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2007 Bentley Continental Full Review
Date Published: 4/29/08
2007 Bentley Continental Review
The 2007 Bentley Continental returns as this British car maker's "entry-level" offering. Available as the GT coupe and GTC soft-top convertible, these high-end cruisers share a basic design with the brand's Flying Spur sedan. The GT and GTC share a 6.0-liter turbocharged 12-cylinder mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. An all-wheel-drive system is standard. Available safety features include curtain side airbags, front side airbags, rear side airbags, ABS, and an antiskid system. Bi-xenon headlights are standard. Available for GT and GTC is a Mulliner Package that includes racing-inspired aluminum trim pieces, special wheels, and unique leather trim. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.
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2007 Bentley Continental Road Test
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

Continental GT Class Average
9 9.5

GT only Continental available for testing so far. Fabulous, sooth power available immediately from a stop. Bentley claims the GT will reach 60 mph from a stop in 4.7 seconds, which feels credible to our editors. Shifts from the automatic transmission clearly felt, but are free from harshness.
Fuel Economy

Continental GT Class Average
2 1.5

No opportunity to measure, but they EPA ratings for the GT and GTC are dismal. All Bentleys require premium-grade fuel.
Ride Quality

Continental GT Class Average
9 6.5

Luxurious, but with sufficient firmness to maintain a sporty character. Not quite the perfect blend of ride and handling found in Mercedes-Benz's CL-Class coupes.
Steering/Handling/Braking

Continental GT Class Average
8 8.5

Certainly sporty, but these big cruisers weigh a lot, and that heft is felt with every turn of the steering wheel. Excellent grip in aggressive cornering, and body lean is kept well in check. Powerful brakes have reassuringly firm pedal feel.
Quietness

Continental GT Class Average
9 7

Womb-like silence broken only by occasional patter of huge tires over patchy pavement, and the engine's refined purr during acceleration. Wind noise nonexistent.
Controls

Continental GT Class Average
9 9.5

Large, classy looking gauges easy to read at a glance. Bentley manages to group controls logically without resorting the the "one-knob" control systems that plague higher-end Audi, BMW, and Mercedes vehicles. Rich leather and furniture-quality wood line these Bentley's clubby cabins, though the overall richness is closely rivaled by CL-Class.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Continental GT Class Average
8 7.5

Entry and exit complicated by low seating position. Once inside, these Bentleys coddle with large, supportive seats. Visibility over the long hood an issue for shorter drivers, while thick rear roof pillars seriously compromise visibility to the rear corners.
Room/Comfort (rear)

Continental GT Class Average
3 2.5

Small adults will fit, but wont be very happy about it. Front seats power forward for surprisingly easy access, but small rear windows and low-set rear seat contribute to general sense of claustrophobia.
Cargo Room

Continental GT Class Average
2 2

Small opening and smallish storage area mean packing lightly for weekend trips. In-cabin storage includes a modest center console, smallish door pockets, and a midsize glovebox.
Value within Class

Continental GT Class Average
2 2

Bentley has found success selling cars priced between top-line Mercedes-Benz products, and below offerings from Rolls Royce and Maybach. And while these regal sportsters are a poor value by absolute standards, they make some sense as near-ultra-luxury cruisers--not that buyers in this class are looking for practical rationale. If Mercedes' outstanding CL-Class coupes seems a bit too common, these remarkable Brits maybe your cup of tea.
Total Score

Continental GT Class Average
61 56.5
Scores for all Exotic Cars

Low Score
52
Average Score
56
High Score
61
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2007 Bentley Continental Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 08/15/2007
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
GT 2-door coupe $169,990 $ $2,595
GTC 2-door convertible $189,990 $ $2,595
Price note: Add $3700 Gas-Guzzler Tax.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
GT/GTC
Powertrain
6.0-liter turbocharged W12 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, all-wheel drive.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags (GT), antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/front dual-zone automatic climate controls, rear dual-zone automatic climate controls (GT), leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats (GT), power front seats, memory system (front seats, mirrors), center console, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, keyless access and starting, remote engine start, AM/FM radio w/glovebox-mounted 6-disc CD changer, wireless cell phone link, navigation system, universal garage door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, rain-sensing intermittent wipers, power convertible top (GTC).
Appearance and Miscellaneous
B-xenon headlights w/washers, theft-deterrent system, rear spoiler, adjustable load-leveling air suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Mulliner Pkg.
GT
$8,940
$
Chrome and leather shifter, alloy pedals, leather headliner, unique interior trim, 20-inch wheels.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Engine-turned alloy instrument panel
GT/GTC
$2,390
$
Heated steering wheel
GT/GTC
$440
$
Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel
GT/GTC
$1,390
$
Massaging front seats
GT/GTC
$540
$
Appearance and Miscellaneous
20-inch alloy wheels
GT/GTC
$3,540
$
Chrome alloy wheels
GT/GTC
$4,340
$
20-inch chrome alloy wheels
GT/GTC
$5,990
$
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2007 Bentley Continental Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Bentley Continental 2-door coupe Bentley Continental 2-door convertible
Wheelbase, in. 108.1 108.1
Overall Length, in. 189.1 189.1
Overall Width, in. 82.7 82.7
Overall Height, in. 54.7 55.0
Curb Weight, lbs. 5250 5580
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 13.1 8.3
Standard Payload, lbs. -- --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 19.8 19.8
Seating Capacity 4 4
Front Head Room, in. 37.0 --
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.3 42.3
Rear Head Room, in. 37.0 --
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 30.2 29.3
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc W12
Size, liters/cu. in. 6.0 /366
Horsepower @ rpm. 551 @ 6100
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 479 @ 1600
Availability Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
 
6-speed automatic 12/19
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Bentley Continental 2-door coupe Bentley Continental 2-door convertible
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Built in: England
Drivewheels: all-wheel drive
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