Bentley Continental 2007 Review

For then, we could be shipped, in a blink, to a German autobahn with no speed limit or an Italian autostrada where few obey the 150km/h signs.

At 110km/h you have only just opened the Bentley’s performance envelope of 411kW of power and 650Nm of torque.

Its six-litre W12 engine with twin turbochargers is good for a 0-100km/h time of 4.8secs and a top speed of 312km/h The Continental GT indeed lives up to its name. This is a high-speed cruiser designed to traverse Europe or America in comfort.

It would do an equally great job here in Australia, too, if the relatively restrictive speed limits and thirsty fuel consumption failed to faze you.

How thirsty? Weighing a hefty 2385kg (about the same as two Mazda MX-5s), the big Bentley returns about 17 litres/100km. But this is of little consequence when you slide behind the wheel, for the interior is an unparalleled fusion of modern style, traditional craftsmanship and Bentley detailing.

Fire up the W12 (effectively twoV6s spliced together) and not even a near 2.4 tonnes can smother the acceleration which presses you back into the plush leather seat with serious intent.

But the $379,000 (new, plus costs) Continental GT is not just a car built for straight lines. On open, flowing corners, its all-wheel-drive produces grip levels that belie a car of this size. This was borne out tackling the agricultural back roads west of the city.

Here was an opportunity to snick the six-speed automatic transmission into Sport and shuffle up and down the gears by flicking the steering wheelmounted shift paddles.

The Bentley adjusted without complaint from grand tourer to sports car, but on tighter corners, you were instantly reminded by the law of physics that this was one big car.

The GT was up to stopping without fuss, but then it does have the largest brake disc of any production car at 405mm on the front and 335mm at the rear.

My only moan about the Bentley was the weight of the driver side door. Opening it on a slight incline required a hurculean effort to get out.

But then, this is a car where someone would usually open the door for you. Is it not?