Bentley Continental GT V8 Hybrid: a Malaysian escapade
When you’re given the chance to sample a Bentley and properly stretch its legs, you just have to jump at the opportunity.
While I had the chance to drive the even faster Continental GT SPEED variant in Singapore earlier this year, it was mostly through traffic and highly regulated highway speeds. It was enjoyable, but the mighty V8 cried for truly open roads.
But to drive the new Continental GT V8 Hybrid, albeit the regular variant, through Kuala Lumpur’s vast highways, followed by challenging A-roads was a truly rare opportunity, one worth enduring one of the worst flights of my life.
The Bentley Continental GT V8 Hybrid is Bentley’s Gran Turismo or Grand Tourer for the modern image. It’s a 2-door, 4-seat coupe that actually allows average sized adults to sit in the back seat.
Slide into the 2-tone Hermes orange and dark brown leather seats, adjust to your settings and grasp the 3-spoke steering wheel, anticipating the excitement ahead.
Power comes from the 4.0 liter turbocharged V8 and when combined with a hybrid electric motor, pumps out a very grand 680 horsepower and a truly regal 930 Newton-Meters of torque.
Drive is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, affording the Bentley precious real-estate on the road. Essential in keeping the palatial Bentley on the straight and narrow tarmac.
Since it’s a hybrid, the electric drivetrain provides 80 kilometers of all-electric range, with a 140km/h top speed. Activate the thunderous V8 and the Continental GT accelerates to 100kmh from rest in 3.5 seconds all the way to a 330kmh top speed. Academic in Asia, but very useful in Europe, especially Germany where the Autobahn is the Continental’s natural hunting ground.
The Bentley Active Chassis technology fitted as standard includes Dynamic Ride, Rear Wheel Steering and eLSD with a choice of Comfort, Bentley and Sport modes. Together, the powertrain and chassis deliver refined, surefooted, progressive and accessible performance in a wide variety of road conditions.
We assembled at Bentley Kuala Lumpur, in the heart of the city where we were briefed on the day’s driving adventures, then got into the car. From the dealership, we proceeded to Kuala Lumpur’s vast elevated highway system. We got onto the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE), which provides a direct link from the southern part of Klang Valley to the MEX interchange.
The MEX Expressway (or Maju Expressway) is a massive 8-lane (with shoulder) toll road expressway that links Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya, Malaysia’s government district and Cyberjaya, the country’s tech hub. Interestingly, Malaysia’s road lanes seem much wider than ours, so the roads feel wider. Average speeds are higher, which really allowed us to stretch the Continental’s wings.
On a sidenote, it goes to show how far behind the Philippines is in terms of infrastructure development.
After reaching Putrajaya about 30 kilometers south, we head back to the city center for lunch at the country’s newest landmark, the Merdeka 118 which is the second tallest structure in the world with 680 meters in height.
After lunch, we drive out again, this time north-east to Janda Baik, a popular resort town. The mission? Find out just how maneuverable the Continental GT is through fast and flowing A- and B-roads, plus really tight passes that are more appropriate for small displacement motorcycles than cars, let alone the considerable Bentley. Thanks to the Dynamic Ride suspension coupled with rear-wheel steering, the Bentley still found its stride and flower smoothly despite the many obstacles (and oncoming traffic) along the route.
The engine had that beautiful V8 burble, the 10-piston front and 4-piston rear brake calipers clamped hard on the 420mm and 380mm steel discs progressively, snd the steering had great weight, feel and feedback. Despite its luxurious image, the Continental GT is a proper driver’s car. Even the massive 21” wheels with 265/40R21 front and 305/35R21 rear tires cancelled out any NVH from the road, impressive given their licorice-like girth. And they looked gorgeous!
The Continental GT appeals to an older, more mature and I daresay, more secure enthusiast. It has no need for loud, brash and pompous antics to announce its presence. It might not be the hardest, sharpest and fastest. But it is one of, if not the most comfortable of sports cars, capable of covering large distances in supreme comfort at great speeds.
