Evo Magazine’s Editorial Director and founder Harry Metcalfe goes to Spain for a review of the new Bentley Continental GTC V8, hoping the weather would be kind.

Well, it wasn’t. But Harry persevered. We are actually very fond of his video reviews. He uses one hand to hold the camera and film himself and the car, and the other to drive his points home. And he talks absolute sense. Harry has his doubts about the V8 Conti being 40 percent more efficient than the W12, but who cares really, when the V8 sounds that good.

The new Bentley Continental V8 models have all the sculpted, muscular elegance of their W12 stablemates, with their distinctive wide rear track, super formed aluminium wings, powerful haunches and low, poised stance. But a number of key differences distinguish these branches of the Continental family.

One of the most significant differences is also one of the smallest. When it appears on the Mulsanne and the 6.0 W12 Continental models the winged ‘B’ emblem above the radiator grille has a black enamel background. At the rear two eye-catching ‘figure eight’ exhaust pipes, one each side of a dark lower rear valance, tell those in the know that this Bentley is powered by the advanced, exhilarating and efficient new 4.0 litre V8.

Both the coupe and convertible will be launched with 20-inch wheels as standard and customers will also be able to select from two 21-inch wheel designs especially created for the Continental V8 models. Both these options feature a six-spoke alloy with a strong, sporting theme and are finished in either Diamond Black (exclusive to the Continental V8) or Diamond Silver. Each Bentley ‘B’ emblem featured on the wheel centre caps is also finished in red.