Overview of Bentley GT Onyx

A Bentley GT onyx is surely one of the world’s finest grand tourers with a limitless amount of headroom, thanks to a z-fold fabric roof that can stow or erect in 19 seconds at up to 30mph. It competes with the Aston Martin DB11 Volante Ferrari Portofino among others.

Indeed, there aren’t many differences between the Continental GT Convertible and the coupe on which it’s based. Except for the roof which brings with it strengthening in the form of much bracing and metalwork.

The structure is five percent stiffer than before, while aluminum panels mean the body is 20 percent lighter. The old Continental GT was not an unattractive car, but this new one moves things on.

Bentley moved the front axle forward, improving weight distribution by shifting the engine lower and further back in the chassis. This means the front overhang can be much shorter, which together with the longer rear overhang gives the GT a much more aesthetically pleasing profile than the car it replaces

Performance, Engine, and Transmission

With Bentley GT onyx things have moved on mechanically too. Engine-wise, you’ve still got a choice of a 4.0-liter V8 or 6.0-liter W12 each with a couple of turbochargers for good measure but now there’s more power and torque, plus cylinder deactivation for better economy.

The Bentley GT onyx still drives all four wheels, but now through an eight-speed DSG rather than a torque-converter automatic, up to 100 percent of the power can go to the rear wheels. And in smooth, unruffled driving it often does, to save fuel.

Three-chamber air suspension aims to give a silky-smooth ride, while a 48-volt active roll control system is tasked with keeping the GT’s substantial mass in check through the corners.

All the drive systems give it an athleticism that a car of this size, type, and mass ought not to have. And of course, it’s hugely fast in a straight line. So fast and so refined, you never feel as though you’re going as fast as you are. It’s a license loser, that’s for sure, with an uncanny ability to carry speed cross country without getting all out of shape.

Good convertible too while it’s not as stiff as the coupe, the soft-top GT doesn’t shudder or shake like big, luxury convertibles of even just a generation ago, while with all the wind brakes in place there is virtually no turbulence in the cabin.

Which will please potential customers no end. A deeply satisfying car in which to cover lots and lots of miles, and we suspect own. The Bentley GT onyx Convertible is a four-seat, uber-luxurious convertible car that you’re likely to see vying for attention alongside the likes of a Mercedes S-Class Convertible or a Rolls-Royce Dawn cruising along the Cote d’Azur or around Bel Air.

But out of these three, the Bentley has unique bragging rights it’s the fastest four-seat convertible car. Yes, the Bentley GTC is the world’s quickest and most expensive hair dryer. But what a cool-looking hairdryer.

The imposing grille and huge badge let everyone know you’re behind the wheel of a Bentley GT. There’s a strong crease along the side of the car that blends into the rear’s wide haunches.

The V8 engine version comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, the W12 engine gets 21 inches and you can upgrade to 22-inch wheels. Need more bragging rights? Those brakes are the largest fitted to a production car.

At the rear, there are more LED matrix lights but the star of the show is that fabric folding roof. It comes in a range of colors including a Tweed effect and it can go from open to closed in 19 seconds, at up to speeds of 30mph.

Features and Interior

The interior is just fabulous. Hand-stitched leather, exquisite real wood trim, knurled metal knobs… everything you see and touch oozes quality. Only Rolls-Royce is on the same level. But you don’t have to go for a Gentlemen’s club vibe opt for carbon fiber trim and the GT interior can look sporty and modern instead.

The infotainment system is OK it’s similar to the one you get in the Porsche Panamera but it’s not the easiest to use. And like the Porsche you can’t get the system with Android Auto, just Apple CarPlay.

Still, the optional rotating infotainment screen is very cool. It rotates from the screen to analog dials to a wood panel.

Also lovely is the digital driver’s display. It looks like the one you get in the latest Audi cars – the same parent company owns Bentley, Porsche, and Audi and so shares many technologies. The display is easy to configure and looks great, That bit about the fastest four-seater convertible might not sound so appealing when you are sitting in the back seat. Like the front, it’s beautifully made, but it’s quite cramped. The boot is small too as the roof takes up space when it’s folded away.

So those golf clubs may have to go on the rear seats. Still, if you want a practical car, buy a Skoda estate. 4.0 s 0 – 60 mph 542 BHP Max Power 198 MPH Top Speed 770 NM Max Torque Fuel efficient 17.4 mpg Rear wheel drive.