Driving Experience of the Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible
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Driving Experience of the Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible
Who drives a convertible in this hot weather? We do! Especially if it’s a Bentley! This is our second best driving experience after the Bentley Continental GT V8 coupe. While they share many similarities, they are completely different. Let’s explore how this experience was.
Elegance
This is the most beautiful convertible on the market! It truly attracts attention, and why wouldn’t it? The front grille, 21-inch wheels, and the elegant front and rear lines all contribute to its luxurious appearance. The brake calipers are signed with GT, giving them a stunning look. I particularly loved the unique design of the headlights, which set it apart from other cars. The exhaust resembles the number 8, and aerodynamic touches like the side skirts enhance performance as well. This is one of the few convertibles that looks stunning with the roof up or down.
Interior Quality and Materials
As expected, the quality is top-notch and the materials used are exquisite. The hand-stitched sport seats come with a beautifully crafted soft leather badge. The gear shift features chrome accents paired with "Piano Black" wood. The foot pedals are excellent, and the Breitling clock in the center adds to the elegant look. You can open the fabric roof at speeds up to 30 km/h within 7 seconds. Simply put, the interior is so luxurious that you wouldn’t want to leave!
Space and Visibility in the Cabin
As expected, the rear space is only suitable for children due to the convertible design, which reduces legroom. The head and legroom in the front are reasonable, but taller individuals above 6 feet might find it a bit cramped. Visibility is decent in all directions, with no blind spot issues on the sides or rear. There’s a large central console for your phone and other essentials. The trunk space is less than that of the GT V8 S coupe, at 260 liters, which can fit a few bags. In terms of interior space, it’s not the widest or most practical on the market.
Features and Technology in the Cabin
This is one of the sensitive areas for the GT V8 S convertible. Many features you would expect to find are missing, such as a lane departure warning, collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and massage functions. Thankfully, there is seat cooling, as the Bentley can get very hot under the sun. However, the steering wheel lacks cooling features, though it does have heating, which is not very useful in the Gulf. The seat memory adjustment is located on the seat controls rather than the door, like in German cars, making it less comfortable since it's difficult to select the right button without seeing it. The infotainment screen is smaller than expected at 8 inches, but the entertainment system is very smart and comes with 30GB of storage. There are three standout features:
- The sound system is the best I have ever experienced.
- You can adjust the suspension through the infotainment screen, from Comfort to Sports.
- You can adjust the roof height between Normal and High.
Power and Transmission
There are no excuses. This car is fast, and its acceleration is like a rocket. The 4.0L V8 supercharged engine delivers 521 horsepower and 680 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds in Sport mode. However, I must say that this is the same acceleration as the Chevrolet Camaro convertible V8 that we recently tested. It was a lot of fun to drive on the highways. The ZF 8-speed automatic transmission includes a cylinder deactivation option that helps with fuel efficiency. The large paddle shifters make the gear changes very enjoyable.
Brakes and Suspension
This is one of the strongest points of the Bentley Continental GT V8 S convertible. Compared to the coupe model, the brakes are significantly better, stopping the car from 100-0 km/h in just 3 seconds, while the coupe takes 4.5 seconds. I loved that the suspension can be adjusted to four settings from Comfort to Sports, making it fun for cruising as well as sporty driving.
Handling
The handling of the car is excellent during tight turns at 100 km/h, but it’s not as good as the coupe model. However, it is better than its convertible competitors. Keep the car low, switch it to Sport mode, and enjoy the sharp steering responses during turns.
Summary
Priced at AED 850,000 (price may vary based on specifications), the Bentley Continental GT V8 S convertible is a leader in its class. It may lack some technology features, but it offers an exceptional driving experience. It’s not a family car; it’s perfect for a manager who loves to drive.
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