insideKENT Magazine Issue 29 - August 2014 | Page 136
MOTORS
Bentley Continental GT V8S Convertible
Price as tested: £169,029
Top Speed: 192 MPH
0-60MPH: 4.3 seconds
Economy: Combined 26.8 MPG
Performance: 521 bhp
Combined CO2: 246 G/KM
is the ultimate road trip car. The roof comes down
with ease and even when it does and you are
enjoying all that outdoorsy goodness, hair remains
in place, music continues to play audibly and
conversations can still be had (or more importantly,
you can still hear that amazing engine noise).
Driving this Bentley is a motoring experience that
few others will ever come close to. Cruising
serenely in standard ‘D’ mode, you are treated
to the ultimate in luxury and comfort. The
Continental’s ethos of making it effortless to sit
in this beautiful creation for hundreds of miles,
and for hours on end, is upheld flawlessly – this
When you put the GT into ‘S’ mode and apply
a bit more weight with your right foot, you are
equally rewarded with an astounding, exhilarating
experience, and this Bentley proves without a
doubt that it is ‘S’ indeed. Torque, grip and noise
are delivered in abundance; the grip on bends is
staggering for what is far from a wee beastie of
a car, and the brakes are more than able to leave
you gasping in surprise and relief at any given
moment. The resulting adrenaline rush from an
enthusiastic drive in the GT is something that
they should ensure all engineering degree students
at university experience at least once. Oh and
did I mention the unequivocally awesome engine
noise?
On a beautiful sunny day, with the roof down, as
we rolled over the top of those familiar White
Cliffs, I once again felt very proud to be British.
Sure, coffee is far better than tea, cricket is a
truly silly game and our football team comprises
of a bunch of under-talented, overpaid manchildren.
But whilst Bentley is out there, continuing to do
what it does so darn well, and creating motoring
masterpieces like this happy breed of machine
– Britain, Bond, and go on then, Batman, have
something to be immensely and unashamedly
proud of.
Bentley Kent
92 London Road
Sevenoaks, TN13 1BA
01732 453 700
www.bentleykent.co.uk
Special thanks to Abbots Cliff House for the beautiful photoshoot location
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