Bentley Continental 2013 overview
It's not some flippant energy drink that gives you wings, it's Big B. Bentley - with a racing pedigree but a profile that has long been eclipsed by Rolls-Royce - created license-destroying weapons under the Volkswagen umbrella some time ago. .
Continental GT Speed coupe is the most powerful Bentley and driving is an experience in more ways than one. It's wider than it looks, but your awareness of that width becomes a constant reminder of the price as you face the dangers of oncoming traffic and annoying gutters.
PRICE AND FEATURES
Considering the median price of a home in Brisbane is around $445,000, paying $450,000 for a car is never going to fit the reality-based everyday value equation – the V8 costs $370,000, while the W12 that the Speed is based on requires $409,000 . bank balance. But we're talking about the most powerful road Bentley ever - and how much does it cost under your right foot? Fluff tape.
It comes with a cabin and feature set to match the cut price - among other things were 21-inch alloy wheels, power front seats and steering column, adaptive air suspension, two split rear seats, a 15-gigabyte sound system that sounds almost as good as engine (idling), climate control, bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, tire pressure monitoring, parking sensors and a reversing camera, even a potential sat nav tracking feature and a Breitling watch you could bang on your wrist, and most wouldn't care.
Elements of tradition - "organ-stop" vent knobs that would fit an early Bentley, knurled knobs and embroidery on high-quality leather - with plenty of chrome mixed with carbon fiber trim inside and out.
The Speed model sits a little lower and has a stronger and more muscular stance than its mainstream counterparts, oozing menace. But the trunk didn't want to open—not with a switch in the cabin, not by pushing the big "B" between the fenders on the back—but maybe I just looked like someone who shouldn't have access to the cargo area.
MECHANICAL
Ignition is where it gets interesting - the W12 six-litre twin-turbo makes an interesting noise at idle due to its large oval exhausts, and at part throttle it's also attractive, becoming less melodic and more mechanical as the revs increase, which they do. do it very quickly.
This is accompanied by a slingshot feel that belies the 2400kg curb weight - Bentley claims it hits 100 mph in 4.2 seconds and the old 100 mph mark in 9 seconds, and it doesn't even seem like it needs much try to get closer. .
The girth becomes a little more obvious in corners if the chassis lulls you into a false sense of agility - it's a hefty beast, but make better use of the giant stoppers and make better use of the all-wheel drive and power output measuring 460kW and 800Nm. corners.
Epic departures, usually reserved for fleeing despots, are yours, barring (hopefully) automatic weapons fire. The drive goes back and forth – up to 85 percent at the rear and 65 percent under the nose – and the mostly smooth shifting from the eight-speed gearbox (with uncomfortable paddle shifters, save that for the transmission in sport mode) is another casually nefarious demeanor.
DRIVING
What's not evil is the ride - the adaptive air suspension paired with 21-inch alloy wheels and 30 or 35 profile tires generally don't make for a great ride, but the big Pom does a surprisingly good job of smoothing out road surfaces.
Even in the hardest sport mode, the regular critics of the less purposeful technique were flattering once they were speechless again when the car came to a halt.
While it's hard to come to terms with a set of keys to something at such a price that doesn't require you to hook up utilities, pay land tax, or fence around, the overbearing joy of driving that comes from getting behind the wheel creates some perspective - although this may be distorted. be on GT Speed.
VERDICT
James Bond was the Bentley man in Fleming's books, and the breed might still be a good match in the 21st century - suave but fierce.
