Powertrain and Fuel Economy: 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8
Gone is the familiar 6.75-liter V8 engine found under the hood of many a Bentley. In its place sits a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, and it’s a forced-induction powerhouse. This engine is rated to produce 500 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque. All of that torque is available from just 1,700 rpm, and it’s sent out to all four wheels by way of a paddle-shiftable eight-speed automatic transmission. Working together, Bentley says that the engine, gearbox, and all-wheel-drive system will propel the heavy coupe down the road from 0-60 miles per hour in just 4.6 seconds.
This new V8 is not just a power machine either, as it boasts an impressive amount of engineering tech. Hydraulic engine mounts make sure that the car runs smoothly as it switches between operating on all eight cylinders or only needs to run on four. That’s right, the engine can shut down half its running gear to save fuel. In fact, Bentley states that the available driving range on a full tank is over 500 miles.
The EPA estimated fuel economy figures are 15 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon out on the highway. The convertible loses 1 mpg in city driving compared to the coupe.