RE: Driven: Bentley Continental GT V8
Discussion
The V8 GT is a massive step up from the old W12. My old W12 was really a lazy type of car - stupendously fast if required but without any real directness. The V8 enginge is so much more responsive, the chassis so much more balanced and the sound is incredible. I still wonder how the engineers got away with such a dirty engine note at full chat. I'm sure the suits were out the day this was signed off 
I never really liked extra posh VW, sorry, posh Audis, sorry, Bentleys, but I reckon this is a great GT car. You wouldn't expect it to be sporty, as it weighs more than 2 tonnes, but 500bhp, 4WD and clever tech means it can handle pretty well. Anyway, I'd rather have a Vantage S, looks better, it's lighter, cheaper... and it's not a VW!
Sampaio said:
I never really liked extra posh VW, sorry, posh Audis, sorry, Bentleys, but I reckon this is a great GT car. You wouldn't expect it to be sporty, as it weighs more than 2 tonnes, but 500bhp, 4WD and clever tech means it can handle pretty well. Anyway, I'd rather have a Vantage S, looks better, it's lighter, cheaper... and it's not a VW!
After driving this car, and hearing Alex talk about his recent visit to the factory (stay tuned), it's far removed from being just a VW. Garlick said:
Sampaio said:
I never really liked extra posh VW, sorry, posh Audis, sorry, Bentleys, but I reckon this is a great GT car. You wouldn't expect it to be sporty, as it weighs more than 2 tonnes, but 500bhp, 4WD and clever tech means it can handle pretty well. Anyway, I'd rather have a Vantage S, looks better, it's lighter, cheaper... and it's not a VW!
After driving this car, and hearing Alex talk about his recent visit to the factory (stay tuned), it's far removed from being just a VW. That said, it is what it is. I wouldn't buy one as it seems too short and ugly but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. I don't doubt it's a lovely place to be. In this game tactility is just as important as image and when Joe public looks at it he sees Bentley not VW. It's only us pedants and purists that see things differently.
Edited by gumsie on Wednesday 19th December 11:20
I don't want to gatecrash the upcoming article on the factory visit, but I went on a factory tour earlier in the year. All I will say is that I went with the misconception that it would be little more than a finishing shop for posh VAGs. The first and most important thing that struck me was how much of the car is designed and built in the UK by us Brits - a lot of it. This is not simply an upmarket VW/Audi. Obviously, being part of the VAG group does mean that there are certain things that they have to do/use, but, as I say, there is still a lot that is done in Crewe by Bentley.
However, that said I cannot comment on what Bentley's are like to drive and whether they feel like a posh Audi when driven (but that is a different issue). The only Bentley I have been in (as a passenger) was a development W12 Conti Speed convertable (upcoming model). Seriously impressive. Not sure how they make so much power equal such serene and graceful, yet very rapid acceleration. Certainly a little nippier than my mother in law's A3!
I was very impressed by the whole set up and now see Bentley in a different light.
However, that said I cannot comment on what Bentley's are like to drive and whether they feel like a posh Audi when driven (but that is a different issue). The only Bentley I have been in (as a passenger) was a development W12 Conti Speed convertable (upcoming model). Seriously impressive. Not sure how they make so much power equal such serene and graceful, yet very rapid acceleration. Certainly a little nippier than my mother in law's A3!
I was very impressed by the whole set up and now see Bentley in a different light.
Edited by Roma101 on Wednesday 19th December 11:21
Just driven mine from South Somerset to Exeter and back in horrendous conditions, it was simply epic. I used to have a W12 which was a fine car but the V8 is step on. Not sure if its just the reduction in weight (I nearly typed lightness!) but its so much nicer to drive. No GT3 granted but a GT+ I would say. Oh and 22mpg
gumsie said:
Garlick said:
Sampaio said:
I never really liked extra posh VW, sorry, posh Audis, sorry, Bentleys, but I reckon this is a great GT car. You wouldn't expect it to be sporty, as it weighs more than 2 tonnes, but 500bhp, 4WD and clever tech means it can handle pretty well. Anyway, I'd rather have a Vantage S, looks better, it's lighter, cheaper... and it's not a VW!
After driving this car, and hearing Alex talk about his recent visit to the factory (stay tuned), it's far removed from being just a VW. That said, it is what it is. I wouldn't buy one as it seems too short and ugly but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. I don't doubt it's a lovely place to be. In this game tactility is just as important as image and when Joe public looks at it he sees Bentley not VW. It's only us pedants and purists that see things differently.
Edited by gumsie on Wednesday 19th December 11:20
From personal experience Aston's for example may look fantastic but are a decade out of date underneath.
They are great cars, but i still confused why Bentley brought out this model, i mean why bring out the same looking car with a smaller engine. I can understand that a whole new car would have meant much more costs, but being part of VW i am sure there is the opportunity to release a 100% new model shape V8 and thus create more of a gap between the two models. All the V8 does is create a cheap mans 911 reaction.
I think Bentley missed the opportunity here to bring out a fresh new model with a v8 engine.
I think Bentley missed the opportunity here to bring out a fresh new model with a v8 engine.
Lovely car I dont mind how many cylinder mine will have!
The Napier Lion is not a W12 it is a broad arrow, that is three rows of four cylinders.
Took the kids to the Science Museum in London last summer school hols thee is a speed boat there wirh a Napier Lion in the back, fantastic stuff.
The Napier Lion is not a W12 it is a broad arrow, that is three rows of four cylinders.
Took the kids to the Science Museum in London last summer school hols thee is a speed boat there wirh a Napier Lion in the back, fantastic stuff.
Had a GTC V8 for a week in the summer, once I had got over the shock of the colour, it really grew on me. As a GT it eats miles in extreme comfort, for me one of the most comfortable cars I have driven when chewing up the miles on French motorway. The tuned exhaust is excellent, open it up and it plays a great sound track, like a Spitfire according to number 2 son, although MPG can be visibly seen to decrease via the fuel gauge once the foot is down over 85+. Quality of finish shows where the car was made i.e. the UK, with attention to detail second to none. Compared with the V12 I drove on a well known TV shows track, the V8 is more refined, lively and responsive with less weight up front given its a lighter engine (just).
Top down it looks the part and makes an excellent camera car for tracking shots! Maybe its because I am getting older but if I were after a GT with good load lugging ability, comfort, speed and presence it would be up there.
It doesn't fair well against pigeons though, but that's another story.
Top down it looks the part and makes an excellent camera car for tracking shots! Maybe its because I am getting older but if I were after a GT with good load lugging ability, comfort, speed and presence it would be up there.
It doesn't fair well against pigeons though, but that's another story.
what's great about V88 ENT Why not chav it up totally and fit some spinners as well 
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