From
Pompous to Sleek in a Blink!
Prestige has
forever been Bentley's well-deserved
reputation for building automobiles
with unmatched creature comforts and
incomparable style. Even with a change
of ownership and remarkable design
changes, Bentley's style and comfort
departments remain steadfast. But
you may need slow-mo to see those
attributes found in Bentley's Continental
GT. This sports coupe-with its W 12,
6-liter turbocharged, 500 horsepower
engine-is no mere GT poser. It's the
real deal.
Bentley's four-door sedans seemingly have enough
cabin space to comfortably accommodate a classical
quartet; but this two-door sports coupe, by comparison,
is sleek and trim. The GT's creature comforts are
nonetheless bountiful as the Continental's interior
comes in nine, exotic, natural-wood trims. Although
you'll need to leave the quartet at home, the robust
entertainment center comes standard with a six-disc
CD changer, GPS navigational aid, telephone pre-wiring,
and voice-activated controls for the telephone. The
seats are sumptuous with supple leather, offering
14 separate adjustments, including lumbar support
and power memory.
In balancing its swiftness, the Continental GT rides
on five-spoke, 19-inch, painted alloy wheels. The
glide in the ride stems from an adaptive-variable
suspension with automatic load leveling, a front
independent, double-wishbone suspension with air
springs and a rear stabilizer bar.
Yes, the Continental GT is definitely a ramped-up
rider compared to Bentley's revered, classic four-door
sedans. Distinctively it retains the lavish qualities
expected of a Bentley, but you will have to focus
faster to take it all in.
For LxM James Rothaar
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LIFESTYLE FEATURE 
