The Prototype: A Bentley Continental GT Like No Other
At first glance, this Bentley Continental GT may appear to be just another iteration of the iconic model. However, as we take a closer look, it becomes clear that there is something significantly different under the bonnet. The prototype number plate on the front hints at the fact that this car boasts an all-new 4L twin-turbo V8 engine. This significant change in powerplant is likely to have a profound impact on the future prospects of this vehicle.
The Engine: A Game-Changer for Bentley?
The new 4L twin-turbo V8 engine is not only producing 500 horsepower, but it also uses 40% less fuel than the old Continental GT. This achievement is all the more remarkable considering that it still manages to deliver impressive performance figures. The question on everyone's mind is: does this car still drive like a real Bentley? To answer this, we need to put the prototype through its paces and see how it performs.
A Track Day in the Rain
We find ourselves at the Silverstone track, surrounded by darkness, cold, and wet weather conditions. The track is ours for the day, providing the perfect opportunity to test the Continental GT's mettle. As we prepare to take to the track, I want to stress that this is a prototype car, not the production version. However, I'm confident that there won't be too much difference between them. Our priority is to determine whether the new engine provides good performance and retains the essence of Bentley.
The Sound: A New Era for Bentley?
As we get underway, the first thing that strikes us is how impressive the sound of the new engine is. The W12 has been a highly effective engine in the past, but it never quite sounded like this. It's as if the new powerplant has taken the best aspects of its predecessor and elevated them to new heights. The car also feels much more agile and nimble than its predecessors, thanks in part to the clever use of cylinder deactivation technology. This lightweight approach may only result in a 25-kilogram weight saving, but it has clearly made a significant impact on the driving experience.
Handling and Balance: A New Standard
One of the most noticeable aspects of the new Continental GT is its exceptional balance and handling. The car seems to effortlessly find its equilibrium, never once wavering from the desired path. In contrast to the older models, which often relied on a more direct approach, this new iteration takes a more nuanced approach. It's as if Bentley has struck a perfect balance between providing a comfortable ride and delivering responsive, engaging handling.
A Lap Around Silverstone: The Verdict
After spending some time behind the wheel of the Continental GT, I'm convinced that this new engine is a game-changer for Bentley. Not only does it deliver impressive performance figures, but it also retains the essence of the brand's iconic sound and driving experience. With an estimated 60 seconds in the lap time, this car is certainly not slow.
The Price: A New Era for Bentley?
As we consider the final tally, one thing becomes clear: this new Continental GT is going to be priced significantly lower than its predecessors. In fact, it's expected to cost around £122-£123,000, a 10% decrease from previous models. With an 8-speed gearbox and the new engine, I firmly believe that this car represents the best of both worlds: performance, handling, and value for money.
In my opinion, there's no reason why Bentley can't continue to produce Continental GTs with W12 engines. The new powerplant is a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering improved performance without sacrificing the brand's signature sound. It's almost certain that in the real world, this car will be just as quick, if not faster than its predecessors. So, why can we still want a Continental GT with a W12 engine? In short, it's because Bentley has managed to craft a car that is both characterful and desirable, making it an absolute no-brainer for anyone considering a new Continental GT.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthis may look to you like just another bentle Continental GT but as you may be able to see from the Prototype number plate on the front it's actually something quite different under its Bonnet it has an all new 4 L twint turbo V8 engine which for reasons I shall explain in a moment is likely to transform the future prospects of this car understand this it has 500 horsepower but it also uses 40% less fuel than the old Continental GT so the question is does it still drive like a real Bentley well we're here we're at a very dark very cold very wet Silverstone but we have the track to ourselves so we're going to go out and find out okay so we are just about to head out onto Silverstone I've been asked to stress that this is a prototype car it is not the production version but I don't think there's going to be a great deal of difference between them so the question which needs answering is not only does this car provide good performance but does it provide proper bentle per performance so here we go well the first thing I can tell you is that it sounds really good um the W12 was a very effective engine it did the job very well but it never sounded like this also feels much more Nimble than the W2 they say it's only 25 kilos lighter because of all the trick cylinder deactivation technology it's got on it but I can tell you the car feeli feels more neutral more balanced it's just a nicer car to drive and yeah I mean that's um that's a pretty reasonable level of performance it's um it's power to weight ratio is actually better than the old if you like generation one Continental GT with the 6 L W12 in it so you know you're not in any way going to be buying a poor relation in terms of performance not the 60s 4.8 seconds top speed well over 180 miles an hour you may have just noticed that the car is very very gently balancing itself in the corners whereas the old car you kind of expect it to go straight on a bit this one doesn't do that for some reason they have played a lot with the tune of the suspension um and I think what they found is a very very happy balance between clearly the needs to provide a car with decent ride comfort and a car which is going to be a good responsive decent handling car well I've been out now I've done a few laps and from what I can tell from a damp wet track this car is going to be transformed by this new engine uh it's not just the fact that it uses so much less fuel the power is fantastic the response is really good uh it's got very very little turbo lag it feels like a Bentley it pulls from low down the way you need that Bentley is going to but it also sounds much better than the old W12 so the question is why we can still want a Continental GT with a W12 this car is going to cost 10% less so that'll be about 122 123 ,000 and to my mind with an 8speed gearbox with this new engine it's a better car it's a more characterful car it's almost certainly the real world going to be just as quick it's nicer to drive it's a better handling car and it'll go half as far again on the tank of gas to me it's a no-brainer this is Continental GT it always should have beenthis may look to you like just another bentle Continental GT but as you may be able to see from the Prototype number plate on the front it's actually something quite different under its Bonnet it has an all new 4 L twint turbo V8 engine which for reasons I shall explain in a moment is likely to transform the future prospects of this car understand this it has 500 horsepower but it also uses 40% less fuel than the old Continental GT so the question is does it still drive like a real Bentley well we're here we're at a very dark very cold very wet Silverstone but we have the track to ourselves so we're going to go out and find out okay so we are just about to head out onto Silverstone I've been asked to stress that this is a prototype car it is not the production version but I don't think there's going to be a great deal of difference between them so the question which needs answering is not only does this car provide good performance but does it provide proper bentle per performance so here we go well the first thing I can tell you is that it sounds really good um the W12 was a very effective engine it did the job very well but it never sounded like this also feels much more Nimble than the W2 they say it's only 25 kilos lighter because of all the trick cylinder deactivation technology it's got on it but I can tell you the car feeli feels more neutral more balanced it's just a nicer car to drive and yeah I mean that's um that's a pretty reasonable level of performance it's um it's power to weight ratio is actually better than the old if you like generation one Continental GT with the 6 L W12 in it so you know you're not in any way going to be buying a poor relation in terms of performance not the 60s 4.8 seconds top speed well over 180 miles an hour you may have just noticed that the car is very very gently balancing itself in the corners whereas the old car you kind of expect it to go straight on a bit this one doesn't do that for some reason they have played a lot with the tune of the suspension um and I think what they found is a very very happy balance between clearly the needs to provide a car with decent ride comfort and a car which is going to be a good responsive decent handling car well I've been out now I've done a few laps and from what I can tell from a damp wet track this car is going to be transformed by this new engine uh it's not just the fact that it uses so much less fuel the power is fantastic the response is really good uh it's got very very little turbo lag it feels like a Bentley it pulls from low down the way you need that Bentley is going to but it also sounds much better than the old W12 so the question is why we can still want a Continental GT with a W12 this car is going to cost 10% less so that'll be about 122 123 ,000 and to my mind with an 8speed gearbox with this new engine it's a better car it's a more characterful car it's almost certainly the real world going to be just as quick it's nicer to drive it's a better handling car and it'll go half as far again on the tank of gas to me it's a no-brainer this is Continental GT it always should have been\n"
