Extroverts everywhere, this is the car for you.
If ostentation is your thing, and you adore basking in the attention of others as you go about your day-to-day, a bright yellow Bentley Continental GT V8 S will absolutely draw the eyeballs you crave. In addition to the Continental’s imposing size, the GT has a look uniquely and distinctly its own. And yes, I do realize the redundancy of that last phrase, but the 2016 Bentley Continental GT V8 S rates overstatement.
This is an enormously magnificent motorcar—one worthy of the highest praise imaginable. From its palatial interior treatment, to its exceptionally powerful engine, to the way it goes over a twisting mountain road like a car half its size, the Bentley Continental GT V8 S defies the imagination, and completely crushes it in terms of exceeding the high expectations its appearance engenders.
Right off the top, the passenger compartment is outfitted with so many luxury features, it’s almost anticlimactic to enumerate them; keyless entry/pushbutton start, dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation with Google maps, digital music storage, a rearview camera, Bluetooth—it goes on and on and on. But more than what’s contained, it’s really about the way it’s presented—using the finest materials available—with exquisite craft readily apparent in every detail.
And then, there’s the performance—
The 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 fitted to my test car delivered 521 horsepower and 502 ft-lbs of torque. An eight speed automatic transmission routed this output to all four wheels. The adaptive air suspension system could be set to ferociously firm to dig into corners, or it could be adjusted to supremely supple to deliver a silken ride—with several stops in between. The suspension system could also be set to automatic to determine for itself what it needed to do, based upon the way the car was being driven; a task at which it proved quite adept.
Further, if any automobile were ever built for long-distance high-speed travel, the Continental GT is most assuredly one of them. Driving the Continental around town is almost a waste. Out on the highway is where the Bentley truly comes into its own.The exceptionally powerful engine, outstanding comfort, inviting accommodations, and brilliant handling make long distance travel in the Continental a sublime experience. The 2016 Bentley Continental GT V8 S is a car you could easily drive 600 miles in one day and arrive at your destination perfectly at ease—wanting to go 201 miles more.
Pricing starts at $210,700.
