Then we can't help asking, what do customers like about it? Sports genes, design charm, handmade interior, spacious space, quiet and comfortable, super performance, unique driving experience, unique customized service, or all of them. To be sure, Continental GT has never had a real competitor in more than ten years since it came out, which may further explain the unique and prominent position of Continental GT in the automobile industry, which is also the reason why we wrote this article-hoping to find out the reason why Continental GT has been attractive for more than ten years.
Speaking of Continental GT, we have to say the famous acquisition of Volkswagen Group at the end of last century. At that time, Piercy, who was ambitious, got the coveted Bentley brand from the Vexcor Group, and after being put into the arms of the Volkswagen Group, Bentley really gained a new life. Now Bentley's sales volume is several times that of its twin brother Rolls-Royce, and the gap will widen in the future. All the credit must start from our protagonist today, Continental GT.
According to incomplete statistics, since its listing in 2003, Continental GT has sold more than100000 vehicles, which is the most successful Bentley coupe so far and the most important product to help Bentley, a century-old car company, reinvent itself. Bentley chose a very good opportunity to launch the Continental GT-in 2003, Bentley won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the sixth time after 73 years, which earned enough attention for the appearance of the Continental GT.
The first generation in Europe? GT was inspired by the most famous R-type 1952 in Bentley's history. It has a 4.6-liter inline six-cylinder engine, which was recognized as the fastest two-door four-seat car in the world at that time, and the Continental GT was designed and manufactured on this basis. R-Type's three classic styling lines-stunning power line, powerful back waistline and fast roof line-have been modernized on the European GT model.
The first generation of Continental GT has been on the market for 8 years, which shows its classic and success. Of course, the most memorable top product of the first generation of European GT must be the European Supersports, with the maximum horsepower output? 630 horses, even today, are shocking enough and secular enough.
What impressed me most about this car was that I tried to ride it on an icy lake in Finland in 20 13, and it was driven by Kankkunen. Supersports convertible-yes, that's the car that once set the world ice speed record at 20 1 1. I remember that the speed at that time was as high as 200 km/h, and driving at this speed on the ice still makes me feel creepy, but I didn't feel a little nervous in the car at that time, because both the car and the driver gave you a strong sense of security.
At the end of 20 1 1, Bentley officially launched the second generation model of Continental GT. Among the second generation products, Bentley launched the V8 engine for the first time. In addition, Bentley also introduced the GT3-R model in mainland China, which is the most sporty European GT so far. Similarly, nearly eight years later, in 20 18, we ushered in the third generation of the Continental GT.
Looking at the three generations of GT in Europe, design is undoubtedly an important factor for its success. The modeling of every generation in the European continent is very classic, and the great changes are between the second and third generations, and between the first and second generations, more evolution than change. Among them, I like Stephen best. The shape of the third-generation model designed by Sielaff adopts superplastic forming technology to create a brand-new European GT, which is the classic among the classics and is definitely the favorite of design connoisseurs. For the designers of future models, the challenges seem to have increased a lot.
Whenever and wherever you admire a European GT, you will sincerely admire that a car can be designed so beautifully. Totem-like headlights with four round eyes, unique square water tank grille, flying wing instrument panel and well-defined rear wheel arch have appeared in the first generation of European models and have been preserved.
So has the appearance of the new Continental GT changed? If you look closely, you will find that its posture actually becomes smoother while keeping straight. The front and rear windshields are more inclined, the curvature of the roof is lower, and it is also pressed down when approaching the rear of the car. Distinctive body lines and more plump and sculptural back muscles add more fashionable and dynamic information to the solemn and dignified image of Continental GT.
This futuristic design is also related to EXP released by Bentley last year. 100? GT century-old concept cars have the same effect, and they represent the development direction of Bentley in the next decade or even longer.
Let's talk about handmade interiors first. I believe this is Bentley's housekeeping skill. I was amazed by the interiors and workmanship of Aston Martin and Porsche, but when I got into the cab of Continental GT, I realized that they were still far behind. Bentley's attention to detail is beyond the reach of any other player of the same type. Its craftsmanship is exquisite, and even a control knob is like a beautiful work of art, not to mention the innovative "Bentley three-sided turning central control panel" adopted by the third generation Continental GT.
Just got into the car, there was nothing in the center of the dashboard except wooden veneer. When the engine start button is pressed, the decorative surface in the center of the dashboard slides and flips silently, presenting the largest central control touch screen in Bentley's history-12.3-inch digital multimedia interactive retina display, which is definitely the only car that can perfectly solve the original contradiction between traditional luxury and future technology pioneers. Sitting in such a beautifully decorated space, you will no longer feel how much life time is wasted on the road, but enjoy every moment.
Due to the first action of Volkswagen Group, it left the British Crewe factory in Bentley's hands, and together with hundreds of skilled old craftsmen, let the blood of super luxury brands come down in one continuous line on the Continental GT.
Inside the car, whether it is design, quality or workmanship, the cockpit of Continental GT is definitely the pinnacle of all super sports cars. Traditional craft and modern design are seamlessly combined and applied to the whole set of interior decoration. Even if you don't need to look at it with your eyes, you can smell Nordic calfskin and natural logs with your nose, and Bentley's personalized customization department Mulliner gives Continental GT unlimited customization possibilities, which can 100% meet the needs of every customer.
In fact, not only design and technology, but also technology is an important weight for the success of Continental GT. When it comes to technology, we can't help but mention the W 12 engine that once appeared on the third generation of the European GT. It should be said that so far, only Bentley is still using the W-type 12-cylinder twin-turbo engine, which can be said to be unprecedented.
As for the benefits of this engine, we have said more than once that its longitudinal length is very short, 24% shorter than that of V 12 engine, which is more conducive to placing in the middle of the car body and the four-wheel drive system. However, its power output characteristics are different from the traditional V 12 engine, and the peak torque always comes early, which is very suitable for Bentley models. Perhaps we can say that the ultimate engine developed by Volkswagen Group at that time was prepared for Bentley Continental GT, and it was this irreplaceable engine that made the Continental GT brilliant.
After talking about the W 12 engine, let's talk about the V8 engine that emerged from the second generation European GT. As a master of the technologies of many automobile brands under the Volkswagen Group, this V8 engine has excellent power performance and acoustic attainments, and its biggest advantage is that it is very fuel-efficient. It not only has conventional technologies such as in-cylinder high-pressure direct injection, low-friction bearings, advanced thermal management system, variable valve timing, new turbocharger, but also has a fuel-saving magic weapon-cylinder closing function. The four cylinders of V8 engine will stop working quietly to reduce fuel consumption when cruising at medium and low speed and driving slowly in urban areas. When acceleration or high power output is needed, the four closed cylinders will start working instantly. During the whole process, according to my actual driving experience, I didn't feel the switch of cylinder closing function at all, which also created the Continental GT? When the V8 is filled with a 90-liter fuel tank, its cruising range is as high as 805 kilometers, which is absolutely beyond imagination.
Of course, this technology also appeared in the latest W 12 turbocharged engine. During the test drive of the third generation Continental GT, I noticed the product performance improvement brought by this technological innovation. Bentley's set is called "Variable displacement system" (variable? Displacement? System) When the gear is between the third gear and the eighth gear, the engine speed is lower than 3,000rpm, and the torque output is lower than 300n·m, the intake valve, exhaust valve, fuel injection and ignition device of the designated cylinder will be closed, while only six cylinders of the W 12 engine will continue to work to improve fuel economy. Even so, it is difficult for the driver to notice that a cylinder is closed, which will not affect the driving experience at all.
All kinds of cars are also part of the success of Continental GT. In any case, for a super luxury brand with a single product line like Bentley, it is absolutely wise to introduce as many special models as possible to attract customers without increasing the platform and development costs.
Except continental GT? W 12, like continental GT? W 12？ Convertible version, continental GT? Extreme Edition, Continental GT Extreme Convertible Edition, Continental GT? V8, Continental GT? V8？ S, continental GT? V8 convertible, Continental GT? V8？ S convertible, as well as limited edition Bentley continental Supersports supercar and continental Supersports? The convertible version, Bentley Continental GT3-R and other special models have created a huge Continental GT family and also met the segmentation needs of different customers. Even today's Bentley's other car series, Feichi, was actually only a four-door model at the beginning in Europe.
The success of the first generation Continental GT gave Bentley the confidence to start developing its four-door model. Two years after the launch of Continental GT, four-door models based on Continental Fit appeared, which also won unprecedented praise and success. The first generation of continental flying cars sold nearly 20 thousand vehicles, which is the best-selling model in the European series. Excellent market feedback is also one of the important reasons why the factory decided to separate it from the European series. Now, Feichi exists as an independent automobile system.
There are really too many reasons why we like the Continental GT, but the driving experience is definitely a very important aspect, especially for a car critic like me. No matter what generation you are, you will immediately feel the power of the torque curve by gently pulling the two shift paddles behind the steering wheel at the moment you get on the bus. No matter which gear you are in, as long as you step on the accelerator, the car will keep accelerating. The most magical magic of Continental GT lies in the deep internal force that continuously accelerates from 100km/h to 300 km/h. The acceleration force comes suddenly, like a storm, but the process of accumulating kinetic energy is surprisingly peaceful and smooth, which is completely different from the super sports car I used to drive.
With the growth of age, the more we can understand how Bentley handles the dialectical relationship between luxury and performance. Needless to say, luxury, and for performance, Bentley is not pursuing the performance of Ferrari and Porsche. The performance advocated by Bentley is a very relaxed and pleasant performance, which means that although it accelerates quickly, it will be easy to drive without any pressure. This is also the reason why I love the Continental GT. It can drive fast, but at the same time it is easy.
Of course, Continental GT also has the sportsmanship of a century-old Bentley. As long as you dare to drive, it can run like crazy, and the speed of turning corners will even make you stunned. This is just an extra "dessert" given by Bentley after everything in the Continental GT is perfect. Most people who buy this car value its history, reputation and impeccable quality. Of course, the most important thing is the scarcity of super brands.
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.