Bentley Continental GT: W12 vs V12 - XCAR

[@jsponson]

You should have mentioned the real reason that the W12 was used: the engine sits completely ahead of the front axle, and there was simply no room for a V12. They did not take advantage of the short block by making it a front-mid engine design.

[@v_alexiadis]

I remember when the Phaeton first came out how impressed I was with the W12. Very good engine indeed.

[@stergiothess]

I love the idea behind the phaeton

[@NicolasCageisGod]

It's not great value when you consider you could get a second hand continental for around the same price, even less in some circumstances

[@alf279]

Ja'crispy Diablo A second hand car is not a new car. You will not have the feeling that your car was configured by you, and used only by you. Also, as ***** said, a second hand Phaeton is extremely cheap for a high-end luxury car. We bought one in September for only 10.000 euros, 2007 Individual model, 3.0 V6 Diesel. Great condition, full of extras, and though it's not a W12, I'm sure you can get one of those for not so much more money.

[@TFLcar]

Brrrr! Just watching this video sends a chill through the soul. You guys are tough! We can only image how difficult and cold it must have been to produce this video in the frozen North of Europe. Thanks for this fun review and history of Bentley.

[@JosephHardison]

That front grill looks like the Chrysler 300.....Or the other way around. LOL!!!! The Fast Lane Car​

[@VicariousReality7]

It has actually been extremely warm here this year, barely got below -20

[@jahnudatar8564]

Joseph Hardison h

[@jeffreysegal2065]

The W configuration is such an amazing idea, I can hardly believe it made production. Of course, the advantage of a shorter engine front-to-back is to overcome the design "flaw" in Audi's chassis setup with the engine way in front of the front wheels in most of its cars, mounted longitudinally with front drive coming directly out of the transmission. This is also why they came up with Quattro AWD. At some point Bentley will switch to the Panamera chassis with conventional front engine, rear drive to AWD.

[@alexanderdelia8771]

Well even though the compactness WOULD make it easier to mount in far back and create a front-mid engined car, as far as I remember the engine in the Continental/A8/Phaeton is very much front mounted, way ahead of the front axle. Which definitely doesn't improve handling. Just look at that front overhang.

[@zaibartdp]

Love these videos where ther's a bit of history and technical stuff mixed in with a beatifull modern car!

[@vonrichthofen5734]

One Thing you forgot to mention is, that the W12 is the only 12 cylinder engine that can be combined with a AWD, because it is relatively small and leaves enough space. Until recently anyway, the new BMW M760 Li will Combine a v12 with AWD.

[@jayaybe1]

You clearly know what you are talking about. Why don't more manufacturers use the narrower VR design?

[@TheShowOff2I]

What about the Lamborghini Aventador?

[@vonrichthofen5734]

TheShowOff2I I should have been more precise. I meant cars that have the engine in the front. With mid-engined cars space is obviously no Problem.

[@gusbisbal9803]

I like this guy, he is everything that the dude with glasses isn't. He is just more real and far less punce.

[@jeffreysegal2065]

I like the other guy's nerdy quality. Makes me want to defend his honour.

[@gusbisbal9803]

Why? That is a really strange comment.

[@AntoineMardhel]

My favorite car channel. Never disappoints

[@Ben-ek4pw]

I think i just found my favorite youtube car channel. love the style of your videos.

[@lukemurphy2599]

I think it's a fine engine but the Continental GT is more of a luxury car and the W12 apparently gives off more of a luxury feel. Everyone seems to say the V8 S is the one to go for. Bear in mind he talks all about great weight distribution but doesn't mention that there is a lot of weight to be distributed. A lighter, longer engine can be just as helpful if not more at distributing weight effectively.

[@TheStallion234]

Awesome is always spelled with a "W"...

[@sammylmao9992]

TheStallion234 smarty pants

[@frfoljek68]

👍

[@saeoce4794]

Slow is always spelled with a w

[@kaio37k]

Finally, a host that isn't annoying as fuck.

[@cpjones1989]

As an engineer I like the w formation engine but it should produce more power in that formation and size I'm sure

[@renatodumaresq]

Xcar is my favorite channel on KZbin. Great video👏👏👏👏

[@Dan9285hiu]

The VW group does make a V12 for the Lamborghini Aventador.

[@lautarohunzicker]

Nice video! A bit of history. Loved the pace. Keep the good work

[@jonmann4149]

Is it me or is the conti gt getting better over time. Couldn't stand the thing when it first came out. Now it almost looks restraint and understated. Class vid guys

[@MisterDillPickle]

These recent videos have really improved over the old ones. While the earlier XCAR videos were just a bunch of flashy shots (no offence, I still think they're good), the newer ones are a lot more, um , shall we say elegant? The different shots now fit each other perfectly. Oh and btw please excuse my English lol

[@robertantwi]

This was a really good video, practically sold me on the car, never been a fan of 2 door cars, prefer the mulsanne or something along those lines - but after watching this video, might have to pay Cheltenham a visit in the near future.

[@heliomartins8593]

Gentlemen. V2lW have not invented the VR engine. Is Lancia who makes the first engine on the year 1917. They less that kind of engine because is too much overheated. VW have make a good engine. But people I know, inclued me, we have got a golf 3 or a Passat with the VR6 engine. The same problem of overheating was present. Maybe now with the W engine, the problem was sold. We will see in the next 15 years. For me, the problem was not resolved. Is just only my point of view. Thank you for reading. Have a good day...

[@heliomartins8593]

Sorry for the faults in my orthography.

[@reginamanluyang8475]

@@heliomartins8593 It's really normal for any engine to overheat if something is wrong...

[@MusicianKnowsBest]

I too, agree. V12's are awesome, but I would much prefer a W12. Just something about it.

[@Mr.k3n]

Brilliant video. A question I hadn't really thought of answered perfectly. Good work xcar your producing some top drawer content, keep it coming.

[@zerocontentTV]

you are going to laugh but my stepfather asked me this question what is better w12 or v8. Now I can show him this video ;)

[@stephenbell-booth2648]

Really like the exterior colour on this Bentley, it suits the shape. Do you know the description Bentley use for this shade? It's difficult to match a swatch on website. Thank you

[@pjvenda]

Very nice video, I love the stories behind these unusual engineering choices.

[@pjvenda]

thanks, I've gone through them all. ;-) top work fellas, really stands out in the crowd in my opinion.

[@catlee8064]

For some reason id still go for the V8s GT...though theres nothing wrong with the W12! Great Vid btw.

[@NikoBell12]

Same here. The V8S is more of a 'driver's' car.

[@nikb6528]

NikoBell12 a car that weighs over 2 tons can never be called a driver's car

[@J0lker]

Nik Brudar that's why he wrote "driver's car" and "more"...

[@NikoBell12]

Nik Brudar That's bullshit. You must be living under a rock...

[@nikb6528]

NikoBell12 it's not a bullshit. A car weighing that much IS NOT a driver's car in any case. Even if ti is a brand like Bentley.

[@Munkenba]

Very similar design to the engine in my Lancia Fulvia then, which is a 13 degree v4 tilted over by 45 degrees as though it's a w8 engine that's just missing one of its banks. It means it's incredibly low, incredibly short and very good for packaging, so the entire engine is well ahead of the front wheels even though the overhang is so short, giving it the same sort of configuration as an Audi Quattro. Contrary to what you'd think it makes for excellent handling. Ok I may have overused an excuse to talk about my car but it's relevant, right?

[@essekaye]

Alfred Munkenbeck yeah, but lancia fulvia. I'm especially taken by the zagato. Saw a coupe on leno's channel. Quite a car

[@Munkenba]

Seren Kuhanandan Exactly, it's not often that you get a car that's as beautifully engineered as it is styled, it's a terrific achievement.

[@Munkenba]

Seren Kuhanandan I talk about it all the time though, only because it was my dream car for most of my life, then I finally bought it a month ago. I'm still in the honeymoon phase you see (:

[@essekaye]

Alfred Munkenbeck Perfectly understandable. For some car guys, the honeymoon never ends.

[@Nicktrance1]

You forgot about the Aventador V12, although that's pretty much designed and used by Lamborghini exclusively AFAIK. Then again efficiency and technology are not usually used in the same sentence with Lamborghini, I mean it doesn't even use direct injection and is connected to a single clutch gearbox. Also kind of surprising that you made a video praising the W12 while every journalist is praising the V8S engine and how the Bentley V8 has always been better than it.

[@Nicktrance1]

***** Yup, plus the obvious packaging advantages mentioned here, which is why they were able to put 6 cylinders in Golfs (and even 12 in the GTI W12) , which we'll probably never see again. I mean I don't particularly like the sound even vs the I4 for the same reasons, but bigger capacities in the same volume is always nice.

[@tsy1992]

this guy knows his shit

[@1972juankarlos]

I forgot how Drew looked without a beard... :) I love Bentley GT

[@StefanoTrefano]

Note; vw also makes a V12, in the Lamborghini Aventador

[@thehutt2]

Thank god someone is talking sense about the Conti. Instead of letting their hearts rule when they hear that Audi V8 burble.

[@mrberry7950]

@ 3:21 I love the promotional shot with the wind turbines in the background. This car gets what? 11 MPG in the city?

[@rayologyxm]

Don't forget there's a Napier-Bentley out there using a W12 boat engine Built in 1968, based on 1920s Bentley chassis

[@fearfactz1]

0:22 Way to ruin the front grill with that camera. Good job Bentley..

[@VolvoXC90TV]

4:28 Hey I saw that look! The Phaeton was a great car, truly underestimated and a great alternative to a 7 series or S Class

[@Mortalomena]

Not once in the video was proper bit where the I could have heard its sound :(

[@alexutzu24ianuarie]

I always enjoy your videos keep up the good work

[@JoJoJoker]

Thanks for answering the question I've asked myself for years.

[@dimitris28871]

As always, a very good video. Well done boys.

[@kiakill16]

whats the difference between a w enigine and a v engine how do they perform individualy?????

[@JohnBlackization]

What is the name of the soundtrack in the end?

[@JRW33]

Anyone know the name of the song starting 4:57?

[@craigbrowne777]

RR and Bentley set the benchmark together. They are on par with one another

[@BF3blog]

A V12 is way smoother and perfectly balanced compared to a W12.

[@jordanbanko5347]

BF3blog Just curious, what makes it more balanced than that of a W12? Don’t they both technically have I6 engines? V12: put 2 i6 in a row, W12: put two i6 at an angle from each other (or 4 rows of 3 cylinders)

[@Sebrgeen]

does anyone know the dramatic music used in the background of this video?

[@alextramp152]

Anyone knows the song at the beginning ? :) Thanks, good video !

[@germancavallo8277]

So which one has better perfomance? V8 or w12?

[@samfield3773]

Clearly w12 or what would be the point of 4 more cylinders... V8 has roughley 100 less bhp but is lighter and sounds hella great

[@legerdemain]

6:57 I already wanted a Bentley, but now I want some Tic Tacs too.

[@emreguler1720]

you are the best xcar, btw we wait for 991 gt3 review :)

[@Fermion911]

1:18 - what music is it, please? It's fcking amazing

[@Fermion911]

Helmut Green and what music is it from 4:54 , and also at the very end of the video?

[@garrettcraig3451]

Not to hate because I appreciate and love Bentley, I feel a W engine lacks the compression ratio along with the power. I'm not dubbing the 650 ponies under the hood but its also supplied by two quite large turbos. Aston Martin; their main competitor, V12 produces somewhere north of 550 Hp. BUT It is naturally aspirated. Slap twin turbos (Which i dare anyone who can possible manage to fit those things in along with pipes, oil, and coolant, and you will get more due to the high compression ratio and the instant power it will put down. Two very terrific cars. But at the same time it comes down to power to weight and that Bentley has more conservative room under the hood. Just wanted to turn the clock over and have people think about another way about a V12 having just as many promises! :) P.S. Nice video!

[@corvette25hi]

This guy looks like Tony Romo? Anyway, I love this W12 engine. Can it be made to go faster or gain more HP like increasing displacement, hotter cam etc. this engine has twin turbos, but seems rather tame with just over 500 HP? Could it reach 1000 HP?

[@tedtheturbot]

what about the performance figures etc? talk about taking your eye off the ball

[@J0lker]

Does the music used in it come from Interstellar? Reminds me of it. Perfect choice anyway!

[@TheAboriginal1]

great piece!! now i know where the veyron gets its w16 inspiration from

[@SmashGhost]

Pretty sure that awesome is always spelled with a W, not just sometimes ;)

[@rucarnuts13]

Which modern VWs still use VR6's?

[@funifunnytv7576]

Love Bentley, but I can't still understand how a 6 liter 12 cyl TWIN TURBO, can 'only' make that amount of horsepower, where is VW group failing?

[@corvette25hi]

FuniFunnyTv exactly! This engine should be making 800 HP?

[@corpnupe85]

Thanks for the history lesson. Great video.

[@JoshuaPlays99]

I have always thought that the Bently Continental GT was a cool car. Amazing video as usual!

[@bismillahmashallah]

I'm surprised they made the v8s with less power the W12 is like the signature for this car.

[@varunratti]

Very informative

[@HugoLilja620]

So you're roaming around my home village without even stopping by for a cup of coffee? Lame.

[@VicariousReality7]

Vilken by

[@Gitohandro]

i thought i was having a siezure at minute 6:50 lol

[@GT6SuzukaTimeTrials]

Excellent video!

[@firefox39693]

37 people were expecting to see literally a V12 car along side this one.

[@dailyforman]

perfection. Good word. Fits well.

[@G55STEYR]

Front Mid Engine WHAT??? The engine is in front of the front axle, because that's a front longitudinal engine sits, and it's very very bad for weight distribution. Only good for grip in a fwd car, but when it's awd doesn't matter anymore, remains just understeery with 60% of weight in front, and if you take a corner goodby

[@ayodeji87]

Can someone please shed light on why the Mulsanne doesn't have this engine

[@ericheydenreich2846]

Really nice car, thanks for sharing!

[@アマ-p2l]

"the best possible weight distribution" I can see why this matters in a 2 ton bentley. Makes so much sense. They aren't just selling bullshit ever since VW bought them which they are doing with every other one of their brands too.

[@michaelcollins966]

W configuration engines - cos I always find my engines more emotional when they're packaged well in the engine bay.........

[@qwerty96cr]

Awesome video

[@clclclclcl90]

Which Audi comes with a W12?

[@nikb6528]

***** how come that a W12 engine produces so few horsepower? Shouldn't it be more? I mean, Buggati's W16 produces 1200hp.

[@Ctrl952]

Nik Brudar The continental was never meant to be the fastest car in the world (although the flying spur was for some time the fastest 4 door car). It's a gt. It was made for long distances at fairly decent speeds (320kph is plenty). Also, a lot of people use their Continental GT's every day, so they gather a lot of miles. When a Veyron that has done 25 000 km is a rarity, I've seen Continental GT's with like 270 000 km on the clock. So it's about reliability but also about torque and power delivery.

[@clclclclcl90]

The veyron also has 4 turbos so...

[@nikb6528]

Ctrl952 thanks for taking your time to reply! Appreciated.

[@nikb6528]

Erik Davila oh well, of course..

[@gurudatta7778]

Gr8 video. Thanks

[@Dknightxs]

Love this car, love Bentley :) dream car for me

[@cristiandemirel1918]

why would you care that much about the length of the engine and its position in the car, when that vehicle is more than 2 tons in weight? it will never handle like a Porsche or a Ferrari, even if the engine was the size of a blender!

[@hyperlogos]

when it takes that long to make the car rotate, a 10% change is a long time

[@jeffreytao9744]

Why W12 > V12? Because Bentley...

[@s2korpionic]

Gillette or Schick? Or some other brand I didn't know of? Yeah... the problem with 'efficiency' (in this case most power with the lowest displacement) is engine life and maintenance.

[@doggSMK]

Where is the VS part? Comparison, explanation of how they work? This looks more like an ad lol

[@zinger1231000]

I dont know why but, i just love bentley cars. dunno why.

[@OussamaErraji]

Power efficiency? How about a 4-cylinder 2.0L engine that makes 360hp made by some german folks?

[@KalanYore]

Ionic fluid as fuel would be better or hydrogen to magnetic surge generator motor etc, Fossil resources and nuclear fission reactors needs to be weened off and make the transition to other viable technologies...

[@VicariousReality7]

The north of sweden? That is where i am! More specifically, the extreme east. Where exactly were you

[@MatSjo]

VicariousReality7 the road they drove were between Bonäshamn and Huså in Åre municipality western Jämtland. They drove past Fäviken which is one of the most exclusive restaurants in the world.

[@jwhyte4203]

Great video, about an awesome car, with a unique special engine. Thanks Drew. This is a curiosity.....you talked of the power in PS,. not bhp of Kw, [as did a lot of recent videos I've watched] and yet you quoted the torque in lbs ft, and not Nm. Why? And, you spoke of it being a front-mid engined car, simply because the engine is actually behind the line of the front axle, where most front engined cars used to be. It was only design and packaging that saw engines sitting over the front axle, and I'm wondering if 'front-mid' is no more that 'lets talk it up/grab some attention' PR spin and hype. Surely, if the engiine is in front of the driver, its front-engined, and if behind the driver, and between the axles, its mid-engined. Then of course there are the dumb Porsches with it slung out behind the rear axle, and you can call that whatever you like, including dangerous.

[@Furyjoell]

I'll take the V8, thanks.

[@nournachabe9267]

That'll be 300k please. How would you like to pay Sir?

[@Furyjoell]

Nour Nachabe I'll post a cheque after the vehicle is delivered.

[@nikb6528]

Joell Mabe lol I'm sure that's how it goes. You get the car, then you decide if you're willing to pay or not.

[@samfield3773]

Nour Nachabe 80k ish?

[@davidoh8715]

The w12 for the bentely is about zee germans reusing a vw failure to get rid of the motors they still had laying around ...

[@Jprincemassey]

It did not start from vr6 It was vr4 from mitsubish amg block

[@jonbrown8553]

Beautiful dream car!

[@SabreLilly.]

Shout out to the Corrado VR6

[@BARONsProductions]

I just watched CNET and now I'm watching this, these are the same videos, I'm confused...

[@funky3ddy]

BARONsProductions I believe both _CNET_ and _XCAR_ are owned by the _CBS Interactive_.

[@theresaballou9401]

Fabulous!💜

[@306champion]

Just love it

[@workerselite479]

Bravo 👏👏👏👏

[@KYoss68]

So you're saying Piech put the W in VW? Seriously though stop mincing around with your power designations and just stick with bhp mmmkay?

[@n0f3aR629]

When i think of fast cars, all it comes to mind is GTR

[@samfield3773]

Gtrs aint nice mate

[@Beer_Dad1975]

Only review I've seen that says the W12 Continental is better than the V8. Most I've seen say the W12 just isn't worth the extra money, and the car feels much better without the extra weight in the nose. Either way IMO the Continental is a bloated Audi at 5 times the price for the cashed up car ignorant. They aren't even built to last any more like Bentleys of old.

[@paliccolo]

no dude what happened with your beard?! especially in this weather no man should put out a naked chin! :)