bimbeano
11742
Courtesy car ... a decent one !
Just like Nicolas I had the opportunity to drive a special car this past week.
As many of you know I'm not a big fan of heavy cars you will obviously understand why this time I had no issue with the weight in this case 
.
.2200 kilos is double that of the Alpine A110 and it feels .. it really feels heavy. Nonetheless I can call this a drivers car .. a gentleman drivers car that is and a fast one !
Zero to 62 in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 309 kph (192 mph) !!!!
The engine is basically the same as the RS6 engine, 4 liter V8 but detuned to 530 hp and nearly 700 Nm of torque, even with all the kilos it is a fast car and fun to drive dynamically (in sports mode).
On my way to Knokke-le-Zoute to visit a client ... not sure if that was a great idea.
On my way to Knokke-le-Zoute to visit a client
... not sure if that was a great idea.
I always liked the Continental since they brought out the first model (20 years ago ?), design by our Belgian forum member Luc Donckerwolke if I'm not wrong.
This second generation looks a lot lighter than the original, I remember having a go in an early W12 back in the days and was actually surprised how good it handled as the weight was probably nearing 2400 kilos.
Apparently you do need the V8s, only thing I didn't like that much were the brakes when trying to brake hard at high(er) speeds (around 100 mph)..... yes ... you REALLY feel the weight.
My toolbox easily fitted as well so I might consider buying one to perform some small jobs here and there.
But alas I will stick to the 2€ Hotwheels Bentley ;-)
Yours truly,
HRH Bim
Courtesy car ... a decent one !
Just like Nicolas I had the opportunity to drive a special car this past week. As many of you know I'm not a big fan of heavy cars you will obviously understand why this time I had no issue with the weight in this case . 2200 kilos is double that of the A...
=D
Sweet and succinct 'review' . Glad you're having fun, I did drive one of these a few years ago, it was a client's car, so not a lot of miles but enough to showcase its value proposition.... Happy motoring Bim, cheers, Filip
It felt quite special AND fun !
I probably did around 500 miles in it and could get used to it easily, haha. I must confess I was far more careful and attentive.
Heavy and wide for sure ....
... but only 7 cm wider than my wide body Renault ... and 750 kilos heavier. ...
I especially like the V8S model. I didn't like the W12 nor the SPEED nearly as much.
The V8S model is the way to go here. The W12 and Speed models deliver power in a different way, weight is heavier. The V8 is also more free-revving. The V8S in the 2015/16/17 model year is probably my favorite Bentley. The current 2026 models are even eas...
Track use.
Being used to light cars and my friend telling me the Bentley had great handling for a 2200 kilo car I expected more to be honest. Anyway, handling was very good and the comfort out of this(my) world. That said as much as I love the looks and the whole pa...
I saw one of those Bentleys today - in grey with yellow calipers and soft top
It was much tighter, sleeker than the older models. And this one had a 12 on the vent behind the rear wheels. Sorry, no photo. Looked like great fun! Cheers, Mike
3rd generation probably.
First gen was a bit bulky and was very heavy with the W12. 'Mine' being second generation looks far better. Third gen is indeed a lot sleeker. The car was indeed great fun, the comfort is amazing off course, when I came back from Brussels Friday it took m...
2 Belgians.
Dirk Van Braeckel designed the first gen Continental GT (2003), Luc Donckerwolke penned the 2015 EXP10 on which the current third gen Continental is based.
Imagine Bim having a Continental for small jobs 😁👍🏻🤞🏻
I am also certain you fitted more comfortably than in the small pickup the other day 😉
Yes :-)
minimum was 11l/100km .. going really slow and relaxed. Flooring it from time to time and then mostly normal driving will take you to 15-20 l/100km .. easily, very easily. But I guess you already know that lol
The Taxi was a tad more frugal…
You could get 10 Leiters on a constant highway run in Switzerland and the total average was around 13. High speed run in Germany? Not much change from 400 km on the 80 liter tank 😁
Over here they're cheap as well apparently.
This one being the V8 S was a lot more than a non S version. The main issue for Belgium (and other EU countries) are the ridiculous road tax thefts. Every time a car changes owner you must pay 'ransom', for this Bentley we're talking around 10.000 €, add ...
Now that's what you call a loan car!!!
Ah Knokke-Le-Zoute I spent a lot of my childhood summers there and it brings back really fond memories of a time gone by, I hope you had some great frites and mayonnaise before your return journey. Marc
Next level VW that is.
I remember my first drive back in 2007 with the W12 Continental. It felt like an extremely fast and well build Passat. This second generation feels more like a different car, can't say a Bentley because I've never driven any old Bentley.
