Review Bentley Continental GTC cabriolet

"Shaper to look at and better to drive, the V8 Continental GTC is a great British grand tourer." The Bentley Continental GTC is a luxury four-seater convertible offering huge levels of performance, style and comfort. Buyers have the choice of two engines, including Bentley's new 4.0-litre V8, which is 40 per cent more fuel efficient than the immensely powerful 6.0-litre W12. Although it looks very similar to the first generation GTC, it gets a sharper look than before. And because the car is wider, the latest model also has a more spacious interior. Inside the cabin is simply the best available at this price point, offering drivers a choice of 17 leathers, and seven wood veneers as standard. Drive4.5 /5 Big Bentley offers a thrilling drive There aren't many cabriolets that are more exciting to drive than the Continental GTC, especially with the lighter V8 engine. The GTC is around 100kg heavier than the standard coupe and a tenth of a second slower to 60mph, but it's still extremely fast – and it feels even more so when the roof is down. The steering is accurate and there are four distinct driving "modes" that allow you to tune the suspension between comfort or sharp handling. What's impressive is that the car is still enjoyable to drive even in full comfort mode. Comfort4.5 /5 Adjustable suspension can be tuned to offer magic-carpet ride You can adjust the way the Continental GTC drives by selecting one of the four different driving modes. In its most comfortable setting, it offers a magic carpet ride, gliding over broken road surfaces. There's very little road noise, and with the roof up, hardly any wind noise either - thanks to the hood's seven layer construction. What's more, the even power delivery from the engine makes this car very easy to drive, while the six-speed automatic gearbox changes gear very smoothly. Reliability4.4 /5 This hand built car is finished to the very highest standards Bentley's engines are developed in-house, with help from the Volkswagen group. They have been widely used and are regarded as extremely reliable. The hand-built Continental GTC is finished to the highest standards, so there are no complaints over quality. With it's robust, aluminium bodywork and four-wheel drive, safety is reckoned to be first rate as well. Practicality3.8 /5 The Bentley's boot is small, and the rear seats are only big enough for kids At only 235-litres, the boot is very small considering the Bentley's size, and although the rear seats are big enough for kids, it's not a car you could use for long family journeys. Adults particularly would find it difficult to slot into the rear. There is plenty of cabin stowage space, plus deep door pockets. If you regularly plan to travel on unfamiliar roads, the car has a new Google Maps-based satellite navigation system that offers breathtaking accuracy. Value for money3.5 /5 It's incredibly expensive, but the GTC is so well made, it does look like good value for money We would never describe a car costing around £140,000 as good value for money, yet it's worth bearing in mind that few other rivals offer the same hand built exclusivity as the Bentley Continental GTC. Residual values are relatively strong. Running costs3.0 /5 Fuel and servicing costs are likely to be very high. With fuel consumption almost down to single figures, you'll be on first name terms with your local petrol station attendants if you buy a 6.0 W12 model. The 4.0 V8 is 40 per cent more fuel efficient, returning 25.9mpg - a considerable improvement. Don't expect servicing to be cheap, as the Bentley's high-performance engines and gearbox need careful attention.