RE: Driven: Bentley Continental GT V8

[peter450]

I think the W12 is going to get some updates soon to improve power and economy, but this is a good package, i really like the continental GT, i dont care about peoples percetions of footballers car etc to me the conti looks a really class machine in that price bracket

[MRCC]

Makes the W12 pointless in European markets, the V8 even sounds better than then big 12.

W12 model will need an update soon to keep distance between the two models and to make the price differential seem worth it.

Dare I say it though its ironically the first proper 'Bentley' within the Continental GT range. Not shouty in looks, but a naughty engine note all the same unlike the Drone like noise of the 12. Tasteful.

Regards,

Mr CC.

[FER4L]

Still looks like the b4stard lovechild of a Rover 75 and a Primera, but at least the Halfords grille has gone!! :-)

[dkatwa]

I think the front end would look better if the larger lights were outside of the smaller ones, though. ie Oo--oO,
instead of oO--Oo.

..Ahhh, that is exactly what they were expecting.....

[toppstuff]

Bravo Bentley.

A lovely car. Lovingly put together by chaps and chappesses in Crewe in good old Blighty.

Pretty amazing increase in efficiency too. A great job all round.

Well done chaps.

Carry on.

[carinaman]

Is that circuit Portimao?

Having read Frankel's review of it in Motor Sport I like it.

I'm not sure the restyle does much for the looks. I thought the front was now looking like that late 90s Corolla.

I think the Americans did have some car they actually sold that shutdown cylinders on light loads to make it more economical and less polluting in the late 70s/early 80s.

[Caulkhead]

I've never given a second thought to the W12 version, it just didn't float my boat, but I find myself wanting a V8 one quite badly now. Preferably in this colour combo:

[carinaman]

I think you have to be careful with the colours there's a blue Convertible around here in blue with a lighter blue roof that drove past my place. When I first saw it the colours made me think Audi before I realised what it was.

Used W12s are out of my league, but CAR Magazine ran one as a long termer I think to inform readers of the used Bentley lease scheme or something.

The back end hasn't benefitted from the facelift either, the rear light lenses and the hump in the boot lid.

[gck303]

Wedgepilot said:

This cylinder-deactivation malarky has been around for ages, I remember one of the big US car makers showing it off years ago.

So how come more cars don't have it? If it's good enough for a Bentley, why not for BMs, Jags, etc? Are there patents covering the tech?

It was done in the early 80s by Cadillac. And was a total disaster. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_V8_engine#36...

The efficiency gains are not as large as you might expect. You still have the frictional and pumping energy losses associated with moving the cylinders in the bores and having them pump air.

Newer technology might allow the valves to be left open on the cylinders that are not being used.

Does anyone know how the technology works?

[Twincam16]

I rather like this - and yes, I'm another person who the W12 version leaves cold.

I think it's the soundtrack. After years of big GTs either being big, silent, wafty things or rock-hard Nurburgring-honed supercars with a garnish of civility in constant confusion as to precisely what they're meant to be, Bentley has given us the modern equivalent of the 1969-1989 Aston Martin V8. Yes, it's comfortable, yes, it has a saloon-car ride, but if you drop the windows and floor it, it still appeals to the muscle-car enthusiast behind the wheel. And yet unlike offerings from Aston Martin and Ferrari, it's not on some kind of determined, concentrated mission to destroy your spine.

I think this is one of my favourite cars on sale today. Also, there's something almost in keeping with the Bentleys of the pre-Rolls-Royce era about it. They were big, but they were also sports cars. Ettore Bugatti called them le camion de plus vite, hinting at their slightly agricultural nature and the fact they had a thumping great big 'four' when many rivals had straight-eights. With that in mind, this is probably closer to the Bentley spirit than anything they've made in the past 60-odd years.

[CHIEF]

Surely the engine is a lot lighter and this will make it handle a lot better?

Better handling, more economical and a better soundtrack - Whats not to like?

[Dave Hedgehog]

a bit to show off for me but very nice

how to fix the vid

1) find person who picked the gay music
2) stab repeatedly in the throat
3) duct tape mic to rear exhaust
4) hoon
5) enjoy video

[danmangt40]

the fuel economy improvement is small compared to the cost, but NOT negligible. It's worth $5,000 (USD) in fuel over the course of 50,000 miles.

26.4 miles/galUK = .0379 galUK/mi
17.1 miles/galUK = .0585 galUK/mi

(.0379 -.0585)/.0585= -.352 = 35.2 less consumption by volume

1.2 USgal/1 UKgal,

(v8) .0379 galUK/mi = .045 galUS/mi
(w12) .0585 " = .070 gal US/mi

(v8) .045 galUS/mi *50,000mi = 2273.73 gallons
(w12) .070 galUS/mi *50,000mi = 3510.31 gallons

1236.59 fewer gallons over 50,000 miles

Premium (93 octane) here is currently around $4.

$4*1236.59 is $4946.35 saved

(w12 consumes $14,041.26 vs. the v8's $9094.907)

That's a flipping huge improvement, most demonstrated by the PERCENT improvement. 35.2 less volume of fuel is better than most vehicles' improvement between similarly potent gasoline and diesel models. AFAIK, It's way better than switching from virtually any model for sale today and its hybrid equivalent.
(pretty sure)....

[Lowtimer]

The fuel improvement is even more important in the UK than in your US environment where fuel is cheap. Here where we pay $US 8.61 for a US gallon of super unleaded (around £1.45 a litre), it makes more than twice the difference you worked out above.

[Twincam16]

Lowtimer said:

The fuel improvement is even more important in the UK than in your US environment where fuel is cheap. Here where we pay $US 8.61 for a US gallon of super unleaded (around £1.45 a litre), it makes more than twice the difference you worked out above.

It's good news for its long-term prospects too. Bentleys depreciate massively, it seems, and a combination of this one's 'base-model' image and running costs seemingly in the real world comparable to top-end sports-saloons rather than supercars will make it a delicious second-hand prospect, I'd imagine.

Can't wait til they're 30 years old and sitting on used car dealers forecourts for £15k.

[craigjm]

As standard on the V8 you only get a small selection of paints, leathers and veneers. To be able to get access to all of those available on the W12 you have to buy the colour pack, anyone know how much that costs?

[Jimmyarm]

Is there any difference in the tax banding between the two ?

If not and you had the money why would sir wish to have less cylinders ?

[stain]

Jimmyarm said:

Is there any difference in the tax banding between the two ?

If not and you had the money why would sir wish to have less cylinders ?

Because the V8 is a nicer drive.

[CHIEF]

Jimmyarm said:

Is there any difference in the tax banding between the two ?

If not and you had the money why would sir wish to have less cylinders ?

Better economy (Not that it matters that much if your in the market for a 130k car)

Cheaper than the W12 (again not really that much of an issue I would imagine at this price)

As above a better steer

Nicer sounding

Near as damn it as fast.

The only reason I can see people getting the W12 is to play Billy Big bks down the pub telling everyone how you can afford the more expensive bigger engined big brother, Due to this alone I think sales of the W12 will continue.

For bragging rights the W12 will be king, Driving enthusiasts will pick the V8.

[roofrack996]

Surely the block suffers with the variable cooling which goes on? Not sure what the implications are for long term reliability.

I wonder this about stop-start as well, can't be good for engines to cool and heat over such short times.