RE: New Bentley Continental GT!
Discussion
PunterCam said:
Yawn. A dull car for people who don't really like cars. No idea why a website like this would show anything to do with it. Might as well have an article about a suzuki alto midlife cabin plastic revision.
Where has all the interesting stuff gone?
A 635hp, 664lb ft, 207mph, 0-60 in 3.7s, high tech, luxury GT doesn't sound like a car for people that don't like cars to me! Just because it doesn't have scaffolding for doors and a steering wheel you can take off doesn't mean it's not an enthusiasts car! Where has all the interesting stuff gone?
It is weird how money has to be old for it to have any respect on PH, all those landed gentry....
Same with cars, if its old, it must be good, ultimate in feedback, and I can see bits of that but in the main, old cars are a bit rubbish, the Arnage is a lovely thing , but objectively its not a patch on the Continental and GT, however the cognoscenti have decided its a "Proper Bentley", not like the ones footballers drive, I am sure that back in the eighties, if there were more rich footballers about, like there are now, then they would have had a Turbo R's.
I think there is a nice warm and fuzzy feeling for old stuff, the past is known, present is regarded with disdain as it is familiar and dull, the future is a bit scary as it is a complete unknown, hence the utter terror about EV's and autonomous vehicles from some folk.
All this wonderful old stuff, was new at some point, and I dont remember a lot of it being eulogised at the time, the Arnage didnt seem to be that feted at the time, they stuck BMW engines in it and people moaned. 14 years ago the Continental came out, with 12 cylinders, four wheel drive etc, that was because VAG bought them, they were selling at that point, what looked suspiciously like a modernised Silver Shadow/T series, I suspect there may not have been any Bentleys if the Continental GT hadnt appeared.
Same with cars, if its old, it must be good, ultimate in feedback, and I can see bits of that but in the main, old cars are a bit rubbish, the Arnage is a lovely thing , but objectively its not a patch on the Continental and GT, however the cognoscenti have decided its a "Proper Bentley", not like the ones footballers drive, I am sure that back in the eighties, if there were more rich footballers about, like there are now, then they would have had a Turbo R's.
I think there is a nice warm and fuzzy feeling for old stuff, the past is known, present is regarded with disdain as it is familiar and dull, the future is a bit scary as it is a complete unknown, hence the utter terror about EV's and autonomous vehicles from some folk.
All this wonderful old stuff, was new at some point, and I dont remember a lot of it being eulogised at the time, the Arnage didnt seem to be that feted at the time, they stuck BMW engines in it and people moaned. 14 years ago the Continental came out, with 12 cylinders, four wheel drive etc, that was because VAG bought them, they were selling at that point, what looked suspiciously like a modernised Silver Shadow/T series, I suspect there may not have been any Bentleys if the Continental GT hadnt appeared.
J4CKO said:
...the Arnage is a lovely thing , but objectively its not a patch on the Continental and GT, however the cognoscenti have decided its a "Proper Bentley"...
If that's aimed at me you've got the wrong end of the stick. I was referring to this as being a 'proper Bentley', I love it but then I've got tires older than my money so maybe that explains my shocking taste 
Interior looks a bit more upmarket!?
People bang-on about Conti interiors but I drove a few (all models from the first 3-4 years of production) and I wasn't really impressed (with the interiors - they remain amongst the most accelerative things I've driven - ask the tattted-up Supra driver who thought he could take one on!!)
Apart from the lovely organ-stop vent controls, you were clearly in a very posh VW (quite a lot of recognisable VW bits - esp in early cars)
The seats/interior leather was quite nice but nowhere near that period of Rolls or the earlier Bentleys - no sign of matched woodgrains or hand-finished surfaces or carpets you'd actually marry ;0
People bang-on about Conti interiors but I drove a few (all models from the first 3-4 years of production) and I wasn't really impressed (with the interiors - they remain amongst the most accelerative things I've driven - ask the tattted-up Supra driver who thought he could take one on!!)
Apart from the lovely organ-stop vent controls, you were clearly in a very posh VW (quite a lot of recognisable VW bits - esp in early cars)
The seats/interior leather was quite nice but nowhere near that period of Rolls or the earlier Bentleys - no sign of matched woodgrains or hand-finished surfaces or carpets you'd actually marry ;0
On the "proper Bentley" thing - Rolls secretly bid and won the right to take-over the then insolvent Bentley Motors in 1931 (great depression killed em dead) so it's been QUITE a while since there's been a proper Bentley 
I tend to look at the Arnages as 'more proper' but they're really just Rolls - THIS is a (replica of a lost) proper Bentley - THIS I'd give a kidney for...
http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/08/a-train-you-do...
All the proper "in period" WO era Bentleys are, of course, pricelessly beautiful and membership of the Owners Club is a ticket to some serious motoring excitement in itself (they're bonkers - they drive everywhere - they seem fearless and they repair cars with hammers and chicken wire!!)
I tend to look at the Arnages as 'more proper' but they're really just Rolls - THIS is a (replica of a lost) proper Bentley - THIS I'd give a kidney for...
http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/08/a-train-you-do...
All the proper "in period" WO era Bentleys are, of course, pricelessly beautiful and membership of the Owners Club is a ticket to some serious motoring excitement in itself (they're bonkers - they drive everywhere - they seem fearless and they repair cars with hammers and chicken wire!!)
Finally they have got rid of the recession special double bubble dash. I could never understand why Bentley went with a design that looked so much like LHD/RHD penny pinching in a range of otherwise such good vehicles. I think the exterior looks great in the photos, and the sit down bits look up to the standards previously set. The controls are starting to look more Audi-esque but I'm sure that was considered acceptable in the focus groups. The only really bad point, IMO, is the continuing use of the W12. Drop the W12 and unleash the true potential of the V8. There are plenty of current model V8s pumping out 650+BHP.
Oh, as for price of £160k, it's not too bad seeing as the car would probably have been costed in Euros when the Euro was 1.40 to the pound. Nice one 52%ers.
Oh, as for price of £160k, it's not too bad seeing as the car would probably have been costed in Euros when the Euro was 1.40 to the pound. Nice one 52%ers.
Edited by can't remember on Wednesday 30th August 06:28
Hm! Like it quite a bit! The external shape speaks a lot more to me than the previous version. The grill could use another design iteration, though, the lower part's integration is a bit bland. And the rear lights do not integrate well either. But overall I like the shape.
The interior I'm not so sure. Typically those low set central vents blow onto your knees; would have kept them in the upper part of the dash and set the screen below then. Should not have been an issue since they seem to utilize Audi's virtual cockpit anyway.
And finally, on "who drives the Bentley": Old money, new money, for sure. It's certainly a very nice car. Who does not drive it: Landed gentry (at least in my parts and from personal experience), since whatever cash there is goes into a new roof, or the improvement of the milking equipment, or a full-time guy who does those f***** EU papers. And the old Audi A6 Avant has to soldier on a bit longer ...
The interior I'm not so sure. Typically those low set central vents blow onto your knees; would have kept them in the upper part of the dash and set the screen below then. Should not have been an issue since they seem to utilize Audi's virtual cockpit anyway.
And finally, on "who drives the Bentley": Old money, new money, for sure. It's certainly a very nice car. Who does not drive it: Landed gentry (at least in my parts and from personal experience), since whatever cash there is goes into a new roof, or the improvement of the milking equipment, or a full-time guy who does those f***** EU papers. And the old Audi A6 Avant has to soldier on a bit longer ...
Always thought VW were pulling a fast one with the original GT considering it was a parts bin special, yet I've always liked the look of them and would love to drive one let alone own one.
Anyone local to me that has one has had them for years so they must be a car that leaves a big impression.
Anyone local to me that has one has had them for years so they must be a car that leaves a big impression.
PunterCam said:
Yawn. A dull car for people who don't really like cars. No idea why a website like this would show anything to do with it. Might as well have an article about a suzuki alto midlife cabin plastic revision.
Where has all the interesting stuff gone?
I can see you are approaching the peak of your stated occupation.Where has all the interesting stuff gone?
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