Extreme Machines.

That is dramatically different from Triumph who have successfully revamped their product lines and image, and still have a few products that talk directly to their heritage. The Continental GT, then, is a clearest indication of what it is to come. And yes, despite the economic gloom, we live in exciting times.
The Continental GT as you know has had inputs from Harris Engineering; yes that Harris and it shows. But for now, I’m going to talk more about the feel and sensations rather than the technicals. For two reasons: first, I think technology is only worth the benefits it brings so the sensations are more vital than the tech. And two, since the actual launch event hasn’t happened as I write this, and because I’ve spent all day riding the bike and haven’t really had time to delve into the technical details so far. I’ll circle back to the tech low- down once I have more documentation and information, hopefully later today.
Even when you look at the details the sheen doesn’t fade. The tank looks long and lean, the bar-end mirrors looks rather well-made. All the bits look like someone paid attention to them. It is a bit sad that the bar-end mirrors are OE equipment everywhere but India. Back home we will get normal stalk mounted mirrors and the bar-ends will be an optional accessory. I suspect this has to do with regulatory issues in India, and I’ll confirm this. There are a few rough edges here and there, but you really have to nitpick and split hairs before you spot them.
Through all this punishment, the engine feels nicely sorted rather than a clattery mess which is a huge step forward. In short, the journalists looking for oil leaks — they said it was simply because they know their Bullets — were happy to be disappointed. The bikes, despite the caning, never missed a beat. My bike initially did have a bit of a stalling issue in traffic though, which was diagnosed as a badly set idle. And once set, it never recurred. As in promising, promising, promising. I can’t wait to see the numbers when we test this.

Ride quality similarly feels vastly more sorted. It still feels like a heavy-boned motorcycle, but it has gained a sporty sort of damping without becoming harsh. On long drones, in fact, the bumps bother you a bit less than the seat, which is a welcome improvement.
Handling, similarly, is more precise by a fair bit. You still feel the heft and length but turn in is more assured, mid-corner stability is good and there is a sense of accuracy that is much better than any Enfield so far. It hasn’t become a race bike or a full on sportsbike, but then again, that isn’t the nature of the Cafe Racer.
The Cafe Racer format is visually very interesting but is also going to be the crux of the matter when you start trying to decide whether to get a Continental GT for your garage or not.
You see, the handlebars aren’t all that far away but they are low. Add in rearset pegs and you have a fairly committed, canted forward riding position. Most of you are going to end up riding with your elbows locked as a result, but this isn’t a super comfortable motorcycle and short trips are going to be the order of the day.

This is no surprise. The ’60s Cafe Racers weren’t endurance kings, they were the fastest cafe hopping device possible at the time. So will the GT go touring? Not unless you change a few this first or you’re super fit and don’t mind an ache or two. In this sense, it is true to its role and image, and I’m honest enough to notice the long distance discomfort but not cynical enough to say that Royal Enfield should have fixed this. The Continental GT talks a pretty well-defined design language and certain things sound best in the native tongue rather than translated. The ergonomics of the Cafe Racer is one of those things.
Best Enfield ever? I’ve no doubt. Given where the company has come from, the Continental GT is an achievement. It shows that they are now willing to be brave and try new things. And their efforts have, clearly borne fruit.


On the other hand, India is one of the few countries where there are customers who choose Enfields as a product without really giving credit or consideration to its history, and indeed to the nature and circumstance of the Cafe Racer. These customers will find that there are competitively priced modern motorcycles that outperform the Continental GT on most, if not all, objective parameters.
In short, Enfield fans will love it and non-Enfield fans may or may not. The full picture will emerge over time. What is clear is that we have here one of the best looking motorcycles to go on sale in India in a historic, evocative perspective. And the best Enfield motorcycle so far.

I think that means, Royal Enfield’s done what they set out to do with the bike. The remaining question is the matter of price. While the UK and some other market prices are expected shortly, we suspect that the Indian prices will only come at the commercial Indian launch, which should happen roughly a month or so from now. Stay tuned.

With an entirely hand-crafted interior, the Bentley Continental GT's cabin sets new standards in refinement and luxury to create a stylish space in which up to four people can relax in total comfort.

The instrument panel and dashboard subtly echo the flying wings of the Bentley motif and are fashioned from the highest quality soft-touch leathers. New touchscreen technology and chrome-bezelled dials are housed within this dynamic cockpit area, which rises from the centre console in the form of dramatically surfaced 'wing' buttresses.

The striking and unique 'Cobra' design seats are supremely comfortable thanks to the introduction of the latest body-supporting materials which use complex foams to provide softness at first touch but with excellent support over longer journeys.

The seats can be specified with front-seat ventilation as well as a state-of-the-art massage system with 10 individual massage cells and individual side airbags are provided as standard for all passengers. Front seatbelts feature a new electrically-operated automatic presenter, making buckling-up effortless. Driver knee airbags are standard fitment.


Complementing its contemporary cabin, the new Continental GT also features advanced new touchscreen technology with rich map imagery and a 30GB on board hard drive.

The 8-inch screen displays the car's audio system, telephone, ride and comfort settings and the very latest navigation system, which uses both an in-car hard-disc drive and a DVD player to access route data. It also employs dynamic navigation to guide you around areas of heavy traffic, finds destinations using geo-tagged photos from an SD memory card and is Google Maps-compatible (market specific).

The infotainment system, with 7 digit postcode entry, uses a combination of touchscreen controls and classic knurled rotary switches to offer instant usability and crystal-clear feedback. The graphic interface of the screen is engineered in-house to ensure its visuals are completely in keeping with the style of the interior. Look closely and you will see that the knurled switches on the screen are 'virtual' echoes of the knurled switches below.

The Bentley Continental GT's new infotainment system also provides the ultimate in in-car audio entertainment. An eight-speaker sound system is offered as standard employing the latest Balanced Mode Radiator technology. These unique compact, flat-panel speakers provide exceptional clarity with a very wide frequency range.

An 11-speaker Naim for Bentley system - created exclusively for the Bentley Continental GT by British audiophiles Naim - employs revolutionary Dirac Dimensions ™ digital signal processing. This industry-first technology creates a virtual 'sound field' independent of speaker layout to deliver concert hall-quality sound reproduction for every occupant wherever they may be sitting.

The Bentley Continental GT coupe also benefits from telephone and music player connectivity, digital television (where available) and DVD movie playback. Music can be played and controlled directly from an iPod® as well as from a six-disc CD changer, SD card reader or directly from the car's hard-disc drive, which can store up to 15GB of music.


The Bentley Continental GT is set to have a choice of two very distinctive high-performance engines. In addition to the new 575PS version of Crewe's renowned 6.0 litre W12 powertrain, a new high-output 4.0-litre V8 engine option will be introduced in late 2011.

The new 4.0-litre V8 engine honours Bentley's environmental commitment to deliver a powertrain that achieves a 40 percent improvement in CO2 emissions. The new V8 is being designed specifically by Bentley's engineers to deliver all the exhilarating power and torque synonymous with the marque. The new Crewe-built engine will also offer a class-leading CO2 emissions-to-power ratio.

At launch, the new Bentley Continental GT coupe is powered by the latest evolution of Bentley's acclaimed 12-cylinder, 6-litre twin-turbocharged engine, now calibrated to provide even greater performance, thanks to increases in power, torque and fuel efficiency.

Designed in a unique 'W' configuration, it is the most compact and technologically advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world. Four camshafts and 48 valves allow the engine to breathe effortlessly and help to generate the distinctive Bentley wave of torque. It is also capable of running on petrol (gasoline), E85 bioethanol or any mix of the two - all from a single tank.

In 2008, Bentley announced a far-reaching environmental programme that included a 15 percent improvement in powertrain efficiency and the adoption across the Bentley model range of FlexFuel technology by 2012. Bentley's FlexFuel models are capable of delivering potential CO2 reductions of up to 70 percent on a 'well-to-wheel' basis - the measurement of CO2 released by a fuel from its production (well) through to its combustion or deployment (wheel).

To ensure that the power and torque generated remain constant (whatever the fuel) an advanced Fuel Quality Sensor continuously monitors the ratio of the fuels used. It then guides the Engine Control Unit to adjust the engine's timing. This provides the seamless power delivery for which Bentley engines are renowned, and ensures there is no compromise on performance when using fuels that create lower CO2 emissions.

Further revisions to the new Bentley Continental GT coupe's engine include low friction, lightweight components which allow the W12-format engine to rev even more freely, while the latest engine management system and twin, low-inertia turbochargers are optimised to ensure minimal turbo lag.

Overall, the Bentley Continental GT coupe is 65kg lighter than its predecessor thanks to reductions in all areas of the car from engine components through to new seats. With its power output raised by 15PS and torque by 50 Nm - to 575PS (567bhp/423kW) and 700Nm (516lb ft) - the result is a 6 percent improvement in the new GT's power-to weight-ratio, making it capable of accelerating from zero to 60mph in just 4.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds) with a top speed of 198mph (318km/h).

The increased power and torque are transmitted to the all-wheel drive system via an uprated six-speed Quickshift transmission, which halves shift times (to just 200 milliseconds). The revised gearbox also has the ability to deliver double downshifts (sixth to fourth gear, for example) and improves acceleration across the entire gear range. To cope with the additional power and torque, the planetary gear set of the six-speed ZF transmission is also strengthened.

Positive torque during downshifts is achieved through engine and gearbox electronic controller interaction for extra throttle and fuel injection during the overrun, replicating manual throttle 'blips' for precise rev matching . During transmission upshifts, fuel and ignition are cut momentarily to give faster mechanical shift times through torque reduction, also improving shift quality and durability.

"The W12's extra power and torque and Quickshift transmission endow the new Bentley Continental GT with instantly accessible supercar performance across the complete rev range. At the same time, Bentley's pioneering use of FlexFuel technology underlines our ongoing environmental commitment." - Brian Gush, Director, Chassis and Powertrain, Engineering

Both engines are coupled with a state-of-the-art, all-wheel drive system employing an advanced Torsen differential. This ensures safe yet dynamic sports car handling in all road conditions and all weathers.

In the new coupe, the power split has a 40:60 rear bias for a significantly more sporting feel in terms of handling and mid-corner acceleration. However, it can adjust instantaneously the power split between the front and rear wheels depending on the available grip. In addition, an uprated Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system provides additional security and grip whatever your driving style.

The new Bentley Continental GT's chassis delivers the optimum ride and handling balance. The wide front and rear track benefits agility and handling, while solid aluminium cast-forged, high-stiffness front suspension uprights and aluminium gravity die castings at the rear work in conjunction with a redesigned front anti-roll bar and retuned spring and damper settings. The result is improved response and stability at all speeds.

Continuous Damping Control (CDC) constantly monitors the car's attitude and poise. By adjusting the suspension settings hundreds of times a second it can provide a remarkably supple ride at low speeds and increased control as speeds climb. It can also lower the car in 'V-Max' mode for enhanced stability at the highest speeds.


Throughout Bentley's history, iconic grand tourers have forged the marque's reputation. In the 1950s the beautiful R-Type Continental set new standards of performance and style. In 2003, Bentley Continental GT revolutionised the luxury coupe market, combining supercar performance and dynamism with remarkable everyday practicality.

Now, the new Continental GT coupe sets even higher standards in every area of design, craftsmanship and engineering.