The Continental GT was the first new car produced by Bentley under Volkswagen's stewardship of the legendary British brand, and it proved to be a huge seller by Bentley standards.
The second generation version looks like a mild facelift, but it really is a new car. Bentley has decided to go the same route as the Porsche 911: redesign it every few years, but keep the styling almost the same. For car-spotters, the main difference with the new Continental GT is the more upright radiator grille and new jewel-like headlamps.
Inside, it is a similar story, with minimal changes aimed at making life for the driver that little bit easier. The seats are new and the touch-screen infotainment system has been improved. The cabin is certainly an inviting place to be, and hints at the Bentley's great strength - cruising. Long-distance treks are a pleasure more than a chore with this level of comfort, complemented by the GT's superbly smooth high-speed ride. While the back seats are only a realistic option for kids, there's loads of boot space on offer for extended getaways.
There are no huge surprises when it comes to dynamics, but again there have been worthwhile improvements. The power is now split 60:40 in favour of the rear wheels and Bentley has worked hard to give this generation a more dynamic, sporting feel than the original. Helped by its experience developing the old GT Speed, the sheer bulk of the car is now far less obvious, with the Continental GT now being far more rewarding on country roads. That said, it's still the car's mile-melting character that is the most impressive aspect, with the monumental 6.0-litre W12 engine totally comfortable at massive cruising speeds, which makes for effortless overlanding.
Of course, service and fuel costs are scarily high, but for those who can tolerate the ongoing investment required to keep a Bentley GT on the road, there are plenty of attractions. The combination of massive power, fabulous cruising and reasonably involving handling is a potent combination. The first generation was a huge hit for Bentley, and just like the evergreen Porsche 911, there is no reason to think this model will be any less of a success.