Bentley is one of the premiere luxury car manufacturers in the automotive industry. Even though they have a classic approach to luxury, they have always paid more attention to the driver, and Bentley's cars are ones you might want to drive yourself, instead of hiring a chauffeur. One of the most iconic names in the automaker's history is the Continental.
The Continental name first appeared in 1991, as a two-door, four-seater grand tourer, and when it debuted, it was the most expensive car in the world. During the original Continental's life, Bentley fell into the hands of the VW Group. Bentley then decided, with some help from the new German ownership, to take the Continental to the next level with the Continental GT.
2023 Bentley Continental GT
- V8 and W12 power
- Extensive personalization
- Coupe and convertible variants
- Model: Continental GT
- Engine/Motor: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 / 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12
- Horsepower: 542-650 hp
- Torque: 568-664 lb/ft
- Drivetrain: Longitudinal front-engine, AWD
- Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
- MSRP: ≈$210,000
- Stunning looks
- Personalization
- Impeccable build quality
- W12 only on Speed and Mulliner trims
- Expensive options
- No hybrid yet
2023 Bentley Continental GT
- Model: Continental GT
- Engine/Motor: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 / 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12
- Horsepower: 542-650 hp
- Torque: 568-664 lb/ft
- Drivetrain: Longitudinal front-engine, AWD
- Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
- MSRP: ≈$210,000
2023 Continental GT Overview
The Bentley Continental GT's third generation arrived in 2018, to replace the aging second generation car, which in turn, was very similar to the first generation. While the Continental GT was definitely an evolutionary machine, the changes it brought to the table were a little more radical than before. The move to the VW Group's MSB platform, a version of which the current Porsche Panamera uses, gave the Continental the hardware necessary for better technology and features, and it shaved 176 lbs from the weight of the body.
Styling-wise, it's very much a Bentley, but it features some styling cues that debuted on this car for the first time. There are still classic round headlights, and the grille is a slightly different shape. The overall profile of the car is much more slender, and when you put it side-by-side with the previous generation, the previous car looks a little bulky. The oval taillights, the simple decklid design, and the polished exhaust tips complement the general look of the Continental GT rather well. The previous two generations were somewhat of an acquired taste, but the latest car is definitely on a different level.
For 2023, the Continental GT soldiers on as a coupe or a convertible. There are five versions to choose from, the base GT, the GT S, the GT Azure, the GT Speed, and the GT Mulliner. You also get a choice of either a V8 engine or the classic Bentley W12. The Continental GT competes with the likes of the BMW 8 Series, the Aston Martin DB11, and the McLaren GT, which we have reviewed. With fewer and fewer models like it, the Continental GT also gets the difficult task of tempting away sedan buyers, those who might also be considering something like the game-changing BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8, and even Bentley's own Flying Spur.
2023 Continental GT Powertrains
For 2023, the Continental GT gets two different powertrains. Most of the lineup uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 developing 542 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, which allows for a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 198 mph. In a world of tightening emissions regulations, Bentley has backed down from the W12 powertrain slightly, as for 2023, only the Mulliner and the Speed are available with the W12. Specifically, the Mulliner offers both, and the Speed offers the W12 only.
The W12 has done its duty in Bentley models in one form or another since the early 2000s. In the current Continental GT, it's a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 putting out 650 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 happens in 3.5 seconds, and the top speed is 208 mph. Very impressive figures. Sadly, the Continental GT still doesn't get the intriguing new hybrid powertrain that we've seen on the Bentayga and Flying Spur. Every Continental GT gets standard AWD, and power goes to the wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
2023 Continental GT Interior And Features
The interior of the Continental GT really is on another level. The engineers and designers spend a lot of time in here, and it definitely shows. Every surface you can see or feel is of the highest possible quality, and it's safe to assume that in order to find any cheaper feeling materials, you'd have to quite literally take apart the dashboard. Naturally, Bentley offers a vast selection of upholstery colors, trim colors, and ways to fit them all together. The Continental GT was also the first Bentley model to use the triangular rotating display, which can show you either your chosen wood trim, three analog dials, or the infotainment system.
As well as a quality fit and finish, the Continental GT also boasts the latest and greatest in technology and features. All of those come as standard on the GT, and Bentley only offers a handful of options, like a separate valet key, welcome lights, and two different premium audio systems: Bang & Olufsen for studio quality, Naim for audiophile quality. The Continental GT seats four passengers, and its trunk boasts 12.6 cubic feet of space, which is not too far off a regular family hatchback.
2023 Continental GT Pricing
It's difficult to pinpoint the exact price of the Bentley Continental GT, as each example is not only handmade, but Bentley designs and crafts each one exactly to customer specifications, so no two cars are alike. If you want even further personalization, there's always Bentley's Mulliner program. Generally, the starting price of the GT is around $210,000. That's a lot of money, but this is a lot of car.