2008 Bentley Continental GT

One Bodacious Brit

Bentley cracks the 200 mph mark with the Continental GT Speed.

Exterior

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All Continental GT models get a squarer, more vertical front end as of 2008. Wider openings on the dark-tinted chrome mesh grille and larger air inlets below the bumper are unique to the GT Speed and boost airflow to the engine by 14 percent, which is one secret to the GT Speed’s extra power. Larger, dual exhaust outlets with spiraled grooves inside also eke out more power: They have spiral grooves inside, like the barrel of a rifle, to better expel gases from the exhaust system and reduce backpressure that can impinge on engine power.

The Bentley Continental GT’s doors are long and awkwardly heavy. At least they’re designed to stay open by themselves at any position rather than swing freely like the doors on lesser vehicles. This feature can help to avoid smacking them into nearby cars or objects, whether you or a valet is parking your $200,000 super coupe.

The trunk opens and closes automatically but is hampered by a narrow opening. Once past this impediment, the space extends quite far toward the back seat. A pair of wheeled carry-on suitcases plus two or three smallish duffels will max out the 13.1 cubic feet of space.

We weren’t enamored with the Moroccan Blue paint of our test model, a $4,090 option that’s also available on the Arnage. The high-wattage hue didn’t seem to fit the car’s character; the Bentley Continental GT cuts a more persuasive profile in black or various shades of gray and silver.

Interior

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The Continental GT Speed adds the Mulliner package of extras that are optional on other Continentals, including aluminum pedals, a diamond-quilted upholstery pattern, and a beautifully finished, knurled-metal shift knob that we find a key detail for this car: It’s the royal scepter of shifters.

A smattering of options, including 20-inch multispoke wheels ($1,320); deep-pile, leather-trimmed carpet mats ($440); extra wood veneer on the doors ($890); a two-tone leather steering wheel ($530); and seats embellished with “Bentley” lettering ($390), put the final tally for our test car at $215,655.

The Bentley Continental GT Speed offers many more bespoke options: Two new metals trims, in light or dark aluminum, can be had alone or in tandem, with a choice of seven different woods.

Our test model featured a striking two-tone combination of deep blue leather on upper cabin surfaces, with an orange-ish saddle leather called Newmarket Tan on its lower reaches, both well complemented by dark-stained burl walnut.

While the Bentley will make any front-seat occupant feel like a CEO, there’s barely room for two small children in back. Adults will fit only if people in front scoot their seats well forward.

There are a couple of quirks in the cabin: The six-disc CD changer is mounted in the glovebox, far from the driver’s reach. And while the wooden console that divides the front and back seats is as pretty as the counter at a Burberry boutique, the cupholders are only big enough for one beverage up front, one in back.

The Bentley Continental GT’s biggest interior missteps are the VW-based navigation system and audio controls. Not only are they the only visible evidence of this car’s down-market origins, the navigation system is among the industry’s weakest, with a dinky screen, dated graphics, and less-than-intuitive operation.