And for $423k, it’d bloody better.
British ultra luxury marque Bentley has announced the arrival of its new Continental GT, one of the first markets in the world to receive it a year after its debut at Frankfurt. The Continental GT is being touted as the ‘best GT in the world,’ particularly the full-fat W12 model, which is what’ll be arriving first.
“A handful” of Australian preorders have already been fulfilled by the British marque, with some 40 cars already here. Priced at $422,600 it’s a little bit cheaper than the outgoing car (which was $432k), though that price doesn’t include the usual on-road costs & taxes, which could make your eyes water.
What’s odd is that despite that pricetag and its flagship positioning, the W12 Continental GT leaves quite a number of kit out as optional extras, but we’ll get to that later. What’s standard (in the W12) is the W12 engine itself. With two blowers, the 6.0-litre mill puts out a whopping 473kW of power and 900Nm, which puts its power down to all-four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic by German firm ZF.
This won’t be the only Bentley Continental GT on our shores though: In addition to the W12, we expect to welcome the Continental GT Convertible, the V8, the Speed, and the Supersports variants of the touring car, as well as a plug-in hybrid variant. The sheer variety of models on offer (particularly the PHEV) is down to the use of the new MSB platform beneath, developed by Porsche and utilised on their Panamera, and will later be used on the Continental GT Convertible and Flying Spur limousine.
Matrix LED headlights, taillights, and day-running lights are standard, as are 21-inch alloys, automatic high-beam, 17 exterior finishes and 15 leather hues are all standard, as is a 10-speaker audio system. Anything further than that is an optional extra: The headlining Bentley Rotating Display (which allows you to change between the infotainment screen, three analog gauges, or just more wood veneer) is a $12,319.45 option.
Think that’s obscene? Autonomous emergency braking isn’t standard either, instead coming as part of a $10,381.80 City Specification Package. In addition to AEB, the City pack throws in rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, traffic-sign recognition 360º camera, and electrochroamatic exterior mirrors. Lane-keep assist, active cruise control, and traffic-jam assist aren’t included: No, this is part of the Touring Specification, which will set you back $16,244.80. But for the money you also get a heads-up display, which is nice.
Mercifully, Bentley’s thrown everything together (City, Touring, and Mood Lighting Specifications) together into what they call ‘First Edition Specification’ which will set you back, wait for it, $91,234. In addition to what we mentioned earlier, you also get First Edition badges, “deep pile” floor mats, the Rotating Display, contrast stitching, and interior mood lighting that also manipulates the colour of the illuminated Bentley door sills. These items are available separately of course, but you don’t want to know how much it all costs.
All 2019 Bentley Continental GTs are covered by a three-year/unlimited-km warranty, with 16,000km service intervals. We frankly don’t know what to make of that.
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