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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  Drop dead drop head - 2008 Bentley Continental GTC
  By James - August 27 - 11:10 am

  My third Bentley GT (2004 GT, 2006 Spur, 2008 GTC) - simply unbelievably competent. Spoils you for any other motorcar. This is an automobile that is as comfortable at 120 MPH as tooling around the neighborhood. Superlative handling, nice exhaust note, power (@ 552 BHP!) Appointments are bar none. Flawless reliability, fit and finish. KILLER sound system and back up camera is well appreciated. Top up or top down its definitely at the top of my automotive list. Never go back to MB again. Overall ownership experience is superior and Ive owned them all. Plus you dont see yourself coming and going all day in one.

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  Bentley - 2003 Bentley Arnage
  By M Burkhardt - July 30 - 2:00 am

  Good!! The 2003 Bentley Arnage is the perfect car for anyone seeking quality along with performance. Test-drive the new Bentley, and you will see what I mean!!

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  Artwork on Wheels - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By Raul Juan Escudero - June 13 - 10:10 pm

  The 2005 Bentley Continental GT is an extraordinary car. As an ultra luxurious coupe it has no rival, except for the Ferrari Scaglieti, which is an entirely different automobile and is significantly more expensive. It is luxurious with an understated flair.

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  THIS IS IT! - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By B. Olander - May 6 - 2:26 pm

  The 2005 Bentley Continental GT has outstanding build quality. Other manufacturers now need to play catch up. Bentley has been able to maintain the "Bentley image" with help from the Volkswagen/Audi infusion of capital. This cars engine wants to run, with tons of hp and torque. The leather inside is of the finest quality. This models limited production should keep it a classic. Except for the twin turbo charges, i believe W.O. Bentley himself would have approved of this car. It has power, power, and more power in one really slick package.

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  Great Car - 2003 Bentley Arnage
  By the_real dude503 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This Car is so great. The only setback to it is the horrible fuel economy. It is way worse than my Ford Explorer was.

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  It doesnt get better than this - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By AlanPMatthews - April 30 - 3:06 pm

  Behaving well at every speed I am constantly amazed that 80 mph in my 2005 Bentley Continental GT feels like 40 and 110 feels like 60. This car is effortless in just about everything it does. It just keeps on delivering power. The back seats are a bit of a squash for adults but the kids are fine in them. The Turbo R feels like a real clunker now!

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  SWEET CAR - 2003 Bentley Continental
  By TOADY - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I had this car for about 3 months now and Im obsessed! The car handles great, rides like a cloud.

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  Muscular torso in a Savile Row suit - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By Overlord - March 31 - 1:10 am

  I bought this car for the interior and it doesnt disappoint - except perhaps the plastic display surround. The leather and wood is heavenly and reminds you of the English craftsmanship clothing the largely German dynamics. The latter is reassuring, since I have had an unpleasant ownership experience with an old school Brit supercar, the Aston Virage. The car is undeniably heavy, but the 4wd deals well with the power, and good drivers can push it further than you might suppose. However, dynamically it would be outpaced through the bends by some of my other cars - Ferrari 550, 911 Turbo, Noble (small volume English rocket!) Still, for elegant trundling, it beats any Merc, BMW or Audi.

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  2005 Bentley GT - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By R. B. Tonkin - January 22 - 4:26 pm

  I have only driven my Bentley Continental GT some 500 miles so far, but it has been flawless perfection thus far. It has exceeded my expectations in every way. Even fuel the mileage, which is low, is adequate as this car weighs over two and a half tons with over 550 horsepower. It is quiet, smell of leather is so pleasant, and tactile swithchgear is perfect.

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  Great Job - 2002 Bentley Arnage
  By John Grartpak - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I drive it every where I go and the ladies just love it. I got it stolen once but I took care of that.