Following the initial success of the Continental GT, the second generation had huge shoes to fill. That’s part of the reason why Bentley decided to keep the same underpinnings and basically just give the first generation a thorough update. And so, the second generation was born in 2012 and would remain in production until 2018 making the 2017 Continental GT the last model year for the second generation. That also means the 2017 model year included all the updates the platform saw over the years and there are plenty of them. Some of those include more power, additional fuel saving technologies, plus a redesign both inside and out. And of course, whenever a new generation is behind the corner, the old one drops in value which is the same case with the 2017 Continental GT which is on average half the price of the 2018 model. But before we discover whether or not it’s half the car, check out the ones currently for sale at Exotic Car Trader.
When we mentioned the Continental GT’s success, that might have been an understatement. Not only did the Continental GT break all annual sales records in its first year of production, but even today remains the best selling Bentley ever with over 80,000 units sold until 2020. It’s not surprising then that the second generation was built on the same platform and that it didn’t look much different than the previous generation. Even the drivetrain was still the same with an addition of a new 8 speed transmission which debuted at the same time as the second generation in 2012 alongside the V8 model. Model year 2015 brought yet another update which reflected the most on the W12 GT as it got more power instead of just cosmetic updates. That said, the exterior redesign alone is enough to make the 2017 Continental GT stand out from the pre 2015 models. 2017 would be the last production year before the new model came out built on a brand new platform finally retiring the VW D1. Still, some things remained such as the engine which despite making more power is still virtually identical, and so is the transmission, and so is the four wheel drive system. So, at least in terms of performance, the 2017 Continental GT is extremely close to the third generation.
Although the 2017 Continental GT interior didn’t change much over the years, some features were added with the 2015 update. One such feature is a small storage between the rear seats specifically designed to store your phone while it’s charging. New LED ambient lights also appeared which alone improved the ambiance tremendously, especially at night. There were new optional features as well such as a sports steering wheel with metal shifting pedals and a black shifter bezel. The gauge cluster also got new retro futuristic graphics that looked very unique at night and reminded of old Bentleys from the ‘50s and ‘60s. That said, the overall design didn’t change that much over the first generation but that just means it won’t look outdated as quickly as modern interiors. And ultimately, Bentley always paid the most attention to their interiors so it will hardly get any complaints regardless of who sits in it. Everything is covered in the finest leather and the most exclusive trees gave up their life to drive around in a Bentley.
Although a Bentley interior is most important, that doesn’t mean the exterior gets neglected. As a matter of fact, the 2015 update brought much more changes on the outside. So, the 2017 Continental GT gets an all new front bumper, now shared with the GT V8 making the W12 look more youthful. The new bumper features larger and more interesting intake shapes while the Bentley grille remains the front center piece. Even the side profile didn’t go untouched and got new wing vents in the shape of the flying B replacing the old W12 logo. New wheels were also added and they were 21 inches as standard on the W12 with five concave spokes complimenting the muscly design perfectly. New chrome trim wraps around the rear which is now wider and lower than before, again, making the Continental GT look more lively and fun. Compared to earlier models, the 2017 Continental GT design still looks fresh as if it came out yesterday.
Even though the 2017 Continental GT uses the same basic engine as the first generation, it did get some interesting revisions. Apart from better heat management, the W12 engine got cylinder deactivation in 2015 which would shut down six cylinders when you are just cruising to improve fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. But power is what Bentley customers are more interested in so the 2017 Continental GT horsepower and torque were bumped to 590 and 531 lb-ft of torque. That helped push the 5,300 pound Continental to 60 in just under 4 seconds. That brought it dangerously close to the GT Speed. The Continental GT would then continue onto 200 mph bringing it into the supercar territory. But at the end of the day, the Continental GT was always breaking records so if you can be sure of anything with it, it’s that the performance won’t disappoint even the most demanding drivers.
Just as the latest model, the 2017 Continental GT cost well over $200,000 when it was new. And while the new model is yet to depreciate, the 2017 model year has come down quite a long way. Today, you can easily find a 2017 Continental GT for $80,000 to $90,000 and that’s in good condition with low mileage. Even a GT Speed will pop up at those prices every once in a while. On the other hand, the 2018 model is still $200,000 on average even on the used market. And sure, it’s a newer model built on a brand new platform so you are definitely getting a lot for your money, but the 2017 GT is still more similar than different to the 2018.
At the moment, the 2017 Continental GT is reaching its peak of depreciation with 50% of its value gone in most cases. And yet, all those examples are still virtually brand new. That’s pretty attractive considering the 2017 Continental offers the same basic driving experience, and the same level of luxury and prestige as the latest model. So, whenever you are ready to pull the trigger, choosing Exotic Car Trader as your buying mediator is one of the best options out there. Exotic Car Trader offers escrow protection, delivery, first inspection, plus your funds are only released after you have inspected the vehicle personally once it arrives. That makes the entire process not only as safe as it gets, but also as convenient as it gets. The same applies if you are selling a car through Exotic Car Trader.
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