1 Feb 2004
BENTLEY, of course, has been VW owned and Audi controlled since 1998 (BMW snared Rolls-Royce), but following their official divorce in 2003 it was Bentley that hit the jackpot with the Continental GT Coupe – its first relatively affordable model. Built on an extensively modified Audi D3 A8 platform and featuring quattro all-wheel drive, the Germans installed a 411kW/650Nm twin-turbo W12 mated to a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Despite two-tonnes-plus, the Conti GT can exceed 320km/h and has space for four adults. Equipment and finish levels are exquisite.