Bentley Continental GT V-8 S

It's been mentioned you have just one opportunity to produce a great first impression. And when the occasion were picking merely the right type of modern-day Bentley in which to reach the front entrance of Downton Abbey's Highclere Castle, may we propose the Continental GT v8 S? Sure, there were two generations and lots of permutations of the Continental GT throughout its 1 1-yr run--the Woolf Barnato version of the GT Le Mans Edition was a specially intriguing one--but the Continental GT v8 S takes a sweet-spot in the line. In Bentley-talk, the "V8" identification means it's powered by the dual-turbo 4.0-liter v8 instead of the twin turbo 6.0-liter w 12. The "S" could be Athletics or Unique or Rate...your selection.

Every one of this operates through a ZF eight-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive, electricity split 40% front and 60% back. To complement the power and picture, the S's trip height is 0.4 inch lower, and spring speeds are raised 45% up entrance and 3 3 percent in the trunk. Bad lad, really.

As a coupe or convertible, it stays a contemporary landmark layout. S-version details, for example a glossy Beluga black entrance splitter, side sills, and back diffuser, then add aero touches. A shine-black radiator grille, 2 1-inch seven-spoke wheels in the corners, and four happy exhaust pipe factory outlets trumpeting in the back express the mandatory perspective. A note concerning the best: You overlook it's there. The sound level and also the feeling of protection are like these of a coupe, due to a thick three-layer layout using a seven-bow rigging that lays waste to the traditional term "ragtop."

Bentley Continental GT V-8 S

At baseless, the twin turbo V8 is so silent and remote it believes like it were equipped having a quit-begin system. It's maybe not, and when you flatten the exhaust grumbles, the accelerator, and some pats of the ZF automatic's change paddles afterwards, 120 miles per hour arrives. It's when the route starts to meander that you just recall the Bentley's pounds. The varying-boost steering system weights up properly enough for diving in to curves at greater speeds, however a body in movement (around 5100 lbs for the coupe, 5500 lbs with all the convertible) will remain in movement, and you must fix for the impetus. The automobile feels igniter through the controls than it responds on the trail, so that you compensate by submiting a bit previously and tucking in the nose before obtaining back in the go pedal. Yet when it comes time to come back to culture, and the kind of traffic, rate zones, and potholes--plus the odd citadel or 2--the Bentley preserves its bearing as a luxury-car.

2015 Bentley Continental GT V8S - Exterior and Interior Walkaround - Debut at 2014 Detroit Auto Show