The 2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S has
charisma in spades. Whether it was our tester's beautiful blue exterior
offset by black trim and red details, or the modern interpretation of
classic Bentley design, the Continental GT V8 S turns heads. But, as
with people, charisma doesn't always equate to substance. Is the British
grand touring coupe's charm more than skin deep, or is the attention it
draws undeserved? After an extended weekend in the new Continental GT
V8 S we have some answers.
Bentley Continental GT V8 S Front View
Finished in Kingfisher blue paint ($4395)
contrasted with Beluga black accents, our tester's exterior sparkled in
the California sun. All Continental GT V8 models feature a black grille
mesh with chrome vertical center divider and exterior (front, rear, and
wheels) B badges with red backgrounds, while the Beluga black front
splitter, side sills, rear diffuser, active rear spoiler, and dual
chrome "figure-eight" exhaust tips are exclusive to the V8 S model.
Bentley Continental GT V8 S Back View
In addition to unique interior bits (more on those later), the Mulliner Driving Specification ($14,845)
adds a solid aluminum "jewel" fuel cap and the included Mulliner Dark
option features dark tint HID/LED headlights and LED taillights, and
Beluga black side mirrors. While the standard brake package consists of
eight-piston calipers and 15.9-inch discs up front and two-piston
calipers and 13.2-inch discs in back, our tester was fitted with the
optional Carbon Ceramic Discs with Red Brake Calipers ($13,875).
The brakes feature massive 16.5-inch front and 14.0-inch rear rotors.
The high-performance brake package peeks out from behind 21-inch,
seven-spoke black finish alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli rubber ($4380). The most striking feature of the Continental GT V8 S may be the lack of a B-pillar when all four side windows are rolled down.
Bentley Continental GT V8 S Interior
After a weekend chauffeuring friends, the
Continental GT V8 S and I headed to our standard testing facilities.
Under the Continental GT V8 S' metallic blue exterior sits a version of
the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 found in the standard Continental GT V8.
With 1.5 more pounds of boost, the GT V8 S churns out 521 hp at 6000 rpm
and 502 lb-ft of torque at 1700 rpm -- increases of 21 hp and 15 lb-ft,
respectively. Power is routed to all four wheels via the same
eight-speed automatic. Despite a 5132-pound curb weight, the Continental
GT V8 S lays down impressive numbers.
