Agile Performance on Winding Roads: A World Apart from the Previous Two Generations

Gently cruising the Austrian highways in the new Bentley Continental GT.

The serene cabin, smooth ride, and interior covered in the finest materials... Settling into such an environment and steering with a relaxed demeanor, it's hard to believe that just two or three hours prior, I was gripping the same steering wheel, navigating the Alpine landscape.



Combining a 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbo engine with a full-time 4WD system, the Continental GT's fundamental design of elegantly propelling a luxurious four-seater body remains unchanged in its third generation. As a result, it continues to offer effortless cruising on highways. However, its agile performance on winding roads was a world apart from the previous two generations of the Continental GT.

Born as a grand tourer designed to traverse continents, the Continental GT's chassis, built for exceptional stability at high speeds, accurately interprets the driver's intentions during cornering, delivering powerful performance. However, its steering characteristics leaned towards stability, and it didn't offer the nimble nose-following of a sports car.



Yet, the third-generation Continental GT responds to the slightest input from the fingertips, its nose reacting with agility, allowing for effortless navigation of winding roads. This cornering prowess, which brings unparalleled joy to the driver, is a privilege traditionally reserved for sports cars. The new Continental GT achieves this sharp, sports-car-like handling without compromising its exceptional high-speed cruising capabilities.

Bentley Continental GT

A GT That Leaves Its Mark on Bentley's History (2)

Sporty Ride Quality with Porsche DNA

The secret lies in the new model's underlying mechanics.

Compared to the second generation, the new model's front axle has been moved forward by 135mm. Consequently, the W12 engine, previously mounted straddling the front axle, is now positioned almost entirely behind it. This approximates the 'front-midship' layout often found in front-engined sports cars, contributing to the sharper nose articulation during cornering.

Another significant change is the adoption of an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch for the full-time 4WD system. While the previous Continental GT used a Torsen differential to distribute engine torque between the front and rear axles, its basic torque split was fixed (e.g., 50:50 or 40:60), and significant variations in front-rear distribution tended to diminish the effectiveness of the 4WD system.



However, the electronically controlled multi-plate clutch system in the new model allows for virtually all engine torque to be sent to the rear wheels during normal driving, similar to rear-wheel drive. Yet, when needed, it can theoretically transfer torque to the front axle, approaching a 50:50 split. This enables the utilization of the excellent traction performance inherent to 4WD, achieving agile, rear-wheel-drive-like handling without sacrificing the benefits of all-wheel drive. This undoubtedly contributes to the new Continental GT's blend of sports-car-like handling and grand tourer stability.



Furthermore, the new model employs a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a gearbox widely used in super sports cars. Unlike traditional torque converter automatics, the DCT creates a strong connection between the engine and the drivetrain, ensuring the driver's throttle inputs are directly reflected in acceleration and deceleration, thereby doubling the enjoyment of spirited driving.

These technological advancements were made possible by adopting the MSB platform, primarily developed by Porsche. In essence, the new Continental GT has inherited Porsche's DNA, making its newfound sportiness entirely understandable.

Bentley Continental GT

A GT That Leaves Its Mark on Bentley's History (3)

The Luxurious Interior Becomes Even More Opulent

While based on the MSB platform, Bentley implemented significant modifications to realize their vision of the ultimate grand tourer. For instance, utilizing a three-chamber air suspension system with greatly increased air volume control, they achieved the ability to switch seamlessly between a firm, sports-car-like setting and a supple, luxury-saloon feel. Additionally, by incorporating the 48V active anti-roll bar system introduced in the Bentayga, they've achieved a superior balance of cornering performance and ride comfort. The result is a suspension capable of transforming into either a sports car or a grand tourer, depending on the situation.



Moreover, the already luxurious interior has been reborn with even greater opulence.

The seats, upholstered in premium leather, now feature a new 'Diamond in Diamond' quilting. This intricate stitching, with its double-diamond pattern, creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, causing the surface to subtly shift its appearance depending on the angle of illumination.

The center console showcases a new metal finishing technique called Côtes de Genève. Inspired by the movements of high-end Swiss mechanical watches, this decorative finish features repeating fine linear patterns, approximately 5mm wide, imparting a sense of depth and exquisite precision.



Further enhancing Bentley's signature opulent interior are elements like the diamond knurling, which gleams like jewelry; the Bentley Rotating Display, offering a choice between a large digital screen or classic analog gauges for the dashboard; and the dashboard trim, which now allows for the selection of two different wood veneers for the upper and lower sections.

The third generation, which has acquired the potential of a sports car without compromising its grand tourer qualities, will undoubtedly secure its place in Bentley's history as a model that significantly expanded the world of the Continental GT.

Bentley Continental GT
Body Dimensions | Length 4,850 x Width 2,187 (mirrors extended) x Height 1,405 mm
Wheelbase | 2,851 mm
Weight | 2,244 kg
Front/Rear Weight Distribution | 55:45
Engine | 6.0-liter W12 Twin-Turbo
Max. Power | 635 ps / 6,000 rpm
Max. Torque | 900 Nm / 1,350-4,500 rpm
Transmission | 8-speed DCT
Drivetrain | 4WD
Front Suspension | 4-link double wishbone air suspension
Rear Suspension | Multi-link air suspension
Front Brakes | 420mm ventilated discs
Rear Brakes | 380mm ventilated discs
Front Tires | 265/40ZR21
Rear Tires | 305/35ZR21
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.755 meters
Trunk Capacity | 358 liters
0-100 km/h Acceleration | 3.7 seconds
Top Speed | 333 km/h
CO2 Emissions (EU6) | 278 g/km
Price | 25.68 million yen