Overview
Covering long hauls on the road behind the wheel of the 2024 Bentley Continental GT feels like mere jaunts across town thanks to this grand tourer’s deluxe cabin and just-right suspension tuning. Offered in your choice of either a coupe or a softtop convertible, the Continental GT is styled to stand out while you melt into its softly padded seats. Under the hood is either a V-8 or W-12 engine, both supplemented by twin turbochargers for massive power. In either case, the Continental GT never wants for power, and while it can corner like a sports car, it also easily hides road imperfections when the day calls for comfortable cruising. As expected from the storied British brand, the Conti can be ordered to your exact specification through the Mulliner coachbuilding division. But even if you opt for an off-the-shelf model, you’ll still get a beautifully designed luxury car lined with premium materials and packed with desirable features.
What’s New for 2024?
Styling tweaks for the 2024 Continental GT include new 22-inch wheel options for the Azure trim, dark gray exterior detailing on the Speed model, and a new optional dark-tinted finish for the aluminum grille trim. Inside, the Azure models come with lofted quilting on the seats and door panels. All models also come with plusher floor mats made from wool. Those wool floor mats now lie on top of carpeting made from recycled nylon.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We prefer the Continental GT coupe, and we’d stick with the standard twin-turbo V-8 engine. Bentley’s V-8 is a finely polished gem that gives up peak horsepower to the W-12 but makes for a coupe that’s virtually as quick and agile in real-world conditions. It’s only at very high speeds the W-12 engine’s increased horsepower makes a difference. And while we like the wind in our hair as much as anyone, we’d choose the coupe because the arching roofline ties together the car’s style so elegantly we find it irresistible.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Updated versions of the existing V-8 and W-12 engines that powered the previous-generation Continental GT provide muscle-car performance. Our testing revealed that the 4.0-liter V-8, which makes 542 horses, can launch the 4926-pound coupe to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. The more expensive 6.0-liter W-12 engine produces 626 horsepower in non-Speed models and can motivate a coupe to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. The same engine has been tuned up to 650 hp in the Speed model, and we estimate it can reach 60 in as little as 3.1 seconds. Both engines work through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that snaps off quick, smooth shifts. Customers can order the coupe or convertible with either engine. And all Continental GTs come with an all-wheel-drive system standard, which helps put their prodigious power to the road absent any drama.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
When a twin-turbo V-8 is the most fuel-efficient offering in a particular model, you know that efficiency is not top of mind for the carmaker—or its customers, for that matter. The EPA rates the Continental V-8 at 16 mpg city and 26 highway. In our real-world testing, we averaged 28 mpg in a V-8 model during our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test. For more information about the Continental GT’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
We expect a luxurious cabin from anything wearing the Bentley badge, and this two-door is no different. The interior is swathed in luscious, aromatic leather and fine wood veneers, and nearly everything about the Continental GT is customizable—for a price, of course. Bentley’s designers thought every design detail through, and each time behind the wheel reveals a surprising detail, such as expertly knurled control knobs and double-stitched diamond-pattern seat trim. Although the Continental GT technically has seatbelts for four occupants, we’d suggest you avoid using the rear seat for hauling adult-size people since both leg- and headroom are limited. In our testing, we were able to fit five carry-on suitcases in the Continental’s trunk—plenty of space for a weekend away with your favorite travel companion.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 12.3-inch infotainment display dominates the center of the dashboard. It’s part of a unique, three-sided rotating unit that also includes a panel with three small analog gauges for exterior air temperature, time, and compass heading, and a third side that shows nothing but matching instrument-panel trim. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are standard, as is a digital gauge display that allows the driver to manage most of the Continental GT’s functions using controls on the steering wheel. The Continental GT offers two optional audio systems: a Bang & Olufsen arrangement and a spectacular Naim system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Bentley offers optional driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, a night-vision system, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection—items we’d expect to be standard, considering the steep starting price. For more information about the Continental GT’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Available automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Rather than put mileage limits on the Continental GT’s standard warranty policies, Bentley covers everything for three years regardless of how far the car is driven. The company also provides the first maintenance visit with their compliments at one year or 10,000 miles.
- Limited warranty covers three years or unlimited miles
- Powertrain warranty covers three years or unlimited miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe or convertible
PRICE
Coupe, $277,625; Convertible, $305,125
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 48-valve W-12, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 363 in3, 5952 cm3
Power: 650 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 664 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed dual-clutch automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 190.9 in
Width: 76.9 in
Height: 55.1–55.3 in
Trunk Volume: 13 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 5050–5400 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.1–3.2 sec
100 mph: 7.4–7.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.3–11.6 sec
Top Speed: 208 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 15/12/19–20 mpg
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2019 Bentley Continental GT
Vehicle type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
PRICE AS TESTED
$275,325 (base price: $219,925)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 48-valve W-12, aluminum block and heads, port and direct injection
Displacement: 363 in3, 5952 cm3
Power: 626 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 664 lb-ft @ 1350 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): control arms/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 16.5-in vented disc/15.0-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero (PZ4), F: 265/40ZR-21 (105Y) R: 305/35ZR-21 (109Y)
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 190.9 in
Width: 76.9 in
Height: 55.3 in
Trunk volume: 13 ft3
Curb weight: 5056 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.3 sec
100 mph: 7.6 sec
¼-mile: 11.5 sec @ 123 mph
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 207 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.98 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/city/highway: 16/13/22 mpg
