Not everything was to our liking with the Bentley. The headlights weren't as powerful as we would have expected. The interior lighting was not very good and the reception on the radio was only par without an impressive range of tones when compared to less expensive luxury vehicles. The spare tire was a donut and we think that tire wear with the optional rims is not going to be 20,000 miles at best. Having to use the center-mounted monitor requires time to use, as it is not intuitive. The numerous switches that control the seats also require significant learning time. The rear trunk mechanism does not raise the lid up far enough to get your hand under without getting it dirty on the rear bumper. Rear and side visibility is limited. There is also road noise from the extremely wide, low profile Advan Sport 275/35 R20 tires. Finally, the column mounted transmission control paddles and the turn signal are easy to mix up. Almost all of these simply require getting time to master and the others could be easily corrected. Overall, we doubt anyone would pass on this GT once his or her senses heard the engine, smelled the leather, and absorbed the power.
Enough of the good feeling, nice looking, boy I wish I was rich verbiage. How does it feel driving a $172,000 (US) Bentley on a daily basis? To be exact, like nothing else. The power is best described as confined. You have 552 horsepower from a V12 engine, two intercooled turbochargers, a silent shifting six speed automatic transmission with the best placed steering column mounted paddle shifters ever, a self leveling suspension that you can also set for different heights as well as a luxury ride or sporty one. In addition, you have what are probably the world's largest production disc brakes at your command and all wheel drive. No other car can top that list, but even if the could you are driving a drop-dead courageous coupe that makes a Jaguar XKR look kittish.
It is a tribute to good engine design that when you satisfy the 20 or so gallon tank with premium fuel, you have a car that doesn't mind the least wadding through traffic, idling at a malfunctioning stoplights, or toying with the far edges of its 200 mph speedometer. Except for the tire noise from the huge rubber that encircles the optional 20-inch rims, this is a quiet ride and a good friend even to those who are not familiar with clipping an apex, drafting, or forced induction.
Dad's views: I asked Bentley to sell me this car. Either they thought I was kidding or they did a credit check, because I didn't hear back from them. The reality is that this is a stunning vehicle to drive, ride in, or just admire. Its power output tops a Dodge Viper's 500 horsepower and does so in a much more civil manner. The Bentley creates 552 bhp at 6,100 rpm. Even
more remarkable is the fact that this maximum torque of 480 lb ft is developed from just 1,600 all the way through 6,000 rpm. In other words, this Bentley is always on call.
Anyone with enough cash can build a powerful engine, but making it easy to live with is another matter. To help in this regard Bentley's all-independent air suspension offers four different ride suspension settings that you can control from a center console panel. However, be warned, that when you travel over 110 mph you cannot raise the Bentley's suspension. Just thought you would like to know. There are also controls that enable you to raise or lower the rear spoiler, set the temperature to heat the seats, and a driver's information center. The reality is that between the variable-effort steering, the four-wheel-drive system, the air suspension that lowers the front of the car to counteract high-speed lift, the extensive underbody aerodynamics, the rear spoiler, and the 20-inch rims this GT truly lives up to the Bentley tradition of visceral thrilling vehicles encased in classic bodywork. The potent engine is a plus, certainly, but not this GT's claim to fame. That resides in it packaging and ease of driving.
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It is a tribute to good engine design that when you satisfy the 20 or so gallon tank with premium fuel, you have a car that doesn't mind the least wadding through traffic, idling at a malfunctioning stoplights, or toying with the far edges of its 200 mph speedometer. Except for the tire noise from the huge rubber that encircles the optional 20-inch rims, this is a quiet ride and a good friend even to those who are not familiar with clipping an apex, drafting, or forced induction.
Dad's views: I asked Bentley to sell me this car. Either they thought I was kidding or they did a credit check, because I didn't hear back from them. The reality is that this is a stunning vehicle to drive, ride in, or just admire. Its power output tops a Dodge Viper's 500 horsepower and does so in a much more civil manner. The Bentley creates 552 bhp at 6,100 rpm. Even
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Anyone with enough cash can build a powerful engine, but making it easy to live with is another matter. To help in this regard Bentley's all-independent air suspension offers four different ride suspension settings that you can control from a center console panel. However, be warned, that when you travel over 110 mph you cannot raise the Bentley's suspension. Just thought you would like to know. There are also controls that enable you to raise or lower the rear spoiler, set the temperature to heat the seats, and a driver's information center. The reality is that between the variable-effort steering, the four-wheel-drive system, the air suspension that lowers the front of the car to counteract high-speed lift, the extensive underbody aerodynamics, the rear spoiler, and the 20-inch rims this GT truly lives up to the Bentley tradition of visceral thrilling vehicles encased in classic bodywork. The potent engine is a plus, certainly, but not this GT's claim to fame. That resides in it packaging and ease of driving.