Bentley Continental GTC

BENTLEY'S third-generation Continental was launched in 2018 and was given such a major update last year that the firm is calling it “all-new”. Whether or not you agree, there’s no denying the model has been given a new lease of life.

- Alastair Crooks [e-mail]

We tried it in hard-top form last year and came away impressed. There are subtle new design cues, such as the Batur-like headlights that feature 120 individual LEDs – with different styles for the Azure we're testing here and the flagship Speed model. Also helping to keep the GT and GTC looking fresh are new wheel choices, as well as new grille inserts, redesigned exhaust tips and a diffuser.

The Bentley is about the same width as the Aston Martin Vanquish and Ferrari 12Cilindri, but it’s longer and taller than both, with incredible road presence. The interior matches the exterior’s gravitas, despite staying largely the same as before - it has always been one of the car's highlights.

As ever, the build quality and materials are a real treat. On the Azure's doors there's a new 3D Harmony Diamond leather design, open-pore walnut veneers on the centre console (our car has 'piano' painted veneers), a choice of bright or dark chrome and Nappa leather with 15 colours to choose from. Go for Bentley’s Mulliner programme, and there are 46 billion unique configurations. The elegance of the cabin is backed up by the use of physical buttons on the dash, which respond with reassuringly solid damping or a pleasant click.