Overview & Reviews

The Bentley brand is to luxury cars what Everest is to mountains. Those with wallets deep enough to meet the six-figure price tags of the company's vehicles are treated to towering levels of refinement and prestige. Bentley coupes and sedans are mostly hand-assembled in Great Britain at the manufacturer's state-of-the-art Crewe factory. This fusion of old-world craftsmanship with new-world technology is what the Bentley marque is all about.

Founded by Walter Owen Bentley, Bentley Motors was born in England in 1919. Two years later, the first model debuted, the rapid "3-litre" Bentley. Larger cars followed, and racing success at Le Mans earned the Bentley motorcars status among British sports car enthusiasts. Financial woes (brought on in part by the Wall Street Crash of 1929) triggered the brand's sale to Rolls-Royce in 1931. The first new Bentley after this event was the "3 1/2-litre," introduced in 1933 and based on a Rolls chassis that never saw production.

In subsequent decades, Bentley slowly slid into anonymity with vehicles that, at times, were little more than rebadged Rolls-Royces. The company's fortunes finally took an upturn in the 1980s. A new company policy dictated a more distinctive brand image, and it yielded the Mulsanne Turbo sedan, named after the famous corner on the Le Mans circuit. Most other Bentley models of this time, however, such as the Continental coupe and convertible, were still Rolls-Royces with different grilles.

The '90s brought more distinctive models into the fold, such as the redesigned Continental coupe, new Azure convertible and the new Arnage sedan, the latter replacing the dated Mulsanne. In 1998 BMW began supplying engines to both the Bentley and Rolls-Royce brands. Later that year this relationship created a conflict when Volkswagen acquired both marques, but the two German automakers reached an agreement that saw VW handing over control of Rolls to BMW in 2003, while keeping Bentley and the Crewe factory.

During the 2000s, that VW ownership allowed Bentley to further expand its model range and improve overall quality. The Continental coupe was again redesigned and quickly became a sales success, spawning a convertible version. Soon a four-door version of the Continental, the Flying Spur, debuted, followed in 2011 by the Mulsanne flagship sedan.

As one would expect, modern Bentley coupes and sedans are powered by a series of surprisingly muscular engines. The most potent models are motivated by a turbocharged 12-cylinder engine that generates more than 600 horsepower, though a new V8 promises similar acceleration but with much better fuel economy. No matter the engine, Bentley's traditional qualities remain, with all models benefiting from a cabin exquisitely finished in a variety of leather and wood trim.

There are high-dollar ultraluxury cruisers, and then there are Bentleys. Whether it's the Arnage sedan or the Brooklands coupe, these cars make an impressive statement and are sumptuous enough to make even the most jaded tycoon purr with delight.

User Reviews:

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  2006 Bentley Continental GT - 2006 Bentley Continental GT
  By 2andout - August 20 - 8:00 am

  Power, handling, braking is superb. Enough GVW to be classified as a light truck but nimble as a Ferrari in the turns. Quiet yet throaty. This is the best car in class that I have ever owned. Double insulated glass. Everything leather. Check out the interior trim. Hardly a sign of plastic anywhere. I rate this car based on performance, appearance, reliability. I give it 10+ in every category. It has bluetooth yet the iPhone does not work with it. The navigation in the 06 is by cd, not the greatest. Nobodys perfect.

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  Continental GTC - 2007 Bentley Continental GTC
  By JA - July 13 - 9:40 pm

  I have had the Bentley Continental GTC for about one week now. It is a real blast to drive. I am planning to get rid of my older Bentley GT because this one is so much fun to drive! The interior is the best part of the car. The leather is like no other car in the world! The GTC drives so nicely I prefer to drive this over my Rolls Royce Phantom. In my opinion this is Bentleys best car yet!

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  Great Car - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By SpineGod - July 11 - 5:36 am

  Ive had my Flying Spur since April. It is a great car and it is not ubiquitous like all other luxury sedans on the market today. It is fun to drive, has a huge trunk, and accelerates like a sports car. If it had iPod integration, it would be the greatest car ever. That said, I love these new Bentleys. I cant wait to get my Continental GTC.

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  bently - 2004 Bentley Continental GT
  By Mark Adams - May 10 - 3:03 am

  this is a great car.

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  The Best - 2007 Bentley Continental GTC
  By Bodacious Bentley - April 6 - 9:20 am

  This car is truly amazing. Having come out of Mercedes SL55s and Porsche 911s, I can only say this is an incredible blend of muscle and sheer elegance.

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  Bentley did it! - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By bob - February 18 - 12:03 pm

  I just picked up my Continental GT last week. I have only wonderful things to say about it. It is an awesome vehicle with a great combination of power and luxury. I previously drove a Mercedes-Benz and cannot believe the difference in handling and power between it and my Bently. My only complaint is that the cupholders are not really functional, but I can live with that issue.

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  The Best of the Best - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By larry sarf - February 13 - 8:16 am

  The 2005 Bentley Continental GT is a great automobile. Its comfort is unbeliveable and its performance is so surprising. It definitely is the greatest car I have ever owned.

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  Pattsys Baby Bentley - 2004 Bentley Continental GT
  By Pattsy Taylor - January 30 - 10:00 am

  I love my Bentley very much because it drives so well and plus it drives real smooth on the road. I have recently put some 23s on my bentley and I am loving it a lot. I am thinking about getting my husband one for his 35th birthday.

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  Gil - 2009 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By Gil Knauer - January 20 - 3:40 pm

  This is a great automobile. I had the 06 model before this. The 09 is markedly superior. Fairly quiet for a twin turbo 12 cyl.

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  2004 Bentley Continental - 2004 Bentley Continental GT
  By Joel - January 17 - 6:16 pm

  The 2004 Bentley Continental is an excellent car. It is fun to own. o Mine has had no problems.