2022 Bentley Continental GT: the art of refinement

In the automotive industry, there's luxury and then there's... high luxury. Then there's Bentley, or what could simply be described as the art of refinement. Bentley offers an incredible bridge between the past and the present. The company stands halfway between the Old World and the present era.

For over a century, the firm has been at the forefront of luxury and performance, and while it has constantly adapted to changes over the years, the way it designs vehicles has remained classic. The construction of unique bodies and handcrafted interiors are fine examples.

This romantic vision of the automobile might seem contradictory to today's life and the technological age that inundates us with new things. And yet, whoever finds himself or herself in a Bentley embraces this contradiction.

Within the range, one model more than any other represents this duality: the Continental GT 2022, a powerful coupe unlike anything else in the automotive world.

Six versions

The Continental GT is offered in six ways. There are three variants, in fact, Mulliner, named after the famous coachbuilder, Speed and V8. Each is available as a coupe or convertible.

Mulliner

With the Mulliner approach, you can find eight interior color combinations, each evoking a particular theme. For example, the Cambric color scheme features Beluga and linen skins with a refined gold accent for a three-tone marriage evocative of summer in the south of France.

Refinement is what it's all about. Even on the outside, it takes shape in subtle ways, like with the Mulliner lettering on the vents; a unique touch of class.

Speed

Upgrade to the Speed version, which gets upgrades and extra power for 2022, and you step into a world where luxury and performance come together like they never have. The twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine here offers 650 horsepower and blasts from 0-100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. Where permitted, you can reach 335 km/h, all while enjoying some Beethoven.

The breathtaking levels of agility in this version are made possible by the introduction of electronic four-wheel steering, as well as an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) torque vectoring system. This is combined with the Bentley Dynamic Ride electric active roll control system to give you stability in all conditions.

V8

For an equally exhilarating experience, the V8 engine version offers something different, as well as industry-leading agility. With twin-scroll turbochargers located in the V-engine, the Continental GT V8 is exceptionally responsive. It delivers breathtaking acceleration, all accompanied by the compelling sound that only a Bentley V8 engine can produce. And it's especially intense in Sport mode.

On the menu here is a 542-horsepower, 4-liter 8-cylinder capable of getting the model to 100 km/h in just 4 seconds. The top speed is 318 km/h.

Of course, with both the V8 and Speed versions, the exceptional quality of Bentley products is also on board.

In fact, regardless of the version, it is an extraordinary sensory experience that is offered to you behind the wheel. Yes, the driving will take you to seventh heaven, but caught in a traffic jam, you'll enjoy your car and its surroundings just as much as you would on a fast track.

Unique, the 2022 Bentley Continental GT? That's a weak word.