The Bentley Continental GT V8S is the real sweet-spot of the range – with monster power in the form of 528-horsepower to an optimized and sportified chassis re-engineer. There are just no words to describe the nimble, light and resolutely rear-drive feel of this twin-turbo V8. Yet there is grip for days and the ability to drive hard, rain or shine, with pace to make supercars blush.
Nothing else with 502-pound-feet of torque is this race-able in a complete downpour, including the Continental’s new nemesis: the Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic.
The Bentley somehow feels small and accurate in its typical size and price class. The full load of torque hits at just 1700-rpm in the tachometer, romping to 60-mph in an official 4.5-seconds.
As a convertible, the car is perhaps even more delightful. There is a superb and unshakeable sense of rigidity to this ragtop, which is also unbelievably quiet and insulated.
HD DRIVE VIDEO
This 2015 Mulliner Driving Specification car has the limited-edition, black-spoked 21-inch wheels and a variety of stunning options. The most noticeable? A delicious White Satin paintjob. This is a stunning finish, with depth and metallic fleck unlike any matte finish. But like a matte finish, this White Satin finish lacks a glossy topcoat. The result is unique and visually stunning in the flesh.
Claret is the name of the red top and cabin, which also featured the Naim premium audio system.
Back to the stunning pace, handling and feel :as shown in the below video, the Bentley V8S has a fantastic sense of presence when you floor the throttle. Unlike some giant luxury cars, the spec here ensures there is no ‘floor it and hang on’ type of feel, where you momentarily lose feel and a bit of control. The V8S is always present and in the moment, with control inputs that can only be described as fun and playful.
At the same time, its air suspension and adaptive dampers make cornering flat and bumps disappear.
The Sport Exhaust is a stellar option, while you are adding cool features. Check out the full engine bellow in the Dallas Motor Speedway infield tunnel below….
2016 UPDATES
This 2015 model is already a bit dated, however. The freshened front fascia shown in Geneva is already featured on the BentleyMotors.com configurator — with its new-shape lower bumper the main difference.
Most of the other 2016 updates are about applying the chassis sportiness from this V8S to the other engines and trim levels of this — the world’s most luxurious and most-comfortable rally ragtop!
Your passenger and back seats will soon be filled by three new best friends — enjoying the Conti GT lifestyle, rain or shine.
2015 Bentley Continental GT V8S Convertible
EXTERIOR
Build your own and check out the 2016 range over at the below link….
http://www.bentleyconfigurator.com/BentleyConfiguratorWeb.asp?lModelID=346
- Premier Specification
- Extended Sport Specification
- Mulliner Driving Specification (Black Limited Edition Wheel)
Additional Features – Exterior
- V8 S exterior badge
- Dark tint lamps
-
Sports exhaust
Additional Features – Interior
-
Sports gear lever
-
Twin front armrest
Audio & Communication
- Valet key
- Sports exhaust
- CD changer
- ‘Naim for Bentley’ Premium Audio
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Technology
- Massage and ventilation to front seats
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Convenience
- Rear-view camera
- Naim audio
2015 Bentley Continental GT V8S Convertible
INTERIOR
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Â | Continental GT V8 S | Continental GT V8 S Convertible |
| Engine | Â | |
| Type | 4-litre twin-turbocharged direct injection V8 with cylinder deactivation | |
| Max Power | 521 bhp / 528 PS / 389 KW @ 6,000 rpm | |
| Max Torque | 680 Nm / 502 lb.ft @ 1700 rpm | |
| Transmission | Â | |
| Type | ZF 8-speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting and column mounted paddleshift | |
| Driveline | Continuous all-wheel drive (40:60 rear bias) | |
| Ratios | 1st : 4.71; 2nd: 3.14; 3rd: 2.1; 4th: 1.67; 5th: 1.29; 6th: 1.00; 7th: 0.839; 8th: 0.667 | |
| Final Drive | 2.85 | |
| Brakes | Â | |
| Front | 405mm ventilated discs (optional 420mm Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled) | |
| Rear | 335mm ventilated discs (optional 356mm, Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled) | |
| Wheels and Tyres | Â | |
| Wheels | New unique 20″ x9.5J Open-spoke wheel in two finishes, 1x other 20″ and 4x 21″ designs in two finishes | |
| Tyres | 275/40 ZR20, optional 275/35 ZR21 | |
| Steering | Â | |
| Type | Rack & pinion, power assisted, speed-sensitive ZF servotronic | |
| Turns lock-to-lock | 2.6 turns | |
| Turning circle | 11.3 m | |
| Suspension | Â | |
| Front | Four link double wishbones, computer controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti-roll bar | |
| Rear | Trapezoidal multi-link, computer-controlled self-levelling air suspension, with anti-roll bar | |
| Damping | Continuous Damping Control, tuned for dynamic performance | |
| Dimensions | Â | |
| Wheelbase | 2746 mm / 108.1 in | |
| Overall length | 4806 mm / 189.2 in | |
| Width (across body) | 1944 mm / 76.5 in | |
| Width (inc. mirrors) | 2227 mm / 87.7 in | |
| Overall height | 1394 mm / 54.9 in | 1403 mm / 55.2 in |
| Fuel tank | 90 litres / 20 gallons / 24 US gallons | |
| Boot volume | 358 litres / 12.6 cu ft | 260 / 9.18 cu ft |
| Kerb weight (EU) | 2295 kg / 5060 lb | 2470 kg / 5445 lb |
| Gross vehicle weight | 2750 kg / 6063 lb | 2900 kg / 6393 lb |
| Performance | Â | |
| Top speed | 192 mph / 309 km/h | 191 mph / 308 km/h |
| 0-60 mph | 4.3 secs | 4.5 secs |
| 0-100 mph | 10.3 secs | 10.6 secs |
| 0-100 km/h | 4.5 secs | 4.7 secs |
| 0-160 km/h | 10.3 secs | 10.6 secs |
| Fuel Consumption (EU cycle)* | Â | |
| Urban | 18.4 mpg / 15.4 litres/100 km | 17.9 mpg / 15.8 litres/100 km |
| Extra Urban | 36.7 mpg / 7.7 litres/100 km | 35.3 mpg / 8 litres/100 km |
| Combined | 26.8 mpg / 10.6 litres/100 km | 25.9 mpg / 10.9 litres/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 246 g/km | 254 g/km |
| Fuel Consumption (EPA cycle)** | Â | |
| City (US mpg) | 15 | 14 |
| Highway (US mpg) | 24 | 24 |
| Combined (US mpg) | 18 | 17 |
| Emissions Controls | EU 5 and US LEV II | |
* Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to Type Approval.
** Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to EPA certification.
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Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.