A blood curdling roar echoed across the parking lot, as
my Bentley GTC arrived and climbed up the ramp, waking up all the cars from
their deep slumber as a chill ran down their axles.
This is the fourth car
that I’m driving within the past nine months that shares Audi’s 4.0 litre twin-turbo
V8. In the Bentley Continental GT and GTC (the latter being the convertible
that I am driving now) it produces a monumental 500 bhp. In the Audi S8, it
produces twenty more but in the Bentley the sonoric climax that shook the rest
from their sloth is achieved. The exhaust notes are simply magnificent. As in
the other examples, four cylinders are deactivated on a regular drive but
tearing the throttle brings all the eight heads to life. It’s like a cuckoo
clock, that pops out in the hour of power – only, in the Bentley GTC’s case
they’re not cuckoos but ferocious gargoyles that peek out of their caves with a
spine-chilling roar before retreating as the car settles down.
Yet, the Bentley GTC is pretty
silent for a soft top even on its 22-inch wheels. Road noise is reserved for
the times when you bring your top down. Along with the fuel saving of the four-cylinder
set up, the Bentley Continental GTC V8 provides the plush comfort expected of a
luxury sedan on long trips. The fuel efficiency at one point was 6.8kms per
litre, which is pretty good, but after some aggressive driving dipped below 6.
The car engages you rather
than imparting a feeling of electronic intervention. It’s thrilling, smooth and you always feel
absolutely in control. And with such surround vision, you don’t need a blind
spot monitor. Well, if you need a 360 degree view of course, bring the roof
down!
The suspension setting
varies from comfort to sport at various degrees. However, the steering is quicker
than the wheels themselves. But it’s so easy going and well weighted that the
managing of the wheel itself is quite engaging and a part of the sporty package
with the right mix of luxury that the Bentley GTC V8 offers. This is a coupe
that can accommodate four but ideally, two would best enjoy the luxury within.
For the full review and
on-road pictures of the Bentley GTC, race your mouse to http://drivemeonline.com/bentley-gtc-v8-review-more-fun-per-gallon/
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