Performance Review: Bentley Continental GT 6.0 2d W12 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley Continental Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley Continental GT 6.0 2d W12 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Bentley Continental has a 5998cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a W formation.

Alternative Petrol W12's includes the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo

The Continental shares its Petrol W12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo and the 2017 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Continental's All Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2385 kgs (5258 lbs) this makes the Bentley Continental GT 6.0 2d W12 in the same weight category as the 2019 BMW X6 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley Continental shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 5998cc 48V W12 engine produces 552 bhp (411 kW) @ 6100 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Twin Turbo W12 throws out 479 lb-ft (649.4 Nm) @ 1600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 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 2006 BMW Alpina B7 V8 Tiptronic E65 (256.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley Continental.

The Bentley Continental has a Power to weight ratio of 231.4 bhp per ton and 200.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Continental competing with the 2006 BMW Alpina B7 V8 Tiptronic E65 (256.4 bhp per ton) or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance (256.0 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 200.8 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 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (225.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Maserati Shamal 3.2L V8 BiTurbo (225.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Bentley Continental GT 6.0 2d W12 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Bentley Continental GT 6.0 2d W12 is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Continental and the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8l Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Bentley Continental on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.88 secs @ 106.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8l Coupe (12.82 secs), the 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937 (12.82 secs), and the 2009 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS 4.7 V8 (12.83 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Bentley Continental GT 6.0 2d W12 has a maximum speed of 198mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 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 2003 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 2d W12 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:

2003 Continental Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison