To be honest we don’t really dig the new V8-powered Bentley Continental GT. Yes, it’s more efficient, the performance difference is negligible, and it makes a better noise, but there’s no getting away from the fact that you wouldn’t buy the V8 unless you can’t afford the W12. It’s a different story with the GTC V8 though. With the drop-top version you don’t need mega power, you hear that soundtrack more clearly, and we think the V8 styling details work better on the GTC.

The Continental GTC V8 then makes more sense, and it’s much more fun than the coupe. Check the car out in this nice promo video here, it’s just fantastic:

This remarkable, new Bentley V8 engine delivers maximum power of 500 bhp (507 PS/373 kW) at 6000 rpm and an extraordinary peak torque of 660 Nm (487 lb ft) which is available across virtually the entire rev range from 1700 to 5000 rpm, providing exhilarating performance and effortless power delivery in the Bentley tradition. Combined with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, this translates into a sub-5 second acceleration time for the 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint and a top speed of over 180 mph (290 km/h).

At the same time, the new V8 Continental models achieve outstanding levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the luxury performance sector and are capable of travelling over 500 miles (800 km) on a single tank of fuel. Full and official figures will be released in early 2012.