The Continental GT

I previously test-drove a Bentley Continental GT while considering a replacement for my Panamera. That was a W12 coupe, and I drove it around town. This time, I had the chance to take a W12-powered convertible for a drive on winding mountain roads.

My first impression of the Continental GT in the city was that it felt sportier than I’d expected from a Bentley. Its basic driving character was very similar to the Panamera Turbo I owned at the time, though with an added layer of refinement. I remember thinking that, despite its softer edge, the sporty nature of its chassis was impossible to hide.

This Continental GT Convertible is finished in British Racing Green, paired with a gorgeous brown interior. It has exactly the air of a car fit for an English gentleman, and I absolutely love the color combination.

I settle into the generously padded seat, take my time adjusting its impressively versatile power settings, and start the engine. The 12-cylinder wakes with a beautifully even note. It’s never rough or aggressive, yet there’s a hint of sportiness to the sound. Bentley has got the tuning just right.

The Rich Character of the 6.0-Liter W12

From the moment we set off, the ride is superb—even on those enormous 22-inch wheels. If I focus closely, I can just make out a hint of road texture through the low-profile tires, but that’s about it. Other than that, there’s no noticeable vibration or harshness.

As we pull out of the parking lot, I barely need to press the accelerator—or even think about pressing it—for the W12 to move this roughly 2.5-ton car with effortless torque. The fact that it delivers 900 Nm from just 1,350 rpm says it all. This is torque in its most effortless form, backed by an exceptionally rich, refined engine note and a wonderfully smooth feel as the revs rise.

Modern high-performance diesels deliver impressive torque, too. But even the latest diesel engines can’t replicate the W12’s silky-smooth character, its sound, or the absence of fine vibrations through the steering wheel.

Bentley made me feel as though I’d just been reminded what true refinement really means.

Sporty or Luxurious?

How would the unexpectedly sporty character I noticed on my previous city drive translate to mountain roads?

To find out, I press the accelerator further and switch to Sport mode, which firms up the suspension. As I approach a corner and turn the steering wheel, the car shows no hint of understeer—even with that huge engine up front and all that weight to carry.

It feels remarkably close to neutral, with very little body roll. Astonishingly little.

That’s no surprise, really: the car comes standard with Dynamic Ride, Bentley’s active anti-roll system, similar in concept to Porsche’s PDCC.

Even in Sport mode, the ride is excellent, with no unpleasant noise or vibration. It’s so comfortable that I actually ask the owner in the passenger seat to confirm which mode we’re in.

On mountain roads, the difference is clear: compared with the Panamera Turbo’s almost pure sports-car character, the Bentley is much more luxurious.

That said, this is still a Bentley. Even at a brisk pace, the chassis feels completely unruffled.

In Sport mode, lifting off the accelerator brings a pleasing burble, and the shifts come with a “pff! pff!” sound reminiscent of a PDK. It all adds to the sporty atmosphere, but the sound is never loud—just beautifully restrained.

The exhaust and engine notes stay in the background like music, never getting in the way of conversation with your passenger.

I give it a little throttle on a straight. There’s a brief moment of turbo lag, then the W12 starts hauling those 2.5 tons forward with real determination. With 635 PS on tap, the car’s weight means it doesn’t accelerate like a supercar, but there’s still plenty of power on offer.

With the roof up or down, there’s no noticeable loss of body stiffness. I switch from Sport to Bentley mode, the brand’s recommended all-around setting.

The steering feels a little softer than it does in Sport mode, and comfort takes another step up. Then I select Comfort mode, and the difference is quite pronounced: the body moves up and down in response to the undulations in the road.

This is the Bentley ride I’d imagined.

Emblem exclusive to the Bentley centenary edition

It’s wonderfully soothing—like cruising across land in a luxury yacht, or gliding over a thick carpet. Unlike the floaty ride you sometimes find in luxury cars, though, the suspension is properly damped, so any movement settles almost immediately.

The suspension extends as the body rises, then compresses as it comes back down. The way it controls that downward movement is just right: it absorbs bumps with a soft, cat-like landing. The rebound and compression speeds aren’t simply mirror images of each other, and that’s part of what makes it so impressive.

The result is a delightful contradiction: a ride that feels soft and plush, yet remarkably flat.

I try taking a corner at a slightly quicker pace, and the Bentley works its magic once again. Despite that wonderfully supple suspension, there’s very little body roll.

In fact, you could almost say there’s none at all.

There’s no sense of the car wallowing or losing composure. As soon as it starts to turn, it feels as if it has instinctively switched into Sport mode—without me noticing. There’s absolutely nothing unnerving about it.

Coupe or Convertible?

I never expected a car this enjoyable on mountain roads. When I drove the coupe around town, I wondered if it might be a little too sporty. But on these winding roads, it proves remarkably comfortable.

The difference may have something to do with the speed at which I’m driving, as well as the fact that this is a convertible. With no fixed roof, perhaps the car is able to absorb some impacts and vibrations more readily.

After driving it, I realized that if I were to buy a Continental GT, I’d choose the convertible. It feels more luxurious and, to my mind, better preserves the Bentley qualities of substance and refinement. The coupe seems to pair comfort with sportiness, while the convertible brings a sporting edge to a more comfort-focused character.

Of course, it comes down to personal preference, and there’s no single right answer. I hope this review helps anyone considering a Continental GT decide which version might suit them best.