What's the story?
This is the new Bentley Continental GT, an all-new car to replace the much-loved, but rather aged, model originally launched in 2002. It really is all-new too, riding on a new chassis (the MSB platform, co-developed with Porsche for the new Panamera) and packing a dramatic new interior.
It doesn't look much different?
At first, not really. This is still recognisably a Continental GT (don't want to upset all those traditional customers, after all...) but look closer and you can see that it looks a good deal sleeker. Bentley has used a new 'superforming' system that heats the car's aluminium panels to 500-degrees C before bending them into shape, which makes for sharper, slimmer lines and tauter styling. The wider grille is pulled from the Speed 6 Coupe concept car, and there are gorgeous new almond-shaped rear lights set into a more aerodynamic Kamm-style rear end.
It's lighter too - this range-topping W12 model is around 70kg lighter than the old Conti GT, and it sits on a 135mm longer wheelbase, to the benefit of both interior space and handling. The latter is taken care of by an all-air suspension system (with 60 per cent larger air chambers), a 'Continuous Damping Control' computer, and electronically-controlled decoupling anti-roll bars, which means that this Conti should be able to effortlessly mix performance with comfort.
Should be pretty quick, then?
Oh yes. It retains the 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbo engine, which now develops 635hp and an amazing 900Nm of torque. It'll sprint from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds, and run on to a top speed of 207mph. It's more than a bit thirsty - 23mpg and 278g/km of CO2, but those are both improvements on the old model, and the engine can shut down half of its cylinders on a light throttle load. A 4.0-litre turbo V8 and a plugin hybrid will follow in the next couple of years.
What about the luxury side of things?
The cabin is all-new, and looks like a massive improvement on the outgoing model, which was starting to age rather badly on the inside. The biggest draw inside is the new three-sided rotating centre screen. In 'Off' mode, it leaves a seamless panel of veneer on show, making the car look as if it has no screen at all. Switch it on, and a 12.3-inch retina-display screen rotates out, and handles all of the car's infotainment (including an optional 2,200-Watt Naim audio system), plus has a menu layout that is fully customisable. For those who just aren't that keen on screens, you can rotate the panel to a third position, which leaves three traditional analogue dials on display.
The seats (20-way adjustable) have a new diamond-in-diamond stitching pattern which Bentley says is incredibly soft to the touch, and there are new veneers and finishes, including a sustainable Kona wood veneer, and a metallic finish inspired by the interior workings of fine Swiss watches.
Wolfgang Durheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: "Bentley has been at the forefront of luxury Grand Touring for nearly 100 years. The new, third-generation Continental GT is the pinnacle of our design and engineering achievements and marks the next step in Bentley's journey. We are the world leader in luxury mobility and our products and services define new luxury in the automotive world. The new Continental GT encapsulates our desire to innovate as well as celebrate our heritage and take the Bentley ownership experience to the next, unparalleled level."
Neil Briscoe - 30 Aug 2017