BUYER’S GUIDE: Bentley Continental GT Mk3

CO₂/tax

308g/km

£165

Running costs

20mpg (W12 coupé)

£167 fill-up

Performance

0-62mph/top speed

3.7 seconds/207mph

WAY back in 1919 when Bentley built its first car, it was independent, but by 1931 it had been swallowed up by Rolls-Royce.

For the next 70 years most of Bentley’s products were little more than rebadged Rolls-Royces, but in 1998 the two firms separated, with Bentley now owned by the Volkswagen Group. Five years later we saw the revitalised marque’s first all-new car, the Continental GT coupé.

It was the tonic that Bentley needed, and sold in large numbers globally once saloon (Flying Spur) and convertible editions joined the range. An all-new Continental GT was launched 15 years later and it was faster, more hi-tech and more luxurious than ever. A highly accomplished grand