What is it?
A mid-life refresh of Bentley's hugely successful Continental GT coupé. Unsurprisingly, the changes are relatively subtle, with revised front and rear lights, a more chiselled look to its lines and an all-new interior. Technical changes include a more powerful, more economical W12 engine with power increased by 20- to 567bhp. That allows the Continental GT to reach 62mph in 4.6 seconds and onto a 198mph top speed.
Why's it here?
To introduce a range of changes that will filter down the entire Continental range in time. The new 2011 model will come with a new look, a more efficient W12 engine and improvements like a wider track front and rear to enhance the driving experience. The big news will be the availability of a V8 in the Continental GT for the first time since it was introduced. It arrives late 2011, bringing even greater efficiency for buyers not needing the explosive power of the W12.
Show stopper or floor filler?
We'd be lying to say Parisian schoolboys will stop to drool over the Continental GT in a hall that contains cars like Lamborghini's stunning
Sesto Elemento concept,
Audi's quattro concept and a new Ferrari among others. But that's exactly the point: the Bentley isn't about show-stopping, it's about dignified transportation for the lucky few who can afford it. Consider the changes in that vein and it's a very successful update indeed.
Kyle Fortune - 30 Sep 2010