Topless Elegance – Bentley

The 2012 Bentley Continental GT Convertible Twin-Turbo V-8

Bentley and Rolls-Royce were intimately intertwined for over 70 years — since 1931 co-ownership forced by the Great Depression — until they parted company in a complicated Volkswagen-BMW deal early in this millennium (VW now owns Bentley and BMW runs Rolls). So what tack did VW take? The first Bentley GTs, which returned Bentley to its roots as the “silent sports car” and built on Bentley’s amazing racing legacy, started out quick and have gotten quicker, with available fittings like carbon-ceramic brakes and 12-cylinder engines. Recently, Bentley began to offer their GT coupes and dropheads with an optional twin–turbo V-8 but you won’t feel less-than on the road. The V-8 twin-turbo pumps out 500hp and almost 490 pounds of torque, propelling the GT from 0-60 in well under five seconds. It has a great roar when asked to perform yet during “proper” driving is as quiet as its 5445-pound heft would indicate. The headliner of this convertible has the plushness of a fine hardtop, as befits a car of its stature (base is $191k+). Fitted with the optional “Mulliner Driving Specification” (add $7,155), the knurled gear lever and drilled metal foot pedals, this GT harkens back to the Blower Bentleys of yore. The GT convertible Twin-Turbo V-8 – an elegant drop-top that can cruise effortless yet can kick some serious asphalt when asked (politely, of course).

The GT Convertible Twin-Turbo V-8 – an elegant drop-top that can cruise effortlessly yet can kick some serious asphalt when asked (politely, of course).

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