Unfinished business

[Coss]

The Crewe people say it's all-new, despite the traditional looks and drivetrain. Can you wait for a year?

 

This may sound a little bitter but Bentley's all-new Continental GT looks more like a facelift of the previous model that even eagle-eyed enthusiasts will have a hard time spotting the difference.

 

Just look at the pictures _ it's so unmistakably like the 2003 model, from the squarish grille, circular lamps and Aston-like window lines to pronounced rear haunches and rectangular rear lights. Are the Crewe boys running out of ideas, you might ask?

 

Bentley insists they want to preserve the design elements of its iconic entry-level GT sports car _ just as Mini and Porsche do with their iconic models. Well, it's the German way of selling luxury cars, some might wish to say.

 

And despite their blooded nationalities, Mini and Bentley are actually owned by the Germans (the former by BMW, the other by Volkswagen). And consider that Porsche is set to become an in-house brand of the mighty VW Group.

 

Because of that, respective makers want a Mini to be a Mini, a 911 or a Conti to remain just as they have always been. As saying goes: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

That said, it appears that the so-called all-new Bentley is once again set to capture the hearts of rappers, league footballers and well-off luxury car buyers who find a high-end BMW or Mercedes-Benz too mainstream.....................................................................

 

There's obviously more money in Thailand than your average Somchai can comprehend, or is likely to ever comprehend...............