Bentley Continental GT W12 (2018)

Bentley launched their incredibly successful Continental GT in 2003. Its arrival no doubt helped to re-cement Bentley’s market positioning. Whilst it borrowed many underlying components from the wider VW group, its W12 powerplant was unique to Bentley and acted as the beginning of the end for the marque’s venerable 6.75 litre V8.

The Continental GT opened up the Bentley brand to new audiences, and whilst most of the car remained hand assembled, it became a ‘mass-produced’ car at less than half the list price of the preceding Continental R.

The second generation Continental GT was in production from 2011-2018 and introduced a 4.0 V8 to run along side the W12.

The third generation was introduced in 2018 and whilst not a great departure visually from the preceding model, the body is 80kg lighter, a wheelbase extension of 13.5 cm and the interior received a significant overhaul. Offered still with both engines, the third generation cars receive an 8-speed Porsche PDK dual clutch gearbox; the W12 earning the revisions of the 2016 Bentayga including high and low pressure direct fuel injection, a variable displacement system, stop-start technology and launch mode. The W12 model produces 626hp and 664lb ft of torque, good for just 0-60 in 3.6 seconds.