A GLANCE in the door mirror of a Bentley Continental is all that's needed to explain why this is such a remarkable car.

The reflection leads the eye straight to the bulging haunches above the rear wheels - an image of absolute power.

It's a feelgood factor that is always with the driver and conveys all that is special about this thoroughbred British GT.

The Continental is a car that oozes class and it can be found throughout from the Breitling timepiece sitting atop of the dashboard to the quilted hide upholstery and the chrome pull controls for the air vents - a classic Bentley trait.

It's a proud marque and rightly so since with six Le Mans victories under its belt Bentley is a cornerstone of British autosport.

At £130,000 the Continental V8 is the most affordable model in the current Bentley stable yet is a car that lacks nothing.

With more than 500 horsepower available it is at the forefront of sports coupes, capable of 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds and a theoretical top speed of 188mph.

It flies when unleashed with massive urge from its 4.0-litre engine yet place it in town traffic and it is so nimble to manoeuvre.

There is nothing that will phase even the most demanding of drivers as the Continental moves seamlessly through its eight speed automatic gearbox.

A sport mode, variable damper settings and paddle shifters are available to enhance the experience yet at all times this is a car which is a driver's delight.

Bentley includes the likes of sat nav, Bluetooth, voice control and active cruise control in the Continental's manifest but they are there to assist and not to take away any of the pleasure of what is a great touring car.

It is at its best lapping up long distances - a pure GT in every sense.

On a 200-mile drive mainly at motorway speeds the car showed an average of 27mpg on the trip computer - a figure that exceeded the official fuel figure of 26.6 which equates to CO2 emissions of 246 g/km.

In traffic it is significantly thirstier - expect high teens to low 20s - and there is no doubt the Continental craves for the open road.

Open up the V8 and the growl is as rewarding as the effect and it is a pure powerhouse which feels just as a proper sports car should - weighted, balanced and absolutely responsive to the slightest input from the throttle or steering.

For added downforce a spoiler can be deployed just aft of the rear window at the push of a button behind the gear lever but with UK speed limits it is a device of limited purpose.

Finesse is a Bentley byword and the Continental can be refined to the hilt with options including ceramic brakes, massaging seats and additional carbon fibre trim.

This example in aquamarine looked a million dollars - £169,355 in real money with the best part of £40,000 in extras - and every bit the status symbol on four wheels.

For the money the V8 is much more suited to British roads than the more powerful 6.0-litre W12 flagship but in any guise the Continental is absolute proof that a Bentley is still one of the world's most desirable and rewarding of cars.