MotorMouths

Looking at the latest 2013 Bentley Continental GT, there’s not much to distinguish it from the original version launched almost a decade ago, but after a quick spin in both you’ll come to the conclusion that they’re worlds apart.

You’re looking at a luxury convertible that is simply peerless in automotive spheres. The GTC really has no equal.

This latest evolution of Bentley’s grand tourer is a substantial one. When you’re behind the wheel of the 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed on the Autobahn, it feels as close to invincible as a car gets. That’s worth $215K in our books.

Although it might be hard to call a car that costs nearly a quarter of a million dollars the Perfect Car, there isn’t another car that does everything as well as the Continental.

We have always admired the Continental GT as the ultimate in four-seat grand touring luxury. With the power, efficiency, and cache exhibited by the new V8 model, Bentley has brought forth a new version that continues the lineage in proper fashion.

As sickeningly fast and capable as the 2012 Bentley Continental GTC is for its size, it’s the interior that continually grabs our attention. It’s the kind of cabin you get when you combine the money of parent company Volkswagen with Bentley’s tradition of coach-building.

It’s over-the-top fast, a cruise missile on the highway and rarely gets rattled no matter how poor the road surface gets. The 2012 Bentley Continental GTC will shock you with its ability to make 2.5 tons of steel and aluminum move so gracefully.

The Bentley Continental GT is a car that needs no introduction. Made popular as the choice of ride for professional athletes, musicians and other nouveau riche, the Conti GT offers crisp styling, plenty of power under the hood, and ultimate luxury.

The Bentley Continental GT V8 presents a slight contradiction. It’s more blatantly aggressive than the familiar W12, yet it’s based on a foundation of less conspicuous consumption. By price point, the Continental GT probably pegs the top end for daily drivers.

There is seduction aplenty in the 2013 GT to keep the mind focused on the pleasures at hand. Is there a more tufted, lavishly outfitted coupe? I doubt it.

The Continental GT V8 will set the buyer back $214,025. None of that matters when you’re sitting in the amazingly well-appointed, hand-stitched interior with leather seats so supple you’d swear the cow was still wearing it. The engine is devilishly smooth and the Continental deceptively fast.

The 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8 is almost as fast the 12 and gets better fuel economy, sounds like a win-win. But more than that, Bentley has made the Continental a better car, as truth be told, the W12 was overkill. It may be still be some mighty expensive property, but it’s one we’ll visit anytime!