2012 Bentley Continental GT the Most Recent

Exotic Car - 2012 Bentley Continental GT the Most Recent - Exotic Car buddy this time you will see a description of GTD 2012 Bentley Continental, a few sample images from the 2012 Bentley Continental GT and also the specifications of the 2012 Bentley Continental GT. Bentley Continental GT has successfully promoted starting in 2004, the Continental GT Bentley quickly became best-sellers. Arguably, launched a new luxury car segment priced lower than the usual fare of ultra-luxury brand but higher than the top models from the likes of BMW and Jaguar. This is a risky step. It worked. I always respected that, but I never liked the Continental like I wanted.

The 2012 Continental GT drives better than the previous generation, too. It feels substantially lighter, which was badly needed. There are three main reasons: One is that it has shed roughly 65 pounds versus the 2010 model. That may be just a drop in a 5,115-pound bucket, but every bit helps. And at least the car didn't gain weight, as redesigned models typically do.

Though several Continental body styles and versions are already available as 2012 models, only the regular GT Coupe reviewed here has been fully redesigned (it skipped the 2011 model year). The GTC convertible is on hold for 2012 but is likely to return for 2013. Still available with some upgrades are the Supersports, in coupe and convertible body styles, and the four-door Flying Spur (see the whole Continental lineup compared).

The deftly restyled GT is like a Hollywood star who's received the best kind of plastic surgery: Many people don't notice anything has been done, but it sure looks great. The most significant change comes from more creases and body lines, stronger haunches and a more squared-off rear end. In short, it now looks less like the world's fastest bar of soap. Where previous model years drew attention for their uniqueness and obviously high price tag, virtually all comments I received during my time with the 2012 were raves about the styling itself. My one styling complaint is an old one: The chrome grille, which is larger than ever, looks cheap. Most grilles are plastic, but they needn't look that way. I've said the same in the past — mainly about Jaguars and prior Bentleys — and it hasn't improved from either brand. Grilles ain't sheet metal; they can be changed relatively easily. I hope this one will be.

Despite the striking 21-inch wheels, the GT's ride quality was quite good, thanks in part to the adaptive suspension, though its adjustment is frustrated by its reliance on the touch-screen display. The physical center-console button with a shock-absorber icon merely calls up an onscreen menu with a four-position slider bar on it — too many steps for this feature.

Ride adjustments ought to have an easily reached physical control, especially when the touch-screen is as unresponsive as the Continental's. Here's a classic example of two steps forward and one back: The new screen replaces an old-style display that was flanked by physical "soft keys." This part is good. The delay in response after you push on the new screen is quite bad. First you push, then you wait a half-second before hearing a confirmation beep, and then you wait another beat before the action goes through. This behavior plagues most aspects of the new navigation and control system, which is further frustrated by a pair of small, slippery knobs that aren't knurled enough to grab if you have callused fingertips (weekend mechanics and guitar players, take note).

Otherwise, the interior looks great, with a welcome range of available appointments, from warm tones and wood trim to the contemporary gray-black leather and piano-black trim of our test car. Our leather was designated "Beluga," which is a type of whale, but Bentley says Beluga refers to Beluga caviar, which is a similar black color - and comes from a sturgeon, incidentally, not a whale. That covers all the bases, I suppose. No whales were harmed in the making of this car. As for the cows, it didn't work out as well for them. The entire interior is nicely executed, and as a bonus, the various displays no longer have a distinctive Audi appearance, which always reminded me of the previous generation's corporate parent. There's no crime in sharing parts and technology, but it's a little unnerving to be reminded of it regularly - like the characteristic BMW chime that you hear when you open the door of a current Rolls-Royce.

2012 Bentley Continental GT

Starting MSRP $189,900

Specifications :

Power and Performance

6.0L W-12 567 HP engine

6-spd Quickshift transmission w/OD

190 amp alternator

Battery with run down protection

Axle Ratio: 3.52 axle ratio

Fuel Tank: 24.0 gal. fuel tank

Dual stainless steel exhaust with polished tailpipe finish

Handling and Control

Automatic full-time all wheel drive

Permanent locking hubs

ABS & driveline traction control

Stability control

Touring suspension

Automatic w/driver control ride control

Adaptive suspension

4-corner auto-leveling suspension

Front double wishbone suspension

Front anti-roll bar

Air front springs

Premium front shocks 

Multi-link rear suspension

Rear anti-roll bar

Air rear springs

Premium rear shocks

Rack & pinion steering

4-wheel disc brakes

Front and rear vented disc brakes

20.0 " silver aluminum wheels

P275/40YR20.0BSW performance tires

Design and Dimensions

Power rear spoiler

Body-colored front and rear bumpers

Chrome bodyside moldings

Stainless steel grille

Clearcoat monotone paint

Maximum Cargo Volume: 12.6 cu.ft. maximum cargo volume

Exterior Length: 189.2 "

Exterior Width: 76.5 "

Exterior Height: 55.3 "

Wheelbase: 108 "

Front Tread: 66 "

Rear Tread: 65 "

Turning Radius: 18.5 '

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 6,063 lbs. GVWR

Curb Weight: 5,115 lbs.

Drag Coefficient: .33 drag coefficient

Front Legroom: 42.3 " front legroom

Rear Legroom: 30.2 " rear legroom

Interior Cargo Volume: 12.6 cu.ft.

Active and Passive Safety

Side impact beams

Fully automatic headlamps with washer, delay-off

Illuminated entry

Oil pressure warning

Battery warning 

Low oil level warning

Lights on warning

Key warning

Low fuel warning

Door ajar warning

Trunk/liftgate ajar warning

Tire specific low tire pressure warning

4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS)

Daytime running lights 

Center high mounted stop light

Driver and passenger airbags

Driver side impact airbags

Passenger side impact airbags

Curtain 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags

Occupancy sensor

Driver knee

Front and rear seatbelt pretensioners

Immobilizer

Security system

Comfort and Convenience

2 doors

Dual power remote heated mirrors 

Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors

Auto-dimming day-night rearview mirror 

Seating capacity of 4

Front bucket seats 

Driver and front passenger heated-cushion, heated-seatback

Fixed front head restraints

Center front armrest w/storage

(10-way power) driver seat

Rear seat easy entry

(10-way power) front passenger seat

Rear bucket seats

Fixed rear head restraints

Center with pass-thru rear armrests

Driver and passenger seat memory

Leather front seat trim

Leather door trim insert

Full leather headliner 

Carpet floor trim

Carpeted front & rear floor mats

Genuine wood instrument panel insert 

Leather/chrome gear shift knob

Lighted locking glove box 

Dome light w/fade

Front & rear reading lights

Full floor console

Mini overhead console with storage

Rear console with storage

Front and rear cupholders

Dual door bins

Carpeted cargo floor trim

Carpet trunk lid/rear cargo door trim 

Cargo tie downs

Cargo light

Dual zone front air conditioning

Automatic air conditioning

Rear HVAC with separate controls

Air filter

Underseat ducts

Automatic air recirculation

Sirius AM/FM/Satellite, seek-scan

Radio steering wheel controls

Single in-dash mounted CD

MP3 decoder

DVD-Audio

8 performance speakers

Amplifier

Radio theft deterrent

Window grid diversity antenna

Cruise control with steering wheel controls

Power with 2 stage unlock door locks

Keyfob (all doors) remote keyless entry

Power trunk/hatch/door release

Power remote fuel flap release

Voice activated cell phone

3 12V DC power outlets

Trunk/hatch auto-latch 

Driver foot rest

Retained accessory power

HomeLink Wireless Control System

Entertainment system with DVD and digital media

Wireless phone connectivity

Tachometer

Engine temperature gauge

Analog clock

Compass

Exterior temperature

Systems monitor

Trip computer

Trip odometer 

Parking sensors

Navigation system with voice activation

1 1st row LCD monitor

Power telescopic tilt steering wheel 

Leather steering wheel 

Power front windows

Power rear windows

Front and rear 1-touch down

Light tinted windows

Variable intermittent front windshield wipers 

Rain detecting wipers

Speed sensitive wipers

Rear defroster