Steve, the lovely Ghanan man at the parking valet was ready to leave his family and run away with me in a Bentley-clouded dream. Until I told him it wasn’t my car, and even then, he was still unsure his impulse wasn’t right.
He wanted to know more. “What car is this car?” he asked me. “Bentley Continental GT Convertible,” I told him. “Is it expensive?” “As much as a house,” I said. “Are you married?” “Yes, I am,” I replied. He went on to tell me about his wife and family, and I was a bit relieved; the infatuation with me was over. My infatuation with the car, not so much.
And then, there’s one thing about this car that makes me at once very sad, and very hopeful.
Driving a Car This Beautiful Is To Live a Dream
Driving a car as beautiful as the Bentley Continental GCT is a feeling that will stay with you forever. It becomes etched in your muscle memory; you feel it with you even when you’re driving another car. Its textures and colors wedge into your consciousness like a perfect summer evening. You’ll remember every detail of the Bentley Continental GTC Azure for decades to come. And you’ll dream of driving it again, even if just for a moment to be with her again.
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Every Detail Perfectly Assembled, Like a Vision Board Come to Life
Looking past the gestalt of the Bentley Continental GTC— the ‘c’ stands for convertible—and how all its parts each contribute to a greater appeal, you’ll see the deep glow of each.
The blonde wood trim. The tweed wheat-colored convertible top that, upon closer inspection, is flecked with deep brown hues. The Breeze paint color with translucent gloss and metallic flecks that prism the light to sometimes reveal an inner blue-green color and allow it to fade to a glowing blue-sliver. The cream-colored leather that welcomes you like a club chair; you feel refined and at home.
Read: The Magic of Bentley Is All About the Ownership Experience
Customization Options Are Part of the Bentley Experience
If blonde wood and cream upholstery aren’t your thing, Bentley offers one of the most comprehensive design processes of any car, and that design is all about the buyer. You’ll have dozens of choices of exterior paint and finishes; there are multitudes of upholstery choices, not just leather color and stitch pattern, but also, piping, thread color and contrasting trim. There are choices in metals, woods and trim finishes. Wheels. Engines. Options. Accessories. And don’t forget the massage seats; you’ll want those (accessed quickly via a button on the seat control panel).
Thankfully, you’re not alone in this. A Bentley design expert will guide you through the process and ensure the result is the car of your dreams.
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Crystal Cut Headlights Are Jewelry In Your Driveway
Probably the most iconic detail in the Bentley Continental GTC are the crystal cut headlights. Look closely; the bulbs are ensconced in a sphere of hand cut crystal that amplifies the light producing a gorgeous array of glowing, dancing beams. It’s simply magnetic, and magnificent.
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The Bentley Flying B, an Elegant, Whimsical Badge
I love the Flying B. It’s a cheeky reminder that this car should be fun. The iconic puffy B, often at the center of the winged badge, is found throughout the car: on the key, the foot pedals, the gear shifter, the front and rear badges. And in not taking itself too seriously, and having just a bit more fun, the rear badge also serves as the trunk latch; press the B to pop it open.
The Tech in this Car Delights All The Senses
Here’s the thing about tech: While it delights, it can also be cold, machine-like, impersonal. Bentley overcame this objection with the rotating center display, a 3-sided panel that rotates with the push of a button or when the car is turned off.
One side displays a 3-gauge array; one side is blank, unifying the two sides of the gloss-black dashboard; the 3rd side holds the multimedia display. Feel like going old school? Display the gauges. Need to tune the world out and just drive? Flip the panel to gloss black and shut out the intrusion of technology altogether.
Driving the Bentley Continental GTC
Our Azure model carried the brand’s V8 twin-turbo engine that delivers 542 HP. And while it’s not overly loud and growly, it is deeply satisfying; acceleration is a luxury, after all. During my test drive I took the Bentley Continental GT through the New York City suburbs, soaring over bridges and back roads to really feel its power and carriage. And it’s delightful. With more than enough power underfoot it never hesitated a moment. And as a V8, the engine had an audible presence, but not obnoxiously so.
Stay Calm and Put the Top Down
I will confess, I’m not a fan of convertibles for the mess it can make of my hair. But, I had to put the top down to try it out. I pulled my hair back in a tight ponytail, donned my sunglasses and was off in what I expected would still be a whirl of wind strong enough to dislodge my hair. But, no. My hair didn’t whip around, even at highway speeds.
Nor did my rear end fry. Another reason I don’t always love convertibles is the car industry’s habit of cladding every interior in black. You might as well drive a frying pan with the top down. But the cream-colored leather and vented seat setting kept me comfortable despite the heat wave that had settled into the New York area that week.
Put the Top Up To Enjoy Its Beauty
This was a surprise too: The tweed top on the Bentley Continental GTC is a thing of beauty that will keep your focus. The wheat-colored fabric is flecked with brown for a true tweed look. Multilayered with a beautiful light-colored interior finish, the top provided a surprisingly quiet cabin when it was up. In fact, it didn’t feel like a convertible at all. It just felt like a beautifully built ultra luxury car.
What This Car Costs for Each Bentley Continental Trim
The Bentley Continental comes in multiple trims: Coupe, which is the entry level model, Azure, Mulliner and Speed. Each is also built as a convertible, and Mulliner and Speed can be specified with a 12-cylinder engine rather than the V8, which is standard. The Coupe starts at $245,000 and the Speed 12-cylinder tops ut at $370,000 before options. Our Azure edition carried a base price of $320,300 but with options, topped out at $369,825 including $3,150 destination and delivery charges.
Sad Meets Hopeful: This is An Instant Collector’s Edition
Alas, so much that had me smitten will change when Bentley rolls out the new 2025 Continental. New headlights and tail lights, a modernized but similar command center. A new engine that will have a plug-in hybrid component; no longer will it be a purely gas-powered V8 and the V12 will be a thing of the past. The new powertrain will be the most powerful ever, delivering 779 HP and 50 miles of all electric driving, and to many, that gas-free, perfectly quiet experience will be the ultimate luxury.
To those who want the iconic face of the Bentley Continental and the growly engine, the 2024 model poses an opportunity to get it while you can, or seek it out on the used market. The last of its generation, it’s sure to be a collector’s item. And a delightful dream that you can live every day as you slip behind the wheel of the most beautiful car on the road.
