Bentley Continental

Bentley Continental GT – Overview

Bentley are known for the balance of ultimate luxury and performance. It balances the sophisticated craftsmanship and the performances of the vehicle that separates Bentley from its competitor, Rolls Royce. The Bentley Continental GT comes with 2 different engines, the 4.0-litre V8, and the 6.0-litre W12 with 6.0-litre and 2 different bodies, coupe and convertible.

For the 4.0-litre V8 coupe, it is priced at RM 783,000; while the convertible Bentley Continental GT will cost 838,000. The 6.0-litre W12 variant, RM 810,800 for the coupe and RM 868,800 for the convertible. All these prices are not subjected to tax.

Bentley Continental GT - Exterior

The old Continental GT shared the same platform as Volkswagen Phaeton but a more refined and revised version. The engine of the 4.0-litre V8 and 6.0-litre W12 was perfectly tuned and cleverly fettled, and always felt very solid. But when the roads got winding and the speeds got high, it felt like a bigger saloon than a coupe as it is a heavy car.

With the new architecture of the chassis, components are shared with the Porsche Panamera and it was co-developed by Bentley from the beginning. Hence, it is a platform suited perfectly for the new Bentley Continental GT. In the design department, there are no compromises between function and form. 

The signature haunches that flares out from the side profile of the rear gives the Bentley Continental GT the presence of sports coupe, while the stance are sitting down moderately low and giving the impression that it is ready to launch at any given moment. 

Classiness of the Bentley Continental GT stands out even more with the convertible variant where it portrays a mature business man draped in polo tees and shorts preparing of his game of golf. Moving on to the back of the car, you’ll see the large ovular-shaped signature exhaust pipes from Bentley with real quad exhaust inside and with the crease that separates the Bentley logo and “Bentley” word.

Bentley Continental GT - Interior

The cabin is lashed with wood finishes that are able to customise on the different types of veneers, and also wrapped around with hand-stitched leathers that redefines luxury. It also has a pleasing array of connectivity and other technologies too. 

Particularly fetching is a new central ‘rotating display’ that can serve up a minimalist plank of varnished wood, three traditional instruments or a large touchscreen. 

Although, rear-passenger seats are also covered with high quality materials, but those are something that we best avoid as it is the 2+2 at best with a cramped rear passenger seats combined with a slanted roof as it is nonetheless a coupe.

Bentley Continental GT - Features

For both the driver and passenger, they are blessed with a three-way-rotating 12.3’ touchscreen central display that presents all the information that they need, this central display infotainment system comes with Apple Carplay. Whenever there is a need to reduce the distraction from the infotainment system, there are always choices to rotate it into a plank of varnished wood or traditional instruments to replace the 12.3” wide screen infotainment system. 

While directly in front of the driver, you’ll get a digital instruments that presents the important information on day-to-day driving. To appeal to the audiophiles, Bentley Continental GT provides you the best sound system that has ever fitted into a car, the Naim audio system, although it is an option that have to be checked but it is highly recommended.

When it comes to safety, Bentley Continental GT comes standard equipped with pre-sense braking system, adaptive brake lights, collision prevention assist, multi-collision brake, exit warning, blind spot warning and more. Also, it comes with a reverse camera and top view camera as standard.

Moreover, the Bentley Continental GT comes with all round vented disc brakes with 420 x 40 mm front disc brakes, and 380 x 30mm for rear disc brakes as it is just what a performance vehicle needed and especially for Bentley Continental GT, brakes that can stop this 2.2 tonne beast.

Bentley Continental GT - Powertrain 

In the heart of the beast, it is fitted with a 6.0-litre W12 engine that develops a whopping 626 bhp, 900Nm of torque, propelling the Bentley Continental GT to 3.8 seconds from 0 – 100 km/h – and on to the top speed of 333 km/h. While the 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo develops a 542 bhp, 770 Nm of torque, and a 4.0 seconds from 0-100 km/h reaching a top speed of 318 km/h.

The transmission is paired with a dual-clutch transmission that helps with the powerful torque delivery and seamless transition between gears that provides the ultimate comfort ride. Unfortunately, dual-clutch transmission are known for performance vehicle, hence during congested traffic, the dual-clutch transmission are found to be clunky.

Additionally, the power are delivered to all four wheels and with rear wheel steering that increases its capability of handling in both narrow and small roads and b-roads. In tight and small city roads where the rear wheel will rotate opposite from the front while turning, and when it comes to a road where you can be playful, the rear wheel will rotate the same direction of the front wheel to assist with the handling.

Bentley Continental GT - Fuel Economy

The fuel consumption of the V8 twin turbo is rated at 11.3 liters per 100 km combined in both city driving and highway and 263g/km combined for the CO2 emissions. The 6.0-litre W12 engine is rated at 13.6 liters per 100 km combined in urban and freeway, and a CO2 emission of 308g/km.

Bentley Continental GT - Driving Performance

The Bentley Continental GT 6.0-litre W16 engine 626 bhp and 900 Nm of torque can accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. The top speed will reach to 333 km/h. While the 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo develops a 542 bhp, 770 Nm of torque, and a 4.0 seconds from 0-100 km/h reaching a top speed of 318 km/h.

Drivers can customize the steering, transmission and engine response as well as suspension setting with 4 different mode, Sports mode, Comfort mode, Custom modes, and Bentley mode. In sports mode, the adaptive suspension will be stiffer.

Bentley Continental GT - Ride Comfort

Bentley Continental GT - Conclusion

The Bentley Continental GT are for those who prefers the balance of ultimate luxury and performance which placed itself at a unique position against its’ direct competitor, the Rolls Royce that focuses on the pinnacle of luxury.