REVIEW: Bentley Continental GT V8 S

DRIVING a Monaco Yellow Bentley Continental V8 S makes something of a statement.

Whether it is one that I am willing to make behind the wheel of such an opulent vehicle is very questionable, though.

There have been more outlandish incarnations of the Bentley Continental than this week’s striking V8 S test car, but few can have made quite such an impact out on the road.

Afterall, I’m not Mario Balotelli and this isn’t Monaco...

The statement that Bentley is trying to make with this bold hue is clear. The Continental is a changed car. A more youthful, dynamic and aggressive car, than it has been in the past.

In its new V8 S form, Bentley’s continent-gobbling coupe is 10mm lower, with spring rates increased by 45 per cent at the front and 33 per cent at the rear, a 54 per cent stiffer anti-roll bar and stiffer suspension bushes.

There’s also a V8 S specific front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser that reduce lift at high speeds, a dynamically-focussed 40:60 front:rear torque split for the four-wheel drive system and the biggest carbon ceramic brakes fitted to any production car (405mm at the front).

Sound like overkill?

Not when you consider that Bentley’s twin-turbocharged V8 engine now accelerates every bit as hard as its W12 sibling.

Delivering 521bhp and 502lb.ft. of torque, the V8 S will hit 62mph in 4.5 seconds and should reach 192mph with a long enough road to play with.

And that’s despite a still not insubstantial 2,295kg kerb weight (the W12 weighs in at 2,320kg).

Coming face-to-face with Bentley’s newest addition in the metal is like coming face-to-face with a besuited WWE wrestler. Its simple, muscular shape makes vehicles around it seem invisible — all bulging wheelarches and vast bonnet acreage.

Inside the lither and more dynamic Bentley goes without none of what the Crewe-based brand is renowned for. Chrome vent controls look like they’ve been nicked from the most opulent church organ imaginable, while leather covers every surface, diamond quilted on the seat backs, dot perforated on the roof lining.

Alright, the touchscreen sat-nav looks a little outdated compared even to mainstream offerings from Bentley’s Volkswagen Group owner, but the level of craftsmanship is there for all to see... Those privileged enough to get close enough, that is.

The V8 S is vocal from start-up, growling in evocative fashion at a push of the starter button or, if you like, a more traditional turn of the key.

Refinement might have made way for a little more rumbling exhaust noise, but the big coupe’s ride is still impeccable at a cruise and the engine has the ability to cut power to four of its cylinders in a bid to save fuel and cut emissions.

Given the grunt on offer Bentley’s realistic claims of 26.8mpg fuel economy and 246g/km CO2 emissions are pretty impressive.

Press the accelerator into the rough pile carpet and any idea of such practicalities pop like champagne bubbles on your tongue. The V8 S’s exhaust note hardens and it literally throws its considerable mass towards the horizon.

Such is the composure of the car in a straight line that it is easy to underestimate corner entry speeds, so you soon become thankful for the abilities of those huge brakes.

Turn-in isn’t darty, the steering ratio a little lazy as you feed lock into the large steering wheel, but trust in the chassis and there’s huge grip to lean on.

Compared to the standard Continental GT the V8 S’s greater grip and steadfast poise is confidence inspiring — particularly on smaller roads — but feedback from the road is still minimal and trust in its abilities takes a little time.

Huge, rather incongruous, paddle shifters attached to the steering column allow manual shifts to be made via the eight-speed ZF auto gearbox, but its ability to anticipate shifts under braking means this isn’t always necessary.

What is awe-inspiring is the sheer pace this country club on wheels musters as it hunkers down into corners and fires itself up the next straight, roaring from its large oval exhausts at full-chat and gargling an popping on the overrun.

This is the hooligan of the country club alright, the chap who pushes the dress code to the limit, enjoys himself a little too much, but has just a little too much clout and charisma to be questioned by the old guard. In short, the V8 S is a rebel.

Would you want one when you could buy a Range Rover (from £73,995) and a Porsche Cayman S (£48,783) and still have change to spare from the £149,800 asked for the V8 S.

Ask that question and you’re missing the point.

What Bentley is offering is a meticulously hand-crafted British coupe.

Wood veneers cured for 72 hours and sanded 18 times for the perfect finish, ethically-sourced hand-stitched leather and a Le Mans winning heritage central to the history of British Motorsport.

All that now served with a side-order of supercar-rivalling road presence and continent-crushing pace...

Bentley Continental GT V8 S

Engine: 3,993cc, V8, twin-turbo

Power: 521bhp and 502lb.ft. of torque

Performance: 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and 192mph

Economy: 26.8mpg (combined)

CO2 emissions: 246g/km

Price: £149,800