2010 Bentley Series 51 Continental GT Speed
EDITOR WES RAYNAL: The Series 51 is Bentley's way to order your Bentley any way you want it. According to Bentley, it's called the 51 because the automaker's styling department was created in 1951. So if you want to individualize your Bentley, one of the ways to do it is to get a 51.
It's still a subtle package. The only Speed branding noticeable is on the sill plates to go along with the new 20-inch rims, a rear spoiler and a slightly lower body.
Anyway, for the driving: With the Speed, horsepower is up to 600 from 552. The car will hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and go 200 mph, according to Bentley. The W12 makes the same beautiful bass sounds as ever. And man, is this thing fast! The power is such a smooth whoosh. Yes, the car is heavy but you don't really notice it once you step on the gas. And the engine is so flexible. At any speed, tromp the gas and off you go. The all-wheel drive would make it suitable in any weather with suitable tires for the conditions, I would think.
It is a slightly harder ride than a regular Continental GT, but the softest suspension was too wallowy, in my opinion. The middle setting seemed the best to me.
MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: I'd call this car a sleeper, except it's probably impossible for any Bentley to not attract Lohan-levels of attention.
Still, that was my initial impression. Unlike many of my colleagues, I'm not destroyed emotionally every time I see one of these Continentals. For some reason, I've never been a huge fan of the exterior design; it just doesn't capture my imagination. Obviously this is a personal issue, as countless people besieged me to talk about and to take a look at this GT.
As you expect, the hand-worked interior is top-notch, and you feel like you've just left a High Street tailor in a new suit each time you climb aboard.
So why the "sleeper" comment? Because of traffic volumes and road situations, I drove this car for almost an hour and couldn't understand the fuss. The chassis, both comfortable and capable, never hit a sweet spot for me, and the slow, paddle-shifted gearbox was a major letdown. But then, finally, I was able to open the throttle fully. Good. Night. My goodness, does this car bend the horizon much more than I anticipated. Bentley's acceleration numbers actually feel conservative. It's no Porsche 911 Turbo, but when you cruise around in the GT and get used to its normal behavior, you find yourself a bit stunned by the straight-shot testosterone that is actually available.
You can find plenty of other cars that are just as quick, and personally, I like the looks of several of them more than I do the Bentley. But what you do get here is an exclusive combination of hardware and feelings, and that's why people are willing to pay this kind of price for the privilege of experiencing them.
2010 Bentley Series 51 Continental GT Speed
Base Price: $213,995
As-Tested Price: $237,175
Drivetrain: 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12; AWD, six-speed automatic
Output: 600 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 553 lb-ft @ 1,700-5,600 rpm
Curb Weight: 5,181 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA): 12 mpg
Options: Aluminum tint to fascia plus front and rear console panels and roof control panel ($7,650); NAIM premium audio including 1,100-watt, 13.2 channel amplifier, 13 speakers, subwoofer ($6,900); Series 51 GT Speed including three-tone interior, nonindented hide for diamond-quilting contrasting piping for seats and doors, Series 51 treadplates, engine spin and Amboyna trim, 20-inch, 14-spoke polished diamond wheels with dark center caps, Series 51 badge on front wings ($5,070); convenience specification including adaptive cruise control, iPod interface, massage-function front seats, privacy headset, rearview camera, valet parking key ($2,820); deep-pile carpet mats with hide trimming to front and rear ($450); Mulliner alloy fuel-filler cap ($290)
Credit: Auto Week
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