GT | On the road

Continental remains an icon of British motoring

By Bill McCarthy

There is no doubt that the Continental convertible is breathtaking. Breathtaking in looks, breathtaking in performance and, breathtaking in price.

Paying well north of £180k for a car takes it beyond the means of the majority, but if you can afford it, it is a hugely desirable grand tourer that remains a British icon

If a car can be described as beautiful, then this Bentley both with the roof up or open car, fits that description – a compelling combination of elegance and power.

It never failed to get admiring looks, and comments on the stunning green colour of this particular model.

Bentley is German owned, VW in fact, but the hand-built features are a tribute to the master craftsmanship of British expertise at their factory in Crewe.

‘On the road, the car is a superb drive and brutally powerful‘

Now in its third generation the GT features a tailored roof that can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, with the car travelling at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h).

We love our convertibles in the UK but the weather doesn’t always play ball. But the Continental makes the wind in the hair experience hugely enjoyable. A discreet neckwarmer is integrated into the front seats, together with a heated steering wheel and heated armrests.

It looks sensational, with a low slung predatory look, featuring muscular haunches, swooping bonnet and the latest LED cut-crystal effect matrix headlamps. Sitting on 21 and 22-inch wheels it looks a powerhouse – and it is, with a four litre twin-turbo V8 engine on this model propelling the car to 60mph in four seconds.

The interior is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and opulence, almost decadence. Just like its sibling the Flying Spur, it is a riot of handcrafted wood and leather of choice and chrome, together with jewellery-inspired diamond knurled finish switchgear and classy analogue style clock.

This model added the optional Mulliner Driving Specification which includes three-dimensional diamond quilted leather to seats, door casing and rear quarter panels, sports pedals and jewelled fuel and oil filler cap and embroidered Bentley emblems.

On the road, the car is a superb drive and brutally powerful. The 542bhp V8, mated with a seamless eight-speed transmission, delivers incredible acceleration, with the throaty roar of the V8 through the quadruple exhausts adding to the enjoyment, especially with the roof down.

It goes on to a theoretical 198mph, nearly three times above the legal speed limit in the UK. All the power is all well and good, but it needs to be kept in a straight line and that is where the intelligent four wheel drive kicks in, delivering traction where required.

There are four driving modes that adjust engine, suspension and gearbox settings, which, given the enormous power in ‘normal’ mode, seems fairly superfluous.

Listing all the features would fill a book, but in addition to a host of bells and whistles, the centrepiece is a 12.3-inch central touchscreen system including HDD-navigation, two SD card slots, Bluetooth and WiFi streaming, a CD/DVD slot and digital radio.

Also included is Apple CarPlay, Sirius satellite radio, 60GB solid-state hard drive and 4G telephone system.

Hugely aspirational

Like other German car makers, Bentley provides plenty of options with the rotating display, a particularly clever piece of kit. It switches between touchscreen, three analogue gauges (compass, chronometer and outside temperature) and unbroken veneer.

But boot space is also surprisingly good, even with the roof stowed in the rear, with 235 litres, enough for a couple of small cases.

Safety is vital with such a powerful car and the kit, some optional, features huge brake callipers, stability and traction control, a full complement of airbags and features including Active Lane Assist, Traffic Jam Assist and Park Assist with 360 degree all round cameras, infra-red camera, and head-up display.

Hugely aspirational, but practical and British built. What’s not to like?

FAST FACTS

Bentley Continental GT Convertible

Price: £182,800

Mechanical: 546bhp, 3,996cc, V8 petrol engine driving all wheels via 8-speed auto gearbox

Max speed: 198mph

0-60mph: 4 seconds

Combined mpg: 22.6

CO2 emissions: 284g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited miles

Mazda6 Tourer

By Bill McCarthy

The Mazda6 was a ground-breaking car for for the firm when it first appeared in the early part of the century.

The firm had done big saloons, notably the 626, but nothing that was challenging the big boys in the playground like the Mondeo, Passat and Insignia, all significant in the business market.

That quickly changed in 2002 the Mazda6 shook the segment up and the Japanese firm has not rested on its laurels since, with this third generation car still right up there even challenging the more luxury German brands.

In common with many firms, the estate version, or tourer as they like to call it, now challenges the saloon in terms of looks and desirability.

Despite its length, it has a coupe like silhouette with eye-catching alloy wheels It even challenges in the formerly no-go area of sporty performance, notably with this near 200bhp GT Sport model, powered by a feisty 2.5 litre petrol engine.

In addition it features the firm’s most advanced Skyactiv Technology, designed to heighten what they described as ‘Jinba Ittai’, or, car and driver being in harmony, whatever that means.

This latest engine technology certainly delivers a quicker response to throttle demands while steering and handling are further enhanced.

The big estate has always been a bit of a looker and the latest model is no exception, with new grille with redesigned headlights LED running lights, smart new alloy wheels and new rear light clusters.

The interior too, is smart, chic and functional, with plenty of space for five passengers, good head and legroom and decent, if not class leading, stowage capacity.

Inspired by another Japanese theme, Kodo, which it says is produced by finest master craftsmen and designers working with their hands, shaping every line and curve to achieve a level of elegance. It sounds like waffle, but it’s not far off the mark in reality

On the road, the Skyactiv technology delivers, pace, handling and economy in equal measures.

The 190bhp power unit propels the car to 60 mph in just over eight seconds, via the six-speed automatic gearbox.

Fuel economy is helped by stop/start and cylinder deactivation at certain times. It works by controlling valve movement to shut down two of the engine’s four cylinders under light load conditions like constant speed cruising. This delivers an official figure 41.5mpg, a figure, unusually, which I got surprisingly close to, and emissions of 156g/km.

On the road, the tweaked suspensions offers sharp handling, direct steering and a comfortable ride. It should be fun when switching to sport mode and the gearchange paddles.

I did find, however, manual changes hesitant. But sticking to full auto mode still delivers a satisfying drive.

This range-topper has plenty to offer in a fairly premium package, with a fairly premium prices, including, an eight inch touchscreen, which controls major functions, 360-degree parking camera, head-up display and leather upholstery.

The generous standard spec also includes 17-inch alloy wheels, 19-inch on this model, leather upholstery and 19-inch wheels, multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, DAB radio with Bluetooth, air-con, cruise control, ESC, six airbags and hill-hold

An optional safety pack includes assisted braking, lane departure assistance, blind spot monitor and attention alert.

Despite the swooping silhouette, interior space is still pretty good with stowage space of 552 litres, expanding to 1,664 with the seats folded. A wide flat loading area opens up, with a low loading sill.

Just the kind of practicality you would expect from an estate, sorry, tourer.