Which one?

THE V8 engine is significantly more frugal than the W12, while offering all of the power and refinement you’re ever likely to need – but every Conti GT will cost plenty to run.

If you can, buy a V8 S. It’s sharper to drive than the regular V8 car thanks to tweaked steering and suspension. The GTC fetches a significant premium over the coupé, but you’ll get most of that back when you sell.

The Convertible offers fabulous refinement roof-up, and remains a superb cruiser with the top down. As standard, the Continental GT came with 20-inch alloy wheels, air suspension, bi-xenon headlights, leather, electrically adjustable heated front seats, a DAB radio, plus parking sensors front and rear.

Alternatives

JUST like the Bentley, the Ferrari FF and GTC4 Lusso came with eight or 12-cylinder engines, and offer four-seater usability with four-wheel-drive security, plus shooting brake practicality.

The Mercedes S-Class Coupé and Convertible are luxurious, fast, refined and high-tech, while the Aston Martin

GEARBOXES There’s a choice of two autos, with six or eight gears – we’d go for the latter because it’s much more reliable

DB9, DB11 and Vanquish put more of an emphasis on performance than practicality – much like the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio, which are superb (if flawed) grand tourers. The BMW M6 doesn’t have the Bentley’s interior class but it’s fast, practical and looks smart.

The Rolls-Royce Wraith is also luxurious, expensive and exclusive but, as with all of the these rivals, the Wraith’s talents may overlap with the Conti GT’s – but ultimately the Bentley is in a class of its own.

Verdict

WHEN it was launched, the secondgeneration Continental GT was priced from £135,000, yet you can now secure one for less than £40,000. That might be the same money as a new mid-range BMW 3 Series, but don’t go thinking you can run a Bentley for similar money, because the maintenance costs are very different.

Tyres, brakes, insurance, tax and servicing add up quickly, so be realistic