How the other half live in the very fast lane...
NOW my column is usually all about testing cars, but this week it is more about testing a lifestyle… to see how the ‘other half’ live. That is because those nice people at Bentley sent me a Continental GT V8 S convertible the other day - in white with huge alloy wheels and a sumptuous blue leather interior.
And the price for all this status and luxury - well the ‘basic’ GT V8 S convertible is a mere £164,800 - but this car had an eye-watering £45,690 worth of options fitted, which took the final on the road price to £210,490.
So most of us will not be enjoying wafting along in this pinnacle of British craftsmanship and design - but for the lucky few who do it is a tremendous experience.
Not just the sheer luxury, effortless power, comfortable ride and having every feature at your fingertips. No, driving this car is as much about the reaction from other road users - it certainly is not the car to use if you want to slip by unnoticed.
Bentley gave the V8 S a mild facelift for the 2016 model year with modest changes both inside and out. Exterior updates include a re-shaped lower front bumper, the grille surround is slightly thinner and there’s new flying B-type grilles on the wings.
There are also new 21-inch alloy wheels and the integrated boot spoiler is more pronounced, plus there’s a chrome strip which runs around the car and a rear diffuser.
Inside changes include revised dials and a new Breitling clock in the centre of the dash plus bigger (but still pointless) paddle shifters for the silky smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox.
New interior options include a sports steering wheel, and super soft leather – with up to nine hides being used to trim the GT’s beautifully designed and superbly handcrafted interior.
The refresh did not see any changes under the skin. And, as they say, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ - the 4.0-litre twin turbo engine already has 520bhp with 680Nm of torque linked to that superb auto box, adjustable air suspension and Bentley’s permanent all-wheel drive system - which puts all that power down with ease... but does mean an average of around 25mpg.
The car is quiet when cruising but hit the go pedal and that V8 makes a wonderful growl - particularly enjoyable with the roof down - and despite its 2,500kg the GT Convertible can hit 60 in just 4.5 seconds and go on to a highly-illegal 191mph.
Any wind noise from the fabric roof (which can be dropped on the move at low speeds) does not come until well beyond the legal limit.
But back to that lifestyle of the rich and famous. Well it’s all compliments and envious looks but there is a downside. People don’t tend to let you out at junctions (one even gave me a VERY rude hand gesture) and others cut you up… particularly the driver of a drab ‘undercoat grey’ 16-reg Audi A7 who displayed some spectacularly bad driving in Bolton, pushing out into traffic, weaving from lane to lane and then undertaking several cars on St Peter’s Way!
But the calming effect of the Bentley meant I did not even bother to reach for the ‘Maximum’ button… let’s face it - if you are driving a car as powerful as this what have you got to prove? No, I spent almost the entire week in ‘Comfort’ mode (there is also ‘Normal’) as wafting along is the way with this car… apart from a few occasions with the roof down when I wanted to hear that fabulous Bentley exhaust roar.
And it was the perfect car for a weekend driving event at a posh Cheshire hotel with ‘Her Indoors’ attended by other motoring journos from across the north of England, where there was an element of ‘pecking order’ regarding the test car you arrived in.
So if you want a fast, luxurious four-seater convertible then the Bentley’s hand-built craftsmanship and British heritage is just right for you - providing you also have a pile of cash to spend.
More info at www.bentley.co.uk