While most consider Bentleys to be just about luxury and waftibility, few will be aware of the brand's illustrious sporting history. During the 1920s, Bentley was outstandingly successful in both racing and setting new speed records, grabbing many front page headlines. Bentley first won Le Mans in 1924. From 1927 to 1930, the brand with the marque of the Flying B won the famous endurance race in France four consecutive times. Bentley returned to Le Mans again in the early 2000s to take a popular victory at Le Mans in 2003. More recently, the brand is back setting speed records once again.
If you're still not convinced of Bentley's sporting pretensions, take a drive in the new base model Continental GT variant test driven here and I can be pretty sure that you'll thoroughly change your mind about Bentley being just about luxury, leather and wood veneers.
The new Continental GT V8 supplements the current range topping W12. Like the latter, the new V8 is also available in GTC convertible guise in addition to the GT coupe.
Exterior
Outwardly, the V8 looks sportier when compared to the more elegant W12 model. Exterior styling details like the V8's traditional Bentley matrix grille in satin black, more dynamic looking front bumper with gaping air intakes, the dark finish on the lower edge of the rear bumper and the distinctive 'figure of eight' exhaust tail pipes all combine to give the GT a more purposeful and aggressive stance.
If you're still not convinced of Bentley's sporting pretensions, take a drive in the new base model Continental GT variant test driven here and I can be pretty sure that you'll thoroughly change your mind about Bentley being just about luxury, leather and wood veneers.
The new Continental GT V8 supplements the current range topping W12. Like the latter, the new V8 is also available in GTC convertible guise in addition to the GT coupe.
Exterior
Outwardly, the V8 looks sportier when compared to the more elegant W12 model. Exterior styling details like the V8's traditional Bentley matrix grille in satin black, more dynamic looking front bumper with gaping air intakes, the dark finish on the lower edge of the rear bumper and the distinctive 'figure of eight' exhaust tail pipes all combine to give the GT a more purposeful and aggressive stance.
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Also unique on the V8 are the red winged 'B' emblems that were last used on the Arnage Red Label. Opt for the Mulliner styling pack and the V8 will look even meaner and racier, thanks to details like the front splitter, rear diffuser, carbon fibre wing mirrors and rear spoiler.
The red winged 'B' emblem is unique on the V8  |
Interior
Inside, the V8 is mostly standard second gen Continental GT fare with the only differences limited to its short centre console with the W12's through-console that runs through to the rear in between the rear passengers and minor trim and inlay differences. With the use of the best cow hide, wood veneers and aluminium inlays, the Bentley's cabin does feel more special than its competitors'.
A nice blend of colour, together with wood veneers, fill the interior
The Drive
Underneath the bonnet, lies a 4.0-litre V8 that is developed in co-operation with VW Group stable mate Audi. The Continental's new V8 is basically the same direct injection biturbo unit that powers the S8, S6 and S7 Sportback but tweaked to deliver its goods with that typical "Bentley feel".
Mustering 500bhp and 660Nm in the 2.3-tonne Continental GT, the V8 delivers very impressive performance indeed. 0-100km/h is dispatched in an impressive 4.8 seconds, a mere 0.2 seconds slower off the line than the 567bhp, 700Nm 6.0-litre W12 GT.
On the road, the V8 feels every bit as eager as the W12 at any given speed, riding on a strong wave of force-fed torque to deliver the goods. The V8 might displace an un-Bentley like 3,993cc but it is hardly strained or sounds overworked when called upon to deliver maximum poke. In true Bentley style, performance is just effortless and more than sufficient for the GT.
Inside, the V8 is mostly standard second gen Continental GT fare with the only differences limited to its short centre console with the W12's through-console that runs through to the rear in between the rear passengers and minor trim and inlay differences. With the use of the best cow hide, wood veneers and aluminium inlays, the Bentley's cabin does feel more special than its competitors'.
A nice blend of colour, together with wood veneers, fill the interior The Drive
Underneath the bonnet, lies a 4.0-litre V8 that is developed in co-operation with VW Group stable mate Audi. The Continental's new V8 is basically the same direct injection biturbo unit that powers the S8, S6 and S7 Sportback but tweaked to deliver its goods with that typical "Bentley feel".
Mustering 500bhp and 660Nm in the 2.3-tonne Continental GT, the V8 delivers very impressive performance indeed. 0-100km/h is dispatched in an impressive 4.8 seconds, a mere 0.2 seconds slower off the line than the 567bhp, 700Nm 6.0-litre W12 GT.
On the road, the V8 feels every bit as eager as the W12 at any given speed, riding on a strong wave of force-fed torque to deliver the goods. The V8 might displace an un-Bentley like 3,993cc but it is hardly strained or sounds overworked when called upon to deliver maximum poke. In true Bentley style, performance is just effortless and more than sufficient for the GT.
The most impressive aspect of the motor or even the Conti GT V8 as a whole is the noise the engine makes. Bentley has taken great care to ensure that the Continental GT features an intoxicating engine and exhaust soundtrack in order for the model to appeal to sporty drivers. The result is a glorious sounding noise that sounds very much like an aircraft piston engine. At anything above 2000rpm, the V8 rumbles and burbles very audibly to excite the driver's senses like no other Bentley before this, the Supersports included.
Like the S8, the Bentley V8 sends its power to all four wheels via a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox. There's no fancy dual clutch set-up here as Bentley says that a more traditional torque converter box suits the Continental GT better. It not only has more ratios to better exploit the V8's performance but is also quicker and more incisive with its shifts than the W12's six-speed box.
It is as eager as the W12 and very well-balanced around bends
Like the S8, the Bentley V8 sends its power to all four wheels via a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox. There's no fancy dual clutch set-up here as Bentley says that a more traditional torque converter box suits the Continental GT better. It not only has more ratios to better exploit the V8's performance but is also quicker and more incisive with its shifts than the W12's six-speed box.
It is as eager as the W12 and very well-balanced around bends  |
The new gearbox as well as the engine's ability to run on just four cylinders on low load conditions are just two of the several new technologies and features that have made the Continental GT V8 roughly 40 percent more fuel economical than the last generation W12.
With a smaller and lighter engine up front, the V8 GT does feel more balanced, more eager to turn in and swap directions, more agile than the heavier W12 model. The steering also feels more positive overall. The all-wheel drive system means overall stability and traction out of corners are just superb.
With a smaller and lighter engine up front, the V8 GT does feel more balanced, more eager to turn in and swap directions, more agile than the heavier W12 model. The steering also feels more positive overall. The all-wheel drive system means overall stability and traction out of corners are just superb.
Conclusion
Being a Bentley, the V8 offers a supremely comfortable and pliant ride at cruising speeds despite its sportier nature. This is one big GT that you can waft to a race track comfortably and do some laps to enjoy its sportiness and waft back home comfortably right after.
Entry level models are usually boring and unexciting as they are usually conceived in the interests of cost. Not the Bentley Continental GT V8 though - this could well be the most exciting entry-level models we've ever come across.
Being a Bentley, the V8 offers a supremely comfortable and pliant ride at cruising speeds despite its sportier nature. This is one big GT that you can waft to a race track comfortably and do some laps to enjoy its sportiness and waft back home comfortably right after.
Entry level models are usually boring and unexciting as they are usually conceived in the interests of cost. Not the Bentley Continental GT V8 though - this could well be the most exciting entry-level models we've ever come across.
