What is it?
It's a car that has been with us in its current generation since 2011, but the basic design has been kicking around since 2003, being both instantly recognisable and a fascinating divider of opinion among modern society. Whatever your thoughts on it, there's no denying that the Continental GT has been a success for Bentley.
It's easy to forget the GT is offered with a V8, given that for so long it was synonymous with the firm's mammoth W12, but this S Coupé model's twin-turbocharged 4.0 V8 is anything but second rate. The V8 S will sprint from 0-62mph in just 4.5sec - despite weighing in excess of 2.2 tonnes - and will carry on to 192mph.
To recap, Bentley introduced the V8 S as a more sporting alternative to the entry-level, standard V8. As such, it gets more power (521bhp vs 500bhp), 10mm lower sport suspension and spring rates increased by 45% at the front and 33% at the rear. Its bushes are stiffer, too, and so is its rear anti-roll bar. It's pretty firm, then.
Beyond that the V8 S benefits from a revised steering system designed to offer more precision, and its traction control has its dial turned a little further towards 'fun'. Like all Conti GTs, there's an all-wheel drive system with a 60/40 power split in favour of the rear wheels and a Torsen differential to exploit it.
Bentley's 2015 facelift of its GT has rather left the V8 in the shadow of the W12, the latter getting a power and torque hike to even more preposterous levels. Even so, the V8 still gets a new bumper, badge and alloy wheel designs, a different rear spoiler, better standard equipment and the option of onboard wi-fi.
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Audi turbo
WO was gutted when it transpired Rolls-Royce had taken over Bentley Motors. He'd wanted it to be Lagonda. But this thing... this thing... it's just so badly beyond belief. VW must take us all for complete mugs.
I hope you can delete the