Curious just how big the handling improvement is from the perspective of owners of the prior generations.

I've seen the Chris Harris and other reviews, who seem to suggest a night and day improvement. However, I've learned to put in check automotive journalist hyperbole. (particularly with each revision of 911s, lol)

 

I wouldn't call it 'improvement' so much as a very different character. Old - wafty land yatcht in which you still felt like a passenger despite doing the driving. New - brings the driver back into the experience and gives you the illusion it enjoys going around bends.

Undeniably bolder in style, the materials are also on par with modern rivals - with a lot more crisp/sharp chrome and crystal accents throughout the cabin, and lots of stitched leather patters which seem to be a trend. It has a modern vibe (not just because of the tech), whereas the first generation CGT was more of a timeless simple old school luxury feel - gratuitous wood and heavy leather you might find in some old private member club but that's kind of it. When it comes to the driving, the steering felt incredibly lighter and sporty, and the new gearbox is quick though I did find it was not always in the right gear that I wanted. Power delivery style a lot more explosive than the old one - feels almost sports car like. The size shrinks around you as you get used to it - it doesn't feel like you're conducting around a giant piece of timber as with the old one. It's comfortable going around town albeit harsher than the old one but nothing to complain about. The handling is certainly sharper.

Overall they have shifted it more towards a sports car feel - almost like a big luxurious Porsche Panamera - but still very much a unique luxurious cruiser.

 

Thanks for that, very helpful. When I first got mine (old model), I expressly sought out the 'cushy' and quiet, reserved character, but that W12 in sport mode, has me dipping into the throttle a lot more than I thought I would. I'd read about just how stiff the original phaeton based modified chassis was at the time it first came out, so was wondering how much impact the panamera based chassis had, along with the wheelbase changes.

Now I want the new one! That Porsche made DSG is very responsive, and the handling sounds much more panamera like. Drove several of these when shopping for a sedan.

Saw the interior and car first hand for one that came in locally, which had the 'diamond' knurling option on everything, the black laquer/dark wood combo and split color seats. Stunning to say the least. Even the RR Dawn in the same showroom looked plain jane/basic in comparison.

The new Condinental was already sold before it even arrived, so no test drive possible.

 

Well the original delivery schedule for US models that were the V8 model according to Bentley US when I spoke with them in June was End of September / October. So we should start to seem them around. I've been able to buy the wheels off them for months. Also we are almost two years behind European deliveries so at this point in two more years they will probably have the refresh.

 

Looks like theres a beige one in Edison and a blue one very similar to the one I saw first hand in Palmyra in this neck of the woods on their respective websites.

 

Those two are just placeholders unfortunately. The blue one is one of the demo cars different dealers got. Got invites from different dealers as the demo cars were shuffled. I don't know where the Convertibles are but I'm waiting for next model year after the first model year of the V8 S. By then hopefully some of the kinks for launch models are worked out.

 

Was wondering if it was a 'bait and place your order' kind of thing, lol. Maybe the blue one was the same one I saw in Parsippany. Exactly the same color, trim.

Agree on not buying the first year or two of any new model if one can help it.

 

Update Manhattan Motorcars got delivery of their first V8 GTC. Definitely wouldn't get first model year personally of a all new car.