Bentley Continental GT V8

Immense power, exquisite luxury: the Bentley Continental GT V8

May 29, 2020

From the moment of its launch in 2019, the Bentley Continental GT V8 was immediately heralded as a byword for Grand Touring, offering sublime interior detailing matched with an engaging on-road character, underlined by that distinctive and addictive V8 burble.

Offering unparalleled levels of luxury in both coupe and convertible format, the Bentley Continental GT V8 also provides a technological benchmark for the storied British marque. 

Bentley Continental GT & GT Convertible V8 Hero

Reinforcing the notion of precise, handcrafted engineering, the modern Continental GT V8 offers up a four-second 0-100km/h sprint and a top speed of 318km/h from its sublime 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine. 

With the introduction of its two third-generation Continental GT V8 and GT V8 Convertible models, Bentley reset the standard of luxury Grand Touring. 

The definitive long-distance luxury coupe and convertible arrived in 2019 with a powerful V8 petrol engine onboard, ensuring aengaging drive that complements the unparalleled levels of luxury and cutting-edge technology found within this most popular Bentley model. 

A muscular statement of intent, the V8 versions of the ultimate Grand Tourer combine immense power with impressive fuel efficiency. Excellent weight distribution makes the dynamic V8 feel even more agile and responsive with a distinctive, higher-revving engine personality of its own. 

Under the Continental GT’s long bonnet, the new-generation 4.0-litre, 32-valve V8 petrol engine develops 404kW peak power and a hugely impressive 770Nm of torque. The engine features dual twin-scroll turbochargers located inside the ‘V’ of the engine, resulting in spirited acceleration and performance, regardless of the distance of the journey.  

Bentley Continental GT V8 City Side Profile

The Bentley Continental GT V8 boasts a top speed of 318km/h and a 0-60km/h time of 4.0 seconds (or 4.1 for the GT Convertible). 

Both eight-speed V8 models are complemented by refined efficiency, stemming partly from the ability of the engine to de-activate four of its eight cylinders in suitable conditions, without compromising the drive. The seamless change happens in just 20 milliseconds and is imperceptible while on the move. 

Designed, engineered and handcrafted at Bentley’s famed headquarters in Crewe, England, the Continental GT V8 and GT V8 Convertible combine driver-focussed performance with exquisite refinement and cutting-edge technology. Both cars feature 20-inch, 10-spoke painted alloys wheels, subtle V8 badging and a sublime, handcrafted interior. 

A statement of true luxury, the third-generation Continental GT and GT Convertible represent the pinnacle of Bentley’s design and engineering achievements. Effortlessly elegant and more sculpted and sharply defined, the body and materials combine to create truly breath-taking cars. 

Bentley offers seven standard exterior bodywork colours, with an extensive palate of additional paint choices available. Both GT V8 and GT V8 Convertible are distinguished by quad exhaust pipes and subtle V8 badging to the front wings. 

The GT V8 Convertible’s tailored roof can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, with the car travelling at speeds of up to 50km/h. This transforms it from a luxurious coupe into an open-top Grand Tourer at the touch of a button. Seven different fabric hood colours are available, including an authentic tweed finish, offered by the carmaker for the first time. 

A newly designed ‘neckwarmer’ (which is both warmer and quieter than in the previous generation model), is seamlessly integrated into the heated and vented Comfort Seats, optimising efficiency and airflow around the electrically adjustable headrests. The styling highlight of the new ‘neckwarmer’ is a chrome centre vane that stretches the full width of the duct, echoing Bentley’s famous ‘bullseye’ vents. Combined with a heated steering wheel and new heated armrests, these sophisticated comfort features create a luxurious driving experience in all environments. 

The Continental GT V8’s innovative, luxurious interior offers unrivalled refinement. It seamlessly integrates natural materials such as the highest quality leathers and sustainably sourced veneers into the finest handcrafted cabin. 

Twenty-way adjustable leather seats set new industry standards in comfort and refinement and are available in a monotone colour split on the GT V8 and GT V8 Convertible. Four further colour split options are available, together with Contrast Stitching, Piping and Hand Cross Stitch. 

Crown Cut Walnut adorns the V8 fascia and other areas, with the option of a variety of exquisite wood veneers. V8 models also feature a 10-speaker Bentley Audio system as standard. 

Bentley Continental GT Convertible V8 Side Profile

The drama doesn’t stop there though: at the heart of both the GT V8 and GT V8 Convertible dashboards are an advanced, fully digital, driver-focussed instrument panel and the optional Bentley Rotating Display. The latter features a 12.3-inch touchscreen housed in a three-sided unit, which revolves the veneer to reveal the touchscreen, as well as three elegant analogue dials. 

Out where the Bentley Continental GT V8 belongs – on the open road - the latest-generation cars offer the effortless driving character expected of a class leading Grand Tourer, along with the opportunity to explore the range of performance the car has to offer via the Bentley Drive Dynamics selector.  

The different modes available offer the customer the full breadth of performance, from class-leading refinement and comfort to focussed handling in Sport mode. 

The Continental GT V8 and GT V8 Convertible are both equipped with front and rear hollow, lightweight anti-roll bars for exceptional handling while the technically advanced, adaptive chassis created for Bentley’s intelligent Dynamic Ride System is also available as an option. 

The Dynamic Ride System controls ride comfort and lateral roll, cushioning passengers from excessive movement, as well as making the Continental GT V8 models feel effortlessly precise. This technology is supported by air suspension which utilises three-chamber air springs, further improving ride comfort and the dynamic character.  

An Active All-Wheel Drive System varies the front-to-rear torque split dependent on the driving situation, although the characterful Continental will use rear-wheel drive as much as possible during normal driving for optimum efficiency and dynamic performance. 

Naturally, the V8 models are offered with a wide range of driver assistance and safety features, such as Active Lane Assist, Traffic Jam Assist and Park Assist. 

From limousine to sports car, the Bentley Continental GT V8 provides optimal ride comfort and handling in any scenario, and wherever your next luxury adventure takes you.

Words by Cameron Officer

Bentley Continental GT & GT Convertible V8 Hero