REALITY CHECK: THE W12 CONTINENTAL GT wasn't the best Conti GT. That accolade fell to the V8, which hit the sweet spot of effortless go and accomplished handling. Its performance was always just right, the drop in weight significant enough to apply another layer of polish to the big coupe's dynamics. But the W12 will be missed for its presence, its unique soundtrack and keen responses, and its ability to add some vigour and vitality to the process of wafting around in opulence and luxury.
Now it's gone, supplanted by an all-new powertrain that's tasked with replacing not only Bentley's iconic and unique 12-cylinder engine, but the VW Group's ubiquitous 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that also served the Continental and the Flying Spur saloon - so well.
With the Conti GT accounting for one in three Bentleys sold, getting the powertrain right has not been something the company has taken lightly. Its relationship with its customers is on a par with those who car-shop in Maranello, which means it not only knows what they want from their Crewe-made cars, but crucially what they don't. And the requirements come under three core headings: Design, Performance and Technology.
On the first of those, you will need to wait until 25 June to see the new design for what Bentley is calling the fourth generation of Continental GT, but in the meantime we can reveal the technology that underpins it, and give you an impression of the performance it offers. And there's quite a lot of both.
Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Evo UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av Evo UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo - The latest, V6-powered GranTurismo is now available in open-top form. Is its combination of performance, comfort and style a winning one?
How appropriate for a car that includes a variant called 'Folgore' ('Lightning' in Italian) in its line-up that giant forks of the stuff are straddling the road ahead. It's almost as if Maserati has a direct line to the big man upstairs. Then again, giant hailstones are clattering against the fabric roof as well, and then turn to a deluge of water so heavy that to top 15mph feels reckless. Possibly not the environment the Italian firm had in mind when they chose to launch the new GranCabrio Trofeo around the Italian Lakes. Still, if nothing else it's a stern test of the canvas above my head and one that it passes with ease: there are no puddles forming inside, as you would expect of a £169,585 convertible, and it feels as quiet and snug as if I was driving the GranTurismo coupe.
Cupra Formentor Abt
It's farewell to the original Cupra Formentor with an Abt-tuned run-out package. It's a quietly excellent car; just a shame about the price...
Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo
This misguided departure from the French brand's hot hatch heritage saw the Clio fall from grace
REBIRTH OF AN ICON
The Kalmar 9X9 is a modernday reinterpretation of Porsche's game-changing 959 supercar, with a carbon body and up to 917bhp. And evo is helping to develop it
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The underachieving Mk8 GTI gets a shot at redemption with the new, revised Mk8.5 version. Is it the leap forward it needs to be?
BEST BUYS
FAST FORDS FROM THE CORTINA TO THE ESCORT AND THE FIESTA, Ford is responsible for some of the most popular cars in British history. But alongside these everyday machines it has also produced a stream of desirable driver's cars.
HY AND DRY
The switch to electric power means an early exit for Hyundai N's brilliant ICE hot hatch duo. We go for a farewell drive in the 120 N
SEXY BEAST
The Vanquish name is back for Aston Martin's latest seriesproduction flagship, with a stunning new look and simply brutal performance from an 824bhp twin-turbo V12
THE JOY OF DRIVING
From mastering the everyday commute to unlocking the full potential of your performance car, our new series will help you become safer, more confident and ultimately more skilled behind the wheel
TINY DANCER
You haven't seen a Mini dance like this before, but then you haven't seen a Mini with a 4-litre M Power V8 under the bonnet and rear-wheel drive. Introducing Vini...