My FH5 Log: Sea Breeze Flowing To the Stars

Have you heard the story of the sea that loved the moon? Of course, you do. I mean, everybody's familiar with the Legend of the Moon and the Sea. It's a love story a thousand years in the making and making the most out of the "Sea and Moon" vibe, I decided to let Forza Horizon 5's finest grand tourers do the singing and dancing.

If you are in the middle of a drive from the sea to the moon, which GT car is your pick? The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera? The third-generation Bentley Continental GTC? Or the BMW M8? This is exactly the question this game was designed to answer but first, let's get to know the GT cars.

Beginning with the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, this potent version of the DB11 is the ultimate grand tourer designed from the ground up. Underneath its muscular shape and seductive curves, the DBS Superleggera carries the same 5.0L V12 Twin Turbo engine as the DB11 but uprooted to produce 725PS of power and 900Nm of torque while mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, it can get from 0-60mph in three and a half seconds and onwards to 211mph. It even comes with torque vectoring, a mechanical LSD, and F1-inspired aerodynamics to make it more track-honed while retaining its grand tourer status.

The Bentley Continental GT's styling is inspired by the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept, giving it a fresh new take on Bentley's iconic two-door grand tourer. The third-generation Continental GT runs on the same platform as the second-generation Porsche Panamera and is powered by a brand new 6.0L W12 TSI engine producing 626HP of power and 900Nm of torque. With the 8-speed DCT and 4WD system it does 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and onwards to 207mph. The GT Convertible follows the same recipe as the hardtop variant but has a roof that can be opened or closed in 19 seconds even while traveling at residential speeds.

The BMW M8 Competition Coupe is the coupe version of the BMW M5 F90. It has the same 4.4L V8 turbo engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. It produces 625PS of power and 750Nm of torque, and can go from 0 to 100kph in up to 3.2 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250kph, but an optional extra can raise it to 305kph. Like the M5 F90, the M8 comes with an M xDrive all-wheel-drive system with M Dynamic mode that behaves like a rear-wheel-drive car.

These three grand tourers were proven to be the ideal contenders when you want to take a long drive from the sea to the moon just like the legend itself but if The Sea and The Moon witnessed them, which one is worthy to be a favorite for the ancient couple?

Blessed by the power of The Sea and The Moon, the three grand tourers are in the middle of a one-lap time attack to see which one is the best. Don't worry, nobody's drinking three pints of water just like that Grand Tour episode where they're driving around the racetrack while holding the urge to pee. There's your reference point for you but anyway, let's go!

And now the results...

DBS SL - 56.139s

Continental GTC - 58.959s

M8 - 57.207s

The rear-wheel-drive DBS with its 725PS 5.0L V12 Twin Turbo engine crushed its 4WD opposition but judging by the palindromic results, it's close. Still, these three did a great job pleasing The Sea and The Moon in style and comfort.

The sea breeze flowing to the stars while driving in these grand tourers is a clear reminder of a sad story I just remembered. The DBS Superleggera marked the end of Aston Martin's V12 supremacy, and Bentley ended their 12-cylinder story with cars like the Bentley Continental GT. I don't know what fate's in store for a car like the BMW M8, but some say, it's not going to last long. Whatever the reason, they fought hard until the endgame, and while stories like these plunged speedo boys into an ocean of heartache, they should be thankful to have grand tourers with happy endings worth remembering forever.

That is the sea breeze flowing to the stars. The legend of the sea and the moon is revisited by three dying grand tourers fulfilling their dying wishes to the sea and the moon.

BONUS CHAPTER:

With Hibiki and Michiru done their job, it's time for my Continental GTC to have a one-car show to demonstrate its Bentley-ism. I know this because I got this car from the European Automotive DLC Pack and I loved it, despite its convertible taste.

Before getting its one-car show, some makeover has to be done...

After some extensive makeovers, the Continental GT Convertible is portraying the role of, you guessed it, Shiori from Aikatsu Planet. Suits its personality.

Feeling pleased with this makeover, the Continental GT Convertible is awakened for the clash of the land and the sea with the competition waiting to get a good look at this Bentley. Let's roll the tape.

From the clash of the land and the sea, the Bentley is the summit of its endgame.

Bentley's decision to end the production of the legendary W12 engine has me in an ocean of heartache, just as I was when Aston Martin ended its V12 hierarchy. But bittersweet aside, I'm glad I had a blast playing around with these British-built 12-cylinder wonders alongside a German V8-powered grand tourer nearing its euthanasia while revisiting the legend of the sea and the moon, in my mind.

OK, so we've done our little storytelling. Who wants bream from the Caspian Sea? How about some moonlight cookies or sea fairy cookies?

Bentley Continental GT Convertible (Third Generation)

The third-generation Bentley Continental GT showed the world how much the iconic grand tourer has evolved over the years and it's all becoming true to form to become one of the best grand tourers you can't wait to drive and with the new convertible version, there's still so much story to tell for the new generation.

2019 Bentley Continental GT Convertible

Starting at 176,000 Pounds, which is somewhat more expensive than its hardtop variant, the Convertible variant of the third-generation Bentley Continental GT follows the same recipe as the hardtop variant but with a roof that can be opened or closed at just 19 seconds even while traveling at residential speeds. Still, with the roof opened, you can truly see the true beauty of this English grand tourer while cruising for miles rather than lap times. You can really smell some traces of Skin Bracer lurking through the tailor-made leather seats when you get there. Sounds musky but there's more to just getting used to it.

Under the hood, you still have the same 626HP 6.0L W12 Twin Turbo engine as the hardtop as well as the 8-speed DCT and 4WD system that works like today's Porsche Panamera and it's as similar as the hardtop equivalent. 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 207mph, of course. Even with the added weight to the Convertible version, it still works like the hardtop version and that's rather surprising indeed, meaning it can still behave as what you want your grand tourer to be. It can be comfortable, it can be challenging to handle its grippy character, and overall, it's still the grand tourer you want to have and you are so jealous to have one.

In short, the convertible variant of the Bentley is still a yes or a no but either way, it shows how much the Continental GT has evolved for over a decade and a half and there are so many stories to write about with this new model, even with the roof opened.

Photo: Bentley Motors

Bentley Continental GT (Third Generation)

For over a decade and a half, the Bentley Continental GT reshaped the luxury GT genre hand in hand and whether you love it or hate it, this grand tourer, along with its British craftsmanship and German engineering, has been stapling down the open roads for years and with the advent of the all-new model, the new Continental GT is ready to pen a new story for the playboys elsewhere.

2018 Bentley Continental GT

2018 Bentley Continental GT interior

Starting at 150,000 Pounds, the all-new Bentley Continental GT is literally all-new inside and out and while this all-new model is a clean slate compared to the previous generations, the classic Continental GT feel still remains and it promises to be quite as smooth as a bottle of Skin Bracer.

Outside, the styling draws inspiration from the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept, and although less radicalized compared to the concept, it's still a beauty worth beholding when parked next to the Aston Martin DB11, it's fair to say that it's got more glitz compared to the other car. Whether you take it on the Stelvio Pass or the Swiss Alps, you can really see the true beauty from within. As for the inside, it's more futuristic than the previous model and Bentley states that the screens have improved retina display, which is as clearer as your new iPhone. Good but the handcrafted interior is something to touch at because with all that leathery and proper wooden trim bundled through this futuristic interior, the new Continental GT shows that it's like Downton Abbey meets MI6. How's that for a fancy living?

Despite being called designed, handcrafted, and engineered in Britain, the new Continental GT runs on an all-new platform derived from the second-generation Porsche Panamera, which is a luxury saloon worth pleasuring, and powering it is a brand new 6.0L W12 TSI engine producing 626HP of power and 900Nm of torque. With the 8-speed DCT and 4WD system which works pretty much like the Panamera of today, it does 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and onwards to 207mph. It even comes with a Sport Launch mode which lets the car launch like a pro, which is pointless for a luxury grand tourer like this but it's worth a shot having fun with it.

Because it runs on a new platform, the new Continental GT works in both ways as a West Coast cruiser and a Silverstone surfer at the push of the button. In Comfort mode, it feels civilized to drive like a luxury car and it's got that Skin Bracer feel to it. Feels good but when engaged in Sport mode, and when taken to the track, the new model demonstrates its mild but menacing character from within although the Electric Power-Assisted Steering works nicely on city streets, expect some torn ligaments from your arms because the harder it gets, the twitchier the car becomes and responding to full-paced driving calls for even more challenging feats. Despite the added challenge while handling this House of Cards, the new Continental GT could become your new favorite the more you drive this luxury grand tourer for a change.

So, could this be your new favorite GT car at the moment? Considering everything the new model has done for drivers like you, it can be either a yes or a no but either way, it shows how much the Continental GT has evolved for over a decade and a half and there are so many stories to write about with this new model.

Photo: Bentley Motors

All New Lincoln Continental

After almost a decade and a half of absence, the Lincoln Continental has been reborn as the flagship of the range and with the return of the Continental, looks like the luxury brand of Ford is heading towards its great revival as long as there's demand to it. The new car promises to be impossible to ignore thanks to its world class features and design but is it worth promising, I dare say?

2017 Lincoln Continental

In order for the new Continental to get ready to entice a new generation of luxury car buyers, it must first distinguish its rivals first and judging from its position, the new Continental's potential targets would possibly be an Audi A6, a Buick LaCrosse, or even the Cadillac XTS. Although looks sharp to look at, which reminds everyone of the concept car last year, the new Continental is basically a front-wheel drive as standard (with an optional all-wheel drive if you're living in the Pacific Northwest where rain is very likely or parts of the East Coast where it suffers from a polar vortex), meaning that it's going to behave like a commoners' car on the road. Design-wise, the new Continental influences it from the concept car, making it a clear example why carmakers should stick to the concept in terms of exterior design because that pleases them, not like Subaru when they make their production vehicles less in common with their concepts. With the design is so attention-grabbing, even Bentley's not happy with it because it resembles more like their Flying Spur saloon. One thing that bothers me the most is its rear view because it has some resemblance to the Hyundai Grandeur, see what I mean?

2017 Lincoln Continental interior

2017 Lincoln Continental interior

Of course, being the flagship in Lincoln's range, the new Continental features a well-tailored, well-mannered interior that you will spend hours and hours toying around the buttons while discovering how these features work. Starting with the SYNC 3, which was first applied on the recently facelifted Ford Escape crossover and Fusion saloon. Evolved from the least-loved version, the new SYNC 3 features voice activation system that responds to your voice. Of course, before anyone discovering that one on the new Continental, they're starting to think that SYNC 3 is starting to be more responsive compared to the previous SYNC, although there are some chinks to be worked out.

The seating is one of the key points of the new Continental and upfront, you are greeted with the Perfect Position seats which has 30 ways to adjust from top to bottom. On the rear view, where it has spacing big enough for the wealthy billionaire to be accommodated with, the available Rear Seat Package featuring power lumbar support, heating and cooling capabilities, and a reclining seat will be a sure fire thing to make sure the Continental stays classy, feels classy for the big bosses in the metro.

With an interior like this, the new Continental really makes us beg to accommodate with, no matter the odds.

2017 Lincoln Continental

Okay, what about driving? Despite being utilized on the Ford CD4 platform, the new Continental feels very unique in every single way and it tries to equate with the Europeans at ease. Up close and personal, it comes with an available Dynamic Torque Vectoring which transfers power to the rear wheel while driving through corners, making its handling worthy of being matched to the Europeans while catching up to the likes of its compatriots from America such as the Buick LaCrosse and the Cadillac XTS. It's got Adaptive Steering which adjusts steering feel at different speeds, depending on where the driver is heading at, which is good by a long shot by the way.

Three V6 engines are offered on the new Continental such as a 2.7, a 3.7, and a more powerful 3.0L GTDi engine which produces over 400HP of power and an EPA-estimated fuel consumption of 19MPG combined, all mated to a 6-speed gearbox that can be operated by the buttons mounted on the front of a dashboard, a classic modern Lincoln trick that shoos away the most speedo boys in the night.

In tune with the times, the Lincoln Continental has loads of tech that will keep it advanced for tomorrow. From the 360-degree camera display on the monitor, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Active Braking, Active Noise Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lincoln Drive Control, and Auto Hold, these features made the Continental a one step ahead to the future in its class. You could really spend a lot of hours trying to get to know about these features unique to the Continental.

Should you buy it? The new Lincoln Continental starts at $44,560, which is a thousand less than the Cadillac XTS, making it a hard bargain for an executive premium saloon that has front wheel drive in the beginning and if you're a big spender, you can spec it out with options to bring out the best of your new Continental. Sounds costly but this is how a proper Lincoln should be. With this new car, you can expect a heated competition from this category, although the reborn model is a bit young at first but it will mature through the competition, you'll see.

Available colors: White Platinum, Ingot Silver, Midnight Sapphire Blue, Magnetic Gray, Diamond Black, Jade Green, Palladium White Gold, and Ruby Red.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Forza Motorsport 5: Frozen Face-off Part Two

In an earlier post, I sent the Ferrari FF and the Bentley Continental GT for a workout at the Top Gear Test Track before their big showdown down at the Silverstone and it seems that the Ferrari's way more quicker than the W12 heavyweight Bentley down the track.



Here they are, it's showtime. The Continental GT Speed and the FF arrived at Silverstone as planned and looks like things are looking very competitive for these two. The Continental once smudged at the FF, saying that its V8 little brother once trumped the Fezza in the frozen battleground in Sweden. It says that it wants to do it again, only this time with the W12 twin-turbo engine rigged at the front. However, the FF warned that the Continental is just a luxury saloon in a coupe body and it's heavier than the FF so there's bound to be understeer by the sheer weight of the Bentley.

This is it, Anna and Elsa, on a dry tarmac on Silverstone. Who will triumph? Only one way to find out...



The FF's V12 develops 660PS of power while the Bentley's W12 twin-turbo develops 625PS. Top speed for the FF is 208mph while the Bentley's 205mph. However, while the Ferrari comes with a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox, the Bentley comes with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Even with the 4WD system, the Ferrari FF behaves like any other Ferrari while the Bentley suffers catastrophic understeer due to its heavyweight body but being mild on the handling stakes is all about taking things slowly but carefully. Good thing its 4WD system is not as complicating as the Ferrari's.



At the end, the results are in...

FF - 2:30.192
CGT - 2:35.150

So there you go, looks like the Ferrari FF has won the battle against the Bentley in a normal Silverstone GP light of day but the results should really want to let it go because for those 4WD grand tourers, the Ferrari and the Bentley truly let go of what they have to get round Silverstone quicker than what they did on ice a few years ago.

Forza Motorsport 5: Frozen Face-off

The Ferrari FF; Ferrari's first 4WD shooting brake. Once crossed a corner full of wee where the 458 spun off, and then raced at the snow with The Stig behind the wheel. The Continental GT Speed; a decade-old beauty from Bentley. Once had Captain Slow and Kris Meeke crossed through a rally course with this machine. Yes, these four-wheel drive machines are now facing off against each other in a so-called Frozen Face-off...minus the Frozen part because we're not in a cold area. No no no... Because this is Forza so let's compare these two!

Part of The Bondurant Car Pack is the new Bentley Continental GT Speed. The Speed is the flagship of the new Bentley Continental GT and it is essentially the most powerful version of the said car. The 6.0L twin-turbo W12 engine has been upgraded so it develops 625PS of power output, 50PS more than the standard model, with 800Nm of torque while mated with a new ZF eight-speed close-ratio automatic gearbox  and engine management system. It can do 0-60mph in four seconds and a top speed of 205mph.

And then, part of The Smoking Tire Car Pack is the Ferrari FF. Premiered at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, it is the first ever four-seater 4WD shooting brake made by Ferrari. Although it is a 4WD car, the FF comes with Ferrari's purpose-built 4RM four-wheel drive system where the torque is still delivered by the rear wheels while power can also be transferred to the front wheels when necessary. It comes with a new kind of V12 engine with direct injection technology, giving this a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds. After its announcement, a full-year supply of the FF has been sold out quickly.

You can think of the Bentley as Anna and the Ferrari as Elsa but first, I'd decided to give these two a warm-up practice at the Top Gear Test Track before setting off to Silverstone for their real challenge.



Look at those two 4WD grand tourers! They really like to "Let It Go" through the corners but only the Ferrari tries to catch things up because its 4WD system is not like any other 4WD layout you'd expect. This is not the car you would like the slack off because you have to work it all day long to survive the FF. The Bentley maybe more heavier than the FF but it feels more mild to drive thanks to its conventional 4WD system.

After their warm-up lap round the Top Gear Track, the results:

FF - 1:21.893
CGT - 1:24.581

So, the FF is quicker than the Bentley on this track because it's more lighter than the Bentley but later on, we're going to bring these two at Silverstone and see if they can attempt the same thing they've done when they've gone when Clarkson sent them on Top Gear's icy take of Silverstone, carved from snow from Arjeplog.

Forza Horizon: The New Bentley Continental GT

A spectacular combo between a geyser and a Bentley

This is another one of the cars that are new in the world of Forza and this is rather different than what you've expect to be. What this is is the new Bentley Continental GT, a grand tourer from Crewe, redefined for the next generation.

A grand touring epic masterpiece

Being one of the most advanced grand tourers in the world, the Bentley Continental GT is a bit half-cocked and pretty dry when you take it for a spin. It maybe bulky than other grand tourers in Horizon and maybe a bit overpowered by its 6.0L W12 engine but when you get it right, the new Continental GT sure knows how to make better obligations against your rivals. Also, thanks to its advanced all-wheel-drive systems, ensuring that all the power the 12-cylinder engine generates is utilized, that makes it perfect when you play a game of king or infected. I once tried one and I gotta say that its 4WD layout really knows how to outturn and outrun any kind of A-class car in a playground game of their choosing.

I really like this, even though it looks the same as the old Continental GT from my other game. An epic grand touring masterpiece like this is truly one of the reasons why the new Continental GT loves to do a little soul searching in Colorado but on the downside, it's somewhat not quite as good as the all new BMW M6 F13 that I'm tackling soon. It may have more power but it's heavier. Period.

Welcome Back: 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

This is spooky...

The fastest and the most outlandish car Bentley has ever made. The Continental Supersports has its rear seats removed, racing bucket seats trimmed after the Duke of Westminster's smoking jacket, carbon fiber on the dashboard and the result that it weighs about the same as a three-bedroom terrace house. 

It comes with the same 6.0L W12 engine from the original but now it churns out 630PS (621 bhp) of power, 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 204mph even you fill this up with vegetable oil. (?) Really? Because the 6.0L W12 engine uses FlexFuel technology that allows this car to run on petrol and E85 BioFuel. If you're using an E85 BioFuel on the Supersports, power retains the same but CO2 emissions are reduced by 70 percent. Sounds wonderful if you believe in this carbon malarkey but there is a problem because there are only a few gasoline stations in the world selling biofuel.

Anyway, the Supersports do come with the carbon ceramic brakes, new suspension, and anti-roll bars. The 4WD system has been programmed so now, most of the power is coming at the rear wheels.

This car was reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson on the Series 15 opener of Top Gear and when handed to The Stig, it set a lap time of 1.24.9 at the Top Gear Test Track, even though the clip was inadvertently interrupted by some Hyundai hatchbacks playing car football.

Vuvuzela sounds too disturbing for me but driving the Continental Supersports is too disturbing for me because the handling is too harsh and it takes mastery to throw this heavyweight champion round the corners. It takes some left hook, uppercut, right hook, jab, straight, and a bit of gibberish only a rival boxer would understand.

The Biggest Thriller for a baddie thanks to its fractiousness and psychopathic nature

In Jeremy Clarkson's DVD, Thriller, the Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series is the biggest thriller car. In Top Gear at the Movies DVD, the best villain car with the best engine noise is for its fractiousness and psychopathic nature, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante. Here on Forza Motorsport 4, this is much better. This car is the best of both worlds because this one is the biggest thriller and not only it looks villainous, it sounds nasty. Nasty enough to become a bone-crushing continental crusher. This could only come from a Los Angeles-based tuner.

If you're not careful, the noise would start an avalanche!

At first glance, it looks like a Bentley Continental GT, a British grand tourer that is somewhat popular among blinged-up celebrities, but a tuner named Platinum Motorsports injected some steroids on this car. The finished project is called the "Platinum Motorsport Continental GT". Surely speaking, this was heralded as 2011 E3 Car of the Show awarded by Forza Motorsport 4.

We asked to someone who doesn't like a normal Continental GT
and they're thrilled!

I don't really know how did those punks from Los Angeles pimped this Continental GT but by the looks of it, it's definitely villainous. That car comes with a special wide body kit that consists of redesigned front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and wide fenders. Also, it has some high performance exhaust system that packs a rattling noise. Then, it comes with a smoked headlights and windows and some black rims that makes the exterior design look nasty. In the game of Tag, Pass the It, or Keep the It, this car is a menace. If you're driving a tricked out hatchback, you have to keep an eye out against that car because if this car catches you, you're sitting duck!

Anyway, the 6.0L W12 engine from the Continental GT, it's been tweaked with added power, so now, it gets over 700HP, and it's mated with a 6-speed paddle shift transmission. Although Platinum Motorsport didn't explain the specs of that project, Forza Motorsport 4 has the figures of this fully blinged-up but deadly serious version. This car can go 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds and flatout, it will do 210mph. There, simple as that...

The noise is so loud enough, Andy Wilman would cover his ears!

There are so many reasons why avid players are having fun with the Platinum Motorsport-tuned version of the Bentley Continental GT because this is one of the best-sounding cars you would hear on the game. Forget the in-game BGM, the noise of this car is music to your ears! The bellowing of the tuned W12 engine is just perfect if you want to listen to the sound of music. This car should have been the biggest thriller and it should be the best sounding car for a baddie with its fractiousness and psychopathic nature. I should have one of these in real life!

2012 Bentley Continental GT tuning by Mansory

2012 Mansory Bentley Continental GT

Mansory tunes the 2012 Bentley Continental GT to be somewhat extraordinary and somewhat intimidating. On the outside, you should expect carbon fiber applied on the hood, front spoiler, and rear spoiler. Also, it is mated with a set of 22-inch rims plated in black to make it more cool. On the inside, two-tone upholstery and carbon fiber trimming takes place. What's good is that they beefed up the performance with an improved ECU, high performance air filters, and exhausts, capable of releasing 672HP of power and 780Nm of torque. That modified Continental GT looks perfect to stand out...

Scoop: http://www.motorward.com/2011/12/mansory-kit-for-new-bentley-continental-gt/

New Bentley Continental GTC

2012 Bentley Continental GTC

Even when the company dubbed this the "second-generation" Bentley Continental GTC, it's still looked more like a minor change to the previous model, but still Bentley considers this a full model change, and the new Bentley Continental GTC, a convertible version of the Continental GT, is now all grown up as expected.

The new GTC is powered with the brute 6.0-litre W12 Twin Turbo engine, which has a maximum power output of 575PS/6000rpm and the torque output of 700N-m/6000rpm. The standard transmission is a ZF 6-speed tiptronic automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Coming soon is the V8 engine that delivers an impressive fuel economy and lower emissions, suitable for the eco-conscious driver.

My Comment:
Once again, the open top version of the Continental GT, the Continental GTC, looks almost identical as the previous model, but the new V12 engine really sure knows how this British sports car behaves just like the Italians and the Germans. It could almost be a perfect ride to the finest gentlemen's club in London, Tokyo, Dubai, Barcelona, New York, Paris, or Seoul but it will soon reveal its true self, something that will shock the others.

If Bentley arrives in the Philippines soon, well this could be our bet...

Photo: Bentley Motors Limited

The New Sound of Bentley

2013 Bentley Continental GT V8

The 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8 is the new sound of Bentley It's powered by the all new 4.0L V8 engine that produces 500HP of power and 660Nm of torque. This allows the new Continental GT V8 to go in the 5-second acceleration time for the 0-60mph sprint and 180mph of top speed thanks to its all-new 8-speed Paddle Shift Transmission. It will debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan this January!

Scoop: http://www.netcarshow.com/bentley/2013-continental_gt_v8/

Carte Blanche Limited Edition

Carte Blanche Limited Edition

This is the Carte Blanche limited edition packaging in collaboration with Bentley. The covering shaped like the Bentley Continental GT, which is James Bond's new car on his mission to Dubai. This latest novel was written by Jeffrey Deaver, who wrote 28 novels that sold over 20 million copies globally.

It is limited to 500 copies and it costs 1000 British Pounds (about 72,000 pesos estimate). Pre-orders are open on http://www.007carteblanchebentley.com/ so for those who are willing to get the special version should buy it immediately before its gone for good.

The latest Bond novel, Carte Blanche, is set to be on sale this late May 2011.

New Bentley Continental GT

2012 Bentley Continental GT

2012 Bentley Continental GT

Although Bentley dubbed this the "second-generation" Continental GT, this latest Continental GT is pretty much more of a minor model change, but honestly, despite minor change, Bentley claims that this is the Continental GT's first "full model change" after eight years of existence. With an even more bolder design, the new Bentley Continental GT is the Grand Touring coupe now refined to take on other challenges from the Crewe-based luxury marque that is under Volkswagen's control.

With the design derived from the flagship Mulsanne sedan, the new Continental GT has an improved headlamps, revised front bumper, new set of rims, sleeker side view, and a revised rear lamps. The new design for the new Continental GT made it more sleeker and more aristocratic for the sophisticated men in their 40's. On the interior, there are some mild refreshes around here, like the new steering wheel, new paneling, and something else. Checking around every nook and cranny and I expect that despite being called a "full model change", it is still the same Continental GT as far as I know it.

Powered with the brute 6.0-litre W12 Twin Turbo engine, the new Continental GT has a maximum power output of 575PS/6000rpm and the torque output of 700N-m/6000rpm. The standard transmission is a ZF 6-speed tiptronic automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The new Continental GT's maximum top speed is 318km/h and it can go for about 4.6 seconds on the 0-100km/h run. Coming soon is the V8 engine that delivers an impressive fuel economy and lower emissions, suitable for the eco-conscious driver.

My thoughts about the Continental GT:
Is it a Minor Change or a Full Model Change. In the eyes of fans, it was a minor change, but for Bentley, the term "second-generation" really states that this is the Continental GT's first full model change for after eight years starting from 2003.

I love the fact about the W12 twin turbo engine because this grand tourer behaves just like exotics despite this is a 2-door, 4-seater, premiere luxury coupe suitable for the aristocrats. Imagine myself getting one of those...

I'm impressed upon leveling up the Continental GT from ordinary to extra-ordinary because of its new design based from the Mulsanne. Created by the finest craftsmen in Crewe, the new Continental GT boasts an excellent elegance from the outside to the inside. Despite being called a "Full Model Change", I sense that this is still the same Bentley Continental GT as we first met this car in 2003.

But still, I am very happy to see Bentley's flagship coupe all grown up...

Photo: Bentley Motors Limited

For Crewe, James?

Bentley Continental GT for Carte Blanche

Over the years, the legendary British spy, James Bond, drives several Aston Martins, BMWs, and rarely a Lotus Esprit. Did you know that James Bond also drives a Bentley? Prior for the new Bond book, 007: Carte Blanche, schedule to hit British bookstores this May 26, two days before the 103rd anniversary of the James Bond writer, Ian Fleming, which was on May 28, the new car for James Bond will be none other than (gasp) the Bentley Continental GT!

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/james-bond-gets-a-new-car

Although the Continental GT will be featured on the new James Bond book, we expect that the new Bond car may get some high-tech gadgets only Her Majesty's Secret Service would need. For Crewe, James?

NOTE TO SELF: I hope that Daniel Craig will get behind the wheel on this new Bond car, the Bentley Continental GT, so we can enjoy his new mission on his new wheels while catching the bad guys and some dames.