Britain has a long history of creating some timeless classics and Bentley has been in the car building game for a long time now. The Continental GT is one of the most successful to come from this British manufacturer since its inauguration. The Continental seemed destined for success from the very beginning with its huge engine, high performance, eloquent style, and modern-classic aesthetic.
These new models may be the best they have produced, especially given the variety of options and customizability. Below are some of the coolest features of current and earlier generations of this legendary grand tourer.
10 First Generation
The Bentley Continental GT began all the way back in 2003. Since then, it has seen a number of changes including everything from engine size, type, coupe or convertible, and more. It's becoming an iconic part of GT car history.
The original first-generation Continental GT debuted in 2003 and came with a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine, producing around 552 HP that was sent to all four wheels. This meant the Bentley had a top speed of around 197 MPH, still an incredible figure today even by modern GT car standards.
9 Unmatched Interior Quality
One thing Bentley is famous for is luxury. The continental GT oozed luxury even all the way back in 2003. Newer models have had some technology upgrades but still, keep that same style and extravagance as the models before.
Modern Continental GT's have only the highest quality materials. These include German leather, Italian Alcantara, Koa wood from Hawaii, Japanese alloy wheels, and even clocks and dials from Switzerland. Despite the Continental GT being mass-produced, much of the car is still hand-built, further adding the level of quality on display.
8 Best Versions
Since the Continental GT has been around for over 17 years, there have been numerous models produced over the years, some more unique than others. There's been everything from special editions to GT3 race car versions of the Continental.
Given the sheer number of variants over the years, it's hard to pick the best one. However, the most exciting may be the Continental GT Supersports from 2017. This was a more track-focused car compared to the more traditional GT versions seen before. It had a W12 from previous models but with increased power to around 700 HP and 8-speed automatic transmission with Quickshift, wheel-mounted paddleshift, and 21-inch forged alloy wheels.
7 Classic Design
Since its inception, the Continental GT hasn't changed on the outside all that much. It may be argued that the design is something of a modern classic and Bentley wants to keep it that way. Whatever you think, however, it's hard to deny that the Continental GT screams class.
New models still have the iconic Bentley front grille, with the classic Bentley headlights. It's also possible on newer models to get this grille in black. Chrome detailing and long, sweeping lines are still a huge part of this car's exterior design and are certainly aging well, despite becoming a thing of the past on other cars.
6 Different Models With Different Engines
Bentley's W12 engine has been a staple of the Continental GT since the beginning in 2003. However, this isn't the only engine available with Bentley's line-up of Continental GT's. The current catalog contains models with multiple configurations.
For example, the Bentley Continental GT Mulliner comes with either the classic W12 as expected or a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8. This still produces a monumental 542 HP achieving a possible top speed of around 198 MPH. There's even a Continental GT with a V8 as standard, quite conveniently named the Bentley Continental GT V8 which has similar performance to the Mulliner V8.
5 Rotating Displays
Further adding to Bentley's credentials as excellent designers of car interiors is one of the more outlandish features available on the newer models. The rotating display available may seem unnecessary at first but are possibly one of the best examples of craftsmanship and attention to detail in any car interior to this day.
Combining craft and technology Bentley's rotating display physically rotates to reveal a 12.3” touchscreen, which can be customized to show the information you desire. Then, the display can rotate once more to show three analog dials for a more classic feel.
4 Bentley Dynamic Ride
Bentley has developed its own active roll system named Bentley Dynamic Ride. This comes as standard on the new Continental GT Speed and Continental GT Mulliner models. Essentially, it exists as a way to increase stability and handling when entering corners at speed.
The system provides instant, variable resistance and can effectively decouple the wheels on each end of the axle as required. Included driving modes have also been configured to elevate comfort, performance, and control. Comfort mode optimizes the drivetrain and chassis for cruising, while Sport mode ensures the car’s power and handling are instantly responsive.
3 Coupe & Convertible
For added luxury and for those who like a more open-air driving experience, the Continental GT is actually available both as a coupe or a convertible. A number of models can be purchased as convertible and have been for a few years now.
The convertible version of the Continental GT, named the Continental GTC, was first presented in 2005 and was available to buy in 2006. Some current models available with this configuration are the Mulliner, the GT Speed, and the GT V8. Convertibles also have some features to encourage open-top driving such as ventilated seats, a heated armrest, a heated steering wheel, and discreet neck warmers.
2 High Performance
It's possible to endlessly speak about Bentley's craftsmanship and attention to detail when creating the interior however, this is still a GT car and particular focus has still been made to make the Continental GT perform exceptionally when driving.
The available W12 engine may be the best choice for anyone interested in the Continental as it provides an unmatched level of smoothness when compared to its direct rivals. The W12 engine provides a more surging sense of acceleration rather than an intense jolt of speed that may come from the likes of Ferrari or Lamborghini. It still has the top speed and 0-60 MPH to compete yet, there is a more elegant sense of speed here. The Bentley provides a seemingly unrivaled sense of control and efficiency when driving at speed.
1 Porsche Base
Some people may be surprised to know that despite being a British manufacturer, Bentley is actually owned by Volkswagen Group and has been since 1998. This perhaps creates a perfect combination of British style and German engineering.
The Continental GT actually contains some Porsche inspiration. Newer models actually share the basic blueprint and base platform with the second-generation Porsche Panamera. This solid foundation helps this car, especially given its weight. To have the platform from one of the most reliable manufacturers in the market can only be a good thing.