With all their bulk, slightly heavy nose and permanent all-wheel drive, Bentley Continental GTs aren’t renowed for their driver’s appeal. Up until the launch of the V8S, they’d been regarded as fast but quite dull, but with the smaller engine (and its soundtrack), the car’s really come alive.
This is the view of Matt Farah who tested the car for Drive. He said he was by no means a fan of twelve-cylinder powered Continentals, then went on to praise the V8S for its character. Most of it is drawn from the intoxicating V8 soundtrack (one that doesn’t sound turbocharged, it must be said), although it’s still a big bruiser, the V8’s steering feels more direct and communicative.
It’s still probably not anywhere near sportscar-sharp, but at least it’s satisfying to drive – perhaps it not necessarily being designed for twisty canyon roads is precisely what adds to the fun; a bit like the Rolls Royce Wraith does.