Tested: Bentley Continental GT V8 S

21 October 2015 Redazione News, Tested

WHEN V8 TURNS TO BE THE RATIONAL WAY…

by Alessandro Marrone

“If the W12 is a charismatic singer, this V8 is a bloodthirsty screamer. A killer caught during murder “.

Rarely you can define a V8 from 521 horsepower (or if you want even 520 hp) as a mature and sensible choice. But if you think that until a few years ago, all Bentley, both Continental GT and Flying Spur, could be chosen with the sole option of the 12-cylinder from Volkswagen origin, the availability of a model with an 8-cylinder, should now offer greater choice to customers, especially those who wanted to do a more intense use of this amazing living room on wheels, without necessarily having to be top scorer on weekends. This 4.0cc is pretty much the same that you find under the hood of your uncle’s RS6 and must not be seen as the scapegoat that will demean the “winged B”, but as an opportunity, in a period that words like downsizing , crisis, fuel consumption and emissions are more common than passion, excitement, speed and engine roar.
If Formula 1 have softened, this Continental GT seems to be even more fierce than its big sister: the V8 emits a constant roar, a scream like that of a murderer raging over his victim. A moment later, literally turning off some of the 8 cylinders, you come back home quietly, reducing fuel consumption and not calling the attention. Fantastic, although certainly these are not the first things we look at a car that needs to move, go fast and at the same time offer the luster that Bentley and a few others are able to offer. The V8 S has 21 horsepower more than a standard GT V8, side skirts, aesthetic touches to the front and rear bumpers, new suspension with adjustable dampers and the possibility to fit it with carbon-ceramic brakes, useful if you keep in mind that you are dealing with a supercoupe by over 2 tonnes. The constant comparison with the W12 version does not want to get away from your mind, but this is one of those situations where the newcomer (in this case the V8) steals the show to the other and makes almost “useless” to want more. The all wheel drive are managed by the ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox, offering to the ground 680Nm of torque, available when you press the accelerator. Grip is superb, despite the weight and dimensions of a “good fork”, the Conti GT V8 S behaves like a Latin dancer: moves to the right and to the left, quick, sleek and without making you play around between the two paddles behind the wheel or the steering wheel itself. Obviously, if you push to hard you will sink the nose in the asphalt as if it were jelly, but after finding the right tune with the power/weight ratio, the feeling will become one with the crazy roar, emphasized by the sports exhaust behind the head of the rear occupants.
It is not easy to combine supercar performance with the comfort and the look of a mega yacht: the interior underwent a simple update if compared to the perfect cockpit we know so well. Stitching in the same color as the body, three-spoke sports steering wheel, infotainment (perhaps a bit ‘slow compared to what we could expect) and a stereo system that costs as your neighbor’s Fiat Panda. There is not a comma out of place, there is nothing that makes you remain doubtful thinking “here, the W12 is better”. Maybe, the GT V8 S wants to play hide and seek with a finger, showing how may very well meet and satisfy the typical customer. But I’m too busy to keep the steering wheel in my hands while the Conti distracts me taking me from 0 to 100 in 4 seconds and a half and bringing the whole pack at more than 300 per hour without any problem (this last thing, unfortunately could not be tested for obvious reasons) . Consuming as a tanker is up to you, driving like a maniac too. You ask and it answers. Your ideal driver will be your personal one: a car that responds to every command.

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT V8 S (2014-)

Layout   – front-engined, all-wheel-drive

Engine – 8 cylinder V 3993cc – twin-turbo

Transmission – 8-speed automatic gearbox

Power – 521 hp @ 6000 rpm

          680 Nm @ 1700 rpm

Weight – 2295 kg

Acceleration – 4,5 sec.

Top Speed – 309 kph

Price – from 193.000 €