NAIAS: Bentley Continental GT V8
Since its introduction, the Bentley Continental GT has been a fascinating lesson in how “luxury” operates. Fundamentally identical to the VW Phaeton, the Conti sold for twice as much — and did volumes between ten and thirty times what the uber-VW ever managed in the United States.
This platform is about to celebrate its tenth year in production. How do you revitalize it when there are plenty of $70,000 used Contis out there? Simple: you turn down the power.
The new twin-turbo four-liter V8 delivers 500 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque through a new eight-speed transmission. New interior electronics replace the Phaeton Infotainment center stack which was dated in 2004 and laughable today. The price? “North of $150K.” Here’s a hint: a used Conti with a $500 tuner chip will drop this thing like it’s hitting hyperspace out of an asteroid field. TTAC’s opinion? Time to put this nag out to pasture.
More by Jack Baruth
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Wrong color, wrong wheels... In a forest green or off-white (almost almond) with more conservative wheels, tan interior, and it's about as cool as it comes (unless you are into boy-racer or ricer.) It would be interesting to see what colors are being chosen when it's a customer order, not what the dealer thinks to order.
As long as we have hip hop music moguls and overpaid sports figures there will always be a need for this car. With optional bling packages and 10000 watt stereo systems.