Bentley Continental GT V8. Testing The Waters

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The Continental is very striking – I’m particularly smitten with the Dragon Red –and a new black front grille and tweaked front bumper are the only tell-tale signs of the V8 lying in wait under the bonnet. And sans the roof, the GTC model looks even better.

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It’s the same on the inside too. Alongside the beautifully constructed instrument panels and leather trim, an uncluttered centre console makes the Continental, as it always has been, a pleasant place to be. The paddle shift is a little cumbersome though, and does involve a bit of stretching owing to the position in which it’s been mounted.

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Hopping into the GTC and stowing the roof – it’s mid-afternoon by now and the sun is beating down gloriously – we set off into the Spanish hills. Hampered by speed limits and other motorists, we can’t push the Continental as forcefully as we were able to on-track of course. And this makes a world of difference. Thrashing a Bentley on-track felt unnatural and confusing. Letting the Continental off the leash in the real world though, and the V8-powered brute suddenly comes alive.

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The steering heft and phenomenal brakes are still there, but now the weight seems to vanish as we glide through sweeping bends, pushing on but not overzealously. Giving the limit a wide berth and sticking to this newly-found sweet spot makes this big, family coupe almost playful, the suspension and feel through the front wheels soaking up the camber and encouraging me to put the GTC through its paces..