Although perhaps a little less conspicuous than its Phantom sibling, the Ghost is still five metres long and 2.5 tonnes in weight, so it can hardly be called understated. You won’t have to worry about merging from slip roads, either, as the 6.75-litre V12 petrol engine produces 563bhp, which allows a 0-62mph time of 4.8s and a 155mph top speed.
“Somewhere deep in the software of the Ghost’s infotainment screen will be the bare bones of BMW’s iDrive, but with different graphics, and operated by Rolls-Royce’s own take on the central control dial, it’s no mere hand-me-down.” – Antony Ingram, contributor, who tested the Ghost in the UK.
The ghost operates on a level arguably above that of other saloons, but the Bentley Flying Spur is an alternative option if you prefer driving to being driven.
8. Bentley Continental GT
Prices from £237,000
Pros |
Cons |
| Spectacular performance | What was a heavy car is now even heavier |
| Retains a distinctive character | Price keeps going up |
| Beautifully built | Styling might not be to all tastes |
Every generation of the Bentley Continental GT has followed a similar design language, but each one has brought an array of upgrades with them. Now it’s the turn of the fourth-generation model, and one member of the latest Continental line-up happens to be the most powerful road-going Bentley to date.
With a 771bhp plug-in hybrid V8 at its heart, the range-topping Continental GT Speed churns out a whopping 771bhp and 1,000Nm of torque. This powertrain launches the opulent coupe from 0-62mph in just 3.2 seconds, but if you’re not quite that much of a speed demon, the less extreme Continental versions still offer plenty of power to go with the prestige.
On the subject of prestige, the Continental’s cabin is typically Bentley. The fit and finish is absolutely top-notch and the materials are class-leading, too. If you’re a fan of the fresh air, there’s always the option of the convertible GTC variant.
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