Thanks to the first generation Continental being by far the most successful Bentley model of all time, the second generation was no more than a major update. But after 15 years, it was time to turn a new page which was done with the 2019 Continental GT. The Continental no longer shared the D1 platform with the Phaeton but rather the MSB platform with the Panamera. The new chassis was substantially stiffer, lighter and much better suited for a fast GT. The W12 engine was redeveloped from the ground up as well and is now hand built by Bentley in Crewe. But that’s nothing compared to the all new exterior design making the Continental GT one of the most attractive cars built at the time. However, the biggest improvement of all is the interior which took the Continental GT not a generation ahead of the previous model but at least two or three. But before we go into all the interesting details, check out the ones currently for sale at Exotic Car Trader.
Although the third generation 2019 Continental GT is an all new model, it’s still building Upon what made the first and second generations so successful. That’s supercar performance, utmost comfort, advanced technology, and unprecedented luxury. Although the same recipe was used for older Bentleys, the first GT took the lineup more in the direction of performance which made the Continental GT the best selling Bentley model ever. And that’s not by a small margin as over 80,000 examples were sold by 2020 putting it far ahead of any other Bentley model in its history. Fast forward to the 2019 Continental GT and it’s now faster than ever thanks to more power, less weight, stiffer chassis and better brakes. It’s also more luxurious and bespoke than ever and gets many pioneering features both inside and out which we will discuss shortly. As with the previous model, the Continental GT was offered with the V8 engine and as a GTC convertible a year later, and in 2021 the faster Speed trim was added to the lineup. From the looks of it, the third generation is just as successful as the first generation, even outselling the Bentayga in 2019 with nearly 7,000 sold.
One of the biggest downsides of the previous generation Continental was the old VW infotainment system dating back to 2010. However, the 2019 Continental GT not only gets an all new infotainment, but the screen assembly has three sides. One side is the main screen, the second features three gauges and the third features wood trim to blend with the rest of the dashboard. That’s one of the pioneering features you get in the latest Continental GT and it makes its interior among the most interesting ones on the market. The wood trim can be had in duo tone or single color and it extends unbroken into the doors. The gauge cluster is now fully digital and doubles as a navigation screen, infotainment and OBC. Furthermore, the new steering wheel looks both sporty and luxurious at the same time while the center console sits high adding to the overall inviting cabin atmosphere. The 2019 Continental GT now also features night vision, emergency braking, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and adaptive cruise control just to name a few new technologies. Lastly, we do have to report that the rear seats are just as cramped as they were before, if anyone is interested.
Before we go into the exterior details, another industry first for the 2019 Continental GT is the Super Forming aluminum process used to make the chassis and body panels. Super Forming instead of stamping allows much sharper lines and better precision and the 2019 Continental GT is the first production car to be built using the method. And that’s what allowed the Continental GT to have those beautiful muscles above the rear wheels, the low wing vents extending into the doors, and the complex wings that make it look like it’s still on the drawing board. Bentley also followed the trend of big grilles, but the one on the Continental works perfectly with the design instead of looking obnoxious and out of place. The bumper is discreet yet aggressive while the main centerpiece of the front end are the headlights. Headlights still retain the same basic oval shape as before but now feature cut crystal inserts which make the headlight assembly look like a diamond and nothing short of a work of art. The rear is now much wider and lower than before while the signature oval exhausts are still present plus the tail lights are virtually the same shape as them. It also gets a longer wheelbase for better driving characteristics and although the overall design is still instantly recognizable, it’s worlds apart from the previous generation.
While the previous Continental GT was no slouch by any means, the 2019 Continental GT still takes it a step further. The all new W12 engine now features direct injection and is redeveloped for Bentley from the ground up. The result is 635 horsepower which isn’t a huge increase, but the torque jumped to 664 lb-ft which is nearly 100 more than the older model. The extra power coupled with a 4,965 pound curb weight, over 100 lbs less than before, and the difference is definitely noticeable. The 2019 Continental GT 0-60 time is advertised at 3.6 seconds, nearly half a second quicker, although some journalists have managed it in around 3.3 seconds. One of the major selling points of a Continental GT is the top speed which has also jumped by a few mph to 207. Power still goes through all four wheels and an 8 speed Porsche PDK transmission which is among the fastest in the world right now. Active anti roll bars and 48 damping control further further that the Continental feels light on its feet, while the torque split between front and rear shifts from 40/60 to a maximum of 17 at the front in sport mode helping reduce that dreaded Audi understeer.
Back in 2019, the Continental GT had a starting price of $235,000 although with a few necessary options, it easily crossed $250,000. Today, the 2019 Continental GT is still a $200,000 car. A few examples will sell for less here and there, provided they have over 20,000 miles on them. The cheapest we managed to find was $170,000 and the most expensive one was $210,000, although that one was a convertible. But even with such prices, buying a used Continental GT still makes more sense as you are getting an essentially brand new car for a hefty discount as long as it has a good amount of optional equipment.
Ultimately, the 2019 Continental GT is among the most advanced luxury coupes ever made at the moment. It’s virtually just as fast as any of its rivals from Aston Martin while being cheaper, more comfortable and safer thanks to four wheel drive. It’s also miles more interesting and attractive than the Rolls Royce Wraith, not to mention anything coming from the German trio. If you are looking to experience one for yourself, doing so with the help of Exotic Car Trader is the safest and most convenient method. Exotic Car Trader covers delivery, first inspection and escrow protection while at the same time you can finalize the deal without having to leave the comfort of your home. The same goes if you are looking to sell a car through Exotic Car Trader, only in that case a professional photographer will knock on your door.
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