Could too much of a good thing turn sour? Bentley doesn't seem to think so, as the maker expands its entry-level Continental GT lineup for 2013 to include a tweaked version of the new twin-turbocharged V8 Audi's using in its 2013 S lineup, appropriately dubbing it the GT V8. The entire line went under the knife for this 2013 debut, but excepting some streamlining, the base GT remains relatively unchanged.
Aimed at the driver-owner who simply doesn't like to stop for fuel, the GT V8 affords significantly improved fuel efficiency for a long 500-mile stride and a slightly lower entry fee with almost imperceptibly less performance—unless the especially satisfying growl from its two-pair figure-8 exhaust pipes is the sort of performance you prefer. In that case, the new 4-liter, 500-hp, 486-lb-ft torque V8 is certainly a top pick, although the 6-liter, 567-hp and 516-lb-ft torque W12 paired with a 6-speed paddle-automatic in the Base retains certain bragging rights.
The interior of the GT V8 is slightly downscale from that of the incumbent Base model, but it was redone in the spirit of weight reduction. One less armrest here, some materials changes there, and voilà—a 2-and-a-half-ton car that moves to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Base is just two-tenths faster, and each of their corresponding convertible cohorts fetch negligibly different results.
However, the convertible Base and GT V8 do feel the pinch in efficiency, being 1 mpg thirstier around town than their coupe brethren. The Base coupe maintains its 12 mpg city/19 highway rating, but the new GT V8 coupe gets a remarkable 17/26 on premium fuel. You can easily expect a 5-10 mpg dip should you need to settle for E85 with the Base trims' Flex-Fuel capabilities, but certain driving habits could see that number jump up about 5 mpg for the GT V8.
This would be a result of the cylinder shut-off technology that enables the GT V8 to run on 4 cylinders when cruising under a light load. Longer trips with fewer needs to accelerate will really help this engine sip. Further efficiency tech includes low-rolling-resistance tires, battery recuperation when decelerating and an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters—not that the GT V8 will let you bounce off the redline or downshift aggressively enough for track performance, but the added manual functionality is useful in civilian driving conditions.
The 2012 edition set the precedent for the Continental GT's all-wheel drive with a sporting rear bias, and the GT V8 is no different. However, as previously mentioned, it's no more geared for track performance than the base GT. Sure, the suspension handles anything you can throw at it, even at its 180-plus-mph top speed, but the transmission is not made for engine-braking into corners or holding a lower gear for more torque. That said, this same engine in the 2013 Audi S6, S7 and S8 delivers a thrilling peak torque plateau from roughly 1,500 to 5,500 rpm. So far Bentley is mum regarding how much of that transfers to the 2013 Continental GT V8.
I purchased a 2013 Bentley Continental GT Coupe that has matte black wrapping on the sides. The hood, top and trunk are shiny black original paint. We want to remove the matte wrap to have the car be all shiny black paint. Do you have a recommendation for wrap removal in Arizona?
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · In-Dash CD: DVD · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: dual front · Center console trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: with lighting · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Power steering: speed-proportional · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 14
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.53 · Limited slip differential: center
Exterior Features
Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium leather
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: dual front · Center console trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: with lighting · Easy entry: power passenger · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · Power steering: speed-proportional · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Universal garage door opener: Homelink
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 14
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.53 · Limited slip differential: center
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Auto off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium leather
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Laminated glass: acoustic
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Hard Drive: 30GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 440 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 15.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power steering: speed-proportional · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Universal garage door opener: Homelink
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 14
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 2.85 · Limited slip differential: center
Engine
Alternator: 190 amps
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: metallic · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: silver
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Auto on · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium leather
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear · Wheel spokes: multi-spoke
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Laminated glass: acoustic