Although the first Continental GT V8 caused quite a stir since the flagship W12 drivetrain was the only option for nearly ten years, it was soon proven to be unjustifiable. The V8 engine was much more modern than the W12 and is one of the most important engines to come out of VW in the past twenty years. A Continental GT with the V8 engine is just a smidge slower than the W12 while being much cheaper to run and maintain. At the same time, it makes the Continental noticeably lighter and it improves the weight distribution making it much nicer to drive fast. The Continental V8 is so well rounded off that today its prices are on average higher than those of the W12. The 2016 Continental GT V8 also got a significant facelift together with the rest of the lineup. That included an updated exterior, interior and technology while the drivetrains remained the same. Now, before we go into more detail, check out the Continentals currently for sale here at Exotic Car Trader in case you are in the market for one.
The VW sourced V8 engine was seen in a Bentley for the first time in 2012 when the second generation Continental GT came out. And while initially the V8 was seen as the poor man’s Bentley, it wouldn’t be long before owners and journalists recognized just how much of a different animal the Continental GT V8 is. Not only was the V8 almost as fast as the W12 thanks to the new eight speed transmission, it was also much easier on gas. At the same time, it improved the handling characteristics of the GT and quickly became the most popular choice of drivetrains. It was so popular in fact that the engine is still found in the latest Continental GT and the Bentayga SUV. And thanks to the model’s success, the 2016 Continental GT V8 got the same facelift as the W12. That said, the V8 engine remained unchanged unless you went for the V8S which got 21 horsepower more.
The interior updates of the 2016 Continental GT V8 are subtle, at least during the day. For one, Bentley added an optional sporty steering wheel with bigger shifter pedals while as well as a new black trim surrounding the shifter which was a big improvement over the old brushed aluminum one that looked like it came from an Audi. Furthermore, the 2016 model year got new gauge cluster graphics, although there was no drastic change, and the same goes for new driver controls. All in all, the differences are extremely difficult to notice unless you know what to look for. However, once the night falls, the main difference becomes obvious. The 2016 Continental GT V8 got ambient lighting for the first time and it made a world of difference. The lights were RGB and found on the doors, dashboard and around the rear seats. The ambient lights alone moved the Continental GT a generation ahead as that’s about the same time when ambient lighting started gaining traction.
When the first Continental GT V8 came out it was fairly easy to distinguish from the W12. It had a different front bumper, rear bumper and a good number of other subtle differences. However, the 2016 Continental GT V8 got the same facelift front bumper as the W12. The new bumper definitely looked better than the old W12 bumper, but whether or not it was better than the old V8 one is debatable, although the new bumper obviously looked more modern. The 2016 model year also got a wider rear bumper with a lower diffuser. So low in fact that the quad exhausts now protruded from the middle of the bumper instead of under it. The trunk lid was also more streamlined with an even more aggressive duck tail spoiler. New side skirts completed the look, and a new flying B wing looked much better in place of the old V8 badge. Overall, the 2016 Continental GT V8 was less bespoke than the older ones, but it also doesn’t look as outdated.
As we already mentioned, the 2016 Continental GT V8 has the same power output as it did initially back in 2012. That means an even 500 horsepower with 487 lb-ft of torque. That’s quite a way to the W12’s 582 horsepower, but with around 100 lbs less, 5,060 total, and two extra gears, the GT V8 accelerates almost just as fast. The 2016 Continental GT V8 accelerates to 60 in just 4.6 seconds which is just 0.3 seconds slower than the W12 while the V8S matches its time with just 20 horsepower more. That said, the top speed is a fair bit lower at “only” 191 mph, some 10 mph less, which in the real world makes virtually no difference. What does make a difference is the shorter gear ratios and lower weight which improve the handling characteristics quite a bit. Plus, with cylinder deactivation technology and more economical tires, the V8 uses 40% less fuel than the W12. That’s not a neglectable difference even for those with deep pockets, especially when we consider that the V8’s performance is almost on par with the W12.
In 2016 when both the W12 and the V8 were new, the W12 Continental GT cost $38,000 more. The V8 would have set back the customer $198,000 while the W12 had a starting price of $236,000. Today, however, a 2016 Continental GT V8 sells for around $100,000 with some dipping below it but not by much. At the same time you can easily pick up a W12 2016 Continental GT for around $65,000 to $80,000. Even the GT speed cost about the same. And while the W12 is better value for money on paper, the V8 definitely has more than enough benefits which justify the higher price.
Ultimately, the 2016 Continental GT V8 is the cheapest way to experience what a modern Bentley can do. Its amazing performance is enough to impress even the most experienced drivers, and at the same time, it’s much cheaper to run and maintain than any other Bentley of its generation. And as we have discovered, the V8 also depreciates much less than the W12 which is a huge plus with ultra luxury cars. And if you are after a Continental GT or any other luxury car, Exotic Car Trader is here to help make your buying process as safe and as time efficient as possible. Exotic Car Trader protects the buyer with escrow, first inspection, and delivery to name just a few services. The same goes if you are looking to sell your car through Exotic Car Trader or even if you are looking to trade it with one of our current customers.
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