Tuesday 10th January 2012

Detroit show: Bentley Continental GT V8

Q: When is a 500bhp turbo V8 an entry-level model? A: when it's a new Bentley

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The new Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 models have made their in-the-metal debuts at the Detroit motor show.

Although the cars have already been subject to scrutiny both in these virtual pages and elsewhere, this is the first time the new 'entry-level' models have been seen by the public.

Entry-level? Yes, because although most car manufacturers would consider a twin-turbo V8 with 507hp and 487lb ft of torque to be a range-topper, the new Benters in fact sits below the storming 6.0-litre W12 models, which continue to be offered.

The Conti V8 is also the closest that Bentley has yet got to an eco model, offering a range of 500 miles on a single tank. A very big tank, given that even though it's 40 per cent more efficient it still only manages 21mpg. Polo Bluemotions have nothing to worry about just yet...

You can read more about the spec of the new cars in more detail in our previous story on the new Bentley continental GT V8 here

[Stew2000]

I can see them selling many. The Continental GT is popular enough already.

[pistonpie]

looks like something barbie would drive with those awful wheels...have to admit I quite like these though

[Escort Si-130]

Hmm so you like Barbie then. Do you still play with the dolls, lol.
Anyway, car does look nice; even the wheels. Although chrome wheels are nice when new, but after some years its horrible when they start to corrode.

pistonpie said:

looks like something barbie would drive with those awful wheels...have to admit I quite like these though

[Stew2000]

One of my local Continental GT drivers is a woman. not sure how that fits into this topic.

[herebebeasties]

The original article on this said:

The new models will be distinguished from their 12-cylinder brethren by black grilles, red badges and 'figure eight' exhaust pipes

Only the photo has neither black grilles nor a red badge on the nose. Looks like the front air dam intakes are for the W12 model, too:

I thought Bentley traditionally reserved their red badges for their "cooking" versions. Or is it just models with a turbo?

Edited by herebebeasties on Tuesday 10th January 13:02

[frankthetank2]

autocar quote 27mpg. Must be the cylinder deactivation system.

[0a]

I love the looks of the Conti GT, it's my guilty pleasure. It's a shame that so many have been modified with no taste (ahem!).

[McSam]

herebebeasties said:

Only the photo has neither black grilles nor a red badge on the nose. Looks like the front air dam intakes are for the W12 model, too:

I thought Bentley traditionally reserved their red badges for their "cooking" versions. Or is it just models with a turbo?

Edited by herebebeasties on Tuesday 10th January 13:02

Surely, uh, you can see the rather significant difference in the colour of the grille of these two cars?

The badge on the V8 does appear to be red surrounding the B, too.

[Zod]

Saw my first new coupe a couple of weeks ago in Savile Row. The chrome line under the doors is just horrible. The whole thing is even more of a blingmachine than before. It's very capable, but not for me.

[MrGeoff]

Zod said:

Saw my first new coupe a couple of weeks ago in Savile Row. The chrome line under the doors is just horrible. The whole thing is even more of a blingmachine than before. It's very capable, but not for me.

Unfortunately market dictates their direction and their current market is...well, tasteless.

[bobberz]

herebebeasties said:

The original article on this said:

The new models will be distinguished from their 12-cylinder brethren by black grilles, red badges and 'figure eight' exhaust pipes

Only the photo has neither black grilles nor a red badge on the nose. Looks like the front air dam intakes are for the W12 model, too:

I thought Bentley traditionally reserved their red badges for their "cooking" versions. Or is it just models with a turbo?

Edited by herebebeasties on Tuesday 10th January 13:02

Good spot! My guess is PH only had a photo of the W12 GTC from Detroit to work with, or posted it by mistake.

[MyM8V8]

Audi V8, In a Volkswagen Mate?

[trunks82]

Wayne Rooney will be pleased,im sure.

[OdramaSwimLaden]

I've driven a few Bentley GT's; they're great.

The image doesn't worry me in the least. It's a great car and this one is an improvement on the old one.

[EFA]

There is a number plate in the classifieds ( here) which is rather suitable if anyone is looking to buy one of these:

[blasos]

Why does the article make such a big deal about it being an entry-level model with 500bhp? It costs over 100k! The "entry-level" GT-R puts out 542bhp for 75k. Put that in your Bentley and smoke it.

Edited by blasos on Tuesday 10th January 23:07

[Zwolf]

blasos said:

Why does the article make such a big deal about it being an entry-level model with 500bhp? It costs over 100k! The "entry-level" GT-R puts out 532bhp for 75k. Put that in your Bentley and smoke it.

It's that manufacturer's entry level model. The GT-R is the polar opposite of that - it's Nissan's halo model, not the starting point. That's the Micra. (I think, unless there's a model beneath that now).

Are these all new CGTs, or a reskinned and revised version of the 2003-2011 CGT?

[BarnatosGhost]

Zwolf said:

blasos said:

Why does the article make such a big deal about it being an entry-level model with 500bhp? It costs over 100k! The "entry-level" GT-R puts out 532bhp for 75k. Put that in your Bentley and smoke it.

It's that manufacturer's entry level model. The GT-R is the polar opposite of that - it's Nissan's halo model, not the starting point. That's the Micra. (I think, unless there's a model beneath that now).

Are these all new CGTs, or a reskinned and revised version of the 2003-2011 CGT?

Heavy re-skin. Lots of new stuff underneath too.

[Zwolf]

BarnatosGhost said:

Zwolf said:

Are these all new CGTs, or a reskinned and revised version of the 2003-2011 CGT?

Heavy re-skin. Lots of new stuff underneath too.

Ta.

[williamp]

In the classifides there's a couple under £30k. Thats a lot of car for the money. But can you drive one without everyone on here telling ou its a VW in drag??