THERE'S something deliciously seductive about a Bentley convertible.

From the hand built craftsmanship to the thrill of high performance open top motoring, they are cars with epitomise all that is great about British motoring heritage.

The latest incarnation moves all those qualities up a league in what can only be described as one of the finest cars money can buy.

The new Continental GT V8 S Convertible not only has looks to drool over but is dynamically sublime.

Lowered suspension and sharper styling differentiate the S from other Continentals and roof up or down the convertible is stunning.

The roof retraction takes just 20 seconds and transforms the car in the ultimate open top grand tourer.

Although a four seater, leg room in the rear is nominal yet boot space of 260 litres is accommodating in any configuration. That's about 100 less than its hard-top counterpart - or a difference of some three cubic feet in old money.

Hood up and the aerodynamics are such that wind noise is almost non-existent and in heavy rain not one drop of water will settle on the rear screen at cruising speeds.

That is one of the many amazing qualities possessed by the new Continental which now costs from £152,900 - or as was the case with this example £195,700 thanks to more than £40,000 worth of extras.

With an interior decked out in carbon fibre trim and the finest cross-stitched hide it exudes pure luxury - and the touches include an analogue Breitling clock.

Under the bonnet is a four-litre V8 turbo that has now been boosted to deliver 521bhp and maximum power is available from as low as 1,700 revs.

Top speed is an incredible 191mph, 0 to 60 flashes up in just 4.5 seconds and the sound from the four exhausts which nestle either side of a gloss black diffuser is V8 purity.

This is heavy metal motoring with the finesse of a symphony.

A revised suspension set up and beautifully weighted steering make for surprising agility - as nimble as any roadster despite it tipping the scales at almost 2.5 tonnes.

The suspension can be firmed up for sportier work but even when left to its own devices the ride is of the highest order.

Cylinder on demand technology which allows the engine to run on only four cylinders under a light throttle is fitted to aid economy  and while Bentley claims 25.9mpg with emissions of 254g/km it is possible to outstrip that on a good run.

The best we averaged was 28.2 to the gallon and generally the V8 S will return fuel figures in the low 20s.

Not surprisingly the Continental Convertible is at its best out on the open road and from a driver's perspective it is a delight with an intimate feel.

Everything in the cockpit seems to be just in the right place and that's from the starter button to the electronic parking brake which fall to hand naturally, as do the steering wheel mounted buttons for the sat nav, phone and audio controls.

The eight speed auto box can be operated manually either in tiptronic fashion or by paddle shifters and flicking through the gears can be rapid and venomous.

Touches that are pure Bentley include slider controls for the air vents while a spectacle case is provided in the centre console and the seatbelts are delivered automatically over your shoulder as you enter the car.

If there is a point worth noting about the convertible then it will be when it comes to parking. The doors are 57-inches long and require plenty of space to get in and out.

Nevertheless, they car classically proportioned, flowing into the rear haunches that convey the awesome potential of this twin-turbo piece of automotive exclusivity.

The Continental Convertible is a pure delight of everything that is great about a Bentley, stylish, sleek and impeccably engineered - and with a range of around 500 miles it is an open top motoring experience that is second to none.