The Bentley Continental is a car nameplate used by Bentley, a British luxury car manufacturer, from 1952 to 1965, 1984 to 2002, and from 2003 to the present. Initially, it referred to a customized chassis for engines more powerful than the ordinary offering, delivered to a chosen number of coachbuilders to install exceptionally lightweight coachwork constructed under Rolls-Royce supervision.
History of the Bentley Continental
Rolls-Royce had previously used the moniker "Continental" for cars designed for and optimized for long-distance, high-speed touring on roads and in a design previously exclusive to continental Europe. From the 1930s to the 1950s, Standard Steel Bentley saloons used the phrase "The Silent Sports Car" in their advertisements. Their Continental was a high-performance variant that was lighter, quicker, and more agile, making it ideal for long-distance, comfortable travel at high speeds. Bentley repurposed the Continental nameplate in 1984 and again in 2003 for two different models of cars.
Bentley Continental R-Type Continental (1952–1965)
The R-Type Continental was built using the same chassis as the standard R-Type because Bentley was ambitious and wanted to make a luxury automobile for the driver, not the passenger. In the early 1950s, when the automotive industry entered a new era by delivering faster automobiles for wealthy people, Bentley dominated the market with the quickest four-seat production model in the world, the R-Type Continental. In this way, Walter Owen Bentley's hope was realized once more. Over a million dollars was paid in 2015 for a 1952 R-Type Continental that had not been refurbished. The second generation of the Continental ceased production and sales in November 1965 as the unitary structure T Series debuted in September 1965.
Production Dates
- 1952–1955 - Bentley R-Type Continental
- 1955–1959 - Bentley S1 Continental
- 1959–1962 - Bentley S2 Continental
- 1962–1965 - Bentley S3 Continental
Bentley Continental R, S, T (1952–1965)
In 1984, the Continental trademark was reintroduced. The same level of luxury was present, but the interior was tailored more for the driver's needs.
In the early 1980s, officials from Rolls-Royce intended to create a Bentley that looked nothing like their own cars. To be sold only under the Bentley name and to reflect the successful racing legacy of the B-winged marque.
After several setbacks and delays, the automobile was finally introduced at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show.
Everybody was taken aback when Bentley unveiled gorgeous new cars from 1984 to 2002:
- 1984–1995 - Bentley Continental
- 1991–2002 - Bentley Continental R (Roadholding)
- 1994–1995 - Bentley Continental S
- 1996–2002 - Bentley Continental T
Bentley Continental (2003–Present)
Bentley Continental GT (2003–2010)
Since the Bentley Continental was built on the identical platform as the German flagship car, the Volkswagen Phaeton, its critics claimed that the Bentley was the most expensive Volkswagen Phaeton coupe in the world. Actually, that wasn't entirely accurate, considering how Bentley modified the Continental to include features no limousine at the time could match. In the first place, it wasn't a conventional family car. The fact that it was classified as a 2+2 GT coupe indicated that there were technically just two seats inside. Only plastic pets could use the ones in the back. However, it was a swift and haughty replacement for the Bentley line.
Bentley Continental GT Speed (2007–2013)
The Bentley GT Speed at the time was the fastest ever. The Continental GT Speed continued its rapid advancement with a top speed of 202 mph (325 kph). After Volkswagen acquired the management of Bentley, it began restoring the British automaker to its illustrious racing past and high standards. Gran-tourers and fast, plush limos made up the entirety of the roster. Notably, they supplied the palace's fancy car. Bentley used the same W12 6.0-liter engine in the automobile, so that's not a big deal from a technological standpoint. Turbochargers helped it along.
Bentley Continental GTC (2007–2013)
Bentley also offers a convertible version of the Continental GT called the Continental GTC V8. It can go from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in under four seconds and has a maximum speed of 198 mph (319 kph).
Price
In 2023, the estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2023 Bentley Continental GT is $210,000 for the Coupe (base) model.
Features of the Bentley Continental
Exterior Features
The Continental GT V8's exterior design is so iconic that just hearing the name "Bentley" conjures up images of this particular model. Styling updates have been made over the years, although like Porsche, Bentley's designers only make minor adjustments to the car with each new generation. The shiny chrome matrix grille up front and four LED Matrix headlights do a fine job of blending heritage and modernity. From a vent in the front fender extends a chrome accent line, which can be covered up if desired. You may use the same method for the headlight bezels, grilles, and other chrome details, such as the frame of your windows. All different trim levels come with 21-inch wheels, but the Mulliner edition comes standard with 22s. The oval LED taillight housings and retractable trunk spoiler gives the vehicle a sophisticated appearance from behind, while the quad exhaust outlets nod to the vehicle's performance potential. You can choose to have a glass roof installed if you'd like.
Interior Features
The interior is as plush as one would expect from a Bentley, including this two-door model. The Continental GT's interior is upholstered in fragrant leather and finished with fine wood veneers, and you may customize practically every aspect of the car for a charge. Every time you get behind the wheel, you'll notice another thoughtful detail that Bentley's designers included: precisely knurled control knobs and double-stitched diamond-pattern seat trim. Even though there are seatbelts for four in the Continental GT, the back seats are not suitable for transporting adults due to a lack of leg- and headroom.
Standard Features
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Parking Sensors
- Rearview Camera
- Soft-Close Doors
- Power Trunk Lid
- Rain-Sensing Wipers
- Heated Power-Adjustable Front Seats
- LED Matrix Adaptive Headlights
Infotainment Features
- 12.3-Inch Touchscreen Display
- Wireless Charging
- Digital TV
- Bang & Olufsen 16-Speaker Audio System
- 18-Speaker Surround Sound System by Naim
- Apple CarPlay
- Bluetooth
- SiriusXM Satellite Radio
- HD Radio
- Navigation
- Ten-Speaker Sound System With 650 Watts of Power
Safety Features
- Frontal and Side-Impact Airbags
- Park Assist System
- Parking Sensors
- Rain-Sensing Wipers
- LED Matrix Adaptive Headlights
- High-Beam Assist
- Top-View Camera
- Traction and Stability Management Programs
Optional Features
- Ventilated and Massaging Front Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Wireless Charging
- Pedestrian Detection
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Lane Keep Assist
- Night Vision Camera
- Surround-View Camera
- Heated Windshield
- Hands-Free Trunk
- Head-up Display
- Panoramic Glass Roof
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Lane Keep Assist
- Night Vision Camera
- Head-up Display
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Surround-View Camera
- Forward Collision Alert
- Automatic Emergency Braking
Release Date
Bentley released the Bentley Continental from 1952 to 1965, 1984 to 2002, and from 2003 to the present.