Performance Review: Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible - [3996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley Continental Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 3996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the This particular Bentley Continental has a 3996cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Continental shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Continental's All Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2335 kgs (5147 lbs) this makes the Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible in the same weight category as the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley Continental shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 3996cc 32V V8 engine produces 542 bhp (404 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp) or the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (542 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 568 lb-ft (770.1 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (590 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (553 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Bentley Continental you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (256.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley Continental.

The Bentley Continental has a Power to weight ratio of 232.1 bhp per ton and 243.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 3996 Continental competing with the 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (256.8 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (256.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Bentley Continental generating around 243.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Lotus Exige S 3.5 V6 Roadster (268.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Ferrari SA Aperta Pininfarina 6.0 V12 (268.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.1 secs, this made the Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible as fast as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs). This Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible is also faster than the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs) the and the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Continental and the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Bentley Continental on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.87 secs @ 106.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo (12.81 secs), the 2017 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 V8 F16 (12.81 secs), and the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (12.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 3996 version of the Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible has a maximum speed of 198mph.

Top Speed of the 3996 Continental equals the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo (209 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible then how about the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo (209 mph), the 2006 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 Edition (209 mph), or the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph).

Related Links:

3996 Continental Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison