Continental swift (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Continental swift

4:46pm Monday 14th February 2011 in Motoring By Steve Teale

If ever a brand had a renaissance, this is it. Bentley was, for generations, a neglected marque with its glory days of sporting triumph and high sales behind it.

That’s no longer the case. This respected British brand is right back in vogue competing with Porsche, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin and even its old rival and stablemate Rolls-Royce as the epitome of sport and luxury on wheels.

The Continental GT is largely responsible for this revival. Launched in 2002 and 2003, this model has accounted for more than half of all Bentley sales since VW took it over.

It is, by far, the most successful ever Bentley. So, the new model has a heck of a task ahead of it.

The new Continental GT arrives this month, but JCT600’s Bentley dealership, Leodis Court, in Leeds, staged a celebration launch at Leeds United’s football stadium, attending by 250 potential customers.

Mark Ballance, the dealership’s business manager, said the new model, with touch-screen technology and improved technical equipment, would be a success.

“It ticks all the boxes,” he said, adding that the Continental GT had succeeded in appealing to younger drivers without alienating older enthusiasts.

No other Grand Tourer offers such impressive levels of refinement thanks to the advanced noise-suppression technology that includes acoustic glazing, under-floor shields and hidden anti-vibration panels throughout the interior.

A new touchscreen, 30GB ‘infotainment’ system introduces advanced satellite navigation with dynamic route guidance, seven-digit postcode entry and Google Map compatibility.

This new Continental takes its design inspiration from the original GT which in turn was inspired by the 1950s’ R-Type Continental but moves the story on.

The original model was so good that you wouldn’t expect there to be too many changes to the new one, and you would be right. It has a better-sculpted shape and looks more beautiful as a result.

The grille is prouder and the side lines are simpler and cleaner. It’s also slightly longer and slightly wider. Inside, it has a new fascia and slimmer, sportier seats, while rear kneeroom has been increased.

Overall, it’s a lighter car which means ride and handling (already impressive) is even better.

Signature styling cues remain but the sculptured new body, produced using the latest construction techniques, delivers even crisper, more highly-defined feature lines and form to every area of the exterior design. The GT’s new look is bolder and more athletic than ever before.

Perhaps the most stylish new storage device in the new Continental GT is the exquisitely designed, folding, removable case designed to hold items such as keys and pens and which can also be slipped into a pocket or bag.

Crafted from veneers to match those of the coupe’s interior, the case, available as an option, is finished with inlaid Bentley wings, satin-chromed and leather-lined, and is secured in a recess above the twin drinks holders in the centre console.

Dirk van Braeckel, Bentley’s director of design, said: “The new GT coupe has an even stronger sporting character than ever before. It is an exceptionally refined and comfortable 2+2 Grand Tourer but with the heart, soul and looks of a supercar.”

PRICE: £135,760.

ENGINE: A six litre W12 generating 567bhp via four-wheel-drive. A new high-output, high-efficiency V8 engine due for launch later this year.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 198mph and 0 to 60mph in 4.6 seconds COSTS: Urban (town) 11.1mpg; extra-urban (country) 24.9mpg; combined 17.1mpg.

EMISSIONS: 384g/km.

BOOT: 358 litres.