Skip advert
Advertisement

Bentley Continental GT V8 S coupe 2014 review

Is the uprated Bentley Continental V8 S coupe as good as the five-star Convertible?

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Find your Bentley Continental GT
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Hassle-free way to a brand new car
Or are you looking to sell your car?
9/10 sellers got the price they expected
Advertisement

This brilliant coupe version of the Bentley Continental V8 S belies its size and weight with a level of performance and agility you’d expect of more focused sports cars – after all, this is still a GT that’s a great cruiser. However, we prefer the slightly more relaxed, but still hugely fun, attitude of the Convertible.

Advertisement - Article continues below

We were blown away by the new S version of the Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible, and gave it the full five stars. So can the coupe version do the same?

The new Bentley Continental GT V8 S uses a twin-turbo V8 to provide its huge power output, and this new model is closer to the the 6.0-litre W12 model in terms of outright speed. The power figures aren't everything, however, with the car getting extra torque (up to 680Nm) and four-wheel drive as well - and it means the Bentley inspires huge confidence on the road.

Once again, it’s amazing how what seem like minor tweaks to the chassis (lowered by 10mm with increased spring rates and revised damping) and a bit more power (up 21bhp) have given the GT a far sportier edge.

Bentley Continental GT V8 S coupe 2014 cornering

• More Bentley car reviews

However, while weight is the enemy as far as performance is concerned, we prefer the slightly more tied down feel of the Convertible, which weighs 175kg more than this coupe. The ride of this car feels slightly more agitated (although it’s still fairly plush), while the steering feels lighter.

The visual tweaks to the car include a font splitter, side skirts and a rear diffuser. Go for the Mulliner Driving Spec for quilted leather, 21-inch wheels and alloy pedals. But the real must-have is the sports exhaust – it’s completely redesigned and makes the most glorious noise.

The interior gets an eight-inch infotainment screen and veneers sanded and lacquered up to 18 times - the leather seats are beautifully finished as well.

Bentley Continental GT V8 S coupe 2014 cabin

With economy figures of 26.8mpg and 246g/km of CO2, it's slightly more economical than the Convertible - but whether or not those figures are acceptable is up to the buyer. The boot's not massive, but it is much bigger than the boot in the Convertible, at 358 litres. The rear seats are pretty small, though.

Yes, the turn-in is a fraction sharper and the throttle response more instant, but in spite of the GT’s new-found agility this is still a grand tourer first, and a sports car second. It does do that first bit better than any rival, though.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-in-chief

Steve Fowler has been editor-in-chief of Auto Express since 2011 and is responsible for all editorial content across the website and magazine. He has previously edited What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”
Opinion - MG4
Opinion

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”

The wave of Chinese cars has arrived in the UK, and Mike Rutherford thinks it’s not about to stop any time soon
17 Mar 2024
New Skoda Epiq electric SUV revives the spirit of the Yeti
Skoda Epiq - front
News

New Skoda Epiq electric SUV revives the spirit of the Yeti

The all-electric Skoda Epiq crossover SUV is set to be fully unveiled next year and is likely to cost around £22,000
15 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: brand new, top-spec VW Tiguan SUV for way less than you think
Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line - front tracking
News

Car Deal of the Day: brand new, top-spec VW Tiguan SUV for way less than you think

The all-new third generation of Volkswagen’s smash hit mid-size SUV is our Car Deal of the Day for 14 March
14 Mar 2024