The year 2014 witnessed a new contender in the world of luxury grand touring, now coupling a distinctly thrilling soundtrack. The 2014 Bentley Continental GTC V8 combines open-air opulence with the hair-raising growl of a 4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, catapulting the land yacht to 60 mph in a relaxed 4.5 seconds. Bury the throttle and be prepared for a 187-mph top speed of pure open-air exhilaration. However, being a Bentley, the GTC V8 does it in effortless style and with a cabin representing world-class craftsmanship. On the outside, it adorns a sleek silhouette, offering a marriage of classic Bentley cues and a modern design philosophy that is both graceful and purposeful. However, what it also commands – highly – is a premium that reflects its stature and opulence, fetching a strong $195,200 when it graced the showroom floors.
Bentley’s Continental tale roots back to the iconic R Type Continental, first introduced in 1950 as a luxurious grand tourer that would carry forward a rich legacy of exquisite craftsmanship, exclusive luxury, and breathtaking performance. Embodying these essentials, future Bentley Continentals – including the S1, S2, and S3 – saw immense popularity amongst discerning motorists. Fast forward to 2003, Bentley revived the ‘Continental’ nameplate, ushering in a new era of mass-produced Continental GTs – its first ever – under the guidance of the VW AG Group. Featuring a potent VW-supplied 6-liter Biturbo W12, the Continental GT promised unrelenting performance. By 2005, the drop-top convertible variants were added to the Continental GT lineup, combining the W12’s thrill with an open-top experience like no other. Similarly, between 2003 and 2010, the lineup would witness several updates and modifications, including the more potent, performance-focused ‘Speed’ and ‘Supersports’ variants, epitomizing Bentley’s commitment to pushing automotive boundaries even further. Building upon its success, Bentley set to unveil the second-generation Continental GT, paving the way for a sleeker, more muscular design language, state-of-the-art technology, top-notch craftsmanship, and – more importantly – newer engine configurations, including throaty, quite punchy twin-turbo V8s.
Underneath the hood sits a free-breathing VW-supplied 4-liter twin-turbo V8, outputting a screaming 500 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque – available anywhere across the rev range. The marvel of an engine routes power to all four wheels, channeling power effortlessly through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Eventually, a 0 to 60 mph feat is achieved in a blistering 4.5 seconds before maxing out at a wind-in-your-hair top speed of 187 mph (301 km/h). Of course, the downsizing (from a mighty W12) helps improve fuel efficiency and emissions. In fact, according to Bentley, the V8 features cylinder deactivation that decouples half the cylinders under light throttle for improved fuel efficiency. Yet, it employs a state-of-the-art, advanced Torsen differential, finetuned steering, and a 60:40 rear-drive biased configuration to make room for spirited, more sporty driving dynamics.
Step inside the GTC V8’s plush and sumptuous cabin and be prepared for a sensory overload of top-notch craftsmanship. Here, Beluga-hide, soft-touch, exquisite leather (available in two-tone) welcomes you in a lavish embrace, only to let you gaze at the intricate handstitched weaves adorning the dash and seats in an artful sophistication. Of course, credit is owed to Bentley’s woodworking department as a vast array of elegant-looking wood veneer options beckon, ranging from rich Burr Walnut to dark-stained Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus options to add warmth and more sophistication to the cabin. Accentuating this are the knurled metal knobs and controls, offering tactile pleasure as you waft down boulevards in an open-air, sub-bathed oasis. Still, the cabin effortlessly integrates modern technology for modern convenience sakes. These include 14-way driver and 12-way passenger powered seats (with ventilated/heated and massage options), a crisp, high-resolution infotainment system (featuring navigation, multimedia controls, Bluetooth connectivity, and iPod integration), multi-zone climate control, and a premium NAIM sound system for the audiophiles.
The grandeur continues towards the GTC V8’s exterior, too. From the trademark, gloss-black Bentley matrix grille and flanking, sleek LED headlamps (featuring automatic bi-xenon technology and jewel-like DRLs) to flowing, quite sculpted lines that are both assertive and functional, the Continental GTC V8’s skin exudes a Bentley-like design philosophy. Meanwhile, hints of muscularity and athleticism adorn the wide haunches at the sides, revealing a set of bold-looking multispoke 20-inch aluminum alloys. Still, there’s no mistaking the drop-top convertible that gracefully unfolds within seconds, hiding neatly under the smart, quite styled boot at the back. Speaking of the car’s rear end, a pair of oval-shaped exhaust surrounds peek, closely followed by elliptical taillamps separated by the iconic flying mascot badge.
On the technological front, the second-gen Bentley Continental was (and, in fact, is) a marvel. We start with the GTC V8's new powerplant – a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 featuring on-demand cylinder deactivation and a silky-smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. Inside, the GTC V8 sports a crisp, high-res touchscreen infotainment system offering intuitive controls for Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, sat-nav (Google Maps), and a NAIM premium sound system for an immersive listening experience. Safety-wise, the Continental GTC V8 is equally impressive, pairing features like traction control, stability control, adaptive cruise control (optional), ABS, airbags, parking sensors, rear-view camera, and carbon ceramic brakes (optional) for an unparalleled peace of mind on every journey.
For those wondering, a twin-turbo V8 is not the only gem that this Bentley comes with. In fact, the GTC V8 graces a $20,000 discount over its range-topping W12 sibling, fetching a budget-ish launch price of $195,200. Meanwhile, begin ticking the lavish optional extras – like the carbon ceramic brakes, a NAIM premium sound system, the Mulliner Driving Specification, adaptive cruise control, or the Sports Specification – and you'll burn an even greater hole in your pocket. Looking ahead to own a piece of automotive royalty? Well, Exotic Car Trader has got you covered! Explore our curated list of Bentley vehicles to make your exotic car dream a reality.
Surely, a 2014 Bentley Continental GTC V8 is the perfect recipe for an unforgettable open-air driving experience, best enjoyed with a side of a throaty V8's growl. Exotic Car Trader is the online solution to your exotic car desires. It understands your need for an effortless car-buying journey by highlighting a straightforward and easy buying process. Alternatively, if you're looking for a safe and secure place to sell your exotic car, you have come to the right place. At Exotic Car Trader, we promote transparency, ensuring every car-selling transaction remains a hassle-free experience – courtesy of our team of experts and market-best fraud detection tools.
Exotic Car Trader is the fastest growing marketplace built specifically for automotive enthusiasts. Click below to learn how you can sell your car with us.
LEARN MORE
