BATTLE OF BRITONS
THESE ARE ENTRY LEVEL MODELS. The first rungs of Aston Martin and Bentley’s respective ranges. While you let that sink in for a moment, let’s pause to ponder their objectives, specifications and vital statistics.
Superficially these are two very similar cars. Both the product of storied British brands (OK, British so long as you ignore the mix of German, Middle Eastern and Canadian ownership…), each boasts a 500-plus bhp 4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. Likewise, each promises to be the sportiest and purest driver’s car in their marque’s model portfolio.
Scratch deeper beneath the surface, however, and the differences in approach are more significant than the similarities in brand and hardware, the Continental GT V8 being a luxurious all-wheel-drive 2+2, while the Vantage is a resolute rear-wheel-drive machine strictly tailored for two.
All-out each gets tantalisingly close to 200mph, though the Aston is quicker to 62mph, hitting the benchmark time in 3.6sec versus 4.0 dead for the considerably heftier, 2165kg Bentley.
Ignoring any dealer discounts that might be floating around, the Aston starts at £124k with the auto ’box (as here), while the better-equipped Bentley begins just beyond £150k. Typical options will realistically add a further £25k or so to each. They may be the babies of the range, but both are very grown-up purchases.
Such divergent approaches to building supremely potent, prestigious and desirable coupes make these compelling cars to
