Experience Luxury: How much is a Bentley Continental GTC V8?
People ask me this a lot—usually while eyeing the key in my hand at a valet stand: how much is a Bentley Continental GTC V8? Short answer: in the U.S., the Bentley Continental GTC V8 starts around the high-$260,000s to low-$270,000s before options. Real-life cars with the usual temptations—Mulliner details, fancy paint, tour-spec audio—tend to land between $300,000 and $330,000. That’s the price of entry for a convertible that shrinks continents and turns even the dull bits of highway into a warm bath.
How much is a Bentley Continental GTC V8 in 2025?
Here’s the lay of the land based on what I’ve seen on recent order sheets and dealer stickers:
- MSRP (GTC V8): roughly $270,000
- Typical as-tested price with popular options: $300,000–$330,000
- Certified pre-owned (current generation): about $220,000–$280,000 depending on miles and spec
- Earlier V8s (2012–2018): often $85,000–$150,000 based on condition and history
Yes, it’s serious money. The payoff? A luxury convertible that can do rush-hour, road trips, and red-carpet drop-offs without breaking a sweat—or a nail.
Design and presence: the Bentley convertible that makes everything feel like a special occasion
I noticed it right away: with the roof up, the Bentley Continental GTC V8 feels like a grand tourer in a velvet tux. Roof down, it’s more Champagne brunch—airy, unapologetically glamorous, and still remarkably hushed. The soft-top is fabric, which suits the car’s classic lines, and when I tried it on a chilly sunrise run, the cabin stayed warm and quiet enough to hear my passenger’s coffee order, not just the exhaust.
Did you know?
The GTC’s roof can open in about 19 seconds and operate at low speeds, so you don’t have to do the awkward “top half-open at the lights” routine. And yes, you can get a contrast-colored fabric top—always worth it for the right paint.
Inside the Bentley Continental GTC V8: craftsmanship you can smell
The Continental’s cabin remains a benchmark among luxury convertibles. When you settle into the diamond-quilted leather (heated, cooled, and massaging; bring a book for the massage menus), you’re surrounded by wood veneers so rich you want to run your fingers along the grain. The steering wheel is perfectly judged—thick but not cartoonish—and the knurled metal organ stops for the vents are a lovely bit of old-world theater.
- Seating: front seats are long-haul comfortable; rear seats are fine for kids or short adults, though legroom is “best for brunch runs.”
- Infotainment: crisp and modern with a slick rotating display, though I’ve had the occasional momentary lag hopping between menus.
- Audio: the Naim system is one of the few that justifies its price; if you care about music, tick the box.
Keep it pristine? Protect the carpets. I’ve used these in past Bentleys and they fit like a Savile Row suit:
If you want something a little more understated, these are a tidy, OE-style option:
Or lean into a motorsport vibe with these:
Side tip
If you do winter ski weekends, spec the neck warmers and heated steering wheel. Roof down, alpine air, cozy shoulders—chef’s kiss.
Bentley Continental GTC V8 performance: the numbers that matter
Under the bonnet lives a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8—542 hp and 568 lb-ft, routed through an 8-speed dual-clutch to all four wheels. On paper, it’s quick. In practice, it’s deceptively fast, the sort of speed that has your passenger checking the speedo and saying “we’re doing what?”
- 0–60 mph: about 4.0–4.1 seconds (the coupe’s a hair quicker)
- Top speed: right around 198 mph
- EPA economy: think high teens combined; I’ve seen 24 mpg cruising if you behave
- Ride/handling: air suspension with optional 48V active anti-roll keeps it flat but never harsh; it’s like driving in slippers at 90 mph
Small quibbles? The dual-clutch can be a touch fidgety in tight parking maneuvers, and with the roof down, the trunk isn’t massive. But on a gnarly, pockmarked back road I use as a benchmark, the GTC dismissed the worst of it with that Bentley float that never loses its composure. It’s a premium GT first, sports car second—and that’s exactly what buyers want here.
Safety and tech that make long days easy
- All-wheel drive with rear bias for stability without killing the feel
- Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping for highway slogs
- Blind-spot monitoring and a 360 camera—priceless for tight garages
- Optional carbon-ceramic brakes if you do fast Alpine descents or frequent track charity days
The Bentley Continental GTC V8 vs. rivals
Competitors exist—the Aston Martin DB11 Volante, Mercedes-AMG SL63, Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet—but the Bentley’s blend of comfort, theater, and cross-country pace is unique. Here’s a quick look:
| Model | Engine | Power/Torque | 0–60 mph | Top Speed | Base Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley Continental GTC V8 | 4.0L TT V8, AWD | 542 hp / 568 lb-ft | ~4.0 s | ~198 mph | $270k |
| Aston Martin DB11 Volante | 4.0L TT V8, RWD | 528 hp / 513 lb-ft | ~4.1 s | ~192 mph | $245k |
| Mercedes-AMG SL63 | 4.0L TT V8, AWD | 577 hp / 590 lb-ft | ~3.5 s | ~196 mph | $185k |
| Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet | 3.7L TT flat-6, AWD | 572 hp / 553 lb-ft | ~2.8 s | ~199 mph | $200k |
The 911 Turbo Cab is quicker and sharper; the AMG SL is more playful. The Aston, well, it’s an Aston—gorgeous. But the Bentley Continental GTC V8 is the only one that feels like a rolling lounge at 120 mph. It’s the one you’d choose for a 500-mile day and still want to go out to dinner afterward.
Everyday living with the Continental GTC V8
A few owners mentioned to me that the car’s breadth of ability is the hook. One took his kids to school roof-down (quiet enough to hear them argue about who gets the aux) and then drove three states over that afternoon. Another uses it as a Miami night-out car—valets tend to park it out front. Practical? Sort of. The trunk is decent with the roof up, less so when stowed. But if you’re looking here, you’re probably not hauling flat-pack furniture.
Feature highlights: why the Bentley Continental GTC V8 works
- Effortless performance from the twin-turbo V8
- All-wheel drive confidence in all seasons
- Air suspension comfort with sports-car control
- Hand-crafted cabin with peerless materials
- Useful driver aids: adaptive cruise, blind-spot, 360 camera
- Satisfying exhaust note—tasteful with the sports exhaust, not shouty
FAQ: Bentley Continental GTC V8 pricing and ownership
How much is a Bentley Continental GTC V8?
Expect around $270,000 to start in the U.S., with most well-optioned cars ending up between $300,000 and $330,000.
Is the Bentley Continental GTC V8 fast enough compared with the W12?
Yes. The V8 does 0–60 in roughly 4.0 seconds and feels lighter on its feet. The retired W12 was marginally quicker in a straight line, but the V8 has a sweeter balance.
What’s the fuel economy like?
Figure on high teens combined. I’ve seen mid-20s on relaxed freeway runs, roof up, in Comfort mode.
How comfortable is it with the roof down?
Very. With the wind deflector up and neck warmers on, it’s surprisingly civilized even at highway speeds. Conversation is easy, hats stay on.
Where can I buy one?
Start with Bentley dealers for new cars and CPO. For used examples, try luxury specialists and curated online marketplaces like AutoTrader, Cars.com, and CarGurus.
Final verdict: the Bentley Continental GTC V8, priced high—worth it?
If you’re shopping a luxury convertible to live with every day, the Bentley Continental GTC V8 is the sweet spot of the range. It’s the one that feels special on a Tuesday commute and unflappable on a thousand-mile weekend. And yes, how much is a Bentley Continental GTC V8? Enough to make you think twice, but not once you’ve driven it. The blend of power, elegance, and long-distance calm is rare—still unmatched.
