FIRST DRIVE: Bentley Continental GT Coupe

By Mark Perleberg Contributing Auto Writer

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - When they hit the showrooms in the spring of ‘04, the Bentley Continental GT Coupe will be the first car produced in the post Rolls Royce days of Rolls-Royce Bentley Motorcars. Bentley Motor Cars is now under the leadership of VW and has high expectations on what is hoped to be the highest volume Bentley ever made, with production estimates of 1000 units for the first year and 2000 units annually thereafter.

Bentley designers have incorporated styling cues from the legendary R-Type while cautiously avoiding the look of a retro design. The end result is a very distinctive style with swooping bodylines, a matrix mono-comb grill and traditional twin headlamps (halogen) in front. In the rear, you’ll find an integrated third stoplight located at the top of the glass that‘s only visible when lit up and an integrated aerofoil that electronically rises when the car exceeds 90 mph to increase stability in the rear. You’ll also find a manual override switch located inside for cleaning or perhaps talking your way out of a speeding ticket. The side-marker lights are also smartly integrated in the side view mirrors to create a continuous flow of the body.

The staff at Bentley set their sights very high - they were looking to build a super car that had both luxury and the ability to be driven everyday. The result is a 550 horsepower, 6.0-liter W12 engine with a low-boost, twin turbo charger that produces 479 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 RPM and stays flat all the way to 6,000. There’s never a point when the engine is not producing consistent power. Bentley claims to have reached test speeds in excess of 200 MPH and 0-60 in 4.7 seconds!

All that power is linked to a six-speed automatic gearbox that can either be used in automatic, sport or a not-yet-named paddle shift system with the paddles located in front of the steering wheel. A simple flick of the left or right index finger and the car changes gears. Add to that an all-wheel-drive system and you have the makings of a true super car.

Once inside, it’s easy to see that this is all Bentley. Everything inside is finished in metal, wood or leather. A total of 11 hides and 12 workdays are required to complete one interior. Touch-sensitive door and trunk handles make for easy entry into the Continental GT Coupe, a car loaded with all of the latest safety gadgets.

So…how do you get one and how much does it cost? At the present time, you may have to wait to take delivery of this $150,000 vehicle. Bentley dealers (40 nationwide) have reported over 1,900 customers already anxiously waiting to take delivery of their new car. The first production GT’s will only be available in seven colors and will be built to spec in an effort to get the cars out. Eventually, you’ll be able to choose from one of sixteen different colors. You’ll also have the option of choosing different interior hides, which can contrast on the seats and dash as well as the upper and lower door panels.

Plans are already in the works for a four-door version of this luxury super car for model year 2005. And although there are no definitive plans as of yet, don’t be surprised to see a convertible version of the Continental GT Coupe in the future.

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