Bentley is currently enduring a bit of ‘blowback’ response from auto critics regarding its new styling direction.

The new Bentley look is growing on me, however.

Even the new Conti GT models look wider than the gulf between rich and poor between those huge tail-lamps, while the Flying Spur looks simply gigantic.

 

Sales are still excellent across the board, but the Conti GT is not quite the ‘coolest car on Wall Street’ that it once was.

Comprehensive updates now offer the coupe and cabrio in four trims: V8, V8 S, W12, and GT Speed.

Shock of shocks, when preparing this article: the V8 (and especially the V8 S) are the best-looking – perhaps just “the best” in general – GT’s in the family.

The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 puts out 500 horsepower in the V8, and 521 in the V8 S – all while weighing at least 300 pounds less up front than the W12 cars.

 

While the V8 and V8 S cars bring black-accented pieces to the trims, a very chic new lower air dam, and even Red Label Bentley badges.

The Speed and the W12 cars keep a far more bland, oligarchy and pastel finish to all the lower surfaces. Softness flows from every line in the bland-looking W12 and Speed models.

Huh? Is the world backwards?

Nope, the coolest Bentley’s are indeed the cheapest. This makes sense when you think about ‘young’ versus ‘not young’ buyer segments who can afford a car for 100 Large.

Yes, the tongue-in-cheek English humor is in full force this morning, with the gorgeous Bentley Continental GT V8 models wearing “100 LRG” license plates.

This is presumably in Pounds Sterling, at the long-time rate, because U.S. pricing starts at about $196,000 for the GTC.

Cruise over to Bentley.com to configure your own.

Just don’t forget to spec the dark-tinted headlamps and Mulliner-spec for bumpers, dark wheels and black mirrors!

2014 Bentley Continental GTC V8 – Glacier White

2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 – Sunburst Yellow

2014 Bentley Continental GTC – Violette

 

2014 Bentley Continental GTC – St. James’ Red Pearl