Automotive

ThomasM
[PuristS]
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Quick Looks - 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8

Pros:Surprisingly lithe and agile for a 5000lb+ behemoth;

Great acceleration, nice drive train sounds, smooth yet quick transmission

Planted handling, well calibrated and appropriate for the vehicle - not too stiff, yet doesn't "waft" and wallow so much it causes sea sickness. Comfortable and perfect for a long range cruiser.

The steering and handling were so nice, in fact, it tempted me to do the old "roll the steering wheel" trick - in a straight line, rock the steering 90 degrees off center left and right to see how the suspension handles the transitions. There was a slight bit of roll but surprisingly, it wasn't offensive and in fact, at the extreme transition points it seemed to squat and stabilize, before smoothly coming back around, without drama or surprise.  There was little wallow  or secondary "float" or rocking - just a nice, gentle "squat" like a wrestler or linebacker taking a set before charging forward. Remember, this was done at near triple digit speeds...

Superlative material and finish quality - understated and elegant in design

Love the drop down tail gate design of the trunk!

Everything just feels so solid, (old school) bank vault-like.

Cons: I'm not sure I like the new, slightly more flattened and angular aesthetic. Like the W12, the rounded haunches are iconic for the Continental GT in my mind, whether one likes them or not. The slight flattening of the curves make more generic the details of the overall design, though it is still instantly recognizable.

Though carried with grace and aplomb, the Continental GT is heavy; there is no getting around this.

General Comments: I didn't want to like it; in fact, I wanted to hate it for so many "good reasons" -

It's heavy; very heavy, in so many ways - 5050lb heavy (thought that makes the acceleration and top speed specs that much more impressive) and massive in its presence. There is also the weight of its "image" among the masses...

The C-GT V8 has shed its iconic W12 engine for a "common" V8; to a WIS that's akin to Patek Philippe swapping out their micro-rotor automatic for an inhouse movement based on an ETA 2892...well, not exactly, but you get my drift.   Almost common. Come on, if you're going to excess, then go to excess, and don't be apologetic about it!

And yes, I hate to admit it, that "image" - Bentley and Rolls Royce, like Ferrari and Lamborghini, summon up images of decadent excess in a chaotic era of very strongly mixed feelings about ostentatious displays of materialism and wealth. Audi, BMW, and Mercedes Benz are victims of this image as well, but less so, not lightly because they are usually more conservatively styled.  Bentley, RR, Ferrari, and Lamborghini are just begging to bring out the bile among the masses, this bile based mostly on resentment and envy, but at least Ferrari and Lamborghini are more often forgiven for their artistic, sporting expressions.  Bentley and worse, Rolls Royce, represent to the masses pure, unadulterated materialistic decadence, flaunted in everyone else's face.

I tend to be contrarian about popular images, knowing that most of such images are seen through the green eyed monster of envy, an ugly beast. And as a Purist, I prefer to focus on the substance, not the image. But to combat biases and prejudices, we first have to recognize them. 

Conc: I expected to dislike it. I was very pleasantly surprised, and would actually consider it seriously if I were looking for a long distance heavyweight cruiser. It offers an interesting alternative to my current favorite in that category, the M-B CL65 - each offers very clearly defined, well etched unique characteristics. Which is better boils down to personal preferences and priorities.