MOST CAR MANUFACTURERS CAN ONLY DREAM OF PRODUCING A SUPERIOR VEHICLE LIKE THE NEW BENTLEY CONTINENTAL.
If we are fortunate enough, every now and again we get to experience something truly exceptional. This was the case for us at OHLALA magazine this month when we were handed the keys to the new Bentley Continental V8, compliments of the outstanding team at Bentley Motors Bahrain. We drove to the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay to enjoy the scenery of the bay area. This was the first time we have gotten behind the wheel of a genuine Bentley and we knew we were in for nothing less than an amazing ride.
From the moment the Continental came into view we were smitten with this strikingly beautiful coupé. The Glacier White exterior paintwork served to highlight the sleek and smooth contours of the vehicle with the sharp, super formed lines, running the length of the 4,850mm body, enhancing all of the stylish details. These modern details include the elliptical quad tailpipes, the discreetly placed V8 badge on the fender and the eye-catching 20-inch, 10-spoke, painted alloy wheels. These wheel spokes have been arranged in symmetrical pairs, giving them a fancy look and adding to the car’s already exclusive presence. The wheels are further enhanced by the optional carbon ceramic brakes with either black or red callipers. Special mention must go to the stunning headlamp design, inspired by the finest cut-crystal glasses and featuring the latest LED Matrix technology.
Inside the GT, a single hide colouring of your choice awaits you, in our case, a Newmarket Tan colour throughout the cabin provided an understated elegance that exuded both class and style. The contemporary Crown Cut Walnut veneer adorning the V8 fascia comes as standard and perfectly complements the rest of the interior. The 20-way adjustable leather seats are perfectly stitched and offer a level of comfort and support we have rarely experienced before. The heated, three-spoke, hide-trimmed steering wheel sits perfectly in front of the driver and feels great in hand. The pure comfort of this deluxe coupé is greatly enhanced by the ample head, shoulder and knee room on offer throughout the Continental.
At the heart of the dashboard is an advanced, fully digital, driver-orientated instrument panel and the optional Bentley Rotating Display that features a 12.3-inch touchscreen housed in a three-sided unit. We found this system to be exceptionally responsive and user-friendly. Plenty of additional swanky features are located inside this luxury vehicle, just waiting to be discovered. As much as we loved taking in the aesthetic beauty of this exquisite coupé, we were most excited to get out onto the roads to see what it had to offer under the bonnet. As soon as we engaged the ignition, the sound of the 4.0 litre twin-turbo engine brought a smile to our faces. Combined with an eight-speed dual clutch transmission, this engine can produce 404kW of power at 6,000rpm and 770Nm of torque at 2,000 – 4,500rpm. What this means is that the new Bentley Continental GT V8 can surge from 0 – 100km/h in a mere 4.0 seconds and boasts a top speed of 318km/h! On top of this, it is one of the smoothest rides you can ever hope to experience.
“The new Bentley Continental GT V8 can surge from 0 – 100km/h in a mere 4.0 seconds and boasts a top speed of 318km/h.”
When tackling the tarmac in the GT, its passive chassis, with a pre-set balance between ride comfort and handling, ensures you can take on any corner with full confidence. The air suspension uses three-chamber air springs, further improving the comfort of the ride. The Active AllWheel Drive system varies the front-to-rear torque split depending on the driving situation, with the Continental GT V8 using rear-wheel drive as much as possible during normal driving for optimum efficiency as well as a more spirited performance. We found the Electric Power-Assisted Steering to provide superb feedback to the driver and, coupled with a variable rack, it ensures an increase in manoeuvrability whilst maintaining outstanding stability. The Bentley Continental GT V8 driving experience was nothing less than sublime and we can honestly say we have never had a more enjoyable driving experience.
The master craftsmen and craftswomen at Bentley have included a range of safety and assistance features to ensure each and every trip you take is as safe and convenient as possible. These features include Adaptive Cruise Control with City Assist, Active Lane Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Parking Assist, Rear Traffic Warning, front and rear hollow, lightweight anti-roll bars and multiple airbags just to name a few.
If you are looking to experience a pinnacle of automobile achievement, we can only encourage you to contact Bentley Motors Bahrain.
For more information and to book a luxury test drive of your very own,
please call Bentley Motors Bahrain on 1745 9111.
