Let's talk about the styling first. We know this kind of prestige cars with glorious history is never easy to design. BMW already taught us a lesson: if you put too much weighting to traditional features, like the Rolls-Royce Phantom, you will end up with an ancient-looking car. If you modernize the design too much, like Aston Martin Lagonda of the early 80s, it will lose the connection with traditional values and then loyal customers will leave. Therefore the key to success is to make the right balance between modern form and function and traditional features. And the Bentley coupe did this perfectly.  

From outside, the new Bentley looks really fantastic ! on the one hand, it has the profile of a modern coupe - smooth flowing roofline runs from the steeply-raked windscreen to the fastback tail, high shoulder lines, low roof.... on the other hand, it has strong features of traditional Bentleys - the powerful nose, mesh grilles and the pronounced fenders which looks like men's muscles. In particular, the rear half of the car has resemblance to the Continental R of 1952 - the best-looking Bentley of all, no wonder Volkswagen decided to name the new car similarly. In my eyes, this is one of the most successful designs in the current generation. One that so rich of traditional feel without sacrificing any modern functions. Excellent ! 

Open the door also open your eyes - wow, this is the best interior any money can buy ! the Continental GT costs £110,000 in UK, about 20% more than a Mercedes SL600 / SL55 AMG but is easily the cheapest Bentley. Even compare with the 2-to-3-times-more-expensive Rolls-Royce Phantom and Maybach, the Continental GT still shines in quality, and beat them painfully in style and taste. Volkswagen makes the best use of the experienced craftsmen in the Crewe factory to trim the whole cabin with the best quality leather and the best looking wood. But the most important is how they are put together to match colors and forms.  

The thick leather seats are beautiful to look and even better to sit, thanks to built-in massagers. Although the roof looks low - a perception due to the high shoulder line, the front seats offers plenty of space. Continental GT is a real 4-seater. The rear seats are not super-spacious, but if the front occupants are willing to compromise a bit, it can accommodate four 6-footers.  

Now we can talk about the mechanical aspect. As you expect, the low-volume Continental GT (expect 3,000-3,500 units a year) shares many essential mechanical components with Volkswagen Phaeton (and therefore Audi A8). Basically, the whole drivetrain and suspensions come from Phaeton, thus its platform could be said as a cut-down version of the Phaeton.  

In the Bentley, the 6-litre W12 engine is added with a pair of light pressure (max. 0.7 bar) turbochargers and intercoolers. Although it pumps out 560 horsepower, the W12 is far from stressed, as you can see from its specific output of just 93 hp / litre - pretty low for a turbo engine. The maximum torque of 479 lbft seemed rather low, especially for Bentley. Volkswagen's engineers could have squeezed more torque out of the engine, but the ZF 6-speed automatic transmission and the quattro drivetrain are unabled to cope, thus they have to limit the torque output. That's why the torque curve is flat - maximum torque is available from 1600rpm all the way to 6000rpm, almost like an electric motor. Volkswagen has another 6-speed transmission from Aisin which can handle 553 lbft, but it is designed for the Toureg SUV only. 

Even so, the Continental GT is already very quick, if not as quick as Mercedes SL55 / 600 and CL600. 0-60mph takes 4.7 seconds, 0-100mph needs 11.8 seconds. Top speed is 198mph. Wow, almost a 200mph 4-seater ! 

However, the most impressive is how effortless to achieve such a storming performance. With the non-stop stream of torque from a little over idle, with the smooth ZF gearbox, good damping, quiet ride, remarkable high-speed stability and rigid chassis, the Continental GT covers ground at enormous speed without tiring its occupants. At high-speed bends, it does roll more than the ABC-equipped Mercedes SL, but never to the extent that affect your confidence. This just say it does not pretend to be a real supercar.  

Ultimately, at tighter bends the Continental GT will shift from neutral to mild understeer and you will feel it start revealing its front bias weight distribution (57:43) and oh-my-God weight of 2385kg - 500kg more than SL55 AMG ! nevertheless, the GT remains composed, taming the unfavourable law of physics admirably with its tremendous 4-wheel traction, clever electronics and adaptive suspensions. That means at the limit the car remains secured and tidy. Again, this prove the chassis is well sorted. 

Ride quality is always good, no matter at what speed, what surface, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspensions. Even on coarse surfaces it remains supple and quiet.  

In many ways the Continental GT drives like a SL55 AMG. They are not real supercars, but they deliver supercar power and performance in a fuss-free manner and maximum comfort. The Mercedes has a slight advantage in speed, handling and price, but the Bentley shines in quality and accommodation. That means Continental GT is currently the best hardtop luxurious coupe on offer, while Mercedes SL is the best in the open-top world. 

However, the most important to Bentley is: this car is a real Bentley, not a Volkswagen Phaeton Coupe. It definitely signals the revival of Bentley in the coming years. This would not have been possible if the marque were still in British hands or in the hands of BMW. Thanks Dr. Piech.