If you're looking to order a Continental GT V8, Canadian order books are open now.
Bentley’s grand tourer is getting a new engine. The Continental GT is arriving soon with a new V8. The new model, which Bentley calls the “most agile ever” will be available as a coupe and convertible with a top speed just shy of 320 km/h.
The third-generation of the Continental arrived on the market in early 2018 with the convertible following at the end of the year. At launch, it was available solely as the GT W12. Sporting a 6.0L twin-turbo W12 with 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Now, what the crew at Crewe is calling the driver-focussed handling model is arriving with the smaller, lighter, and slightly less powerful V8.
It’s a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 that delivers 542 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. That’s up 21 hp on the previous generation of the big tourer. Bentley says the new engine offers a “characterful V8 burble” along with improvements in ride and handling.
The V8 GT shows that even luxury automakers like Bentley aren’t immune to the pressures of emissions and fuel economy. This might be the first time we’ve seen the company talk about cylinder de-activation. Dropping to four-cylinders at times to save at the pumps. Bentley is also touting the longer range of the car, saying that it provides a continental-crushing range of more than 800 km per tank.
Setting V8 models apart from the W12 are new 10-spoke wheels in 20-inch diameter. Nine other wheels are available, up to 22-inches. There are seven standard paint colours, but this being a Bentley, you can order up just about any shade imaginable. The GT V8 also wears quad exhaust pipes in place of the two large oval outlets on the W12 and V8 badging on the front fenders.
The convertible GT offers a new neck warmer built into the seats. The automaker says it’s quieter and warmer than the previous generation. It also offers a heated steering wheel and new heated armrests ensuring that you can remain comfortable with the roof open at nearly any temperature. Buyers can pick from one of seven colours for that roof.
In an effort to further enhance the V8’s handling, the all-wheel drvie system is set to send power to the rear as much as possible. Bentley’s Dynamic Ride System adjustable air suspension is available to reduce roll and adjust stiffness depending on mode.
If you’re looking to order a Continental GT V8, Canadian order books are open now. We, along with the rest of North America will get the car first later this year. The rest of the world will have to wait until the middle of next year.
Keyword: Bentley Continental Gets Fuel-Sipping, Better Handling V8