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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  2005 Bentley Continental GT - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By St. James Red - November 2 - 2:53 pm

  I am a 60 year old maried businesman. We also own a 2006 Jaguar VP and 2004 Mercedes S500. I cannot drive this vehicle without someone giving me the thumbs up. This vehicle is the ultimate driving experience.

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  Luxury and Power - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By Greg Bradford - September 9 - 11:40 pm

  The feel of being pinned to back of your seat while you accellerate this 5300 lbs. of luxurious automobile is unbelievable. Every one of my friends that get in this automobile exit with a smile. It trully is the an amazing car on the long and the short trip.

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  The Best of the Best - 2008 Bentley Continental GTC
  By Tom Alison - July 18 - 9:33 pm

  I have owned 3 Ferrari Spyders 305, 355 & 360, Mercedes 500 SL, Jaguar Supercharged XJR. I have owned my 2008 Bentley GTC Beluga/Beluga with GTC Speed steering wheel and seats. In my first week of ownership I have driven the car 500 miles and must share that I have never experienced the surge of emotion with any other of my cars. The GTC is really not a car. It is a work of art that delivers complete satisfaction whether just admiring the beautiful composition of the design or pressing the V12 to its ultimate power range. Bentley nailed it. Thank you Bentley for delivering on your promise!

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  Bentley Cont GT - 2004 Bentley Continental GT
  By Bentley Auto Fanatic - May 18 - 10:00 am

  Although the styling is very attractive, I am disappointed with the interior finishes as there is rattling and squeaking from the interior. The knobs/switches are rather cheesy considering the Bentley name and price of the car. Also the car has too much of a heavy feel on turns.

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  DR. QUICKs Prescription for feeling good - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By Dr Quick - April 24 - 5:50 am

  The car is amazing. You almost have to learn how to drive all over again because of the elevated performance. Love the weight and solid feel. The power is breath taking. Some lesser top brands seem to have more features, but nothing beats pulling up in Bentley. Nothing makes you feel more special.

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  Will Never Buy A Mercedes Again! - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By MaffiaDude - April 17 - 9:40 am

  This vehicle is amazing. I have previously ownes an S55 AMG and a CL500 and this car puts both to shame. When you press the start engine button it sounds a like an airplane engine starting. When youre going fast you think you feel as if you are going only 45 mph. It is a must have for any person wanting to ride in style. All of the seats massage you, plus they all have heating and cooling. The trunk is so big you could easily fit 6 bodies in there.

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  2005 Bentley Continental GT - Love it - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By perrie - March 30 - 11:46 am

  The 2005 Bentley Continental GT is the greast ca in the world. Its fun to drive, superior to my Mercedes-Benz S55 and almost as much fun as my Ferrari 360. It has excellent build quality, pickup, and styling. Iave already ordered a Bently Flying Spur. This car is a real head turner.

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  Old World Quality With Modern Dynamics - 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
  By Charles - March 19 - 9:53 am

  Was looking for something different than the Bangle-Butt BMWs and mundane Mercedes S-Class, which are like VWs around Los Angeles. With its distinctive elegant shape, outstanding build quality, sheer luxury, twin-turbo 550 HP performance, and great driving dynamics, the Flying Spur sits by itself at the top of the luxury sedan heap. Its an amazing balance of understated capability, able to take five people in total comfort at up to 195 MPH (where, I dont know!), corner with SLs on Angeles Crest, and cruise Sunset Blvd. with the same quiet refinement of a Rolls Phantom, without the Kenworth-grill pretense. As modern as an A8 Audi (its cheaper cousin), the Flying Spur make no excuses!

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  Nothing Else Quite Like It - 2006 Bentley Continental GT
  By bob - January 24 - 4:43 pm

  Having been the owner of Merdedes, BMWs, Porsches, and quite a few others, the Bentley Continental GT is far superior in all aspects. Its power can only be understood by being in the drivers seat. This car is ell worth the dollars. I give applause to the Bentley design team.

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  Bentley GT - 2005 Bentley Continental GT
  By anthony p browne - December 1 - 7:30 am

  Get used to all the looks and whistles on the road. The 2005 Bentley Continental GT is an eye catcher! Its performance is fantastic, and the roar from the exhaust tell you so. The old fashioned smell of leather and wood brings back memories. Im 63" and 210 pounda and this car isnt made for people my size but its like shoes, if I like them Ill squeeze in. Nothing in this world is perfect, but this Bentley sure is close.