New 542bhp Bentley Continental GT V8 announced

Bentley has announced a new V8 version of the Continental GT. Both coupe and convertible models will be available when it launches in the UK in early 2020. When it arrives, the Bentley Continental GT V8 will be a rival for the Aston Martin DB11, Mercedes-AMG GT and the Porsche 911.

The new addition to the Continental GT range has a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, which produces 542bhp and 770Nm of torque. Performance is impressive, with 0-62mph taking four seconds for the coupe and 4.1 seconds for the convertible. Both models are capable of reaching 198mph.

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Bentley claims the new V8 model can achieve 500 miles on a single tank of fuel. This is thanks to cylinder deactivation technology that can shut down four of the eight cylinders when full power isn’t required. The addition of stop-start also helps to improve fuel economy.

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The Continental GT V8 remains four-wheel drive but now comes with a new active system which varies the amount of torque between the front and rear wheels, depending on road conditions. This means the car is rear-wheel drive most of the time, only directing power to the front axle when it’s needed.

All GT V8 models boast air suspension, electric power steering and Bentley’s adaptive chassis control, which is claimed to improve ride quality and comfort while reducing body roll. You can also customise the looks of your GT V8 with a choice of nine different alloy wheel designs from 20- to 22-inches in size.

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Inside, the Continental GT V8 offers a 10-speaker audio system, a pair of twenty-way electrically adjustable leather seats, in a range of colours, and a walnut dashboard. Optional extras include Bentley’s ‘Rotating Display’, which is a switchable dial cluster that can be shown as a trio of analogue dials, or as a 12.3-inch digital dial cluster.

Want to know more about the W12 powered Bentley Continental GT? Check out our reviews of the GT coupe and convertible models.