What the car is and where it came from
The Bentley Continental GT is a grand touring car introduced by Bentley Motors in 2003. It was the first new Bentley released after Volkswagen AG’s 1998 acquisition and the first Bentley to use mass production manufacturing techniques.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It is a grand touring car with a 6.0 litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine and Torsen-based permanent four-wheel drive. It seats four. The coupé has no B-pillar and fixed front quarter glass.
What it gets right
It gets right the balance of presence and proportion: long bonnet, short overhangs, wide track, and a roofline that flows uninterrupted from A-pillar to boot lid. It establishes grand touring as physically imposing but habitable.
What it does not
It does not offer rear-seat access via a conventional B-pillar. It does not use naturally aspirated engines or rear-wheel drive in its original specification.
What it changed
It changed Bentley from a low-volume, hand-built marque into a mass-production automotive brand under Volkswagen AG. It proved a luxury GT could scale without abandoning core mechanical and stylistic signatures.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for buyers who want a four-seat, all-weather grand tourer with W12 urgency and four-wheel drive assurance. It is not for those who prioritise lightweight agility, driver engagement above comfort, or minimalist cabin architecture.
Is it worth your time
Yes. It redefined Bentley’s commercial and design trajectory. It delivered volume, engineering coherence, and brand clarity where none existed before.
