2016 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT CONVERTIBLE – ROOFLESS LUXURY

 Once the boss, continually the boss. It’s very tough to dethrone the Bentley Continental. A vehicle which stays in large part the equal (styling wise) for over a decade continues to be on the pinnacle. Surprising? Not on the very least. Especially now no longer with the undying, fashionable layout it has. Why to enhance and alternate some thing this is already perfect. More to the point, are you able to enhance on it? Bentley appears to assume no, so the 2016 Continental GT in convertible guise is basically the equal, even though there are a few minor updates.

There’s no denying the reality that Bentley continues to be a pinnacle roller. The reality that a ten-12 months-antique Continental can be indistinguishable from 2015 one to the untrained eye approach not anything. If this vehicle passes with the aid of using you, you may forestall and take a 2nd appearance. Not due to the fact it’s striking, because it isn’t that aggressive, however due to the fact it’s fashionable. It can be understated, however it’s the type of understated appearance that has you going: “Mmm…” because it passes with the aid of using you. A “Yes, I really need one in all the ones” looks.

n phrases of vehicle years, the styling is previous with the aid of using 1/2 of a decade. The 2nd gen is getting lengthy withinside the tooth, now no longer to say the primary. The bizarre aspect is, but, the distinction among the 2016 version and the primary 2nd-gen one is as massive as the only among the primary technology and the second one technology… There is sort of no distinction. Now, of course, we’re now no longer daft, we do comprehend the fascias had been modified a bit, and the wheels and colour mixtures had been switched up, however a mean individual who isn’t that an awful lot into motors won’t have the ability to inform 2008 one from 2014 one. This is each exact and bad.

EXTERIOR DESIGN, ENGINE OPTIONS & PERFORMANCE

Weird aspect is, nobody is complaining. As odd as this could sound, the Continental nonetheless seems like it simply got here out a 12 months in the past or maybe this 12 months. The layout hasn’t dated one bit. This thoroughly is probably the primary case of a vehicle styling (other than perhaps the Rolls-Royce) ultimate in manufacturing for thus lengthy, but searching as clean as ever. It is possibly the maximum undying layout, however we’ve nonetheless were given time to look if that principle is accurate relying on how an awful lot longer Bentley make it.

The celebration piece of the Continental GT (in each coupe and convertible form) is certainly the engine. It’s now no longer a full-blown W12 like withinside the massive behemoths of antique, however it’s no slouch. It’s a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 growing 521 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 502 pound-ft of torque at some stage in nearly the whole decrease rev range. The hp variety is impressive, however that torque parent can circulate mountains, and that’s what you want in a heavy vehicle.

In recreation mode, it’s not anything brief of astonishing. The manner with which the convertible can take off is honestly ridiculous. The four-wheel pressure and 500+ horsepower and torque may have some thing to do with that. Leave your foot at the brake for a bit, push the accelerator down, launch the brake and you’re off. It critically lines your neck; we’re now no longer even joking. Before you are aware of it you’ve long gone via first and 2nd equipment are properly to your manner to prison time. The paddle-shifters are a pleasure to apply and supply clean equipment changes, however it’s the intoxicating engine noise that continues you coming lower back to the fueloline pedal. It’s now no longer an American burbly V8 type of sound, however as an alternative a growling, popping and crackling one.

The weight is probably just like that of a massive SUV, however you absolutely don’t experience it. In reality, it’s chargeable for supporting the auto. The Continental feels composed and strong even at better speeds; it nearly appears like a rocket on rails withinside the manner it drives. Think of that engine noise as a combination among an AMG Mercedes and an Aston V12. It’s a brutal V8 growl all of the manner to the redline, with a snarl on up-shift and pa on liftoff. As a ways as intoxicating sounds go, this one is up there.

As for the pressure, it’s classical Bentley. The Continental GT Convertible hasn’t misplaced some thing to its coupe brother. It is going over all street imperfections as though they honestly weren’t there, soaking up them with out the driving force even noticing. The guidance wheel is assisted of course, however you do experience the load of the auto via it. All of the 5,445 kilos in reality. When riding in a extra lively way it’s beautiful, properly weighted, however it may show to be a nuisance whilst parking or going round tighter corners at low speeds. Parking is its vehicle’s vulnerable side, now no longer simply due to the guidance wheel however due to the restrained visibility as properly.

2016 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT CONVERTIBLE INTERIOR DESIGN

The indoors is to die for with regards to fine and consolation. It’s one of the nicest cabins withinside the vehicle international on the moment. Plush substances all round with pinnacle-fine suit and finish. This vehicle became made to last, and you could absolutely inform that. The convertible model is specifically nice, providing get right of entry to to all that open sky while you need it, and protective you from all of the elements (even ice and snow) in addition to the coupe. Not to say the reality that it acts as an enhancer for that superb V8 noise coming from the exhaust.

So then, what are we able to conclude? Well, the brand new 2016 Bentley Continental GT Convertible is one of the first-rate motors in its segment. It gives a whole lot of speed, power, consolation and comfort with the mythical Continental looks. One vicinity wherein it does fall brief but is the generation.

See, whilst they maintain the equal styling, in addition they maintain maximum of the generation. And generation, not like looks, doesn’t last. There’s no USB port, no heated guidance wheel, no fundamental lane-departure system, ahead collision or lively braking. For a vehicle priced at $234,000 earlier than options, that’s as an alternative embarrassingly thinking about a Civic or a Camry deliver the ones matters those days.

We’re now no longer one to complain, however the easy loss of these items approach an awful lot much less steeply-priced competition at the moment are a higher option. Shame absolutely, because the relaxation of the auto is brilliant. What we do recognise is that it is going to be a ways less complicated for 2016 Bentley Continental GT Convertible and different fashions withinside the lineup to feature extra generation than for the ones competitors to deliver the pinnacle of the road consolation and comfort.