Review: Bentley 3W2 Continental GT (2011-17)

Review: Bentley 3W2.I Continental GT (2011-15)

Overview

Released in July 2011, the Bentley 3W2 Series I (3W2.I) Continental GT was a four-seat, grand touring coupe. Manufactured in Crewe, England, the four-wheel drive Continental GT was initially available with a 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 petrol engine, though a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine followed in October 2012.

V8 and W12 engines

Of the engines,

• the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine had direct injection double overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, continuously variable valve timing for the intake and exhaust camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. Furthermore, the two twin-scroll turbochargers and had twin air- and water-cooled intercoolers. The engine also featured a ‘cylinder on demand’ cylinder management system which could deactivate four cylinders under part load throttle applications; and,
• the 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 petrol engine had double overhead camshafts per ‘VR’ cylinder bank, continuous vane-adjustable variable valve timing for intake and exhaust camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.5:1.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to the 3W Continental GT , the 3W2 Continental GT was the same length (4807 mm), 25 mm wider (1943 mm) and 14 mm taller (1404 mm), though wheelbase length was also unchanged (2746 mm). The Continental GT had four-link, double wishbone front suspension and trapezoidal, multi-link rear suspension. The suspension also included self-levelling air springs (front and rear) and a continuous damping control system with four selectable modes.

October 2012: GT W12 changes and Speed

From October 2012, the Continental GT W12 was fitted with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, an ME17 engine management system and an energy recuperation system which varied alternator output inversely with engine load for improved fuel economy. Unlike its six-speed predecessor, the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission had a ‘block shifting’ function which enabled it to make multiple – rather than sequential – gear changes.

The Continental GT range was also expanded with the introduction of a performance-oriented Speed variant which could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.2 seeonds and had a top speed of 330 km/h.

4WD system

The Continental GT’s permanent four-wheel drive system utilised a Torsen T-3 centre differential which, in normal conditions, provided a 40:60 front/rear torque split. If traction was lost, however, up to 70 per cent of the engine’s torque could be directed to the front wheels, and up to 85 per cent to the rear.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Continental GT included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front and outer rear seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Continental GT had 405 mm by 36 mm ventilated front brake discs and 335 mm by 22 mm ventilated rear discs.

Features

Standard features for the Continental GT included 20-inch alloy wheels, an eleven speaker Naim stereo with a six-disc CD player, auxiliary input (MP3/iPod) and 30GB hard drive, eight-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and TV tuner, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats and upholstery, power adjustable front seats with heating and memory settings, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, car phone, steering wheel gearshift paddles, xenon headlights with washers, rain-sensing wipers, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows and heated mirrors with folding function, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer, motion-sensing alarm and an immobiliser.

Continental GT Speed

Released in October 2012, the Continental GT Speed was distinguished by its 21-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, up-rated springs, anti-roll bars and bushes, 10 mm lower ride height and re-tuned damping and steering systems.

Visually, the GT Speed could be identified by its ‘rifled’ exhaust pipes and dark-tint matrix for the radiator shell and lower bumper grilles. Inside, the GT Speed featured the Mulliner Driving Specification – as standard – which included quilted and perforated leather upholstery, indented leather headlining, bright metal detailing and a broader choice of optional finishes (including dark tint aluminium and carbon fibre).

Brochure

• Brochure: Bentley 3W2 Continental GT and Continental GTC Speed (April 2014)

Review: Bentley 3W2.II Continental GT (2015-17)

Overview

Released in June 2015 and with Australian deliveries commencing in September 2015, the Bentley 3W2 Series II (3W2.II) introduced an upgraded W12 engine and cosmetic updates. For the Continental GT W12, peak power and torque increased to 434 kW and 720 Nm, respectively, while a variable displacement system enabled six of the cylinders to shut down at part throttle openings to reduce fuel consumption.

The 3W2.II Continental GT could be identified by its new front bumper with a smaller radiator shell and more pronounced fenders, the latter with a new vent, metallic ‘B’ adornment and bright chrome fender badges for the V8 S and W12 variants (previously introduced on the GT Speed). At the rear, there was a more sculpted bootlid with a pronounced aerodynamic profile to the trailing edge, while the rear bumper was reshaped, widened and featured full-width brightware. The V8 S and GT Speed were also fitted with a new rear diffuser.

As part of the update, the standard wheel for the GT V8 and GT W12 was a 20-inch, six-tri-spoke wheel with a painted finished for the V8 and bright machined for the W12. Furthermore, three new paint finishes were introduced: Marlin (a rich metallic blue), Camel (a soft golden tone) and Jetstream (a light, metallic blue).

For the interior, a new straight-fluting pattern adorned the seats and LED lighting was introduced; the Mulliner Driving Specification (standard for the GT Speed) included a ‘small-diamond’ quilting pattern. Other changes included new driver controls, new dials and graphics for the instrument panel, updated brightware elements and a black gear lever surround for the centre console. Options included a sports steering wheel with larger gear-shift paddles and, for GT W12 and GT Speed models, softer semi-aniline hide for the seat cushions and backrests.

Features

Standard features for the Bentley Continental GT were largely unchanged.

Related links

• Bentley Motors: Bentley Continental GT
• Wikipedia.org: Bentley Continental GT