Bentley Continental GT 2018 review
Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast was the ideal location for Bentley to host the launch of the new Continental GT. Neither are subtle or understated, instead both prefer to be bold, brash and opulent.
At first glance the new generation Continental GT looks a lot like the previous one, which in turn looked liked the original. While the silhouette remains the same, a closer inspection reveals the details have all been refined and restyled. And underneath there are all-new underpinnings shared with the Porsche Panamera.
- Head-turning looks.
- Pampering cabin.
- Phenomenal engine.
- Missing key safety items.
- Expensive list of options for $400k car.
- Ride can be a little too firm at times.
Is it right for me?
The Porsche influence is deliberate on two fronts. Firstly, there’s the obvious financial benefits of the two Volkswagen Group premium brands sharing development costs. Secondly, and importantly for Bentley, is the added sportiness some of the Porsche parts brings to the Continental GT.
The British brand wanted to find ways to attract new customers so the engineers have tried to enhance the sportier elements of the car. The previous models were more clearly luxury focused grand tourers, so by adding a dash of Porsche know-how to the mix Bentley hopes it will get first-time Bentley buyers heading to showrooms.
Can I afford it ?
Of course it won’t be a stampede of buyers. Not only is Bentley a niche brand with a narrow focus but the Continental GT starts at $422,600 (plus on-road costs) which is a very large sum of money to spend on a car that can only really carry two people in comfort.
What do you get for your money?
The price gets even less appealing when you look at the amount of options available to you, with some significant omissions from the standard equipment list.
Missing items include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, surround view parking camera, quilted leather seats, head-up display and wireless smartphone charging just to name a few items you can get standard on a Kia for less than $50k.
If you want these ‘extras’ then you need to pay for them. Autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, surround view camera, pedestrian detection and hands-free boot opening are part of what Bentley calls the City Package, which costs $10,381.
The other major option package is called Touring and includes adaptive cruise control, head-up display, lane keeping assist, traffic jam assist and night vision for a further $16,224.
Those are just the beginning of the options with a huge array of alloy wheels (ranging from 20- to 22-inches), exterior (17 standard, countless custom) and interior colours (15 standard) to choose from.
Plus there’s the Mulliner service which allows you to customise your Continental GT with whatever extra your heart desires and wallet allows.
How much does it cost to maintain?
Service intervals are every 12 months/16,000km and Bentley Australia hasn’t provided costs, but you can assume it won't be on the same level of affordability as a Hyundai or Toyota.
Is it well built?
Every Bentley is fastidiously well built, still in large part by hand, at the brand’s headquarters in Crewe, England. The attention-to-detail is excellent, from the shiney chrome exterior trim to the carefully stitched leather inside - the Continental GT is steeped in sophistication.
What are the Standout features?
Few cars have the on-road presence of the Continental GT. The new design is very much an evolution of the previous two generations but there are some major changes if you look closely enough.
For starters the new platform has allowed for different proportions; there’s a shorter front overhang, longer gap between the front wheels and the windscreen (what’s known as the prestige gap in the business) and a longer rear overhang. The trademark front grille has also been tweaked as it’s now lower and wider to give the car a sportier stance.
What does it have that others don't?
The detail is where Bentley shines, like the headlights. Inspired by cut crystal glassware the company’s designers have created one of the most intricate lights you’ll find on any modern car. Each one is made up of 82 individual LED elements for a truly spectacular design feature that few cars can match.
How practical is it?
Despite measuring 4.8m long the GT is, in reality, a comfortable two-seater. Yes, there are seats in the rear but even in such a large and luxurious coupe it still a bit of squeeze to climb back in there.
Is it comfortable?
As far as a grand tourer for two goes, however, the Continental GT is one of the most pampering of its kind.
The finest quality leather covers the seats (and a lot of other surfaces) and the wood veneers are works of art (there is a standard veneer and seven options). Even the switchgear has some excellent detail work, such as the rotary dial for the drive mode selector that has a diamond-like finish and speaks to the thought Bentley has put into making this a true luxury car.
As traditional as the company may be it hasn’t forgotten to stay up-to-date. So the new model ditches traditional dials in favour of a fully digital instrument cluster (albeit with graphics inspired by the classic guages of old). It adds an extra layer of functionality that modern luxury customers expect.
There’s also a digital centre touchscreen for the infotainment system. If you pay extra you can get what the company calls the ‘Rotary Display’ which is a three-sided panel that turns between the screen, three analogue dials (for outside temperature, a compass and stopwatch) and the wood veneer; in case you want a “digital detox” says Bentley.
Easy in, easy out?
The huge doors making climbing in easy… as long as there’s plenty of room around the car. If you’re in a tight parking spot it can be a bit tricky, which is typical of coupes with such long doors.
In luxury car fashion, though, they do have a soft-close function which makes life a bit easier.
Space and versatility?
For such a large car the 358-litre boot is relatively small, but it should be large enough to swallow your luggage for a long weekend away touring in style.
What's the engine like?
Nobody does engines quite like Bentley. Literally, no other company makes engines in the W12 configuration, two narrow-angle V6s squeezed together in a ‘W’ formation. It has become a trademark of the brand and in the latest GT it has been refined again.
Measuring 6.0-litres in capacity and backed up by a pair of turbochargers the engine produces 467kW of power and 900Nm of torque. That’s a lot of performance but the Continental GT is a big car, tipping the scales at 2252kg.
Fortunately 900Nm wins on the road, meaning the big British coupe accelerates with an ease and grace that defies its size. However, one minor disappointment is the soundtrack from what should be a very evocative engine. Instead it’s muted, which is nice for those who prefer a quiet drive in the countryside, but is at odds with the brand’s desire to push for a sportier clientele. Sportier versions in the pipeline will change that though, and appeal more to enthusiasts.
The other major change to appeal to those who wanted a more dynamic edge is the transmission, with Bentley using the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission developed by Porsche.
It’s a major departure for Bentley, which has relied on the smooth gear changes of a torque converter automatic for decades. But with the obvious cost-sharing benefits as well as the faster, more direct gearshifts brought by the dual-clutch the British firm believes it’s worth the risk.
It also acknowledges that, because the global release of the car was delayed while engineers recalibrated the gearbox software for the smoothest possible shifts in the drive mode’s Bentley and Comfort settings.
Did they succeed? Certainly it’s the silkiest dual-clutch I’ve driven to date, however there is some occasional jerkiness off the mark which is symptomatic of this set-up. In the Sport setting, though, it’s a success in making the shifts lightning fast and giving the powertrain a sportier character.
How much fuel does it consume?
A lot. Claimed fuel economy is whopping 12.2-litres per 100km but what else can you expect from such a large, potent engine pulling such a large and luxurious vehicle. In any case, if you’re worried about fuel economy or how much you have to pay at the bowser then you shouldn’t be looking at a $420k luxury coupe. Or you can wait for the plug-in hybrid model coming soon.
Is it enjoyable to drive?
It’s not just the engine and transmission that have been massaged for more dynamic driving experience. Bentley’s engineers have also played with the chassis, but have had to walk a fine line between making it sportier while retaining the comfort existing owners will be expecting.
For the large part the latest GT is still a great grand tourer, with a relaxed and comfortable nature in the Bentley and Comfort settings.
However, in Sport mode or even just on choppy back roads the suspension can feel too firm and get fussy. In many respects that’s inevitable as it’s a two tonne car riding on 22-inch rims, but for many Bentley owners it may be a disappointment.
One thing that isn't disappointing is the stopping power. With 420mm front brake discs (the largest iron discs on a production car) grabbed by 10-piston calipers the big British machine slows down almost as rapidly as its speeds up.
Ultimately for all the company's efforts it was always going to be a difficult task making such a big, heavy and luxurious car feel sportier.
Does it perform as you expect?
The latest Continental GT doesn’t make the convincing argument you might otherwise expect from a $420k luxury coupe.
The lack of standard AEB and other safety items, as well as the need to option some of the design elements highlighted by the brand, such as the rotary display, will make even the most well-heeled customers scratch their heads.
While the ride could be smoother and more cosseting, in the final reckoning there’s no doubt that this is still a special car to drive with a level of luxury and sophistication (if you pay enough for the extra goodies) that has few peers.
2018 Bentley Continental GT pricing and specifications
Price: From $422,600 plus on-road costs
Engine: 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 petrol
Power: 467kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 900Nm at 1350-4500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 12.2L/100km