Performance Review: Bentley Continental GT V8 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley Continental Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley Continental GT V8 is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12.This particular Bentley Continental has a 3883cc Twin 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 2295 kgs (5059 lbs) this makes the Bentley Continental GT V8 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 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 3883cc 32V V8 engine produces 500 bhp (372 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 487 lb-ft (660.2 Nm) @ 1700 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 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA Spec C - Blobeye (242.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley Continental.

The Bentley Continental has a Power to weight ratio of 217.8 bhp per ton and 212.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Continental competing with the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA Spec C - Blobeye (242.7 bhp per ton) or the 1969 AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 (242.5 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 212.2 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 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (236.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Audi A6 RS6 5.0 TFSI V10 (236.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.8 secs, this made the Bentley Continental GT V8 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the or the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs). This Bentley Continental GT V8 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Continental and the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged

When talking about the performance of the Bentley Continental on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.15 secs @ 104.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (13.09 secs), the 2016 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback (13.09 secs), and the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Sport Coupe 1st Gen (13.11 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Bentley Continental GT V8 has a maximum speed of 188mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Continental equals the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid (199 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Bentley Continental GT V8 then how about the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid (199 mph), the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo (199 mph), or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (199 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Continental Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison