Test Bentley Continental GTC V8 - Noise and Smooth

By adopting the V8, Bentley Continental GTC
discovers a temperament that did not know him,
without departing from its legendary softness

The noble English sees its range complemented by a V8 version of the highly developed body. A good excuse to redo a chat with Miss Bentley, who has lost none of its charm. And left to choose from, so enjoy his new hair tessitura wind with cabriolet GTC.

Casually, miss Continental GT is no longer young. She has attained an age and other are already outdated, has-beens, even outdated, but not her.
It only took him a few light touches of makeup through time as the passing of the Sans-Souci. The V8 version also brings some cosmetic changes, just to differentiate the sister W12. Oh! light layer of blush! Not enough to disfigure the beautiful, as only experienced observers will notice the logo on a red background, the different air intakes below the grille itself turned black and divided by a bar in the middle, and the two double outlets exhaust, whose shape evokes an "8" lying - for eight-cylinder, of course. But some, perhaps more sensitive to the timelessness of the beautiful, can see the symbol of infinity. By Jove!

Stitched leather, corked aluminum interior exudes
an atmosphere like no other

Benefits
    Unique atmosphere
    Musical and powerful V8
    Softness outstanding
Pitfalls of
    Transmission slow
    Endurance brakes perfectible


Are these the only distinguishing marks for recognizing the Continental GT V8? Nay, as if by chance the English happening in the area, you discerneriez without hesitation in his voice, cavernous wish. These stamps give you goosebumps ... idle as the acceleration. It snorts, and it touts that gurgles. Happiness. What coite let the big sister in W12 too discreet. Shocking, a Bentley gives voice? Certainly not, especially when the stamp is of this quality. Just for that, we would be ready to sign the check eyes closed but ears alert. Especially that V8, despite his big mouth bad boy, shows almost virtuous. Derived from that of the last generation Audi S8, his cousin by marriage, it has a displacement of 3993 cm3, takes a direct fuel injection and blow sees in the cylinders by two turbochargers.

From the rear, only the exhaust in the form of "8"
lying possible to recognize the V8 versions

Of course, Bentley's engineers have put their paw, and if the power (500 hp all round in English) has lost 20 small horses, the couple grew to reach 660 Nm at 1700 r / min, because 650 it was a fair bit. Finally, like his cousin, he turns into four-cylinder when the cavalry is not requested, at a steady speed, for example. A happily imperceptible change, which limits CO2 emissions to 254 g / km for the GTC (246 for the coupe). The W12 560 hp reached it, 384 g. Good effort! As for consumption announced, it is reduced by 40%: 10, 9 for the GTC V8, against 17.1 for W12. As you no longer believe in Santa Claus long, you say that there must be a wolf and that performance is declining. Certainly. But what importance given to 13 km / h when the 300 is exceeded, or to 2/10e on a 0 to a 100 km / h run in 5 s? Except to say that his is faster than the neighbor.

Hood in place, the atmosphere is cozy in a coupe

At this point, you can imagine that it is earned kg which allow the V8 to make a great showing. Not really. Because if the engine is actually lighter, it is associated with an automatic eight-speed heavier than the W12 reports. In the end, only 25 kg separate identical twins when the lighter of the two (V8) 2.5 t tu already empty. Talk about precisely this transmission. Because if it turns fast and smooth during revving, she is too slow when it comes to demote and tangle brushes as soon as the pace picks up on small road. Even by taking the hand via paddle shifters, it does as its head. But we must admit that Miss Bentley itself does not like to be jostled in the series of corners. Its kind to her, it is the great outdoors, where its softness and force are expressed without too much strain on the brakes. What's leave time to admire his impeccable quilted leather seats, the dashboard crimped aluminum corked the most beautiful effect - most traditionalists may opt for wood - or its polished metal inserts. Anyway, enjoy everything that makes the atmosphere, inimitable, a Bentley.