Bentley's all-new coupe is a landmark vehicle for the long and storied history of the British nameplate. With the Continental GT, Bentley regains the title of makers of the fastest genuine four-seat coupe in the world, combining Bentley's delicate craftsmanship with cutting-edge technological wizardry. Under the hood, a twin-turbocharged W12 engine produces an astronomical 560 horsepower, delivered to all four wheels (a first for Bentley) by a 6-speed automatic transmission with racing-inspired steering wheel paddle shifters (also a first). A top speed of 180 mph and 0-60 time under five seconds solidifies the Continental GT's position among the world's elite supercars. The styling of the Continental GT first took shape in 1999 when head of design Dirk van Braekel and his team of designers were asked to prepare concepts for the new Bentley coupe. Quickly, van Braekel and his team established the goal to pay homage to the 80+ years of Bentley design, yet create a thoroughly modern iteration for the brand. Bentley's first great four-seat coupe, the 1950's R-Type Continental, as well as several other milestone Bentleys, served as the inspiration for the Continental GT design team. "What you are looking for," says van Braeckel, "are the things that gave those cars such presence and a stance that shouted 'Bentley' at anyone who looked at them." The result is a muscular and aerodynamically sculptured body featuring a long hood, strong rear fenders, a pillarless cabin, and of course the trademark matrix grille. The interior is a testament to the art of hand craftsmanship and refined English taste. Top quality leather and wood is generously appointed throughout the cabin, accompanied by other fine details such as drilled aluminum foot pedals, chrome instrument surroundings, and the centrally mounted analogue clock. Classically styled dials house the instrumentation, and a center console screen displays the climate controls, navigation system, and entertainment features in a single, functional interface. All in all, the GT is the first Bentley designed completely on computers. Bentley is able to call the Continental GT a true four-seat grand touring coupe in large part to the comfort of the rear passengers. Space compromised by a 12-cylinder engine and a rakish roofline would seem to make for an exhausting rear passenger experience. Quite the contrary, however. Despite the number of cylinders, the W12 staggers the cylinders in such a way to create in essence two V6 engines in a "W" configuration (hence the W12). This makes for a surprisingly short engine. The front passenger seats are higher and more upright to free precious leg room for the rear seat passengers. Furthermore, the cleverly placed gas tank creates a cavernous trunk, large enough to carry a whole family's worth of ski equipment. By Ayman Shairzay www.bentleymotors.com