Road test: Bentley Continental GT V8 S

Bentley may be owned by Volkswagen, but its latest model, the Continental GT V8 S, feels as British as Trooping the Colour. This is a lower, faster version of the existing Continental GT, which continues in production. The S has sharper steering and retuned suspension and is available as a coupé costing £139,000 or a convertible at £152,900.

At low speeds, there is a monastery-like calm about the car, which can noodle around using just four of its eight cylinders. But open the taps and a barking bellow erupts from the twin double exhausts as it rockets from rest to 60mph in 4.3 seconds (4.5 for the convertible), and it sounds like a Hurricane fighter plane at full chat.

To rein in all 521hp from a four-litre twin turbo engine, it boasts brakes as big as dustbin lids and despite being no lightweight at 2,470kg for the convertible, it feels nimble.

The handcrafted cabin is a sea of beautifully stitched leather, but despite there being ample room in the front, there is hardly any legroom in the back. But this is not a car made for practicality, it’s all about style and effortless speed.

Bentley Continental GT V8 S
Top speed: 192mph (coupé), 191 (conv);
MPG: 26.8 (coupé), 25.9 (conv);
Emissions: 246g/km (coupé), 254g/km (conv);
Price: £139,000 and £152,900