The NEW Bentley Continental GT W12 Review - The Best Grand Tourer Ever?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Today I'm reviewing the all new Bentley Continental GT. Bentley obviously think its brilliant. Let's see if they are right.
Want to see your car on the channel? Email me on talk@jayemm.com
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I used to think Jay was just another TH-camr. Over the past few months he's become a motoring journalist whose opinion I really respect.
He's one of the best
@z z wow those grapes sure are sour!
@z z a second hand car salesman doth not a motoring journalist make...
Best start your own channel and share all those nuggets of wisdom then Swiss
I mean if you were to actually name specific things I got wrong, and what the right version was then I'll happily incorporate it into future videos but generic insults are somewhat hard to deal with constructively.
Honestly, this channel has completely plugged the hole I was left with when Chris Harris ceased to be a journalist and became an actor. Totally trust the opinions expressed here, it's become my go to for objective auto' journalism.
Glad to help
Eric, I have to agree with your assessment of Chris Harris. IMO he's becomes way to full of himself. :(
@@garyleibitzke4166 I remember Harris from Pistonheads & even back then he came over as arrogant & way too much of a Porsche fanboy
Well, it's refreshing to find others who think that Chris Harris is pompous, opinionated and only reviews cars by burning their tyres off (cf. Ferrari F12 in Anglesey). Not informative, in other words. JayEmm is likewise refreshing in being honest. We could do with more of his ilk. Well done, lad.
I hold heartedly agree jay email is the man 😊
You did notice the economy tricks.....
Its "pedal" lag.
A way of controlling emissions during acceleration. A remap can get around this 😉
Yup, the turbos might have a bit of lag but reigniting all the cylinders and potentially switching cycles and things too all takes a bit of time. I've not owned a turbo petrol ever (because NA master race) but I've had engines that switched from atkinson to otto and you do get lag from that.
@@ArbitraryFilmings I couldnt care less about cylinder deactivation or electronic throttle, if i buy a 12 cylinder byturbo engine i want it to work properly, simple as that. Would it require to have less power to get a normal working throttle response? Maybe, i would gladly take it.
But i guess im not the target audience for this kind of car.
@@ArbitraryFilmings does the cylinder deactivation and other frippery at least shut off in sport mode?
There are all sorts of tricks with electronic throttle pedals, mashing your foot into the carpet doesn't mean you'll get a fully open throttle valve in the same way you would with a cable operated throttle. There are also programmes designed to protect the hardware and the driver, quite often there is a delay meant to ask "are you sure?" before unleashing the horses and during that time the computer will be checking engine and transmission parameters to make sure everything is in spec and up to temperature before it accidentally tears itself to pieces.
You're all almost correct. This laggy phenomenon helps a bit with fuel consumption but what it ENABLES is for the manufacturers to avoid engine and transmission bushing changes during warranty. This helps them save billions on cost while completely murdering the driving experince. We got Toyota to thank for this discovery
“...sports mode ruins the car...”
Where have you been? You don’t care about “the ring” and tracking your Bentley? Finally, someone like me. That just earned you a loyal like-minded viewer.
Welcome to the channel Franz
I’ve been anticipating this review ever since you first mentioned, some two weeks ago that you’ve done this video. Glad to see you’re being given official cars to really solidify the channel. Great video as always James!
Considering the competition it boils down to the DB11 and the Conti, I’d take the Bentley every time. They are utterly beautiful in the metal. I’ll take mine in that dark blue with light blue twinkly metallic, whatever it’s called, and chocolate/tan leather. I think I’ll have a play with the configurator and wait for my lottery win which is guaranteed to happen this evening.
My kids just freaked out when you drove past our house. 🤣
I love your reviews!!!! Really great job. Can’t wait to see the next one.
It’s always great to hear your honest opinion on cars no matter what stands in front of you.
BRAVO
James,
I know your work is always evolving, and this is back in time a little, but this is brilliant work. I've watched every Conti GT review I can find and you win in every department. Well researched, and insightful observations. 10/10.
I encourage you to chase up that promised visit to Bentley's Wood Room...
I eagerly await that vid!
Best regards
Huge respect for doing this. You are a true journalist, something that's in very short supply these days. Well done for calling it like it is.
One of the best no nonsense honest reviews. excellent stuff Jay.
you had to put on an 'elegant' shirt for this review.....was that in the agreement from Bentley..
i have watched all the reviews for this car on TH-cam - but your one is so refreshing and candid - great video :)
At 3:00 for a moment thought you had a mini gun in the boot. So that’s how you got it for a weekend.
Leyland lad here 😂
I can't believe I just dropped a comment about a Gatling gun and now I've just read your comment 😂
the interior is absolutely amazing, that lag is just insane even someone watching behind a screen I experienced it. The DB9 for me remains the Grand Tourer
I have an older GT. you are wrong it’s a good car if you use it properly as it was intended. Never seen 39mpg but have seen mid 20s. Are with you on stiff suspension but as a cruiser it’s great. We do about 4000 miles a year in it and we love it. New one is better but at a cost. Keep the videos coming really enjoy them.
Really enjoyed this video. Having driven several Continental GTs in the past, I'm definitely a fanboy. I drove the Speed version through the mountains in the province of Cadiz in southern Spain when it was launched and found it well suited to the terrain. I also got driven round the Monteblanco circuit in a Supersport version (all aluminium body) and was amazed by the agility of the car round a race circuit. Finally, I drove a friend's GT around the back roads of Essex three years ago. I also got invited to the launch of the drophead version of the new GT here in Seville, though sadly I didn't get a chance to drive one. Personally, I prefer the smaller radiator grill of the earlier cars but that is a minor niggle. I haven't driven a recent Aston Martin or Jaguar but for me the Continental GT is the perfect compromise between luxury and sportiness. Built for comfort AND speed!
It's a beautiful car I'm sure most drivers would love it, especially me being used to Vauxhall Astra's. .
Thank you very much for the review!
Can you bring a Citroen AX GT/Sport sometime?
Thanks for the review, Jay. Perhaps with COVID, fewer footballers will be able to buy Bentleys. Love the color combination of the reviewed car. Goes together perfectly!
That was a fantastic review James. Very well balanced, entertaining and informative. Would love you to try a DB11/DBS Superleggera for a comparison
The best objective auto test I've seen in years! I'm a big fan now and yes, I have subscribed.
Absolutely gorgeous car, especially in the color. I'm wondering if you think the harshness would be noticeably less if you put 19" or 20" wheels on it?
You work just keeps getting better. You and Harry Metcalfe are currently the best in the business.
“I havecounted them..they are all there” Good one. Another superb review my man. Keep it up.
19:20 roadkill Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus), freeze frame at 19:25 and you can see for sure, much bigger body and longer legs and ears than a Rabbit, apparently they were introduced to the UK during Roman times.........just saying, great car review as always by the way
All I can say is you've....
Briiiiiight. Eyes, burning like fire!
@@fortyfour1654 hahaha :-)
This channel is the best thing since the original Top Gear. You can listen to this video as a podcast visualizing the car in your mind. Great channel
I’ve just turned 63. Had five Porsches Inc a 991.1. Test drove a 2019 BC yesterday and I have to say my advancing years left me feeling quite at home. It’s a real contender and likely to join our Boxster 4.0 and a Cayenne V8 4.2 Diesel S.
Brilliant review jay, glad you’ve taken to walking around the cars not just driving them. Been subbed from the start your channels come on leaps and bounds long may it continue pal 💪🏻
You may recall I did walkarounds for a lot of cars in the early days, but people then complained the video was too long and they didn't get to the "exciting" bit - so the compromise is for cars I have for a while I will do an in depth video, but cars I have short term I just do the driving section
Very well written review. I appreciate the nuanced criticism. In addition the camera on the rear haunches forwards view provides an almost Hitchcockian perspective of the car flowing through the landscape. It could perhaps use some music by Bernard Hermann. And then at 27:10 JayEmm paddle shifts into Tarantino mode. Finally, even though this is a road car, the only thing I'm missing is some secluded high speed four wheel drifting and then this channel would be full-fledged.
3:00... (police) "Excuse me sir, is that a Gatling gun" ?
Thanks for the review. I’ve really enjoyed the diverse mix you cars you’ve reviewed over the last few months. Nice one thanks 👍
Great vid 👍⭐️😎 Only thing that would be nice was a old version v the new version at the beginning walk around
This is one of my favourite youtube channels
Couldn’t drive a car with a colored dash. Anything but black gives a reflection in the windscreen, which would make my CDO go in to over drive. CDO is just OCD in alphabetical order.
I love turbo lag.
Doesn't matter what color dash you don't like...you can't afford it anyway.
mac daddy I might get one soon
Love CDO 👍😂😂
#blackdashesmatter
jgh548 damn you are so right.
I think he's now the best. He hits all the right marks on all his reviews for things as a viewer you cant experience... steering feel, brakes, etc... no silly gimmicks.... just an honest review
Watching this again two years on, this is a stunning review.
This is a great review. Obviously I’ve never driven a Bentley Continental but you’ve confirmed everything I’ve ‘experienced’ by not driving one.
Great video as always. Did I notice a VW trademark? A check engine light? Also, was the chrome trim lifting slightly on the leading edge of the drivers door? I know I'm very pedantic.
Great review. Planning to test drive one on Sunday!
From Playboy Bunny to dead bunny - at least you avoided the roadkill 😆. The thumbs down are probably from footballers lmao. I agree with you on the colour scheme - it looks bang on.
Great review yet again 👍.
My dream car. 🤗
Great video love your reports keep them coming. Love to see you drive a Lamborghini Espada.
Another great video I would like to see you drive the original GT they offer amazing value for money these days
Great review! Best of luck going forward.
The new Bentleys are spectacular, much better than the current Rolls Royces in my opinion. Dealer by me has a Flying Spur in this same green but with the tan interior, traditional spec and it's magnificent. Your subdued shirt did not go unnoticed 😂
Thank you for your honest review ! Excellent video & sound editing!!
Nice review James..enjoyed that slightly longer format..but what a motor eh..ha..but did notice the smart shirt..!!!
The rules of physics, bentley style. you had me in stitches. Warehouse lol
Proper car for a lottery winner in his 50's with room in the boot for the golf bats.😃
😂😂😂
I’m 34 and would absolutely love one!!
I'm a year late to this video, but just wanted to comment on how enjoyable it was. Thanks for making a great show.
Most people are not buying Naim for the looks but for the astonishingly good sound !!
An honest review, not a fawning fluff job. I'm subscribing!
Been subscribed for years and the videos are just better than ever. Genuinely trust your automotive opinion
Brotha, you are really something !!! Bentley kidnapping Physics and ... Hats off to you mate ! Yes I'm rather biased to British humor since I grew up with the likes of Monty Python; Black Adder, The New Statesman, Only Fools And Horse etc . But that bit really made me laugh !!! Awesome channel , loving your style and delivery and huge respect for mentioning bit more about the in-car stereo (yes I'm an audiophile beside being a car nut ), the car manufacturers overcharge for those units, and for the price of that Naim set, one can get a considerably better sounding aftermarket system. For example: the B&O set-up in my SLS AMG GT, looks great but sounded dreadful in the low end ( and costed alot when new as an option), hence I had it replaced with a JL Audio stuff. Oh and nice choice of desktop gear at your office, the Kef and Nad makes for a great combo in that price range ( I think you have em connected with a Chord speaker cable if I'm not mistakin) ! Keep up the great work. Cheers ! p.s Oh, and the bit about your granma thinking you work as a gigolo !??!? Man, I spilled my drink laughing so hard !
Excellent, comprehensive review with a great conclusion. Well done!
Thanks Simon
Hey Jay, only just starting to watch the video, but would be a cool video if we could get an update on the S2000 :) remember you had big plans for it on the handling front.
Yeah there will be an update soon but all my plans got pushed back like 6 months
@@JayEmmOnCars Fully understand, keep up the great content!
@@JayEmmOnCars I seem to remember you changed your mind due to it being so reliable.
@@taotoo2 no I was just concerned about ruining it - plans still going ahead as original
Dear Jay, thanks for this review. I have experienced in the recent years a DB11, a Rapide, a Scaglietti, a California, a California T, an FF, an F12, in addition to many more (but less special) cars. What would you see as THE element that could now I find in Bentley ? I am curious about Conti GT (or RR Wraith). Thank you for an indication out of your experience..."not yet" is also my thought so far...(43 yo). Thanks!
That delay seems to be programmed in the ecu, even in sport mode it noticeable
You make very cool content. Thank you very much. I wish you success)))
great channel.
great reviewer.
un biased testing is the best way.
Excellent taste sir! The db9 is a lovely thing to behold!😊
I’d love one of these
From my view this is as good as you're going to get. It's a "driver's car", something that RR will never be able to sell you. Yet unlike an Aston this offers far greater customization, a better engine option with that W12 and higher craftsmanship. But the biggest factor for me is that I can order one in a convertible - that totally changes the experience both for weekday use and weekend getaways. Open air driving with 12 cylinders banging, 4 seats and a usable trunk is rare, but once you do it in something that's as good looking as this you will never want to go back to a lesser car. BMW, Lexus etc... just don't compete at this level.
But it weighs 2200kg...How can that ever be a "driver's car"?
If you ever get the chance to do a video in the factory again, i would be greatly indebted if you made a video on it.
Dude I hope you dont stop, I've been trying to find a decent car reviewer for weeks now. Doug and Raiti are honestly so annoying about how they talk about the information. Its like they're just listing shit, it's boring. However, your content is more like you're telling us a story, and it's an appreciated change of pace.
No plans of stopping yet!
Well done James, true journalism, great review.
Wow. What an honest and detailed review. You did well at describing what the car is and isn’t. As the name suggest it’s designed for grand touring through Europe and the suspension is setup for that. A wraith is probably better suited to gliding across broken British B roads.
I've always wanted to drive a Continental. Maybe one day.
Probably your best review yet. Loving the content 👍
Well in this video it sounds magnificent.
Turbo lag is completely unacceptable though. Had that in my E89 35i and it drove me nuts.
The lag is a big issue. Now I need you to test the bentley speed with 659 horsepower was it fixed or still present?
So funny watching this AFTER the video you did on the Gen 1 a year after this! (Oh and the lights are hideous, they just look all wrong)
Professional review chap 👍🏻
I love that W12 powerplant
16:50 so true. The fundamental problem is the unsprung weight of enormous wheels and tyres. This is why the ride is so crap; it's unavoidable for these bloaters.
Honest review. Shame about the significant lag.
Great review of a lovely car.
As for its forbearer? I understand why the early Conti GT may not be to your liking but have to add that back in 2004 when it was launched its power, performance and top speed were entirely on a different planet to any so called competition.
I was lucky enough to drive an 04 Conti GT from the UK to Budapest last summer and can confirm that it’s GT credentials were still very much intact.
This video is absolutely stunning! Can you explain the exterior color "green"? And whats the interior color "Red"? What's the proper names for them
2:16 Exterior spec is "Verdant Green", 3:44 Interior spec is "Cricket Ball Red, with Liquid Amber over Gloss Black trim"
Great analogy between gaming lag and car performance. CS OR QUAKE?
When did jay discover "tasteful" shirts
Love this review. Suggest you try the GT V8 if you get the chance. Some who have tried it and the 12 seem to think the 8 is more responsive.
A word about your MPG stats mentioned around the 18m mark .. I own a W12 and if I'm on a motorway and set the cruise to 80mph I get 31mpg, and at 75mph this rises to 34mpg, all down to cylinder deactivation. Amazing given the stats. But it will seamlessly provide 625bhp the instant you ask though. In general use, around town etc, its typically 20-25mpg. Naturally, a fast cross country blast will see it drop to 10-12mpg ..
What a brilliant review. Harry, beware! The young pretender is behind you.
That fuel consumption is incredible!
Would be interested in your take on the new 8 series.
Worth noting the Flying Spur isn't much of a replacement for the Mulsanne as it's been in the lineup since the first generation of Conti GT. More of a driver's family saloon than a chauffeur driven limo.
Nicest car available any where just absolutely gorgeous
Great review. For the money, I would buy a Bentley Brooklands Coupe. Albeit £130k ish, but only 500 units and the 6.75L motor and just better IMHO.
Good work as usual! I love the Bentley Continental GT! 😍
Excellent review James 👍 wish your Aston Martin DBS Superleggera review was this comprehensive.
This is the difference between having a car for a week or three hours
Jay , the conti is ok but I agree that the saloon is better , so with the money I'd have the latter , but I'll stick to my Transit camper pulling a trailer with my 3.0s beemer sedan for now 😉
I hate turbo lag with a passion, the guilietta I used to have was so horrible to drive mainly because of the horrific turbo lag. Being on the power band is irrelevant, turbos always take time to spool even when in the power band. Long live my NA N52 1er cab, I'll be so sad if there comes I time I need to replace it and my only options have turbos.
19:24 R.I.P.
@@LarsAgerbk road kill cat
Hey Jay do you think you would review the McLaren GT as a comparison?
Wow, this review is masterpiece! Great job Mate!
I am Thumbs Up number 1.000. You've earned it. The car too. It's truly magnificent -to look at atleast :)
What a great detailed review thanks
Most people who would love this car would buy it for its quality and reputation it doesn't disappoint in any way I'm sure but a Bentley is special.
Great review. Thank you
I really think that interior is the best in the business, absolutely stunning. Less gimmick more quality, luxury & style. I still think if that grille was 15% smaller it would look so much better. It just looks like they made it absolutely bang on perfect, and then someone in the trendiness department forced them to make it bigger.