With so much trendy energy in 2014 around white cars for the latest style — what about that other always-fashionable choice?
Black Bentley’s will never go out of style. But which of the black tones fits you best?
We are fairly confident this car is Black Crystal – but it may be Beluga Black or Onyx Black.
The Onyx is least shiny, based on the configurator representations, while the Beluga black is dark is midnight. So color here is so amazingly attractive that one might forget this car lacks the Mulliner and Sport specification packages — and the stunning 21-inch, black-spoke alloys.
Those are the main recommended options — in addition to the dark-tinted headlamps, of course.
From the glorious roar as it explodes into life to the rich purr emitted at rest by its charismatic 4.0 litre V8 engine, the Bentley Continental GT V8 S represents an experience all of its own.
This powerful new member of the Continental range takes Bentley’s advanced V8 platform and pushes it even further. The result: marked improvements in performance alongside a sleeker, more sporting appearance.
The Beluga lower body styling and new-design 20” wheels are a clear statement of intent. Recalibrated engine, revised stability control and an uprated chassis complete the picture, delivering the kind of thrilling drive you expect from a sports car with Bentley’s racing DNA.
With enough space inside to comfortably seat four adults and a boot that can accommodate all your luggage, the Continental GT V8 S remains the definitive British grand tourer. But it’s the fearsome combination of limitless power and exhilarating handling of this luxury coupé that gives it the edge.
Optional Features
POWERTRAIN AND CHASSIS
Sports Exhaust
EXTERIOR
Beluga gloss door mirrors
Jewel fuel and oil filler caps
Standard brakes with black gloss painted callipers
Carbon ceramic brakes with black gloss painted callipers
Carbon ceramic brakes with red painted callipers
21″ 7 spoke elegant alloy wheel – painted
21″ 10 spoke propellor alloy wheel – painted
21″ 10 spoke propellor alloy wheel – polished with contrasting centre cap
21″ 6 twin spoke alloy wheel – painted
21″ 6 twin spoke alloy wheel – polished with contrasting centre cap
20″ open spoke dark tint wheel
20″ open spoke polished wheel
Winter tyres
20″ Space saving spare wheel & tyre in lieu of tyre inflation kit*
123 additional exterior paint colours including new Monaco yellow paint & bespoke colour matching service
Dark tint front and rear lamps
INTERIOR
Choice of 6 additional veneers: Chestnut, Burr Walnut, Dark Stained Burr Walnut, Madrona, or Tamo Ash
Choice of 13 additional hide colours
Bright tint aluminium fascia panels (Engine Spin)
Carbon fibre fascia panels
Storage case matched to centre console
Twin front arm rests
Extended rear console option incorporating ski hatch and leather arm rest
Deep pile overmats to front and rear (in lieu of standard mats)
Lambswool rugs to front, in addition to standard mats
Heated, single tone, 3-spoke hide trimmed steering wheel
Wood and hide 3 spoke steering wheel (not available with Bird’s Eye Maple or Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus)
Boot carpet to match main or secondary hide
Contrast binding to boot carpets (only available with contrast binding to overmats)
Contrast stitching to seats, headrests door casings, facia and centre console
Contrast stitching to steering wheel in contrast colour, dependent on choice of Contrast or Cross Stitching option
Hand cross stitching to seats, headrests and door casings
Drilled alloy sports foot pedals
Hide trimmed gear paddles #
Personalised treadplate plaques
Personalised embroidery to seat headrests
CONVENIENCE
Adaptive cruise control
Valet key
Privacy handset with 2 cradles and SIM card reader (requires twin front armrests)
Sim card reader (requires twin front armrests)
TV Tuner (market specific)
Naim for Bentley Premium Audio System (inc. CD changer)
Bentley GPS tracking system provision in addition to standard alarm system (market specific)
Bentley GPS tracking system full fitment, in addition to standard alarm system. (market specific)
Remote control garage / electronic gate opener (Market Specific)
CD changer 6-disc fitted in glovebox
Front and rear ashtray with cigar lighters
Rear view camera
First aid kit and warning triangle (Market Specific)
Battery charger
MULLINER DRIVING SPECIFICATION
– 21″ black painted elegant limited edition wheel
– Diamond quilting to seats, door and rear quarter inserts
– Indented hide headliner
– Jewel fuel and oil filler caps
PREMIER SPECIFICATION*
– Massage/ventilated seats
– Naim audio including CD autochanger
– Rear view camera
– Valet Key
– Twin front arm rests
GT V8 SPORTS SPECIFICATION
– Carbon ceramic brakes with choice of red or black painted brake callipers
– Sports exhaust
– Carbon fibre fascia panels (also available in full carbon fibre interior)
– Extended rear centre console
INTERIOR STYLE SPECIFICATION
– Contrast or handcrafted cross stitching
– Hand crafted steering wheel with stitching in a contrasting colour
– Deep pile overmats
– Leather contrast overmat binding and boot carpet binding
2015 Bentley Continental GT V8S
STANDARD FEATURES
POWERTRAIN AND CHASSIS
8 speed ZF transmission with Quickshift and steering column mounted gearshift paddles
Sports suspension with 10mm lower ride height
Torsten permanent all-wheel drive with 40:60 front to rear torque split
Brake system with Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Anti-locking Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Hydraulic Brake Assistance (HBA), Drag Torque Control (MSR) and aquaplane detection
Vented front and rear disc brakes with red painted brake callipers
Brake pad wear indicator
Air springs with Continuous Damping Control (CDC)
20″ open-spoke wheels in painted finish with red wheel centre badges
Electronic parking brake with drive away assist
Speed sensitive power steering
Electronic tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
Electronic cruise control
Bentley branded ‘T’ piece engine cover
Electric tilt and reach adjustment steering column with memory and easy entry functions
Column mounted paddle switches for tiptronic gear selection
Security wheel bolts
EXTERIOR SPECIFICATION
Black gloss radiator Bentley matrix grille integrated into bonnet
Red winged ‘B’ badge to radiator shell and boot lid
Black lower rear bumper valance
Rear diffuser
Bi-Xenon projector headlamps with LED signature daylight running lamps, LED main beam supplementation and integrated washer jets
Full LED rear lamps with jewellery-effect inner lamp treatment
LED rear fog and reversing lamps
High level rear brake light
Twilight sensor control and tunnel detection for lighting
Door area lighting in lower edge of exterior mirrors and entrance lighting in lower edge of each door
Colour coded electronically adjustable door mirrors with heating, power folding and memory functions including signal repeaters, auto dimming and reverse dip
Power latching to driver and passenger doors for easy entry and exit
Rain sensing windscreen wipers
Acoustic interlayer to side and rear glass
Keyless entry and ignition
Door edge reflectors
Choice of 17 exterior paint colours
Bright Bentley ‘B’ oil filler cap
INTERIOR SPECIFICATION
Full premium grade hide interior with a choice of 17 colours
Slim design power adjustable front seats with heating, memory and lumbar support
Driver’s front seat 14 way adjustment including memory and lumbar support
Passenger’s seat 14 way adjustment including memory and lumbar support (12 way in North America)
Piano Black veneer with non-cost option of Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus
Isofix rear seat fixings
Leather headliner
Choice of 9 Colour splits
Breitling clock
Boot carpet in black (Beluga) with option of matching this to colour of cabin carpets
Hide-trimmed, 3-spoke, multi-function steering wheel available in single or duo-tone option
Bulls-eyes air vents with chrome organ stop controls
Electric tilt and reach adjustment steering column with memory and easy entry and exit functions
Treadplates with V8 S plaque insert
Power boot opening and closing
Rear magazine storage pockets
Door edge reflectors
Contrast binding for single tone interiors
Automatic seat belt presenter
Footwell and centre console stowage illumination
Touch screen infotainment system with 8 inch high resolution screen and incorporating AM/FM radio, HDD navigation, external media interface, single DVD/CD slot, single SD card slot, integrated HVAC controls, telephone control with Bluetooth wireless connectivity, suspension settings and TPMS features – voice activation on infotainment system features*
Satellite radio (Sirius)
8 channel, 8 speaker audio system with Balanced mode Radiator (BMR) speakers
Dual-zone automatic climate control system
Volumetric ultrasonic alarm
Bentley GPS tracking system provision
Park distance control with graphic on infotainment screen and audible warning
Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger deactivation, driver’s knee airbag (North America only)
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.