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It was whilst in discussion a few weeks ago with Jodie, our delightful PR representative over at Bentley, that the following snippet of conversation arose:
Jodie: “…so whereabouts are you going for your holiday?”
Me: “I’m heading back to the UK for a couple of weeks. It’s my brother’s wedding and I’m on best man duties.”
Jodie: “Oh that’s nice. So, would it be correct to guess that it would be nice to have a Bentley for the wedding?”
This may explain why just three weeks, a couple of enthusiastically signed loan forms and a seven-hour flight back to the UK later, I am holding the keys to the brand spanking new Bentley Continental GTC now standing on my parent’s driveway. And it’s already caused something of a stir. The simple task of delivering said $250,000(ish) model to the family homestead has inspired the odd raised eyebrow from the neighbours, while the memory card on my father’s Canon has already taken some serious punishment. All and sundry appear enamoured by the looks, and it’s not hard to see why.
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There’s no denying that the 2012-model GTC has an elegant presence. The sleek bodylines and subtly elongated headlights are notably genteel, as are the sweeping front fenders and beautiful White Sand finish. When we consider though the chrome-infused front grille, optional red brake calipers and suitably large 21-inch polished alloys, it’s safe to assume that this convertible Continental is not all show and no trousers.
During my three days with the car there’ll be plenty of opportunities to find that out. All focus for the moment though lies on The Big Day.
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My original plan had been to use the GTC as the official wedding car, allowing my newly married brother and sister-in-law to canter away in a sea of confetti and uproarious applause towards their reception. As it turns out though, the fact that the wedding and reception venues are pretty much bolted onto each other makes said plan a trifle obsolete. And quite frankly, concentrating on not losing either wedding ring is more than enough for this Best Man to worry about!
The newly married Mr and Mrs Gent enjoy the service immensely, as do their assembled guests, and soon we are being ushered through for the evening soiree. Toasts are made and conversation struck up, and before long my jacket sleeve is being pulled one way and another by excited friends and family members keen – for some reason – to see my ‘talent’ on the dance floor. It’s whilst taking a well-earned rest between songs that numerous cousins, uncles and friends of such-and-such whom I’ve only met an hour or so ago begin sidling up and asking after the Bentley. “Is it yours…?”
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The temptation to say ‘yes’ and explain that work in the Middle East is ‘really going quite well’ is enormous but I decide instead to stick with the truth, much to the fascination of my listeners. I delve a little deeper, offering insight into the 6.0l twin-turbocharged W12 engine that is the more established Bentley powerplant alongside the new, sportier 4.0-litre twin-trurbocharged V8, and waxing lyrical about the easy-to-use infotainment system, much to the slightly reduced fascination of my listeners. They remain very keen though to take a ride in the Bentley, requests of which I’m more than happy to acquiesce.
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The response is quite staggering. Just sitting in the Continental and admiring the luxurious regalia adorning the cabin – the meticulously stitched Linen leather upholstery, the dark stained Burr Walnut trim, the Bentley emblems stitching on the headrests, the charmingly traditional vertical air vent switches – is enough to bring a smile to many faces. That, plus comfortable seating and plenty of cabin space up front makes each ride something special to remember, even if the comparatively snug legroom in the rear seats means those travelling in the back don’t reap the full benefits. Remarks are made about the beautifully laid out centre console and the delicate sweep of the dash. Once my passengers are seated comfortably, I throw a knowing smirk their way, and hit the accelerator.
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Smiles suddenly turn into open-mouthed ‘Whhhhoooooooa!’s. And a few seconds after that, all that can be heard is laughter. Somehow I have neglected to mention to my passengers that the twin-turbocharged W12 bolted down under the bonnet produces 567bhp, and is therefore capable of hitting 100kph from standstill in just 4.8s and motoring on to a 314kph top speed. With gravity controlling my right foot and my right hand working the six-speed ZF paddle shift gearbox furiously, this is a lesson my passengers learn – and enjoy – very quickly.
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There’s oomph. And lot’s of it to boot! High revs in first gear means the British cruiser is away quickly. When we hit the 2000 revs mark, the turbocharger kicks in with a force that – I must be honest – catches me off guard. There’s no violence, but the energy with which my shoulders and neck are pushed backwards is much more vociferous than I had expected from a car of this size, regardless of the beating heart under the bonnet. And it is enormously good fun. Laughter and shocked giggles are still ricocheting throughout the cabin as I begin to wind the engine down from fifth gear.
Photographs are taken and excitable descriptions shared when we pull back up again at the reception venue. The queue continues to get steadily bigger as the afternoon wears on, with guests wandering to and fro keen to ‘have a nosey’. Even the youngest members of the group – with mummy and daddy in tow – are fascinated by the Continental. Without question, the Bentley has proven a big hit today, with even the groom making sure he gets a run too!
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The next morning though – with suit, socks and toothbrush safely ensconced in my mother’s Toyota – is all business. The British sunshine, which hitherto has been busy flooding most of Devonshire, is now out in force and I’m very keen to take the GTC out for an energetic spin around some of Lancashire’s most scenic country roads. My father, who joins me for this spin around the English countryside, suggests we make our way to Stoneyhurst College, one of the area’s finer academic establishments and a good 100km away. Once the electronically operated seatbelt presenters have done their work – and saved us the arduous task of leaning back to reach the belts themselves manually – we set off into the greenery.
