Convertibles are proving a perennial source of income for the world's best-known purveyors of top-level luxury cars.
To understand why, all you need do is drive one. There is little to match the pure 'wow' factor of a desirable drop-top exotic that can so effortlessly make almost any open-air journey feel special.
As Bentley has long understood, the most intoxicating luxury convertibles are rarely the most exciting, but rather those that deliver effortless grand touring qualities into a lavish, sheltered, inviting cabin. Cars that give you a motoring experience engaging enough to savour but also preserve your appetite for open-top miles with their good cruising manners.
In pursuit of that just-so compromise, Bentley has just augmented its line-up of Continental GTC derivatives with a familiar new member. Crewe first introduced V8 S Continental GT and GTC models a little under a decade ago, as part of the last-generation Continental line. Taking the lighter and more responsive V8 model as their basis, and adding extra notes of handling and performance dynamism and driver focus, these models were among Autocar's highest-rated modern Bentleys. They combined performance, luxury, driver focus and, yes, even relative value for money to more convincing effect than any other Continental.
Today's question is: do they still?
DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
As of the 2023 model year, you can order your Continental GT coupé or GTC convertible in a broader range of derivative styles. The W12-engined GT and GTC Speed performance versions launched in 2021 survive, but they have been joined by comfort-biased Azure and ultimate-coachbuilt, luxuryflavoured Mulliner variants.
Esta historia es de la edición April 19, 2023 de Autocar UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 19, 2023 de Autocar UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
MG 4
An EV changes your driving style - but not to the detriment of pleasure
PEUGEOT E-208
Time with our French hatch is up. Is it good riddance or au revoir?
In the hot seat
Is the best automotive job in the world actually in miniature scale? Hot Wheels' design boss assures STEPHEN DOBIE it is
Correcting the record
Autocar invented the road test back in 1928 - or did we? KEITH JONES trawls the past to find the true starting point
Road test rebooted
As the Autocar road test forges into its second century, its brief is expanding and it's returning to a familiar place. MATT SAUNDERS explains
Cyber attack
MG is back on the international stage and now trying to return to its sports car roots. MATT SAUNDERS sees if the Cyberster EV can match up to a rival from the present and a relation from the past
KIA PICANTO
As rivals fall by the wayside, Kia's popular city car gets a makeover
MASERATI GRANTURISMO
Latest coupé in a long line of Maserati GT cars hits the UK with V6 power
PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS COUPE
New V8 model gets all the goodies
TOYOTA PRIUS
Back by popular demand with a cool new look and greater driver appeal