If you’re considering buying a 2012 Bentley Continental GT when they hit the market, here’s the first question you need to answer: did you want that with one turbo or with two? If you’re buying it for image and to increase your odds with the opposite sex, one turbo is probably good enough. If you’re buying it because of Bentley’s racing heritage, and because you need something more practical than your Ferrari 458 Italia, I’d strongly encourage you to check the “twin turbo” option box. One thing you won’t find on this year’s build sheet is the 6.0 liter W-12 engine option; Bentley has decided that they, too, need to build more fuel efficient cars in order to meet increasingly tight DOT and EU emission regulations.
Last year’s W12-equipped Continental GT put out some 575 horsepower, and made the sprint from zero to sixty in about 4.5 seconds. Top speed was just under the double-ton, coming in at 198 miles per hour (although given the car’s less than sleek aerodynamics, I certainly wouldn’t want to push it that hard). This year’s model puts out 415 horsepower from the single turbo 4.0 liter V8, but generates a respectable 555 horsepower in twin-turbo flavor. There’s no data yet on performance, but I’d expect the lighter V8 to nearly match the outgoing W12. Pricing has yet to be announced, but if you’re serious about buying a Bentley, you probably don’t care about trivial things like how much it costs. You’ve got people to worry about that for you.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
Source: 4 Wheels News
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
