Fourteen years after its inception, the original Continental GT Bentley has matured me to a significantly improved machine compared to diamond coupons, rolling in 2003, but the truth is that the basics of VW Phaeton improve to some extent. Physics will always say. So here is a brand new Conti GT and promises to be a very different animal.
It is based on the new platform of the VW-MSB group, namely the new Porsche Panamera. But it not only reduced the long wheelbase 200 mm Porsche, but Bentley engineers sat with the colleagues in Stuttgart at the table, even at a conceptual stage. The result is that the Bentley Porsche has gained technology as PDK transmission and 4WD system "clutch".
The new platform is much stiffer, stronger and lighter than its predecessors years ago. Regarding the outside dimensions, has not changed much, but the front wheels push much later the engine is back and the waist car is now higher. The result, these dress cars rough development, with its large coating to imitate the curved shape of the current car, it is a much thinner design.
The W12 remains the heart of the Continental GT range. It is essentially the heavily reworked unit introduced into the Bentayga SUV, so puts around 650bhp with 664lb-ft of torque. Complete the old center door differential with the fixed torque 60/40, replaced by Porsche electronically controlled clutch. The new GT 100 percent RWD almost all the time, just send a torque to the front when the slip detection.
For such a complex and multifaceted as a luxury GT car would be unwise to draw conclusions about Anglesey circuit by a handful of rounds. One thing, however, is clear: no car has worn a Bentley badge has never behaved like this.
The driving position is much slimmer than ever before, the wheel comes around to meet him, and the view through the letter slot excellent windshield in classic style, great tourism. Traditionalists will also be relieved of a handful of keys on the center console to see. They are part of the chief engineer Rolf Frech trust things easy to keep. This is also confirmed by their approach to driving modes. Yes, the WG comfort, "Bentley" daily and sports, as well as "individual" mode, which can be customized by the driver, but there is only one attitude for response management.
"Guiding the main contact point between the driver and the car," preaching a gospel evo at heart. "I hate different steering styles. I wanted a very specific focus, not a great movement on both sides, but a nearly linear behavior. "
It is the direction that I first noticed. Not particularly difficult, but has an accuracy that entitles the driver to take their actions. The other Bentley secret weapon is the active anti-roll system 48 volt, as seen in the Bentayga. In this case, the electromechanical rolling rods are not only based on the stabilization of the body, such as the separation of the function from other tasks based on springs and air springs.
In short, the new GT feels perfectly at home on the track, and even after many fans around your cast wheels do not complain. It is also the first time that I really felt the fire in the belly W12 aluminum. The noise is reduced for production, but has a beautiful nitty howling, the response and strong acceleration massive predictable.
In particular, the whole car feels much more sensitive - on the toes after Sulky old GT Mass. Before, everything was clearly full of speed and trying to make it back and wait, and wait until it is safe to climb in power. The new car is much more difficult. You can activate the brakes and run on the accelerator, equipped with a lift line. Difficult to make a turn, you get distributed the torque that GT occupies a neutral attitude, speed ratios just immediately.
"We've had the luxury, but really changed the limits of performance with the new car," said Frech. We expect a product unit to drive completely finished with the experience, but there is no doubt on the basis of this first taste, it is an extremely exciting time and possibly cut for the new car.
