Continental GT S had so much good going for it that it won by a relative landslide. Response was almost universally positive, resonating with comments like, “This car is still king of the hill” and “You can drive it every day and never be bored.” Or simply, “Best car I’ve ever driven!”
Tourbillon
Cornering Kingpin
Tourbillon
Cornering Kingpin
A VERY powerful photograph.
TopspeedPT
Track Technician
hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
There's a grayish-silver Conti that tools around near work. Still an absolute looker. Understated, fresh, and classy. I suspect this will age well well for the next 10 years or more.
Tourbillon
Cornering Kingpin
Merc1
Premium
The Speed Edition 12 models
Bentley Speed Edition 12 Models Celebrate Brand's W12 Engine
Bentley will end production of its W12 engine in April 2024. It's introducing the Speed Edition 12 of the Bentayga, Continental GT, and Flying Spur.
www.motor1.com
M
Tourbillon
Cornering Kingpin
I like electric cars, very obviously. But why the rush to retire ICE? I'm sure rules and regulations are good until 2035 and thereafter 1000 units per year.
Anyway magnificent cars. Under VAG control they've come along massively- so far.
Electrification we'll see but if anyone can do it's the group as a whole.
Anyway magnificent cars. Under VAG control they've come along massively- so far.
Electrification we'll see but if anyone can do it's the group as a whole.
Merc1
Premium
Tourbillon
Cornering Kingpin
Same here man same here. And your choice of wording is accurate and very apt. Although I'll say it this once, they're interiors put Aston Martin to shame, in my view. I don't think anyone would disagree, and I'm nutty about the latter!
Merc1
Premium
Yeah Aston is still on a shoestring budget and it shows. It's sad because their designs are stunning, but the quality isn't there. They don't have the quality of the interior tech that Bentley. Even Ferrari makes a better interior now. We'll see if the DB12 changes this.
M
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
What a gorgeous family. VAG is sunsetting the W12 a little bit too soon.
The Speed Edition 12 models
Bentley Speed Edition 12 Models Celebrate Brand's W12 Engine
Bentley will end production of its W12 engine in April 2024. It's introducing the Speed Edition 12 of the Bentayga, Continental GT, and Flying Spur.
M
Tourbillon
Cornering Kingpin
I said exactly the same. They should reconsider unless Volkswagen have said that's it, no more!
Similar threads
Bentley
Bentley Motors Limited is a British designer, manufacturer,
and marketer of luxury cars and SUVs. Headquartered in Crewe,
England, the company was founded by W. O. Bentley (1888-1971)
in 1919 in Cricklewood, North London, and became widely known
for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929
and 1930. Bentley has been a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group
since 1998 and consolidated under VW's premium brand arm Audi
in 2022.
Official website: Bentley Motors
Official website: Bentley Motors
