V8 + Open Top

It was like forest bathing. The pleasant scent of wood, just like walking through a misty forest road...

This feeling struck me in a corner of the factory, on Bentley's production line in Crewe, England. The room where the wood panels for the interior are dried is filled with an aroma reminiscent of forest bathing. I've visited many car factories, but never had such an experience.

I was reminded of this when I got into the Continental GTC V8. The Tamo Ash wood panel on the dashboard caught my eye. It's a tree that can be found in Japan and is also used in construction. Its lighter color compared to the more common walnut brightens the interior. A wonderful touch that creates a truly elegant Bentley interior.



The open-top Continental GTC V8,was announced at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March.The closed-top Continental GT V8 model debuted at the Detroit Motor Show at the beginning of the year,Continental GT V8and this followed. Considering how quickly they were presented, development was likely carried out almost simultaneously.Popular GTC, also in W12 modelits success was surely anticipated from the start.

Therefore, the specifications, including the powertrain, are the same as the GT. The size is the same, and so is the engine. The 4-liter V8 twin-turbo produces a maximum output of 507 ps. The W12 has 575 ps, so there's a clear differentiation there. However, once you exceed 500 ps, it's hard to discern the difference unless you're on an unrestricted section of the Autobahn or a race track. There's no disputing it's a supercar. A top speed of 301 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5 seconds are impressive figures.

Responds as You Expect

However, the ride quality has a different tuning compared to the W12 model. The W12, with its extensive electronic controls, behaves impeccably in all situations. Body roll is suppressed in corners, and the engine output is precisely controlled even with aggressive throttle inputs. In contrast, the GT V8 transmits more of the driving feel to the driver. For example, the body roll is deeper than in the W12, and the acceleration feels more linear in response to the throttle.

What this means is that driving is enjoyable. The driver feels a strong sense of control, and the car responds obediently. When you turn the steering wheel just an inch, the car reacts exactly as you expect, which is fun.



While I haven't directly asked the development team about this, it feels like a very intentional tuning. This is because competitors in this class, such as Porsche's911 Turboand AMG, have strong individual characters. The 'flavor' of driving, also known as drivability, is undoubtedly a crucial factor when choosing a car.

Incidentally, the development objectives for the V8 model are to create a new market and reduce fuel consumption. This V8 unit, jointly developed with Audi since 2008, greatly contributes to this.

The Red 'Winged B'

The exterior differences between the W12 and V8 are: the V8 has a black mesh grille, the 'B' on the enamel 'Winged B' badge is painted red, and the bumper shape is different. Moving to the rear, you'll notice the two exhaust tailpipes are shaped like a sideways '8'.



This might be a subtle detail, but it effectively announces it's a V8. It's undoubtedly a nice accent for distinguishing it from the rear.

As for the GTC's signature open top, it's, of course, a fully electric retractable soft top. With a single switch, the soft top retracts. It can also be operated while driving at low speeds, so if it starts raining, you can pull over to the side of the road and close the roof without stopping.

Resounding V8 Sound

Although the open top requires body reinforcement, increasing the vehicle's weight, there's no apparent decrease in performance. On the contrary, its higher drivability than the W12 even provides a go-kart feel. I drove it on winding roads for a long time, and gradually the car started to feel smaller. This, of course, means it can be controlled exactly as intended.

The roof is three-layered, and when closed, it remarkably shuts out the outside world. Even at high speeds, it didn't flap or get buffeted by the wind, giving a sense of rigidity like a metal roof. I drove for a while after closing it during the test drive, and once I got used to it, I almost forgot it was an open-top car.



So, the GTC is good whether open or closed, but its true charm lies in open-air motoring. The tuning of the V8 sound that resonates during that experience also showcases the development team's expertise.

As mentioned at the beginning, the elegant presentation is one aspect, but the joy of driving is Bentley's inherent character. The linear acceleration and the accompanying exhaust note are truly exhilarating. It's clear that the engineers fully understood this when developing this car. Indeed, it's a superb finish.

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GTC V8 | Bentley Continental GTC V8
Body Size | 4,820 × 1,945 × 1,400 mm
Wheelbase | 2,745 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,665 / 1,660 mm
Weight | 2,530 kg
Engine | 3,993 cc V8 Twin-turbocharged
Max Output | 373 kW (507 ps) / 6,000 rpm
Max Torque | 660 Nm / 1,700 rpm
Transmission | 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain | 4WD (Power distribution Front 40: Rear 60)
Top Speed | 301 km/h
0-100 km/h Acceleration | 5.0 seconds
Tires | 275/40ZR 20
Fuel Consumption | 10.9 L/100 km (EU Cycle Combined)
CO2 Emissions | 254 g/km
Trunk Capacity | 260 Liters
Price | 23,800,000 JPY