The Bentley Continental GT is a grand tourer coupé with two doors and a 2+2 seating arrangement released in 2003, replacing the previous Rolls-Royce-based Continental R and T.
The Continental GT has a 6 L W12 engine with twin turbochargers which develops 552 hp (411 kW) at 6100 RPM and 479 lb-ft (650 N-m) at 1600 RPM. Never before had a 12 cylinder engine been employed on a Bentley car. Acceleration from 0-60 mph takes 4.7 seconds (0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 s), the top speed is 198 mph (312 km/h). It has all-wheel drive, the first Bentley to do so, and a six speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted gearshift paddles for instant override. The engine and air suspension are manufactured by Bentley, but are loosely based on owner Volkswagen's flagship car the Phaeton.
The Continental GT features the largest brake disc on any production car at 405 mm (16 inches) in front. The rear disc measures 335 mm (13 inches).
With a waiting list of 1 1/2 years it has proven to be a huge success for Bentley and Volkswagen. Depending on options it is priced around $170,000 (A$375,000). The Continental GT has also been popular among celebrities; The Game, Paris Hilton, Ben Affleck, Lil Kim, Fabolous, and Vince Carter, are known to own one and Chris Tucker was infamously caught speeding in his.
The GT apppears in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard with Adam Sandler, featuring the Bentley in the co-starring role held by the Citroën SM in the 1974 Burt Reynolds original. This time, rather than escaping from the police, the protagonist crashes into them.
The 2006 film Miami Vice also has a Bentley GT.
Main article: Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005) The four-door Continental Flying Spur saloon was shown at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show in March. The Flying Spur utilizes the Volkswagen D platform, and will be available in the United States in the summer of 2005 for around US$175,000. Together they will take Bentley production from around 1000 units in 2003 to nearly 9000 units in 2006.
One notable aspect of the Continental Flying Spur is its grille. Although it looks like a traditional chromed brass mesh, it is actually made of plastic. This was done to add pedestrian safety to the car — it is designed to break apart on impact to soften the blow. However, it will not meet the forthcoming European Union pedestrian safety regulations.
The convertible version of the Continental GT, the Continental GTC, was presented in September 2005, and will be available by the autumn of 2006. With the second generation Azure, it is the second convertible by Bentley presented in 2005.
Bentley is five years the junior of Aston Martin but the companies are every bit equals. There are many distinguishing features between the cars these two giants produce, but one thing unites them – they are all truly remarkable. Every car that rolls from the Bentley factory in Crewe bristles with prestige, performance specs and beauty. As one would expect the marque has a stunning racing heritage; Bentley took Le Mans honours in 1924, ’27, ’28 ’29 and ’30. 1952 saw the real shift from race-car to road-car with the development of the R-Type. 1998 saw Bentley reinvent itself with the hugely successful launch of the Arnage. Bentley’s 2001 return to Le Mans also brought deserved success with the team finishing 3rd. Bentley will forever be a name that conjures images of beauty and excellence, and the GT is a spectacular example of both.
There is no getting away from the fact that the Continental is a big car, in both size and weight. By rights it should be slow as hell and handle like an old Skoda, but instead it is nimble, responsive and so very very fast. There are no compromises in its statistics; 0 – 60mph in 4.7seconds exquisitely prefaces the blistering 198 mph top speed (the fastest in our competitions). If ever a car defined ‘super’ then this surely is it. Weighing a hefty 2.8 tons fully fuelled it responds and handles like a much leaner model. The 16” front brakes are bigger than any disc ever fitted to a road car – so it stops on a sixpence even from the top end of its impressive 198mph. This distinguished Supercar is almost too good; comfortable, quiet and powerful it will sneak you up to the edge of 200mph… just remember to keep checking your dials!
Surely only the British could have built this: powerful, uncompromisingly fast yet a real "gentleman’s" car. Unlike the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the word this Supercar is full of all the more opulent luxuries that are missing in others. Sink into the driver’s seat and there is a distinct feeling that you are sinking into your favourite chair in the sitting room – even long road trips are a real pleasure. The interior is detailed down to the colour of the stitching; it is, dare I say it, perfect. The sublime ergonomic layout of the cockpit delivers a wonderful driving experience, while everything from the leather finishes to the wood dash are masterfully crafted. The stately design of the exterior deceptively hides the power and performance beneath – the car is anything but genteel! The Continental combines true beauty with comfort and performance and is, as ever, most welcome in our competitions.
Win a Bentley Continental GT. Win your ticket to ride for only £20! BUY TICKETS NOW! - Each super car competition is very limited in time to give you the best chance of winning a Bentley Continental GT, and with very little time to wait and see if you are a lucky winner. If you've travelled recently from a UK airport you will possibly have seen the airport supercar competitions; well you can now buy tickets online and win a Bentley Continental GT, Aston Martin, Ferrari, or any one of many super cars.
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