Back in the days when naturally aspirated engines ruled the world, justifying the presence of a twelve-cylinder powerplant wasn't difficult, as smooth torque was on the side of the first. However, now that twin-turbocharging has taken over, the number of 12-cylinder units on the market is seriously threatened. However, one of the monsters that has managed to keep this kind of cylinder count alive is the Bentley Continental GT.
Sure, the new model, which came to the world at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, will once again bring a twin-turbo V8 alongside its W12, but the newcomer will also receive a plug-in hybrid based on a V6 motor.
However, there are plenty of customers who still opt for the W12 engine and in case you're wondering why, we've brought along a piece of footage that showcases the velocity abilities of the machine.
The clip at the bottom of the page shows the 2019 Conti GT W12 going all out on the Autobahn. The Grand Tourer gets thrown at derestricted sections of the German highway network and the Woking animal showcases phenomenal high-speed cruising abilities.
Sure, the said highway only comes with two lanes, but this didn't stop the Bentley from passing cars while hitting maximum velocity - the big coup went all the way to 329 mph (make that 204 mph).
The W12 engine we're talking about is a 5,950 cc mill that allows the driver to control 635 hp at 4,000 hp and a meaty 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of twist at 1,350 rpm.
Note that the new platform of the Conti GT allows the two-door to be 80 kg lighter than the car it replaces - the architecture, which is shared with the Porsche Panamera, isn't necessarily scale-friendly, as the long-roof Porscha didn't lose weight. However, since the previous generation of the Continental GT, which was built on the platform of the 2003 original, came with a monumental scale footprint, the diet was possible.
As for what these numbers mean in the real world, the video below is here to answer that.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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