2012 Bentley Continental GT V8

The 2012 Bentley Continental GT has "had a little work done." This isn't a full makeover that makes the GT unrecognizable from its former self, just a little nip and tuck here and there. Frankly, before going under the knife, the GT was looking a little tired after spending the better part of a decade in the limelight.

SInitially, the 2012 Bentley Continental GT powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 flex-fuel engine that produces 567 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque -- an increase of 15 hp and 37 lb-ft over the previous model. A new six-speed automatic transmission is the only available gearbox and Bentley says it cuts shift times by 50 percent compared to the last unit and allows for double downshifts. The GT's updated all-wheel-drive system features a 40:60 rear-torque bias to the rear wheels for performance-minded drivers.

In Edmunds performance testing, the GT went from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy figures (should you care) are understandably unimpressive at 12 mpg city/19 mpg highway and 14 mpg in combined driving.

Exterior changes are subtle, with the most prominent updates being LED running lights that encircle the headlights and a more pronounced trunk bustle. Besides the cosmetic work, the new Continental GT has also hit the gym to shed 143 pounds and gain a bit more athleticism. The latter comes from a slight increase in power from the turbocharged W12 engine, widened front and rear tracks, and new, lighter suspension components.

Inside the cabin, the general design of the elegant cockpit with its double-stitched leather and cool-touch metal switches remains, but redesigned cupholders, additional storage bins and revised electronics make it a more livable car. Buyers can also now opt for a classy Naim premium audio system featuring 30GB of internal memory for digital music.

Many of the GT's drawbacks remain, however, including less-than-accommodating rear seats and a portly 5,115-pound curb weight. While competition at this lofty level is sparse, the sleek Aston Martin DB9 provides more driving excitement at a similar price. The Maserati GranTurismo is arguably one of the most attractive cars among the bunch and rings in at $60,000 less. And while the Mercedes-Benz CL600 and its hopped-up AMG derivatives might feel a bit less special than the Bentley, their many amenities and more favorable pricing will be hard to ignore.
The prices is about  $189,900

Interior

Engine