What’s undeniably head-turning and unapologetically swift? That’s right; it’s a Bentley. From its sculpted silhouette that could make Michelangelo do a double take to speeds that could jealous a cheetah, the 2016 Bentley Continental GT promises a journey like none other, all while spoiling you in an interior laced with top-notch leather and cutting-edge technology more tempting than the forbidden fruit. For the 2016 model year, a range of engine configurations join the lineup, starting from budget-friendly, quite efficient twin-turbo V8s to twin-turbo W12 behemoths that could leave most supercars weeping into their windshields. What’s also eye-watering are the soaring price tags, with the V8 trims kicking off at a cool $220,000 and the range-topping W12 variants commanding a strong $240,000 – with room left for options. But before that, a short trip down Bentley lane is important...
First revealed at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, the Continental GT wasn't just Bentley's first-ever mass-produced creation (under the VW-Group ownership) but a glorious return for a legendary nameplate. For that, we start in the hustling and bustling 1950s, when Bentley introduced the Continental Type-R – a sleek, quite powerful coupe that redefined luxury on wheels. Eventually, the first-gen Continental GT (2003 – 2011) picked up from where Bentley left off, gifting the motoring realm an effortless grand tourer, sporting an action-packed performance of a 6-liter twin-turbo W12 and the fine luxury of the Queen’s drawing room. Soon, though, several siblings joined the party. These included the GTC (2005) that combined a soft-top convertible for an open-air grandeur, a performance-oriented GT Speed (2007), and – finally – a track-focused Continental Supersports (2009) that made other supercar owners blush. By 2011, the Continental GT lineup had evolved. The second-gen Continental GT (2011 – 2018) followed significant updates, including a fresh coat of muscularity, refined power, and – crucially – a new V8 engine for a wider audience. Over the next seven years, the Continental GT spawned even more variants, including V8 and W12 convertibles and Speed trims, ensuring there’s a Continental GT for every discerning owner (and their equally discerning wallet).
The 2016 model year offered a quartet of engine options, each in a league of its own. We start with the budget-friendly yet throaty 4-liter twin-turbo V8s, churning out a healthy 500 horsepower and 487 lb-ft. of torque, or 521 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque, as found in the newer V8 S variants. Eventually, 0 – 60 mph comes in at around 4.1 – 4.2 seconds of pure V8 notes that's music to any petrolhead's ears. Next, we have the 6-liter twin-turbo W12 engines, the automotive equivalent of a roaring thunderstorm. Ultimately, the W12 behemoth pumps out a beastly 582 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque, enough for accelerating from 0 - 60 mph in a blistering 4.5 seconds before maxing out at a hair-raising 198 mph. Still, that’s nothing compared to the Conti GT Speed’s mighty 626 horsepower twin-turbo W12. With enough torque to tow your yacht uphill (820 Nm), the Speed clocks in a 0 – 60 mph feat in around 4 seconds, which – if put into perspective – is faster than Audi’s hardcore R8! Regardless, all trim levels sport a snappy 8-speed automatic transmission, seamlessly channeling gears through an AWD drivetrain for an effortless, all-occasion grand-touring experience.
Step inside the Continental GT's sumptuously appointed, quite plush cabin, and a symphony of supple leather awaits. Here, only the finest of Beluga hide leather (in up to 17 distinct colors) grace every observable surface, enough to make any vegetarian weak on the knees. Meanwhile, intricate diamond patterns dance across the seats, door panels, and the dash, representing Bentley’s fine art of hand-stitched craftsmanship. Amidst all the ‘cow graveyard,’ rich weaves of Dark-Stained Burr Walnut and Piano Black contrasts cascade across the cabin, capturing a timeless elegance worth pausing your Spotify playlist for. Keeping up the classic theme are the plastic-free knurled switches, knobs, and buttons, gleaming in an embrace full of tactile delight. An elegant, quite classy Breitling timepiece sits proudly in the center, completing the ‘classic’ aesthetics, representing Bentley’s masterful artistry. Lastly, at its helm lies a cutting-edge touchscreen infotainment system, offering intuitive controls to the car’s sat-nav, radio, multimedia, and Bluetooth connectivity to guarantee a command center at your fingertips.
Step outside its plush embrace and be prepared to be struck dumb by a muscular, low-slung silhouette, slippery enough to slice through the air like a knife. Thanks to a mid-cycle update, the Continental GT now adopts a sharper design philosophy. Part of the package includes a redesigned front end, incorporating a new bumper, a sportier front splitter, bold twin-round headlamps, and the iconic matrix grille that flows into the bulging hood, camouflaging the fury beneath. Towards the side, a captivating set of multi-spoke 20-inch (or the optional 21-inch) alloys screams for attention. Meanwhile, the addition of side skirts and pronounced fenders speak volumes of the Bentley’s athletic stance. Finally, the rear reveals a symphony of angles and curves, coupling elliptical taillights and oval-shaped tailpipes that are responsible for emitting blissful W12 orchestras – or the V8’s thunderous roar.
Of course, no Bentley is complete without cutting-edge wizardry. Quite similarly, the 2016 Bentley Continental GT houses an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, incorporating sat-nav, multimedia controls, and Bluetooth connectivity for an effortlessly intuitive command center. Still, the addition of ‘convenience’ gizmos, such as heated/ventilated seats, Wi-Fi hotspot, (NAIM) premium sound system, multi-zone climate control, soft-close doors, keyless entry, Valet mode, cylinder-decoupling (V8 variants only), automatic ride-height control, help ensure a luxury-governed journey. Meanwhile, the Continental GT comes loaded with safety features – including adaptive cruise control, airbags, rear-view camera, ABS, and ESP – that work both actively and passively to form a protective cocoon around its occupants.
With Bentley, exclusivity doesn’t come cheap. And so, prices rocket into the stratosphere. We begin with the entry-level V8 and V8 S trims that kick off at a strong $198,500 and $210,700, respectively. Next on the menu are the power-hungry, range-topping W12 (base) and Speed variants that start at a staggering $214,600 and $239,400, respectively. Of course, bespoke-ness comes at a price, too. So, add in optional extras, like the premium (NAIM) sound system, upgraded/additional interior veneers, personalized tread plates, lambswool rugs, two-tone leather steering wheel, or Alcantara headlining, and you’ll soon be treading the quarter-million-dollar mark!
In a motoring realm saturated with budget-minded, quite boring cabin layouts that incorporate massive tablet-sized screens, the 2013 Bentley Continental GT stands out as a symbol of opulence and grandeur. At Exotic Car Trader, discover an extensive portfolio of Bentleys listed for sale. We outline an easy-to-use car-buying guide that ensures an effortless car-buying journey. Additionally, users may sell us their exotic cars to benefit from our market-best practices and fraudulent checks, guaranteeing a safe and secure car-selling experience. Bentley's Continental GT undoubtedly represents the pinnacle of British craftsmanship and engineering.
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