2012 Bentley Continental GT

Introduced in 2004, the Continental GT quickly became Bentley's best-seller. Arguably, it launched a new segment of luxury cars priced lower than the usual fare from ultra-luxury brands but higher than top models from the likes of BMW and Jaguar. It was a risky move. It paid off. I've always respected that, but I've never liked the Continental as much as I wanted to.

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Until now: For 2012, a collection of seemingly small improvements make the redesigned Bentley Continental GT the car I always thought it could be.

Though several Continental body styles and versions are already available as 2012 models, only the regular GT Coupe reviewed here has been fully redesigned (it skipped the 2011 model year). The GTC convertible is on hold for 2012 but is likely to return for 2013. Still available with some upgrades are the Supersports, in coupe and convertible body styles, and the four-door Flying Spur.

Though ultra-lux buyers aren't as concerned as most of us about gas prices, they're sure to appreciate the Continental's EPA-estimated mileage improvement: 12/19 mpg city/highway on premium gas over the 2010 model's 10/17 mpg. With this, the gas-guzzler tax has decreased by $700, to $3,000. The standard W-12 flex-fuel engine can run on E85, which is 85 percent ethyl alcohol and 15 percent gasoline. On this fuel, however, mileage drops to 8/14 mpg.

Bentley says a higher-mileage V-8 engine option will come later in 2011.

Exterior & Styling

The deftly restyled GT is like a Hollywood star who's received the best kind of plastic surgery: Many people don't notice anything has been done, but it sure looks great. The most significant change comes from more creases and body lines, stronger haunches and a more squared-off rear end. In short, it now looks less like the world's fastest bar of soap. Where previous model years drew attention for their uniqueness and obviously high price tag, virtually all comments I received during my time with the 2012 were raves about the styling itself.

My one styling complaint is an old one: The chrome grille, which is larger than ever, looks cheap. Most grilles are plastic, but they needn't look that way. I've said the same in the past — mainly about Jaguars and prior Bentleys — and it hasn't improved from either brand. Grilles ain't sheet metal; they can be changed relatively easily. I hope this one will be.

Drivers See the Lightness

The 2012 Continental GT drives better than the previous generation, too. It feels substantially lighter, which was badly needed. There are three main reasons: One is that it has shed roughly 65 pounds versus the 2010 model. That may be just a drop in a 5,115-pound bucket, but every bit helps. And at least the car didn't gain weight, as redesigned models typically do.

The second reason is the drivetrain, which carries over with upgrades to both the twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The tweaked engine boosts horsepower to 567 hp from 552 hp in the previous generation, and torque to 516 pounds-feet from 479 pounds-feet. More oomph can't help but make a car feel lighter. The zero-to-60 mph time is now below 4.5 seconds, due in part to the standard all-wheel drive, which ensures that the power gets to the road. Don't let it bother you that the transmission has "only" six speeds when the market now has seven- and eight-speed automatics. It's well-behaved, which is what matters most, and I like the placement of the manual-shift paddles on the steering column rather than the wheel: You always know where to find them, and you're unlikely to trigger one by accident.