Opinion: Should I swap my Bentley coupe for a convertible?
Comparing two Continental GT First Editions at Parihoa
The Bentley GT W12 First Edition cabriolet arrived at Parihoa and it was a chance to compare it to my Bentley GT W12 coupe, which I have had for a year.
The white cabriolet was full-specced with the First Edition specification (an extra $103,154) on top of the $395,000 base price. This spec includes the full Mulliner kit including the beautiful black 22in wheels and quilted seats. It also had various trimmings including the beautiful Naim stereo ($18,576) and the Blackline specification ($9,145) which includes the black grill and black out kit. All together it was $546,165.
I was impressed by how the cabriolet drove. Like the coupe, it’s sure-footed and effortless. The power from the W12 is effortless and seemingly endless. Whilst not an aural joy to listen to, in a V8 way, the sport setting does spice things up a bit (especially with the roof down).
“I like the high sides of the cabriolet. It feels cosseting and private. I also like the ease with which the top rises - the quietest roof motors I have experienced.”
The coupe at dusk. Photo: Hamish PattisonHamish Pattison
My coupe’s exterior is in anthracite and it’s the perfect mid point between a dark and light colour. My coupe also has the extended chrome grille, which personally I like. I would love to see a cabriolet in black and black, perhaps with a beige interior trim.
Or black with the full-extended grille. Maybe anthracite or a mid colour grey, again with the full grille? I personally like the red brake callipers of mine, to add colour, but it’s a personal choice.
The Bentley coupe at Parihoa. Photo: Hamish Pattison
I like the high sides of the cabriolet. It feels cosseting and private. I also like the ease with which the top rises - the quietest roof motors I have experienced. The cabriolet with the roof up very much feels like the coupe, especially on the inside.
I wasn’t enamoured with the white colour of the test vehicle with the blackouts and the cricket ball-red interior (above).
I think the cabriolet would be an easy car to live with. It’s certainly the ultimate fast, refined, summer sun tourer. For me, the GT coupe strikes the perfect balance between tourer and sports sedan. The cabriolet tops that and if there was one on the floor now, maybe I would almost switch my coupe.
The final point is on styling. I think the flared wheel arch of the coupe carries over well to the cabriolet. The neat cover for the roof also integrates well with the body.
I can’t help but feel that the cabriolet loses the beautiful three quarter profile of the coupe with its infinity window sweeping up.
I feel the coupe ultimately has a more timeless look. And long term to live with, it would be my preference. I would just hit the pillar less windows switch often, which let’s in a lot of air, in a cabriolet way.
