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2012 Bentley Continental

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Overview

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2012 Bentley Continental Review

By Joe Tralongo, Contributing Editor

In the world of high-performance super luxury cars, few combine the performance, luxury and heritage found in the 2012 Bentley Continental. Offered as a coupe (GT and Supersports), a convertible (GTC) and a sedan (Flying Spur), the Continental lineup is all encompassing. There's even a high performance Speed variant. While the sedan is certainly every bit as capable as its 2-door counterparts, it's the coupe and convertible that steal the show. Big, wide and heavy, these beauties harken back to a different era, one where bigger really was better. Only now, they are equipped with enough modern technology to allow for blistering acceleration and brilliant handling. Available with velvety-yet-thundering twin-turbo 8- and 12-cylinder engines, the Continental truly is one of a kind.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for Ferrari-like performance in a subtle but alluring design, the 2012 Bentley Continental may be the perfect car. Traditional British interior coachwork is beyond reproach, as is its German engineered mechanicals.

You May Not Like This Car If...

You don't need to spend $200,000 to get the kind of luxury and performance found in the Continental. A nice Audi S8 or BMW 7 Series can do the job, plus you get a much more extensive dealer network.

How It Ranks

#2

out of 2

MPG

#2

out of 2

Horsepower

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Consumer Rating

9.7 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2012

Minor styling changes and some added horsepower mark the big changes for the 2012 Bentley Continental.

Driving the Continental

Driving Impressions We were lucky enough to spend some time behind the wheel of the 2012 Bentley Continental GT V8. Despite four fewer cylinders (the other Continentals employ a twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine),...

there was no lack of power underfoot. The GT V8 launched to 60 mph in a scant 4.6 seconds and Bentley claims a top speed of 188 mph. The 8-speed ZF automatic transmission is flawless so long as you keep it in sport mode and the 40/60 front-to-rear torque split on the all-wheel-drive system provides just the right amount of traction without smothering the car's cornering ability. Most impressive, though, is the utter sense of solidity the Continental displays. Rattles are nonexistent, there is little to no outside wind and road noise and no rude sounds from under the hood. It's like driving something carved from a single ingot, unflappable and without a weak spot.

Favorite Features

NAIM AUDIO
Created exclusive for Bentley by British audio expert Naim, the system electronically alters the position of the speakers to transform your car's cabin into an auditorium.

COBRA DESIGN SPORT SEATS
These ultra-plush sport seats not only offer incredible support at every point, they are also ventilated and include a massage feature.

2012 Bentley Continental Details

Interior

Interior craftsmanship is what the Bentley Continental for 2012 is all about. There are numerous choices to help the customer individualize his or her car, including diamond-pattern seats, two-tone leather combinations and seven different wood veneers. Bentley claims 80 percent of the Continental's interior is covered in some form of leather; the remainder is wood, a few plastic bits and lush carpet and headliner. The cabin on the sedan is spacious enough and rear-seat passengers are treated as well as those up front but, in the coupe and convertible, the rear seat isn't really fit for anything more than a short ride.

Exterior

There is something undeniable about a hand-built, hand-polished and hand-crafted automobile. Every inch of the Bentley's 2012 Continental is built without flaw or misstep. From the nearly 100 custom paint options to the 21-inch 10-spoke chrome wheels, the Continental oozes distinction. On the coupes, a concealed rear spoiler electronically deploys at high speed, helping to stabilize the rear end, as if a nearly 5,000-pound car needed further stabilizing.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Among the more notable features that come with buying a Bentley are a twin-turbocharged W12 engine (except the GT V8), bi-xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, premium leather hide interior in your choice of 17 colors, engine start/stop-button ignition, four-zone climate control, power lumbar massaging and heated front seats, voice-activated navigation/infotainment system, ventilated front and rear seats, and a full suite of safety features including electronic traction and stability control, front and rear side airbags and full-length side-curtain airbags.

Optional Equipment

Among the more lavish options for the 2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur are carbon ceramic brakes, the Naim audio system, full-width rear seat with lumbar massage and seat heaters, radar-based adaptive cruise control and a rear backup camera. Other features vary by model and include heated steering wheel, lambswool rugs, electronically-adjustable neck warmer (GTC), and various two-tone exterior and interior color splits.

Under the Hood

Power for all 2012 Bentley Continentals, save for the GT V8, comes from a twin-turbocharged W12 engine mated to a 6-speed ZF transmission. Unlike a V formation, the W houses four sets of 3-cylinder groups in a W formation, allowing for the power of a V12 in space normally reserved for V8. The GT V8 employs a 500-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 equipped with cylinder deactivation, for those rare times when it is more important to save gas than impress your date. The GT V8 also uses an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The Continental is also E85-compatible.

2012 Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8
4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8
500 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
487 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm
EPA city/high fuel economy: 15/24

2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur, GT and GTC
6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12
567 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 11/19 (gasoline), 8/13 (E85)

2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed, Supersport
6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12
600 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700-5,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/19 (gasoline), 8/14 (E85)

Pricing Notes

Regardless of which 2012 Bentley Continental you choose, the check you write is going to begin with the number 2, possibly 3, depending on how carried away you get with the available options. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the 2012 Flying Spur starts around $187,000, while the Speed version pushes the price closer to $215,000. The GTC will be around $285,000, the Supersport coupe tucks in nicely near $270,000 and the GT starts just under $195,000. With options it's easy to add $50-75,000 to the bottom line of a Continental. You can certainly get equally good performance and luxury from a Porsche Panamera, BMW Alpina B7 or Audi S8 and not spend anywhere near the price of a Bentley. But, they won't be a Bentley.

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2012 Bentley Continental Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.7

Out of 10

Based on 7 Ratings for the 2005 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.6/10

Quality

10.0/10
Reliability

9.9/10

Performance

9.7/10
Comfort

10.0/10

Styling

10.0/10

Flying Spur is high quality & unique design fusion

By Arthur (MO) on Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 13,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Great combination of VW's mechanical and electrical engineering with Bentley's traditional attention to details and excellent quality materials. The car is understated in appearance. The price is high and it was a very self-indulgent purchase. Overall I am pleased with the car."

1 person out of 4 found this review helpful

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Wow! Wow! Wow! Worth every penny,,,

By Robi (CA) on Tuesday, June 19, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 3,161

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Bentley has left no stone unturned"

Cons: "Having to wash it every week!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This car delivers on so many levels , the v12 twin turbo engine is amazing and blows my last car an Aston Martin Vantage Roadster out of the water. I bought this car without even test driving one over the phone,,and by far best phone order I've ever placed, make sure if you love your music as I do ,, get the up grade on the sound system you'll be glad you did!"

10 people out of 11 found this review helpful

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OUTSTANDING VEHICLE FOR COMPORT AND POWER

By Bill (FL) on Wednesday, October 19, 2011

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 9,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "4 seater with console in rear. Excellent leg room."

Cons: "There are really no negatives to this car."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This vehicle is one of three in the family and is seldom driven by one owner. All options and specifications were selected by owner and the time of purchase. It was made to order. Very unusual interior and exterior combination."

9 people out of 11 found this review helpful

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Classy luxury supercruiser and a muscle car's soul

By raptorduck (CA) on Monday, September 19, 2011

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 38,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "design, interior, quality, power, smoothness"

Cons: "navigation not so great"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have been fortunate to have owned many cars, and many high end offerings from Germany, the UK and Italy at that. When I bought my Bentley GT Continental, I considered (and drove) an Aston Martin DB9 and Mercedes CL63 AMG. I had owned both an Aston and AMG car before so expected to favor one of those over a car which was being described as a tuned up VW. Fortunately I drove all 3 the same day. The decision was an easy one at that point, the Bentley was the clear winner in performance, driving dynamics, and overall impression. The Aston was gorgeous and Benz solid, but the Bentley got my nod, from the moment I sat in it, and it sealed the deal within 5 minutes of driving it. Now years later, the Bentley remains as one of the most amazing cars I have ever driven. My current stable includes an Aston, Ferrari, R8, and a few others. If I could only keep one car, it would be the Bentley. In a straight line, particularly from 50-150, it's 12 cylinder 552 horses can keep pace with just about any supercar. Yet it can seat 4 adults and haul a lot of luggage and it would do so in a classy style only Rolls Royce can match. There is something special about Bentley design and fit and finish. It oozes classy luxury. Driving it is an occasion, the smells and feel evoke a feeling of being spoiled and pampered. Some expensive cars don't feel expensive, this one does. Usually this GT takes you from A to B in style, comfort, and quiet. But when your sporty gene flares up, just pop it into sport mode, tighten the suspension settings, watch the spoiler go up and you are in a rocket ship. Its AWD also makes it even better in the wet compared to its competition. Lookswise, only Aston' DB9 is prettier among GT coupes. To boot, Bentley has outstanding customer service, unlike any other maker I have ever seen (save perhaps Aston's). Overall, this is a car that has no competition in its class in my view and when it comes time for me to replace it, it will be with the exact same model."

40 people out of 43 found this review helpful

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