Bentley’s latest 2+2 coupe continues its grand touring tradition to stand out from the rest.
Bentley may have already started tapping into the burgeoning SUV market with its Bentayga, now available with three engine choices in Thailand.
But it’s the Continental GT that really matters more to enthusiasts of this particular British car marque.
The classy 2+2 coupe has been totally redesigned with a new bodywork and common platform shared with today’s Porsche Panamera.
There’s also the convertible version of the Conti that’s currently making its Thai debut at the Bangkok motor show.
But the soft-top model, known shortly as the GTC, will only sell in small numbers in Thailand.
Which is why only two units of the GTC have been allocated for this country unlike the freer-flowing GT, as tested here.
In the typical Bentley fashion, the GT hasn’t been revolutionised in terms of design explaining why it looks very much like before.
However, eagle-eyed aficionados will note the new lights and the more dynamic proportions the GT now has.
The interior has been reworked, as well, to accommodate the latest in digital tech for the instrument panel and the central touchscreen, which can neatly tumble away into the dashboard when not used.
Once again, the GT’s cabin stands out with some of the finest materials used. The leather upholstery, for one, has meticulous stitching. Such craftsmanship remains unrivalled (if not considering the lavishly priced Rolls-Royce Wraith) and still leaves the slightly more expensive Aston Martin DB11 trailing behind in terms of perceived quality.
And there’s a sophisticated audio in the GT to boast, as well, not to mention some driver-assist tech like all-round view monitor to make lives easier on the move.
Most coupes of this nature tend to compromise on accommodation for four. Although six-footers will find enough head space and seat comfort in the rear, legroom might be an issue if equally sized people are seated up front. Plus, the boot isn’t that large, if still enough to swallow a couple of handbags.
Like in the previous generation model, the new GT starts life out with a 12-cylinder engine. The unique 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 has been modified to produce a higher 635hp.
More important, perhaps, is the presence of a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission pooled with the Panamera. Like before, the GT is all-wheel drive, but more torque is now channeled to the rear wheels under normal driving.
As a result, the GT in W12 form remains a blast to drive. With over 600hp, there’s no doubting of its towering performance (and thirst for fuel), made better with the generous traction on offer.
Switch the drive mode into Sport and even more torque is sent to the rear axle. The W12 also warbles more in this particular setting, not to mention the stiffer chassis which comprises three-chamber air sus as in the Panamera.
Most buyers would find Comfort good enough for daily use in which the GT is utterly easy to steer and rides with a kind of compliance that isn’t readily available in other expensive coupes, bar the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe.
The GT probably drives best in the so-called Bentley mode which automatically adjusts various parameters depending on road condition and driving style. There's also a pop-up spoiler on the rear to increase downforce at high speeds.
Whatever, the GT is at its best as a grand tourer and falls slightly short of the DB11 when it comes to neatly combining sportiness and comfort.
Some owners of the previous GT may also note the W12 makes for a nose-heavy handling which is perhaps the same case with this new one.
If history could be of any indication, the smaller 4.0-litre V8 should compensate with better handling finesse.
In fact, such an eight-pot motor has just been globally announced for the new GT. Power is rated at 550hp and 0-100kph time at 4.0sec, just slightly slower than the W12.
Also said to be in the pipeline is a plug-in hybrid coming from the Panamera which should help the GT’s cause around town.
Coupled with the V8, a semi-electric variant would also bring down the price of the GT from the W12’s level of 22.1 million baht (23.8 million baht for the GTC).
But for those who don’t care about high purchase price and fuel costs, there’s still much to like about the GT in W12 form. It’s genuinely fast, easy to drive and special to be in. After all, this is a Bentley.
