Continental in the Catskills | Bentley Motors
Words by Ben Brewster
Photos by Liz Aquilino and Ben Brewster
To ring in my 30th year around the sun, I embarked on a journey upstate in the only automobile fit for the occasion—the Bentley Continental GT. Sitting behind the wheel of this machine is akin to what I imagine astronauts feel when they’re in the cockpit ready for takeoff. Quite simply, it doesn’t feel like driving a car at all; it’s immediately clear why Bentley has earned its place at the pinnacle of luxury automobile performance.
The GT’s power is palpable from the second the engine ignition button is pressed. Sonorous and soothing, the growl of the engine fills the airwaves and reverberates through the body, offering a small taste of what 100 years of masterful engineering have built.
While the Continental GT’s speed and power are remarkable (it boasts a top speed of 198mph), it’s hard to overstate just how smoothly it handles—effortlessly gliding around corners with buttery suspension that seems impossible given the size and weight of its engine. The hand-stitched leather interior, massage seats and heated neckwarmers (yes, they really blow warm air on your neck while driving) further illustrate Bentley’s unmatched attention to detail in creating one of the most exquisite luxury automobiles on the planet.
From $198,500, bentley.com
Special thanks to Bentley for the test drive.